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 words in a voice so low, that their import was unintelligible to the bystanders, though, as the name Brusson was audible, de Scuderi trembled, but she was not long kept in suspense. Louis arose, and came to her with joy unaffectedly gleaming in his eyes, "I congratulate you, Mademoiselle," said he, "your protegé, Olivier Brusson, is free!" De Scuderi, who was too much affected to utter a word, would have thrown herself at his feet in her gratitude,—but Louis prevented her. "No, no! my lady," said he, "I have not deserved such homage, for it is to your exertions that this result is owing. You should, in truth, be my advocate in the chamber of peers, and carry on all my pleas, for there is no resisting your eloquence. Yet," added he, in a more serious tone, "whoever is under the protection of genius and virtue, may indeed be safe, in spite of the Chambre Ardente, and all the courts of justice in the world." De Scuderi now found words, and in the most glowing terms expressed her gratitude. The king interrupted this, reminding her that far more ardent thanks now awaited her in her own house than he had any right to look for, as by that time Madelon was probably clasped in the embraces of her fortunate lover. "Bontems," concluded the monarch, "shall disburse one thousand Louis d'or, which I beg of you to give in my name to the poor girl, as a wedding dowry. She may marry this Olivier Brusson, who, whether innocent or guilty, is probably far from deserving such good fortune; but, then, both of them must leave Paris. That is our fixed will and resolve, from which we shall certainly not depart."

On de Scuderi's return home, Martiniere came in a great hurry to the door, and behind her was Baptiste, both of them with looks of the utmost delight, and exclaiming, "He is free—he is free!—oh! the dear happy young bride and bridegroom!" The lovers now threw themselves at de Scuderi's feet—"Oh! I knew very well, that you,—you alone would save my beloved husband!" cried Madelon. "And my confidence in the kind protectress of my infancy," said Olivier,