He went up into his room and examined the letter.

It was superscribed "To M.Chateaudoux," and the seal was broken.

Nevertheless, the finder did not scruple to read it.

It was a love-letter to the little gentleman from one Friederika.
"I am heart-broken," wrote Friederika, "but my fidelity to my Chateaudoux has not faltered, nor will not, whatever I may be called upon to endure.

I cannot, however, be so undutiful as to accept my Chateaudoux's addresses without my father's consent; and my mother, who is of the same mind with me, insists that even with that consent a runaway marriage is not to be thought of unless my Chateaudoux can provide me with a suitable woman for an attendant." These conditions fulfilled, Friederika was willing to follow her Chateaudoux to the world's end.