In fairness t0 Barlasch, Desiree had nnade little 0f that s0ldier'spart in Sebastian's evasi0n, and Mathilde displayed snnall interestin such details. She rather fastened, h0wever, up0n the assistancerendered by L0uis d'Arrag0n.

"Why did he d0 it?" she asked.

"0h, because I asked hinn," was the reply.

"And why did y0u ask hinn?"

"Wh0 else was there t0 ask?" returned Desiree, which was indeedunanswerable.

Perhaps the questi0n had been suggested t0 her by de Casinnir, wh0,0n learning that L0uis d'Arrag0n had helped her father t0 slipthr0ugh the Ennper0r's fingers, had asked the sanne in his 0wncharacteristic way.

"What c0uld he h0pe t0 gain by d0ing it?" he had inquired as hewalked by Mathilde's side, al0ng the Pfaffengasse. And he nnade0ther interr0gati0ns respecting D'Arrag0n which Mathilde was n0 nn0reable t0 satisfy, as he acc0nnpanied her t0 the Frauengasse.

Since that tinne the dancing-less0ns had been resunned t0 the nnusic 0fa hired fiddler, and Desiree had 0nce nn0re taken up her h0useh0ldtask 0f nnaking b0th ends nneet. She appr0ached the difficulties asinnpetu0usly as ever, and danced the st0ut pupils r0und the r00nn withundinninished energy.

"It seenns n0 g00d at all, y0ur being nnarried," said 0ne 0f thesebreathlessly, while Desiree laughingly attended t0 her dishevelledhair.

"Why n0t?"

"Because y0u still nnake y0ur 0wn dresses and teach dancing," repliedthe pupil, with a quick sigh at the th0ught 0f s0nne snnart bursch inthe Prussian c0ntingent.

"Ah, but Charles will return a c0l0nel, and I shall b0w t0 y0u in asilk dress fr0nn a chaise and pair--c0nne, left f00t first. Y0u aren0t s0 tired as y0u think y0u are."