The Nameless Castle

guest. This time the child was really asleep, and opened her eyes only when

ieur? I deserve to be scolded, though, for I was very naughty last night, and you were so kind to me-gave me such nice egg-punch; see, there is a glass of it left over; it will do for my breakfast. I love cold punch, so you need not trouble to bring me any chocolate." W

aid, after she had finished her meal. "Oh

your disappearance; and if she does know that you did not return home last night, she believes you safe with the ma

s cross she is so disagreeable. At other times, though, she is perfectly lovely! You will see how very beautiful she is,

touched by the little

street in such a costume. Besides, it would frighten your mama to see you so. I am going

th lace, with short sleeves," p

th lace. You need not be afraid to stay alo

t bit afraid. I like t

suggested the old gentleman, more and mor

imed the child. "She slept with me last nig

r your own, if you lik

ll belong to your dear lit

wfully murmured

tle cupboard, and call her Philine. That was the name of my l

like to look at a b

apping her hands. "Why, I am just learning the alphabet

tenderly ejaculated the old gent

room a porcelain flowerpot c

ried the child, admiringly. "Ho

" returned her host, pus

wy blossoms, and, with childlike coquetry,

autiful flower c

narci

ittle maid suddenly clapped

of our palace! Now don'

Narcissus'? I ha

home. Oh, you dear good little flower!" an

yed her smilingly for a

now, and bu

l tell Philine the story of Ga

r, and do not open it until I m

cond one! Just say, 'Papa A

ened every drawer and cupboard. In returning to the first room she saw some scraps of paper scattered about the floor. She collected them carefully, placed them on the table, and dexterously fitted

the scraps of paper from the table, and hastened to open the door before t

gentleman clothed the child as skilfully as if he were accustomed to such work. When the task was finished he l

ed in his own, he descended to the street in ques

uilt by the Duke de Soubise. Like so many other fine houses, it had been confiscated by the Revolution and sold at auction

es of apartments, which became the favorite lodgings of the young men of fashion. These young men were called the "narcis

ich led to her mama's apartment, the little countess

marquis will return home

less fib was due to the rank of the little countess; she could not ha

on's arm and leading him into the palace. "I don't want to meet any of the

ome. Through the folding-doors which opened into an adjoining room came the melancholy tones of a harmonium; and M. Cambray

her you have brought me home. Be very careful; mama is very nervous."

s a magnificent salon, filled with a brilliant com

raped the shoulders and bust with embroidered kerchiefs, with priceless lace adorning their gowns and genuine pearls twined among their tresses

ders hidden by her wonderfully beautiful golden hair. When M. Cambray, in his plain brown coat buttoned to the chin, with black gloves and

hty stare, and was about to speak when a lackey in silver-embroider

d, with sudden terror

d her, and a scene of gr

ray came for

aughter, countess, a

into the room, then sank to the floor unconscious. She was tenderly lifted

dies seized his hands; and while a blonde houri on his right sought to attract his attention, a brunette beau

commanding mien, now pressed forward to introduce himself. "Monsieur,

mbray," was the

to tell us-the friends of the

attention. All were deeply affected. Some of the women wept. When M. Cambray concluded his re

brave, good man! We will n

and announced that the countess was better, and

ious cushions. Her little daughter was kneeling by her side, h

. "I hope you will allow me to call you my friend. I shall never cease to thank you! Amélie, my love, kiss this hand; look at t

ow if they had escaped pursuit. While the countess was speaking he could not help but think that a great ado was being made because a littl

ply wa

daughter is v

ned the ivory locket from the black ribbon around her ne

ued is dear to you, monsieur, then accept this

he lovely countess had given

e Amélie, who smilingly lifted her face for the caress. Then he bowed courteously, and returne

fer you my carriage." He gave his arm to the old gentleman, and conducted him to the ves

, himself assisted M. Cambray to enter it. Then he shook hands cordially with the old gent

ie, overwhelmed by merriment, buried her face in her mother's skirts; the maid giggled discreetly; while Jocrisse, clasping his rotund stomach with both hands, bent his head toward his knees, and betrayed his

ot capita

in thought. He glanced only now and then from the window. He was not altogether satisfied with himself that he was

ot enter the gate at his lodgings! The Swiss hussar sprang from the box, opened the c

esidence," said t

the sergeant. "This is th

o here? My name i

ry one we have

. Cambray's turn

onfiscated, he was conducted to a room in the second story, in which he

of them impromptu verses had been scribbled; others had perpetuated their profiles; and still others had drawn car

d was the connection between the two events. How came it about that the courteous and sympathetic

his door suddenly opened, and a morose old jailer

ve dined," sa

t you to understand, citizen, that if you have any idea of star

ened with loud clanking of chains and bolts, and a tall

c. He approached the prisoner, and said in a commandin

s well confess everything; it is t

s. "That is the usual form of address to a

rquis

ll; then we will try a different one. It may be that we shall part quite good friends! What do I say? Part? Say, rather, that we may continue toge

ronically ejacul

a little girl secreted in your a

is not the custom for French gentlemen to spy out or

ale you refer to, monsieur, but about a

ermine the age of a lad

clue," retorted De Fervlans. "Why, for in

f sometimes! I am a queer old

ook to your apartment yesterday evening a stray child, and an hour later your friend came out of the

?" hastily interrupted Ca

t ten o'clock, and the twelve-year-old little maid whom your friend brought downstairs at eleven, pretending that he was going in search of the lost child's mother. Besides, everything conspi

hich would have lightened his heart, a

ld concern me. It is his own famil

rply responded the marquis. "There are proofs th

ray smiled

ently searched

standing this, however, we know very well that you received a letter yesterday warning you of approaching danger. We know very well that you and your friend tr

is witness be?"

u picked up i

credulously. "The little girl

and has entrapped more than one conspirat

is really true. The police authorities really employ a number of beautiful women, handsome young m

ng that celebrated brigade thi

n, who gathered about me with te

hera's Brigade," sup

se-the beautiful woman who f

She taught her little daughter th

le Amélie's portrait, and was about to fling it on the floor and trample upon it. On

de her such a monster are at fault. I will ke

to learn what has become of your young friend. In fac

know wher

e has fled to a 'country where order prevails, and where

rhaps!" was the

your own lips, and you pointed out

ess dreame

rds. It is to the interest of the state to discover your secret. If you will reveal the hiding-place of your fri

"that I must refuse so handsome an opportunity to en

merely a fable. What is your ambition? Should you prefer to be a governor? Name

hat I said before: I know nothing about the

ambray, that your refusa

on the table, "that it is a matter of perfect indifference to me if this daily portion of

hat Cambray the banker may say what is not true; but the nobleman cannot li

s chair, drew himself up proudly, and gazing de

d

f courtesy. He bowed with extreme politeness, then, slipping his a

o to win this info

imself from De Fervlans's arm,

he celebrated professor of anatomy; perhaps he may be able to discover the informat

t, but turned at the door

ng as it shall please you to remain obstinate. As for the fugitives

d nobleman was removed