pect
this? Was not everything I witnessed the very reverse of such a fact?
What could surpass the mutual kindliness and good feeling that I saw
between them! And yet their dispositions were not at all alike: she
seemed to hint as much. The very waywardness of his temperament;
the incessant demand of his spirit for change, excitement, and
occupation--how could it harmonise with her gentle and more constant
nature? From such thoughts I was awakened by her saying, in a low faint
voice--

'You must forget what I said to-night. There are moments when some
strong impulse will force the heart to declare the long-buried thoughts
of years. Perhaps some secret instinct tells us that we are near
to those who can sympathise and feel for us; perhaps these are the
overflowings of grief, without which the heart would grow full to
bursting. Whatever they be, they seem to calm and soothe us, though
afterwards we may sorrow for having indulged in them. You will forget it
all, won't you?'

'I will do my best,' said I timidly, 'to do all you wish; but I cannot
promise you what may be out of my power. The few words you spoke have
never left my mind since; nor can I say when I shall cease to remember
them.'

'What do you think, Duischka?' said the count, as he flung away the
fragment of his cigar, and turned round on the box--' what do you think
of an invitation to dinner I have accepted for Tuesday next?'

'Where, pray?' said she, with an effort to seem interested.

'I am to dine with my worthy friend Van Houdicamp, Rue de Lacken, No.
28. A very high mark, let me tell you; his father was burgomaster at
Alost, and he himself has a great sugar bakery, or salt _raffinerie_, or
something equivalent, at Scharbeck.'

'How can you find any pleasure in such society, Gustav?'

'Pleasure you call it!--delight is the word. I shall hear all the gossip
of the Basse Ville--quite as amusing, I 'm certain, as of the Place and
the Boulevards. Besides, there are to be some half-dozen _echevins_,
with wives and daughters, and we shall have a round game for the most
patriarchal stakes. I have also obtained permission to bring a friend;
so you see, Monsieur O'Leary----'

'I 'm certain,' interposed madame, 'he has much better taste than to
avail himself of your offer.'

'I 'll bet my life on it he 'll not refuse.'

'I say he will,' said the lady.

'I 'll wager that pearl ring at Mertan's that if you leave him to
himself he says "Yes."'

'Agreed,