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 at on your's. Besides, you would retard the expedition it is necessary for him to make, and prevent his exploring the places best calculated for affording him an asylum."

"What reason can be assigned, what excuse offered to the Marquis for his quitting the castle, clandestinely quitting it," demanded Madeline.

"He must write a letter to the Marquis (resumed Lafroy), to be delivered the day after his departure, informing him that the misfortunes of his early life had given him such a distaste to society, that he had formed the resolution of renouncing the world; a resolution which, for fear of opposition, he would not acquaint him with till he had put it into execution."

"But when he finds, as no doubt from D'Alembert he will, that this was not his real motive for quitting the castle, how—how (cried Madeline), shall I be able to support his reproaches?"

"You must summon all your resolution to your aid (said Lafroy), and brave the