uck by their bright and pleasant looks.

'Ah, a family party!' said the count gaily, as I entered, while madame
bestowed on me one of her very sweetest smiles.

The restraint of strangers removed, they spoke as if I had been an old
friend--chatting away about everything and everybody, in a tone of frank
and easy confidence perfectly delightful; occasionally deigning to ask
if I did not agree with them in their opinions, and seeming to enjoy the
little I ventured to say, with a pleasure I felt to be most flattering.
The count's quiet and refined manner, the easy flow of his conversation,
replete as it was with information and amusement, formed a most happy
contrast with the brilliant sparkle of madame's lively sallies; for
she seemed rather disposed to indulge a vein of slight satire, but so
tempered with good feeling and kindliness withal that you would not for
the world forego the pleasure it afforded. Long, long before the
dessert appeared I ceased to think of my letter or my money, and did not
remember that such things as bankers, agents, or stockbrokers were in
the universe. Apparently they had been great travellers: had seen every
city in Europe, and visited every court; knew all the most distinguished
people, and many of the sovereigns intimately; and little stories
of Metternich, _bons mots_ of Talleyrand, anecdotes of Goethe and
Chateaubriand, seasoned the conversation with an interest which to a
young man like myself was all-engrossing.

Suddenly the door opened, and the commissionaire called out, 'No letter
for Monsieur O'Leary!' I immediately became pale and faint; and though
the count was too well bred to take any direct notice of what he saw
was caused by my disappointment, he contrived adroitly to direct
some observation to madame, which relieved me from any burden of the
conversation.

'What hour did you order the carriage, Duischka?' said he.

'At half-past six. The forest is so cool that I like to go slowly
through it.'

'That will give us ample time for a walk, too,' said he; 'and if
Monsieur O'Leary will join us, the pleasure will be all the greater.'

I hesitated, and stammered out an apology about a headache, or something
of the sort.

'The drive will be the best thing in the world for you,' said madame;
'and the strawberries and cream of Boitsfort will complete the cure.'

'Yes, yes,' said the count, as I shook my head half sadly, 'La comtesse
is infallible as a doctor.'

'And, like all