But it was not her father who next appeared on the scene; it was Jean. Though before this great things had taken place. The Allied armies’ victorious advance had brought them to the borders of peace, though it was not yet, and every one was excitedly expectant. October gave place to November, then, in a few days came the news of Austria’s desire to discuss an armistice. The end was near. It was not long after this that Jean came. Lucie heard him talking to his mother in the garden, one morning very early. They were standing near the spot where the valuables were buried on that day of their flight. Paulette had cleared away the pile of dead branches. Lucie watched Jean strike his spade into the damp earth, and dig on steadily till he had come to one of the boxes. Lucie could stand it no longer, but slipped into her dress, threw something warm over her and ran down to view the unearthing. She called to Odette on the way and the two came out together. The boxes were intact. Jean carried them into the house and opened them. Everything was there, although the papers were moldy and the silver tarnished. While Paulette was fussing over the boxes Odette went out to feed the chickens. Jean followed, saying he would fill up the hole made by the boxes. A little while later Lucie looked out. The spade was still sticking up in the earth as Jean had left it. “I wonder what Jean is doing,” remarked Lucie. Paulette chuckled. “He is occupying himself very agreeably, I fancy.” Presently Odette came back, her big eyes soft with emotion. She went quickly to Paulette and held out her hands appealingly. “I know all about it, little daughter,” said Paulette, kissing her on each cheek, “and it is as I wish. _Le bon Dieu_ has answered my prayer.” Odette looked shyly down at a ring on her hand. It was made of steel and set with a bit of blue glass. She held it out for Lucie to see. “Jean made it for me from a piece of a Boche’s helmet and the blue is from the cathedral at Rheims.” She softly kissed the ring, at the same time looking at Lucie to see if she understood. Lucie turned to Paulette who stood smiling exultantly. “They are fianced,” she said, “and now I shall again have a daughter.” CHAPTER XX THE END IS PEACE