my perspiration came over me, and I
sank into a chair. Fearing that I was about to faint, sick as I was, I
felt angry with myself, and tried to rally, but could not, and only at
length was roused by hearing that the steps were let down, and shortly
after the tread of feet coming along the gallery towards my room.

They are coming--she is coming, thought I. Now then for my doom!

There was some noise of voices outside. I listened, for I still felt
unable to rise. The talking grew louder--doors were opened and shut
--then came a lull--then more slamming of doors, and more talking--then
all was still again--and at last I heard the steps of people as if
retiring, and in a few minutes after the carriage door was jammed to, and
again the heavy tramp of the horses rattled over the pave. At this
instant Antoine entered.

"Well, Antoine," said I, in a voice trembling with weakness and
agitation, "not them yet?"

"It was his Grace the Grand Mareschal," said Antoine, scarcely heeding my
question, in the importance of the illustrious visitor who had arrived.

"Ah, the Grand Mareschal," said I, carelessly; "does he live here?"

"Sappermint nein, Mein Herr; but he has just been to pay his respects to
his Excellency the new Charge d'Affaires."

In the name of all patience, I ask, who could endure this? From the hour
of my arrival I am haunted by this one image--the Charge d'Affaires. For
him I have been almost condemned to go houseless, and naked; and now the
very most sacred feelings of my heart are subject to his influence. I
walked up and down in an agony. Another such disappointment, and my
brain will turn, thought I, and they may write my epitaph--"Died of love
and a Charge d'Affaires."

"It is time to dress," said the waiter.

"I could strangle him with my own hands," muttered I, worked up into a
real heat by the excitement of my passion.

"The Charge--"

"Say that name again, villain, and I'll blow your brains out," cried I,
seizing Antoine by the throat, and pinning him against the wall; "only
dare to mutter it, and you'll ever breathe another syllable."

The poor fellow grew green with terror, and fell upon his knees before
me.

"Get my dressing things ready," said I, in a more subdued tone. "I did
not mean to terrify you--but beware of what I told you."

While Antoine occupied himself with the preparations for my toilette, I
sat broodingly over the wood embers, thinking of my fate.

A knock came t