For even this powerful ally, whose strength, however, they were by no means sure of, might succumb before the determined Josephine! Prudence demanded a middle course.

"Ain't they brother and sister ?" said the old man, with an air of virtuous toleration.

"Let 'em fight it out." The young man impatiently entered the room he remembered to have been his sister's.

By the light of the moon that streamed upon the window he could see she was not there.

He passed hurriedly to the door of her bedroom; it was open; the room was empty, the bed unturned.