.

THE MYSTERY SOLVED.
The late Marquis de Cinq-Cygne had used his savings, as well as those of his father and mother, in the purchase of a fine house in the rue de Faubourg-du-Roule, entailing it on heirs male for the support of the title.

The sordid economy of the marquis and his parents, which had often troubled Laurence, was then explained.

After this purchase the marquise, who lived at Cinq-Cygne and economized on her own account for her children, spent her winters in Paris,--all the more willingly because her daughter Berthe and her son Paul were now of an age when their education required the resources of Paris.
Madame de Cinq-Cygne went but little into society.

Her husband could not be ignorant of the regrets which lay in her tender heart; but he showed her always the most exquisite delicacy, and died having loved no other woman.