The Yale expositor., 1896-04-24

room. Before she could ask a Qufs-
ton, before she could speak even elm
gle word, her father came to her, caught
Danville by the arm, and pushed her
roughly back into the library.
Go there, and take the women with
you.' he said in quick, fierce whisper.
Into the library" he continued, turn
ing to the ladies, and raising his voice.
Into the library, all of you, along with
my daughter"
The women. terrified by his manner.
obeyed him in the greatest confusion.
AS they hurried past him into the
library, he signed to the notary to fol-
low; and then closed the door of COM
munlcation between the two rooms.
stop where you arew he cried, ad-
dressing the old officers, who had risen
from their chairs. Stay, insist on 1t!
Whatever happens, Jacques Bertheiin
has done nothing to be ashamed If in
the presence of his old friends and COM
panions. You have seen the begin
| ming, now stay and see the end"
While he spoke, he walked into the
middle of the room. He had never
quilted his hold on Danville's arm
step by step, they advanced together to
the place where Trudaine was standing.
"You have come into my house, and
asked me for my daughter In marriage
and have given her to you." said TIE
general, addressing Danville quietly
you told me that your first wife and
her brother we're guillotined three years
ago in the time of the Terror-and be-
lieved you. Now look at that man
look at him straight in the face. He
has announced himself to mo as the
brother of your wife, and he asserts that
his sister is alive at this moment. One
CT you two has deceived me. Which is
it?"
Danville tried to speak; but no sound
passed his lips: he tried to wrench his
arm from the grasp that was on 1t, but
could not stir the old soldiers steady
hand.
Are you afraid? are you a coward?
Can't you look him in the face?" asked
the general, tightening his hold sternly.
stop! Stop" interposed one Of the
old officers. coming forward. Give him
time. This may be case of strange
accidental resemblance, which would be
enough under the circumstances, to dis
compose any man. "You will excuse
me, citizen" he continued, turning to
Trudaine. But you are stranger; you
have given no proof of your identity"
There is the proof" said Trudaine,
pointing to Danvilles face.
Eyes, yes" pursued the other; "he
looks pale and startled enough, GER
tainly. But 1 say again-let us not be
too hasty; there are strange cases on
record of accidental resemblance, end
this may be one of them!'
AS he repeated these ords, Danville
looked at him with a faint, cringing
gratitude stealing slowly over the blank
terror of his face. He bowed his head,
murmured something, and gesticulated
confusedly with the hand that he was
free to use.
Look cried the old officer: look,
Berthelin, he denies the mans iden-
tity."
10 you near LudL sdlu lIle BeuSEdl,
appealing TO Trudaine. Have you
proofs to confute him? II you have pro-
duce them instantly"
Before the answer could be given, the
door leading into the drawing-room
from the staircase was violently flung
open, and Madame Danville-her hair
IL disorder, her face in its colorless ter
ror. looking like the very counterpart
of her son's-appeared on the threshold,
with the old man Dubois and group
of amazed and startled servants behind
her.
"For Gods sake, don't sign! for Gods
sake come away" she cried. 81 have
seen your wife-in the spirit or in the
flesh, know not which-but have seen
her. Charles! Charles! as true as
heaven is above us, have seen your
wifev'
"You have seen her in the flesh, liv-
ing and breathing as you see Ter
brother yonder," said firm, quiet voice
from among the servants on the landing
outside.