“Still,” replied I, “he authorizes you to be generous after victory.” “And what does he take them for?” cried she, crimsoning with anger. “He forgets that the d’Aillanes are the soul of honor, and will never receive as a favor or benefit, what justice causes them to regard as the legal property of their family.” I was struck with the energy she infused into this reply. “Are you then so intimate with the d’Aillanes?” I asked. “I was not aware of it.” She blushed again and answered in the negative. “I have never had much to do with them,” said she; “but they are nearly enough related to me for our honor to be identical. I am quite sure that it was my uncle’s wish to leave them his fortune, and still more as M. d’Ionis having married me for what is termed _mes beaux yeux_, did not at that time have the countenance to look up a fortune for me by means of breaking this will, through some legal defect.” Then she added: “Are you not acquainted with any of the d’Aillanes?” “I have seen the father quite often, the children never, the son is an officer in a garrison somewhere or other.” “At Tours,” said she quickly. Then she added, still more hastily: “At least I think so.” “They say he is a very fine fellow!” “I am told so, but I have not seen him since he has grown up.” This answer reassured me. For an instant it had occurred to me that the disinterested magnanimous motives of Madame d’Ionis might be attributable to a passion that she entertained for her cousin d’Aillane. “His sister is charming,” said she; “Have you never seen her?” “Never, isn’t she still in the convent?” “Yes, at Angers, they say she is an angel. Will you not be proud when you have succeeded in plunging a daughter of a good house into misery? One who counted rightfully, upon an honorable marriage and a life agreeable to her rank and education? This is what troubles her poor father more than anything else. But come, tell me your expedients, for you have sought and found some, have you not?” “Yes,” I replied, after having reflected as well as one can reflect in a fever. “I have found a solution.” CHAPTER IV. THE NAIAD. I had hardly imparted this hope of success, when I was terrified at having entertained it myself, but I could not now withdraw. My beautiful client overwhelmed me with questions. “Well, madame,” said I, “the means must be found of making the oracle speak, without my acting the part of an imposter; but you must furnish me with certain details which I lack, concerning the apparition, whose theatre of action as they affirm is this castle.”