'Ah! sir, you are a wise man; can you find how to quiet the poor
little thing? Her nurse has nearly driven her distracted with
talking of the foster-parents she has found for the child.'

'Not found!' cried Eustacie. 'No, for she shall never go!'

'There!' lamented Nanon--'so she agitates herself, when it is but
spoken of. And surely she had better make up her mind, for there
is no other choice.'

'Nay, Nanon,' said M. Gardon, 'wherefore should she part with the
charge that God has laid on her?'

Eustacie gave a little cry of grateful joy. 'Oh, sir, come nearer!
Do you, indeed, say that they have no right to tear her from me?'

'Surely not, Lady. It is you whose duty it is to shield and guard
her.'

'Oh, sir, tell me again! Yours is the right religion. Oh, you are
the minister for me! If you will tell me I ought to keep my child,
then I will believe everything else. I will do just as you tell
me.' And she stretched out both hands to him, with vehement
eagerness.

'Poor thing! This is no matter of one religion or another,' said
the minister; 'it is rather the duty that the Almighty hath
imposed, and that He hath made an eternal joy.'

'Truly,' said Nanon, ashamed at having taken the other side: 'the