"May Louise be your daughter," said Eve to Madame du Castellet "Louise will replace me with you."
Then, addressing Louise:
"My sister, make your husband happy. Love the poor and pray with them for my parents, my grandfather, and myself. God be praised," she murmured finally, "my father's father has preceded me, I go to join him. Adieu, Gaston! my brother, adieu!"
Her voice failed, her heart ceased to beat, heaven counted one angel more.
Madame du Castellet, Gaston, and Louise passed the night in prayers by the two beds of death. Finally, the same hearse conducted to the same tomb Adam, Marquis de La Tour-d'Adam, last of the name, and his grandchild Eve, the last branch of an illustrious stock.
A sword which had never been drawn except in a just and holy cause decorated the aged man's coffin, but that of the child cut down at the threshold of life was covered with the white flowers which she had so piously loved.
To-day the mansion of the Tour-d'Adams is inhabited by M. and Mme. de Mirefont, Mme. du Castellet, her nephew Gaston, and her niece, Louise.
A room hung with crowns and wreaths of artificial jasmine serves as the family oratory.
No one ever penetrates there except with recollection.
The servants call it the saints' chamber.