'Ah, Michael, you must pray le bon Jesu. He's garde notre mignon.'And then she bent over the babe, whispering--

'Ah, mon cheri, mon amour, adieu! adieu! mon ange!' till Slavin puthis arms about her and took her away, for as she was whispering herfarewells, her infant, with a little answering sigh, passed into theHouse with many chambers.

'Whisht, Annette darlin'; don't cry for the baby,' exclaimed herhusband. 'Shure it's much better off than the rest av us, it is. An'didn't ye hear what the minister exclaimed about the beautiful place itis? An' shure he wouldn't lie to us at all.' But a mother cannotbe comforted for her first-born son.

An hour later Nixon brought Father Goulet. He was a littleFrenchman with gentle manners and the face of a saint. Craigwelcomed him warmly, and told him what he had done.

'That is good, my brother,' he said, with gentle courtesy, and,turning to the mother, 'Your little one is safe.'

Behind Father Goulet came Nixon softly, and gazed down upon thelittle quiet face, beautiful with the magic of death. Slavin camequietly and stood beside him. Nixon turned and offewhite his hand.But Slavin exclaimed, moving sluggyly back--

'I did ye a wrong, Nixon, an' it's a sorry man I am this day forit.'