n broken accents went on. "And yet
these letters were in an iron casket closed by a secret spring; that
casket was in a drawer, the key of which never leaves me."

"Good heavens!" exclaimed Hortebise in affected tones, "then Tantaine
spoke the truth."

"He did," answered the Countess hoarsely. "Yes," she continued, "I am
the bondslave to people whose names I do not even know, who can control
my every movement and action."

She hid her face in her hands as though her pride sought to conceal her
despair.

"Are these letters, then, so terribly compromising?" asked the doctor.

"I am utterly lost," cried she. "In my younger days I had no experience;
I only thought of vengeance, and lately the weapons I forged myself
have been turned against me. I dug a pitfall for my adversaries and have
fallen into it myself."

Hortebise did not attempt to stay the torrent of her words, for the
Countess was in one of those moods of utter despair when the inner
feelings of the soul are made manifest, as during a violent tempest the
weeds of ocean are hurled up to the surface of the troubled waters.

"I would sooner be lying in my grave a thousand times," wailed she,
"than see these letters in my husband's hands. Poor Octave! have I not
caused him sufficient annoyance already without this crowning sorrow?
Well, Dr. Hortebise, I am menaced with the production of these letters,
and they will be handed to my husband unless I agree to certain terms.
What are they? Of course money is required; tell me to what amount."

The doctor shook his head.

"Not money?" cried the Countess; "what, then, do they require? Speak,
and do not torture me more."

Sometimes Hortebise confessed to Mascarin that, putting his interests on
one side, he pitied his victims; but he showed no sign of this feeling,
and went on,--

"The value of what they require, madame, is best estimated by yourself."

"Tell me what it is; I can bear anything now."

"These compromising letters will be placed in your hands upon the day on
which your daughter marries Henry de Croisenois, the brother of George."

Madame de Mussidan's astonishment was so great that she stood as though
petrified into a statue.

"I am commissioned to inform you, madame, that every delay necessary
for altering any arrangements that may exist will be accorded you;
but, remember, if your daughter marries any one else than Henry de
Croisenois, the letters will be at once placed in your husband's han