"But what can there be to sadden you ?" "This, monsieur: that after to-night it is odds I shall never see you more." She said it without hesitation and without coquetry, for her upbringing had been simple and natural in an atmosphere different far from that in which had been reared the courtly women he had known.

"You will return to Paris and the great world, and I shall live out my life in this, little corner of Dauphiny.

You will forget me in the bustle of your career, monsieur; but I shall always hold your memory very dear and very gratefully.

You are the only friend I have ever known since my father died excepting Florimond, though it is so long since I have seen him, and he never came to me in times of stress as you have done." "Mademoiselle," he answered, touched despite himself more touched than he could have believed possible to his callous, world-worn nature--"you make me very proud; you make me feel a little better than I am, for if I have earned your regard and friendship, there must be some good in old Garnache.

Believe me, mademoiselle, I too shall not forget." And thereafter they remained a spell in silence, she sitting by the window, gazing out into the bright October sky, he standing by her chair, thoughtfully considering her brown head so gracefully set upon her little shoulders.