"We must keep it carefully," replied Katherine; "some day or other it may lead to some discovery."
The husband and wife were long in talking over the past and the future, till fatigue at last compelled them to seek that rest which Gaspard especially much needed. The exciting events of the day, however, kept the weary soldier for a time from sleeping, but at last he slept soundly.
It was late the following morning ere he awoke. When he did so, Katherine had already been up some time, busily occupied in her household work. It was the birthday so much thought of!
When Gaspard joined his wife outside their little dwelling, he took both her hands in his, saying as he did so,—"Dear wife, we must thank God that we are permitted to spend this day together, and ask Him to continue to protect us and our three children. Look," he continued, showing her the pieces of gold he had received from his captain. "I kept them till to-day, that I might be able to give you some little help, as well as pleasure, on your birthday."
He then told her that the Baron had given him this money, as a pledge of what he would do for the little foundling which had been so singularly thrown on their hands.
"God is indeed good," said the happy Katherine, her heart overflowing with joy and thankfulness; "it was but yesterday that I changed our last piece of money to procure a dinner for to-day. I felt sad to think we had nothing left; and now God has provided for us."
"Well, dear wife, you may now prepare a good dinner. I shall be back in time for it, but I must hasten away now, as I am on guard this morning. Help me to get my things in order, for they are sadly the worse for yesterday's rough work. It is well that I am not the worse myself," he added, with a smile, as he affectionately kissed his good wife.
Katherine quickly left what she was doing to help her husband, and whilst so engaged, she asked him by what name they should call their adopted child.
"Shall we call it 'Francis,' after our little one," said he, "and try to look upon it as indeed our own?"
The good woman, with tears in her eyes, readily assented; and taking the infant in her arms, she tenderly kissed it, saying as she did so,—"Poor little one! I will love you for my little Francis' sake."