"Why, no, I am not. I am not ill either mentally or physically, I swear."

"Don't swear," said Monsieur Dalize; "and do me the kindness to hide yourself for some moments behind this clump of trees. I have witnesses who will convince you that I still have good eyes."

Monsieur Dalize got up, opened the door of the vestibule, and called Miette. She ran out gayly.

"What do you wish, papa?" she said.

"I want to see our friend Roger. Is he not in the parlor with you?"

"No; he always goes his own way. He does not talk to us any longer; and he has had a very funny, sad look for some time. He is not the same at all."

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"Very well, my child," said Monsieur Dalize, interrupting the little girl. "Go back to the parlor and send me your brother."

Albert soon arrived.

"You wanted me, father?" said he.

"Yes; I want you to repeat to me what you told your mother this morning."

Albert thought for a moment; then he said,--

"About Monsieur Roger?"

"Yes."

"Well, I told mamma that for some time back I have heard Monsieur Roger walking all night in his room; only this evening I heard him crying."

"That is all that I wish to know, my child. You can go back again."

When Monsieur Dalize was alone, he walked around the clump of trees to rejoin Roger.

"Well," said he, softly, "you have heard. Everybody has noticed your grief. Won't you tell me now what it is that you are suffering, or what secret is torturing you?"

"Yes, I will confide this secret to you," said Monsieur Roger, "because you will understand me, and you will not laugh at your unhappy friend."

And Monsieur Roger told the whole truth to his friend Dalize. He told him what a singular fixed idea had possessed his brain; he told him of the strange resemblance which he thought he had discovered between the features of his dear and regretted wife and the face of Paul Solange.

Monsieur Dalize let his friend pour out his soul to him. He said only, with pitying affection, when Monsieur Roger had finished,--

"My poor friend! it is a dream that is very near insanity."

"Alas! that is what I tell myself; and still----"

"And still?" repeated Monsieur Dalize. "You still doubt? Come with me."

He re-entered the chateau with Roger. When he reached the parlor he went straight to Paul Solange.

"Paul," said he, "to-morrow is the mail, and I shall write to your father."

"Ah, sir," answered Paul, "I will give you my letter; maybe you can put it in yours."

Monsieur Dalize seemed to be trying to think of something.

"How long a time is it," said he, "since I have had the pleasure of seeing your excellent father?"

"Two years, sir; but he will surely come to France this winter."

Monsieur Dalize looked at Roger; then he whispered in his ear,--

"You have heard."

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CHAPTER XX.

FIRE.

Certainly Monsieur Roger had heard, certainly he tried to convince himself; but when his looks fell upon Paul, his reason forsook him and he doubted again, and even he hoped. Some days pa.s.sed in a semi-sadness that made every one feel uneasy. The children, without knowing why, knew that something had happened which troubled the mutual happiness of their life. Monsieur and Madame Dalize alone understood and pitied their friend Roger. They endeavored to interest him in other things,--but Monsieur Roger refused walks, excursions, and the invitations of the neighbors. He had asked Monsieur Dalize to let him alone for a while, as he felt the need of solitude.

One morning Albert said to his father,--

"Father, Paul and I wish to go with a fishing-party to the farm, as we did last year. Will you allow us to do so?"

"Yes," answered Monsieur Dalize; "but on one condition."

"What is it?"

"That you take Monsieur Roger with you."

Albert looked at his father, and answered,--

"Then you refuse?"

"Why, no,--I only make that condition."

"Yes, father; but as we cannot fulfil the condition, it is equal to a refusal."

"Why cannot you fulfil it? What is there so difficult about it?"

"You know as well as I, my dear father, Monsieur Roger has been for some time very sad, very preoccupied; he wants to remain by himself, and consequently he will refuse to go to the farm."

"Who knows?"