A loud and ringing voice called out as they left: "To the daughter of the regimental bandsman Mirouet." By this means all Nemours came to know the profession of Ursula's father, a secret the old doctor had sedulously kept.
Savinien did not go to Montargis.

He received in the course of the day an anonymous letter containing a prophecy:-- "You will never marry Ursula.

If you wish her to live, give her up at once to a man who loves her more than you love her.

He has made himself a musician and an artist to please her, and he would rather see her dead than let her be your wife." The doctor came to Ursula three times in the course of that day, for she was really in danger of death from the horror of this mysterious persecution.

Feeling that some infernal hand had plunged her into the mire, the poor girl lay like a martyr; she said nothing, but lifted her eyes to heaven, and wept no more; she seemed awaiting other blows, and prayed fervently.
"I am glad I cannot go down into the salon," she said to Monsieur Bongrand and the abbe, who left her as little as possible; "_He_ would come, and I am now unworthy of the looks with which _he_ blessed me.