what I found in the wood, growing out of a rugged old dead root;
and just by, sheltered by the threefold leaves of the alleluia-
flower, was a bird's nest, the mother-bird on her eggs, watching me
with the wise black eye that saw I would not hurt her. And it
brought back the words I had heard long ago, of the good God caring
for the sparrows; and I knew He would care the more for me and
mine, because I have not where to lay my head.'

'Alas!' sobbed Veronique, 'now she is getting to be a saint
outright. She will be sure to die! Ah, Madame--dear Madame! do
but listen to me. If you did but know how Madame de Bellaise is
afflicting herself on your account! She sent for me--ah! do not be
angry, dear Lady?'

'I wish to hear nothing about her,' said Eustacie.

'Nay, listen, _de grace_--one moment, Madame! She has wept, she
has feared for you, all the lay-sisters say so. She takes no
pleasure in hawking, nor in visiting; and she did not eat more than
six of Soeur Bernardine's best conserves. She does nothing but
watch for tidings of Madame. And she sent for me, as I told you,
and conjured me, if I knew where you were, or had any means of
finding out, to implore you to trust to her. She will swear on all
the relics in the chapel never to give a hint to Messieurs les
Chevaliers if only you would trust her, and not slay yourself with
all this dreadful wandering.'

'Never!' said Eustacie; 'she said too much!'

'Ah! but she declares that, had she known the truth, she never