She no sooner caught sight of Josephine than she threw her arms open to her with joyful vivacity, and kissed her warmly.

"My love, you have saved us.

I am a happy old woman.

If I had all France to pick from I could not have found a man so worthy of my Josephine.

He is brave, he is handsome, he is young, he is a rising man, he is a good son, and good sons make good husbands--and--I shall die at Beaurepaire, shall I not, Madame the Commandante ?" Josephine held her mother round the neck, but never spoke.