"The miserable victim of his own avarice was found in a small room in his own house. And when the sheriff broke into the apartment, he was lying upon the floor in a fit, sheets of paper covered with figures, and leaves from the account books, lying open near him, torn from the binding, and still clutched in his hands. He was removed at once to an upper chamber, where he was put under guard, but where, at the earnest pleading of his wife, she was allowed to be with him." "Frank, you ought to be there," Helen burst out, her eyes wildly protruded. "You might save something from the wreck." The young man stood still for one moment, then crushing the letter in his hand, he answered hoarsely: "We must start by the diligence to—night." "I always knew he was a villain." faltered Helen, the tears streaming down her checks. "Dear papa, how cruelly he was deceived!" But presently recovering her self-control, she exclaimed: "I have no time for regrets now. I must ride to the chateau and bid my scholars good-by. Mr. Tracy can't throw away what we've given to them." The hardest task remaining, was to bid farewell to the good clergyman, who had become so dear to them both. It was well they had not much time to dwell upon the parting. With his wrinkled hands on their bowed heads, the tears coursing over his furrowed cheeks, he called upon God, their father's God, to bless them, and keep them to the end. Then he turned away, weeping as he went. But Helen ran after him, and throwing her arms around his neck, kissed him again and again, saying: "We shall never forget your kindness and love. Write us, dear father; write everything that concerns you; and don't forget to pray that we may meet again." "We shall meet there," he said, reverently pointing his finger upward. "I shall not be long here, but while I live, I shall never cease to pray for you." [Illustration] CHAPTER XXIII. THE BRIDAL PAIR. IN less than three weeks from the hour when they bade adieu to Monsieur D'Ortey, they landed on the shores of their native land, and lost no time in proceeding to the city where their guardian resided. From this place Helen at once hastened to Morrisville by the new line of cars which carried her within a hundred rods of her aunt's house. Reaching the handsome depot finished during her absence, she left her baggage in the care of the depot-master and with her travelling bag on her arm started to walk home. It was nearly nine o'clock, and she was hastening her steps when she overtook an old gentleman, and to her delight recognized Mr. Knowles. Putting her arm in his, she began to ask a multitude of questions concerning those she loved. "Frederic is in the city," he said. "Your aunt is in her usual health, and will welcome you with open arms." "How long has Frederic been gone?" "Less than a week. He is engaged with lawyers in trying to ferret out some of the iniquities which have been going on under a cloak of piety. I suppose you have heard—"