The sous-prefet was seated at a table reading an evening journal, when the servant entered and informed his master that a young woman wished to see him on business of importance. 'At this hour !' exclaimed the prefet angiily. ' I cannot be disturbed. You should have told her so. Tell her to call at my bureau to-morrow.' The servant withdrew, but presently reappeared. ' What now, sirrah V demanded the prefet. ' Monsieur,' replied the servant, ' the young woman will not go away. She says she must see you on a matter of life and death, and she bade me hand you this letter.' With an exclamation of angry an noyance, the pre£et glanced over the contents of the letter. 'Who is this woman 1 What does she look like V he asked. ' She is very young, Monsieur, and seems to be in sore trouble. She told me she had travelled a long distance.' 'Well, well; show her up-stairs.' The servant again withdrew ; and in. a few moments returned, accompanied by Madeleine, frightened, even amidst her sorrow, at the grandeur — to her eyes — by which she was surrounded. ' Enter, Madame,' said the prefet, who appeared to be surprised at the extreme youth and remarkable appear ance of the young woman in her fisher woman's garb. ' Pray, be seated, Madame/ he continued in a gentler tone of voice ; ' and please to tell me briefly and clearly the object of your visit to Paris. I learn from my friend the mayor's letter that your husband is in prison, charged with complicity with Communism. My friend writes to as sure me that he can certify that your husband cannot possibly be connected with the infamous Communists.' ' No ; my husband knows nothing of the matter, Monsieur,' said Madeleine ; and then she briefly told how it hap pened that he had visited Paris at this time. ' Then he arrived but three days ago, young woman V said the prefet. ' His name % Ah !' — again glancing over the mayor's letter — { I see ; Antoine Duroc. It strikes me,' he went on, ' that I have some recollection of that name.' He rose, went to a writing-table, and re turned and reseated himself, glancing over the pages of a rough ledger or memorandum- book. 