d from his memory. At first, when
the voyage was mentioned, he would remonstrate in a piteous, feeble,
fretful way, declaring that he would not go; but of late he had appeared
to yield to the potency of Madame de Gramont's will.

Maurice offered his arm to the count and they left the room. As the door
closed after them, Count Tristan turned, as though to assure himself
that it was shut, then looked at Maurice significantly and nodded his
head, while a smile brightened his countenance. It was so long since
Maurice had seen him smile that even that strange, half-wild,
inexplicable kindling up of the wan face was pleasant to behold. As they
descended the stair, the count looked back several times, and gave
furtive glances around him, smiling more and more; then he rubbed his
hands and chuckled as though at some idea which he could not yet
communicate. At the carriage-door he paused again, and again looked all
around, continuing to rub his hands, then fairly laughed out. Maurice
began to be alarmed at this unaccountable mirth. They entered the
carriage and the coachman drove in the usual direction; but the count
exclaimed impatiently,--

"No--no--that's not the way! stop him! stop him!"

Maurice, at a loss to comprehend his father's wishes, did not
immediately comply with his request, and the count, with unusual energy,
himself caught at the check-cord and pulled it vehemently.

"This is not the way,--not the way to _Madeleine's_!"

Then Maurice comprehended his father's exultation; he had conceived the
project of visiting Madeleine! But what was to be done? The countess
would be enraged if she discovered Count Tristan had seen Madeleine; and
the agitation caused by the interview might prove harmful to him. Yet
would it not do him more injury to thwart his wishes? And would it not
be depriving Madeleine of an inestimable joy?

The count grew impatient; he shouted out, in a clearer tone than he had
been able to use since his first seizure, "To Madeleine's! To
Madeleine's, I say! I _will_ see Madeleine!"

Maurice hesitated no longer and gave the order. His father's agitation
was, every moment, on the increase, though it was now of the most
pleasurable nature; he gave vent to little bursts of triumphant
laughter, muttering to himself, "I shall see her! I knew I should see
her again!"

"My dear father, you will endeavor to be calm,--will you not? I am
fearful this excitement will injure you, and my grandmother will nev