"Come, Marguerite, since you are relentless, I am going to see for myself." "Madame, you think so? You are not able yet to walk after such an illness." "Do not scold me, I submit; I will not spoil the surprise, but how impatient I am to know!" The door of the library opened again. It was David, Frederick, and Doctor Dufour. Marguerite went away, after having whispered to Frederick: "M. Frederick, when you hear me cough behind the door, all will be ready." And the old servant went out. At the sight of the doctor, Madame Bastien said, cheerfully: "Oh, now that you are here, my good doctor, I do not doubt any longer that there is a conspiracy." "A conspiracy?" answered Doctor Dufour, affecting astonishment, while David and Frederick exchanged a smile. "Yes, yes," replied Marie. "A surprise they are preparing for me. But I warn you that surprises are very dangerous to poor invalids like me, and you had a great deal better tell me beforehand." "All that I can tell you, my dear impatient and beautiful invalid, is that we have agreed that to-day is the day when you must make an attempt to walk alone for the first time, and that it is my duty, yes, madame, my duty to assist this exertion of your powers." Scarcely had the doctor uttered these words, when they heard Marguerite cough with great affectation behind the door. "Come, mother," said Frederick to his mother, tenderly, "have courage now, we are going to take a long walk in the house." "Oh, I feel so strong that you will be astonished," replied Marie, smiling and trying to rise from her sick-chair, and succeeding with great difficulty, for she was very weak. It was a beautiful and pathetic picture. Marie, having risen, advanced with an uncertain step, David at her right, the doctor at her left, ready to sustain her if she fainted, while Frederick, in front of her, was slowly walking backward, holding out his arms, as one does to a child that is attempting his first steps. "You see how strong I am!" said the young woman, stepping slowly toward her son, who smiled upon her with tenderness. "Where are you going to take me?" "You are going to see, mother." Frederick had scarcely uttered these words, when a fearful, terrible shriek sounded from behind the door. [Illustration: "SHE SAW HER HUSBAND."] It was Marguerite. Then the door opened suddenly, and a bantering, ringing voice said at the same time: "Make a note of it! The big old fellow is living yet!" Marie, who was opposite the door, uttered a terror-stricken cry and fell backward. She saw her husband Jacques Bastien. CHAPTER XLII.