ad not
yet recovered; the novelty of the place in which she found herself; the
confusion natural to mixing with a strange company,--all contributed to
engage her attention and occupy her thoughts. It was only by the deadly
paleness of my features that she at last guessed that something had gone
wrong. I tried by every means in my power to reassure her. I affected,
as well as I might, to seem easy and unconcerned. I even essayed, by
way of showing my self-possession, to engage the person next me in
conversation; but a cold stare of surprise arrested the attempt, and I
sat abashed and ashamed at the rebuke.

I do not know if in my whole life, I ever passed an hour of greater
misery than the time of that dinner. Had I been there alone, I could
have confronted manfully whatever threatened me; but the thought of
involving Margot in any scene of shame--of exposing her to the rude
insolence of which I saw myself the mark--was insupportably painful. I
felt, besides, that I had a character to support in her eyes; nor could
I yet divine what adverse turn affairs might take. If I looked down the
table, it was to meet, on every side, glances of haughty or insolent
meaning. It was easy to perceive, too, that the whole company was under
the impression of the disagreeable incident which had occurred before
sitting down to table, and which none believed was yet concluded.
Instead of the noisy chit-chat so usual in such places, there was
either a perfect silence, or the low murmuring sounds of a conversation
maintained in whispers. At last the colonel and those around him stood
up, and gathered in a group at one of the windows. The civilians of the
party broke into knots, conversed for a few seconds, and separated;
and, taking Margot's hand, I arose, and prepared to withdraw. As I was
leaving the room the officer who first accosted me, whispered in my
ear,--

"You will come back again, I suppose?"

"Certainly, if you want me," said I.

He nodded, and I passed out.

"I am glad it is over," said Margot, pressing my hand; "that dinner was
a tiresome affair!"

"So it was," said I; "and I am well pleased that it is finished. I 'll
go down now and look after this caleche they promised me they should
have ready for us by this time;" and with this excuse I quitted her, and
hastened downstairs again.

I was just making for the door of the _salle-a-manger_ when the hostess
overtook me.

"A word with you, monsieur,--one word!" cried she