"Exactly, Mijnheer! Do you see this little white speck? Well, that was caused by electricity! And, thanks to this little speck, I have succeeded in saving the honor of a fellow-being."
"You must accept my congratulations," said he, bowing humbly; "the man of science is more far-sighted than the police, and in future I intend to add the study of natural philosophy and meteorology to my other acquirements. Were it not for this undoubted proof I might have committed a still more serious error. I actually began to suspect that you were her accomplice."
And then M. Tricamp withdrew, in order not to show his embarrassment, and Gudule rushed in to say that Christina was better and had heard everything through the partition.
"My little Christina," said Balthazar as hs knelt by her bedstead a little later, "if you do not want to make me unhappy pray do not refuse to accept this little token of my esteem."
And he placed the ingot of melted gold and jewels on the bed.
Christina hesitated.
"Oh, you must take it, for you need a dower—" exclaimed Balthazar as he pressed her hand.
"That is, if you will accept me for a husband?" added Cornelius.
Christina did not reply, but she gave the man who had saved her honor a look which certainly did not mean—No.
