place because of the adventure of Jaulnay, and again because of his unforeseen escape from Château-Trompette, and might be trusting to chance to restore everything to its proper place. He therefore unsealed the letter,--a very simple task, as it was sealed with a bit of wax only, and experienced a very strange and painful sensation as he read what follows:-- MADAME LA PRINCESSE,--It seems that you must have an expiatory victim for poor Richon's death; do not, I pray you, take an innocent man, but take the real culprit. I do not wish that Monsieur de Canolles should die, for to put him to death would be to avenge assassination by murder. As you read this letter I shall be within a league of Bordeaux, with all that I possess. You will deliver me to the populace, who detest me, for they have already tried twice to take my life, and you will keep for yourself my wealth, which amounts to two millions. Oh! madame, I ask this favor of you upon my knees; I am in part the cause of this war; with my death the province will be pacified and your Highness will be triumphant. Madame, a reprieve for quarter of an hour! You need not release Canolles until you have me in your power; but then, upon your soul, you will let him go, will you not? And I shall be respectfully and gratefully yours, NANON DE LARTIGUES. Having read the letter Cauvignac was amazed beyond expression to find his heart swollen with emotion and his eyes moist. He sat motionless and silent as if he could not believe his eyes. Suddenly he cried:-- "It is true, then, that there are in the world hearts that are generous for the mere pleasure of being generous! _Morbleu!_ she shall see that I am as capable as another of being generous when the need arises." As they were at the gates of the city, he handed the letter to Barrabas, with these instructions simply:-- "To whatever is said to you, reply: 'On the king's business!' nothing more, and deliver this letter into no hands but Madame la Princesse's own." While Barrabas galloped away toward the princess's temporary domicile, Cauvignac rode in the direction of Château-Trompette. Barrabas met with no obstacle; the streets were empty, the city seemed deserted, for everybody had gone to the Esplanade. At the palace gate the sentries undertook to forbid his passage, but, as Cauvignac bade him do, he waved his letter, crying:-- "On the king's business! On the king's business!" The sentries took him for a messenger from the court, and raised their halberds, and Barrabas entered the palace without further hindrance.