"How can I thank you for all you have done for me?"
"I have done nothing for you," replied Marianne; "I have paid a debt,--fulfilled an oath, that is all."
"Then," said Petit-Pierre, with tears in her eyes, "you will not even accept my gratitude?"
"If you are determined to owe me something," said the widow, "do this: when you pray for those who are dead add to your prayers a few words for those who have died because of you."
"Then you think I have some credit with God?" said Petit-Pierre, unable to keep from smiling through her tears.
"Yes; because I know that you are destined to suffer."
"At least, you will accept this," said Petit-Pierre, unfastening from her throat a little medal hanging to a slender black silk cord. "It is only silver, but the Holy Father blessed it in my presence, and said when he gave it to me that God would grant the prayers uttered over it, if they were just and pious."
Marianne took the medal. Then she said:--
"Thank you. On this medal I will pray to God that our land be saved from civil war, and that He will ever preserve its grandeur and its liberty."
"Right!" said Petit-Pierre; "the last half of your prayer will be echoed in mine."