Sit down between me and Virginie and let us read it together.

Why, it is quite a long epistle." It was written in pencil upon what was evidently a fly-leaf of a book, and ran as follows: "My darling Jeanne and Virginie, you can imagine what joy I felt when I received your little note to-day and heard that you were still safe.

I could hardly believe my senses when, on opening the little ball of paper which one of our guards thrust into my hand, I found that it was from you, and that you were both safe and well.
I am writing this crouched down on the ground behind Madame de Vigny, and so hidden from the sight of our guards, but I can only write a few lines at a time, lest I should be detected.

Tell our good friend that I fear there is little chance of escape.

We are watched night and day.