As soon as he entered the lad said: "Of course, sir, I shall obey your commands; but it seems to me an unworthy part for your son to play, to be flying the country and leaving a stranger here to look after your daughters." "He is hardly a stranger, Ernest," the marquis replied.

"He has been with us as one of the family for two years, and he risked his life for your sisters.

You could not stay here without extreme risk, for if your name is not already included in the warrant for arrest it speedily will be so, and when they once taste blood these wolves will hunt down every one of us.

He, on the other hand, might proceed openly through the streets without danger; nevertheless, I would not have kept him if he would have gone; but I have no power of controlling him, and as he chooses to devote himself to us I thankfully accept his devotion.
"And now, my son, it may be that after our parting to-morrow we shall not meet again, for God alone knows what fate is in store for us.

I have, therefore, some serious advice to give you.