Then, kissing her on the forehead as a brother might have done--"Pray on, Helene;" said he, "for in praying for me you pray also for Bretagne and for France." Then he rushed out of the room. "Alas! alas!" murmured Helene, "save _him_, my God! and what care I for the rest of the world." Gaston was met by a servant who gave him a note, telling him the duke was gone. The note was as follows: "There is a bal masque to-night at Monceaux; the regent will be there. He generally retires toward one o'clock in the morning into a favorite conservatory, which is situated at the end of the gilded gallery. No one enters there ordinarily but himself, because this habit of his is known and respected. The regent will be dressed in a black velvet domino, on the left arm of which is embroidered a golden bee. He hides this sign in a fold when he wishes to remain incognito. The card I inclose is an ambassador's ticket. With this you will be admitted, not only to the ball, but to this conservatory, where you will appear to seek a private interview. Use it for your encounter with the regent. My carriage is below, in which you will find my own domino. The coachman is at your orders." On reading this note, which, as it were, brought him face to face with the man he meant to assassinate, a cold perspiration passed over Gaston's forehead, and he was obliged for a moment to lean against a chair for support; but suddenly, as if taking a violent resolution, he darted down the staircase, jumped into the carriage, and cried-- "To Monceaux!" Scarcely had he quitted the room, when a secret door in the woodwork opened, and the duke entered. He went to Helene's door, who uttered a cry of delight at seeing him. "Well," said the regent sadly, "are you content, Helene?" "Oh! it is you, monseigneur?" "You see, my child, that my predictions are fulfilled--believe me when I say, 'Hope.'" "Ah! monseigneur, are you then an angel come down to earth to stand to me in the place of the father whom I have lost?" "Alas," said the regent, smiling. "I am not an angel, my dear Helene; but such as I am, I will indeed be to you a father, and a tender one." Saying this, the regent took Helene's hand, and was about to kiss it respectfully, but she raised her head and presented her forehead to him. "I see that you love him truly," said he. "Monseigneur, I bless you." "May your blessing bring me happiness," said the regent, then, going down to his carriage-- "To the Palais Royal," said he, "but remember you have only a quarter of an hour to drive to Monceaux." The horses flew along the road. As the carriage entered under the peristyle, a courier on horseback was setting out. Dubois, having seen him start, closed the window and went back to his apartments. CHAPTER XXXIII. MONCEAUX. Meanwhile Gaston went toward Monceaux.