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 protection for the offspring of it; an intention he has now laid aside as unnecessary, except the child is found, to search for whom I have dispatched some agents I can depend upon. The death of your brother is now known throughout the castle; I invented a plausible story for Lafroy to repeat, which he did with little hesitation; and it is believed that your brother fell by the hand of a ruffian belonging to one of the numerous gangs of banditti which infest these mountains. Lafroy sets out this day for the castle of Montmorenci; and has solemnly promised to adhere to my instructions in announcing the death of his lamented master.'

"I asked the monk whether the body of the unfortunate Philippe had been discovered?—he replied in the negative.

"What he told me, if possible, increased my anguish. I then enquired when I should behold my Geraldine?—'At night,' he replied. I counted the tedious moments till she appeared. Ah! how pale, how languid,