"Full of hope, the gentle Annette smiled through her tears; full of love and triumph, the exulting chevalier led her away, and they were married. Before leaving the convent, Jules placed in her hand a case containing a complete set of brilliants--a tiara for her head, a necklace, bracelets, and rings. Among these jewels was a _cameo locket_, studded with the purest diamonds. "On perceiving this well-known trinket, Annette grew pale, and tottered to a chair. It seemed to come like a signal from the grave of Louis d'Herblay to reproach her! Her features became convulsed and her voice tremulous, for in a moment she recognised her own gift to Louis, previous to his last departure for Fontamousson, and there occurred to her a strange, but just and dreadful suspicion, that for a moment paralysed her and rendered her totally incapable of repelling the chevalier, who held her in his arms, and perceived at once, and with no little confusion, the misfortune or discovery which was impending. "'Cursed fatality!' he exclaimed, through his clenched teeth. "'Whence come this trinket, Jules? How came it into your possession? Speak!' she exclaimed, in accents of terror, and with the gestures of passion. "'I do not understand you, dear Annette,' said he, finding that nothing but perfect confidence and a bold falsehood would carry him through this _malheur_. 'I had that locket made for me by a jeweller of the Rue St. Honoré, in Paris, many years ago, as a gift for my mother." "'It is false all this; for, four years ago, I had it made here in Remiremont." "'Annette!' "'Has it any secret spring or clasp?' she asked. "'No--none, I am assured,' he answered, boldly. "'You are sure of this, Jules?' "'I swear to you Annette,' he urged, becoming frightfully agitated, while the perspiration rolled like beads down his brow. "'Swear not--you have lied enough already,' she exclaimed wildly. 'See, monsieur,' she added, pressing a spring and opening the locket by a secret hitherto unknown to Coeurdefer, 'it contains my miniature and a braid of my hair--mine, given in a happy, happy hour to Louis d'Herblay! O, Louis! look down on me from heaven, and see how fate has avenged thee! Away, chevalier--away; come not near me, and touch me not! If other proof were wanting that you were his murderer, it is here.' "These words were rashly spoken, yet they stung Jules to the soul. She tore her bridal chaplet and veil from her brow, trampled on them with gestures of frenzy, and was borne away insensible in the arms of the canonesses. "In one hour after that _dénouement_ the exasperated chevalier had left Remiremont for the French camp--left it to return no more." "And what of Annette?" asked some one.