After a slight pause, she looked at the notary with an amused smile, and answered of her own accord, to the great joy of Monsieur de Solis:-- "You are indeed a good relation,--I expected nothing less of you; but an interest of five per cent would delay our release too long.

I shall wait till my brother is of age, and then we will sell out what he has in the Funds." Pierquin bit his lip.

Emmanuel smiled quietly.
"Felicie, my dear child, take Jean back to school; Martha will go with you," said Marguerite to her sister.

"Jean, my angel, be a good boy; don't tear your clothes, for we shall not be rich enough to buy you as many new ones as we did.

Good-bye, little one; study hard." Felicie carried off her brother.
"Cousin," said Marguerite to Pierquin, "and you, monsieur," she said to Monsieur de Solis, "I know you have been to see my father during my absence, and I thank you for that proof of friendship.