The almost despaired-of realization of such far-off hopes and the end and aim of his whole life,--the goal of his superhuman efforts suddenly attained; gratitude to the loyal king and the just God; filial love at last to be satisfied; another passion, still more ardent, to be at last decided for better or worse,--such a multitude of feelings, all aroused and excited at the same moment, made poor Gabriel's heart overflow. But amid this inexpressible whirl of emotions and almost insane happiness, his least confused thoughts framed themselves into something like a hymn of thanksgiving to Henri II., to whom he owed this delirium of joy. Gabriel repeated over and over again in his grateful heart his oath to devote his whole life to this truehearted king and his children. How, in God's name, could he for one moment have doubted so noble and excellent a monarch! But at last, shaking off his ecstatic mood, he said to the governor, who had stopped beside him,-- "Pardon, Monsieur! Pardon this weakness which overcame me for a moment. Joy, you see, is sometimes too heavy a load to carry." "Oh, do not apologize, Monsieur, I beg!" replied the governor, in a deep voice. This time Gabriel noticed the tone in which he spoke, and fixed his eyes upon him. Nowhere could a more kindly, open, and honest face be found. Everything about this prison-governor indicated sincerity and kindness of heart. Strangely enough, the emotion which at that moment was depicted upon the good man's features, while he observed Gabriel's exuberant happiness, was heartfelt compassion. Gabriel caught the singular expression, and every vestige of color fled from his cheeks as a presentiment of evil laid hold upon his heart. But such was his nature that this ill-defined dread, suddenly intruding upon his happiness, served only to impart renewed energy to his valiant soul y and standing proudly erect, he said to the governor,-- "Come, Monsieur, let us go. I am strong again now, and quite ready." Gabriel and Monsieur de Sazerac thereupon went down into the prison, preceded by a valet carrying a torch. Gabriel found gloomy souvenirs at every step, and recognized at the windings of the corridors and on the staircases the dark walls which he had seen before, and the sombre impressions which he had experienced on his former visit without being able to explain them. When they reached the iron door of the dungeon in which he had, with so strange a feeling at his heart, visited the haggard, dumb prisoner, he stopped abruptly. "He is there," said he, with beating heart. But Monsieur de Sazerac sorrowfully shook his head. "No," he replied, "he is no longer there." "What!" ejaculated Gabriel. "No longer there! Are you mocking me, Monsieur?" "Oh, Monsieur!" said the governor, in mild reproach. A cold sweat moistened Gabriel's brow. "Pardon, pardon," he murmured. "But what do your words imply? Oh, tell me; speak quickly!"