They had told her of the paths of glory, but she was walking the homeward way.
Thus deftly, and without strain, and with an air of happiness even, did she set aside the words and the appeal which had created a storm in her soul.

A few moments afterwards, as the old house rang to the laughter of old and young, with dancing well begun, no one would have thought that the Manor of Pontiac was not the home of peace and joy.

Even Louis himself, who had had his moments of torture and suspicion when the appeal was read, was now in a kind of happy reaction.

He moved about among the guests with less abstraction and more cheerfulness than he had shown for months.

He carried in his hand the address which Madelinette had handed him.