mily secret about her mother, which he uses as a means of intimidation
to Paul, who would rather die than hurt Miss Bellew's feelings. Now,
Jack, De Vere only wants intellect to be as great a scoundrel as Master
Ulick, so we must rescue this poor girl, come what will.'

'We must and we will,' said I, with a tone of eagerness that made O'Grady
start.

'Not a moment is to be lost,' said he, after a brief pause. 'I 'll try
what can be done with Guillemain.'

An opening of the crowd as he spoke compelled us to fall back, and as we
did so I could perceive that an avenue was made along the room.

'One of the sovereigns,' whispered O'Grady.

I leaned forward, and perceived two aides-de-camp in green uniform, who
were retreating step by step slowly before some persons farther back.

'The Emperor of Russia,' whispered a voice near me; and the same instant
I saw the tall and fine-looking figure of Alexander, his broad
massive forehead, and frank manly face turning from side to side as
he acknowledged the salutations of the room. On his arm he supported a
lady, whose nodding plumes waved in concert with every inclination of
the Czar himself. Curious to see what royal personage shared thus with
him the homage of the assembly, I stooped to catch a glance. The lady
turned--our eyes met; a slight flush coloured her cheek as she quickly
moved her head away. It was Mrs. Paul Rooney herself! Yes, she whom I
had once seen with an effort subdue her pride of station when led in to
dinner by some Irish attorney-general, or some going judge of assize,
now leaned on the arm of an emperor, and divided with him the honours of
the moment!

While O'Grady sought out his new friend, the minister of police, I went
in search of my mother and Lady Julia, whom I found surrounded by a knot
of their own acquaintances, actively engaged in surmises as to the lady
of the house--her rank, fortune, and pretensions. For some time I could
not but feel amused at the absurd assertions of many of the party, who
affected to know all about Madame de Roni and her secret mission at
Paris.

'My dear John,' said my mother in a whisper, 'you must find out all
about her. Your friend, the Colonel, is evidently in the secret. Pray,
now, don't forget it. But really you seem in a dream. There's Beulwitz
paying Julia all the attention imaginable the entire evening, and you
've never gone near her. Apropos, have you seen this ward of Madame
de Roni? She is very pretty,