“In 1795 a French man and woman, directly from France, appeared in Albany, New York, having in charge a girl and boy; the latter about nine years old, and feeble in body and mind.

“The woman had also a number of articles of dress which she said had belonged to Marie Antoinette, who had given them to her on the scaffold.

“That same year two Frenchmen came to Ticonderoga, visited the Indians in that vicinity, and placed with them such a boy as the one seen at Albany—­of the same age, condition of mind and body, etc.

“He was adopted by an Iroquois chief named Williams, and given the name of Eleazer Williams.

“He gradually recovered his health, and at length the shock of a sudden fall into the lake so far restored his memory that he recollected some scenes in his early life in the palaces of France.  One thing he recalled was being with a richly dressed lady whom he addressed as ‘mamma.’

“Some time later—­I cannot now recall the exact date—­a Frenchman died in New Orleans (Beranger was his name), who confessed on his death-bed that he had brought the dauphin to this country and placed him with the Indians of Northern New York.  He stated that he had taken an oath of secrecy, for the protection of the lad, but could not die without confessing the truth.”

“I’m inclined to think the story of the dauphin’s death in France was not true,” remarked Betty.

“Didn’t Beranger’s confession arouse inquiry, grandpa?” asked Zoe.  “And did Eleazer Williams hear of it?”

“I think I may say yes to both your queries,” Mr. Dinsmore answered.  “Eleazer’s story was published in the newspapers some years ago, and I remember he was spoken of as a very good Christian man, a missionary among the Indians; it was brought out in book form also under the title ‘The Lost Prince:  A Life of Eleazer Williams.’

“Eleazer himself stated that in 1848 he had an interview, on board a steamer from Buffalo, with the Prince de Joinville, who then told him he was the son of Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette, and tried to induce him to sign away his right to the throne of France, and that he refused to do so.

“In his published statement he said he thought the Prince would not deny having made that communication.  But the Prince did deny that, though he acknowledged that the interview had taken place.”

“Did Eleazer ever try to get the throne, grandpa?” asked Max.

“No, he never urged his claim; and I dare say was happier as an obscure Indian missionary than he would have been as King of France.  He died at the age of seventy.”

“Poor Marie Antoinette!” sighed Elsie; “I never could read her story without tears, and the very thought of her sorrows and sufferings makes my heart ache.”

“I don’t think I ever read it,” said Zoe, “though I have a general idea what it was.”

“We have Abbott’s life of her at Ion,” said Elsie.  “I’ll get it for you when we go home.”