When I knew the joy which you will never experience, Thérèse--that of parenthood,--I called my daughter by the name which I had borne during that ill-fated journey which cost our parents their crown and life,--"Amélie." My mother seemed to live again in the child, and I assured myself that the blood of Austria and Lorraine rose, asserting its purity and protesting against admixture with a plebeian strain. Chapter XIII THE INCENDIARY Here René raised his head and realized that his chamber was full of smoke. The atmosphere was growing dense, insufferable. The mirror over the mantel broke into pieces with a sharp explosion and great tongues of flame licked the sides of the chimney. A stout man with red whiskers put his head in the door, shouting "Fire!" Thrusting the manuscript into his bosom, René ran out, amid the bewildered servants and guests. Pails of water were brought from the kitchen and uproar reigned. "Keep your wits!" he shouted. "Shut the windows and wet the blankets from the beds." He turned to some one near and asked how the fire had started. The man replied that Count Keller's valet was to blame. Brosseur standing in the passage way seemed inconsolable. "I shall lose my place!" he almost sobbed. "My master will discharge me for this carelessness." René was everywhere at once, encouraging, urging, advising. Brosseur, meanwhile ran into the Marquis's room, returning with the bed blankets. At last the fire was extinguished and the proprietor grasped René's hand, thanking him for his services. The guests pressed near with praises for his conduct. Even the cook brandished his colossal fists in fury at the stupidity of the fellow who had caused the mischief. "I shall find him and break that heavy head of his!" he roared, darting toward Brosseur's chamber. A moment later he returned in a rage, exclaiming: "The rascal has escaped, leaving his baggage behind." René shuddered, scarcely knowing why. He ran to his room in search for his wallet. It was broken open and the box gone. "The villain has robbed me," he muttered, as the plot became clear to him. "I felt that I had seen his face before. Ah, Count Keller,--better said, Count Scoundrel--I know now whence you came. Have I indeed undone Amélie's father? Naundorff, watch-maker, I am henceforth your staunch partisan! This piece of villainy confirms your claim." He placed his hand in his breast in search for the manuscript and breathed more easily on feeling it. Book III THE KNIGHTS OF LIBERTY Chapter I LYING IN WAIT