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 hated walls—let me pursue the steps of my father."

"To do so would be madness (replied Lafroy); to follow his steps, would be to give a clue to his pursuers to discover him."

"Then guide me to a convent," cried Madeline.

"No; for a convent would be the worst asylum you could enter. The Marquis's power is great; on missing you, he will naturally conclude you have taken shelter in one, and will, I am confident, immediately get himself authorized to search throughout the religious houses for you, in order to get you again into his hands."

"Whither then (said Madeline in an agony), Oh! whither shall I go?"

"I have a female relation in Paris (cried Lafroy), who I am sure would be happy to afford you an asylum. She is far advanced in life; a woman of an amiable disposition, and housekeeper to a gentleman of large fortune, who, on the death of his wife, which happened some years ago, betook himself to