"Hush!" replied Madame de Gange, "you must not brood over that misfortune. The baron died as a French noble should, in doing what he believed to be his duty. Montbazon is rising from its ashes, a much more commodious dwelling." "Thanks to your liberality," sighed Madame de Vaux, "but I can never endure to live in it." "Nor shall you," returned Gabrielle, quickly. "We settled long ago that you and Angelique were to make your home with me." There was a silence, while the ladies reviewed the past, which had been so terrible a nightmare to both. Then Madame de Vaux, drying her eyes, observed, "How strange it is that the baleful woman was never after heard of." "Nor my jewel-case," replied Gabrielle, slyly. "I doubt if those stolen gems will bring good fortune to the thief!" THE END. * * * * * SIMMONS & BOTTEN, PRINTERS, LONDON. _G. C. & Co_.