Both were dying; both had assuredly died within the week but that he came so timely to her aid.

And that aid he rendered like the noble-hearted gentleman he was.

He had contrived to save his fortune from the wreck of James' kingship, and this was safely invested in France, in Holland and elsewhere abroad.

With a portion of it he repurchased the chateau and estates of Maligny, which on the death of Antoinette's father had been seized upon by creditors.
Thither he sent her and her child--Rotherby's child--making that noble domain a christening-gift to the boy, for whom he had stood sponsor at the font.

And he did his work of love in the background.