"Be all to her, Louis, that I have been," he murmured to himself, repeating his mother's last words, and beginning the letter while he uttered them.

It was soon completed.

It expressed in the most respectful terms his gratitude for the offer made to him, and his inability to accept it, in consequence of domestic circumstances which it was needless to explain.

The letter was directed, sealed; it only remained for him to place it in the post-bag, lying near at hand.

At this last decisive act he hesitated.