’I reckon the wood were damp,’ said the old woman. ’It be too late, and not possible to light it again now.’ ’And the candles are flickering in their sockets.’ ’There is not another in the house. Look at mine.’ ’It will be so dark.’ ’Do not be afraid. The Lord will give you light.’ ’It will be so cold.’ ’You will be warm in bed.’ ’O no! it is colder there than outside.’ She remained without speaking, waiting for Genefer to say something, but the old woman offered no remark, not knowing what to say. Still she stood there, hesitating, and the banister rattled under her hand laid on it. ’There, there!’ said Genefer, ’lie down and shut your eyes, and you will soon be asleep.’ ’I cannot sleep.’ She still stood there, irresolute. ’Is the fire burning in the parlour? I should like to go in there, and sit there.’ ’I’ve just put him out.’ ’Then—that in the kitchen.’ ’He’s out likewise. There, there, go to bed like a good dear. There is no help—it must be.’ ’Geneviève, I asked Mr. John Herring to send you away. You frightened me. I am very sorry. Will you forgive me for doing so?’ ’To be sure I will. I am not one to bear malice.’ ’Do you really think, Geneviève, that he is alive?’ ’I do. I cannot doubt it.’ ’Oh, promise me, if ever you see him, and I not, tell him’—she paused—’tell him that now I wish, with all my heart, I had loved him as he deserved.’ Then she went upstairs again, in the same slow, reluctant manner, step by step, ascending backward, feeling each step behind her with her bare foot before planting it, and raising herself to the higher level, and she kept her eyes fixed on Genefer as though dreading to lose sight of her. At last Mirelle’s hand, feeling behind her, touched the latch of her door, and the chill of the metal sent a shiver through her. Slowly, very slowly, she pressed the door open behind her, walking backwards still, with a sad despairing look in her large dark eyes fixed on Genefer. And Genefer, standing below, said, ’Sweetheart, go to your bed, and, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE!’ *CHAPTER LIX.* *DIVIDING THE SPOILS.* ’Never was more shocked in my life!’ said Captain Trecarrel; ’I really have not recovered it yet. So young, so beautiful, so good! and you, my sweet Orange, I observe, are greatly overcome. It does you credit; it does, upon my life.’