the faculty, very angry when her skill is called in
question,' said she.

'Go, then, and find your shawl, madame,' said he, 'and, meanwhile,
monsieur and I will discuss our liqueur, and be ready for you.'

Madame smiled gaily, as if having carried her point, and left the room.

The door was scarcely closed when the count drew his chair closer to
mine, and, with a look of kindliness and good-nature I cannot convey,
said, 'I am going, Monsieur O'Leary, to take a liberty--a very great
liberty indeed--with you, and perhaps you may not forgive it.' He paused
for a minute or two, as if waiting some intimation on my part. I merely
muttered something intended to express my willingness to accept of what
he hinted, and he resumed: 'You are a very young man; I not a very old,
but a very experienced one. There are occasions in life in which
such knowledge as I possess of the world and its ways may be of
great service. Now, without for an instant obtruding myself on your
confidence, or inquiring into affairs which are strictly your own,
I wish to say that my advice and counsel, if you need either, are
completely at your service. A few minutes ago I perceived that you were
distressed at hearing there was no letter for you----'

'I know not how to thank you,' said I, 'for such kindness as this; and
the best proof of my sincerity is to tell you the position in which I am
placed.'

'One word, first,' added he, laying his hand gently on my arm--'one
word. Do you promise to accept of my advice and assistance when you
have revealed the circumstances you allude to? If not, I beg I may not
hear it.'

'Your advice I am most anxious for,' said I hastily.

'The other was an awkward word, and I see that your delicacy has taken
the alarm. But come, it is spoken now, and can't be recalled. I must
have my way; so go on.'

I seized his hand with enthusiasm, and shook it heartily. 'Yes,' said
I, 'you shall have your way. I have neither shame nor concealment before
you.' And then, in as few words as I could explain such tangled and
knotted webs as envelop all matters where legacies and lawyers and
settlements and securities and mortgages enter, I put him in possession
of the fact that I had come abroad with the assurance from my man of
business of a handsome yearly income, to be increased after a time to
something very considerable; that I was now two months in expectation of
remittances, which certain forms in Chancery had delayed and defer