shall not exceed five minutes, he may come in."

Count Pracontal seemed as though the permission had reached his
own ears, for he entered almost immediately, and, bowing deeply and
deferentially, appeared to wait leave to advance further into the room.

"Let me have my chocolate, Hislop;" and, as the man withdrew, she
pointed to a chair, and said, "There. When did you come back?"

Pracontal, however, had dropped on his knee before her, and pressed her
hand to his lips with a fervid devotion, saying, "How I have longed and
waited for this moment!"

"I shall ring the bell, sir, if you do not be seated immediately. I
asked when you returned?"

"An hour ago, my Lady--less than an hour ago. I did not dare to write;
and then I wished to be myself the bearer of my own good news."

"What good news are these?"

"That I have, if not won my suit, secured the victory. The registries
have been discovered--found in the very spot indicated in the journal.
The entries are complete; and nothing is wanting to establish the
legality of the marriage. Oh, I entreat you, do not listen to me so
coldly! You know well for what reason I prize this success. You know
well what gives its brightest lustre in my eyes."

"Pray be narrative now--the emotional can be kept for some other time.
Who says that this means success?"

"My lawyer, Mr. Kelson. He calls the suit won. He proves his belief, for
he has advanced me money to pay off my debt to Longworth, and to place
me in a position of ease and comfort."

"And what is Kelson; is he one of the judges?"

"Of course not. He is one of the leading solicitors of London; a very
grave, thoughtful, cautious man. I have shown you many of his letters.
You must remember him."

"No; I never remember people; that is, if they have not personally
interested me. I think you have grown thin. You look as if you had been
ill."

"I have fretted a good deal,--worried myself; and my anxiety about you
has made me sleepless and feverish."

"About _me!_ Why, I was never better in my life."

"Your looks say as much; but I meant my anxiety to lay my tidings at
your feet, and with them myself and my whole future."

"You may leave the chocolate there, Hislop," as the man entered with the
tray; "unless Count Pracontal would like some."

"Thanks, my Lady," said he, bowing his refusal.

"You are wrong, then," said she, as the servant withdrew. "Hislop makes
it with the slightest imaginable flavor of the cherry