128 MADELINE.

mother, and stood with clasped hands before the cross which
marked the roadways.

“Oh, dear God,” said the little one, “it is so sad for: my
dear mamma! Let her mother love us both.”

As she stood there looking up, an old woman approached,
and, stopping a little distance off, watched the little maiden
with the earnest look upon her face. Soon she came nearer,
and Madeline turned toward her as the little girl was about to
return to Madame Virot; but she quickly turned and walked
away. Madeline stood looking after her, and then retraced
her steps to the cottage where she had left Madame Virot.

On her way back she saw something shining in the road,
and stooping, she picked up a twenty-franc piece.

“ Whose can this be?” she said, turning it over and over.
There was no one in sight but the old woman; she was not
near enough to be overtaken, and disappeared from view as .
Madeline looked after her. “It must be hers, poor old woman,”
Madeline continued. “I wish I knew how to return it to her.”
And she walked slowly toward the cottage.

“Come, ma petite, we must return; chére maman will be
desolated at your long absence,” said Madame Virot.

And amid many adieux and much chatter, they took their
leave.

Madeline noted very particularly every landmark, for she
had made up her mind to return the next day and, if possible,
find the old woman, who must have dropped the gold coin.