mity as they steal upon her;--that will be the
amends time will bring me,--that is the _revenge_ I seek."

"Ah! Mademoiselle Mad--ad--adeleine, you are an angel!"

"So far from an angel," answered Madeleine, gayly, "that you make me
feel as though I had laid a snare, by my egotism, to entrap that
ill-deserved compliment. Now let us talk about yourself and your own
projects. Do you still hold to the resolution you communicated to me in
our last conversation?"

"Yes, your advice has decided me."

"I should have been very impertinent if I had ventured to give you
advice. I can hardly be taxed with that presumption. We were merely
discussing an abstract question,--the use of faculties accorded us, and
the best mode of obtaining happiness through their employment; and you
chose to apply my general remarks to your particular case."

"You drew a picture which made me feel what a worth--orth--orthless
mortal I am, and this incited me to throw off the garment of
slothfulness, and put on armor for the battle of life."

"So be it! Now tell us what you have determined upon."

"My unfortunate imped--ed--ediment is my great drawback. Maurice hopes
to become a lawyer; but that profession would be out of the
ques--es--estion for me who have no power to utter my ideas. I could not
enter the army, for what kind of an officer could I make? How should I
ever manage to say to a soldier, 'Go and brave death for your
coun--oun--ountry'? I should find it easier to do myself than to say it.
Some diplomatic position I _might_ possibly fill. As speech, according
to Talleyrand, was given to men to disguise their thoughts, a man who
st--st--stammers is not in much danger of making known his private
medita--a--ations."

"That is ingenious reasoning," replied Madeleine. "I hope something will
grow out of it."

"It is grow--ow--ing already. Yesterday, at the Chateau de Tremazan, I
had a long interview with the Marquis de Fleury. He expects to be sent
as ambassador to the United States. We are old friends. We talked, and I
tol--ol--old"--

"You told him your views," said Madeleine, aiding him so quietly and
naturally that her assistance was scarcely noticeable. "And what was
concluded upon? for your countenance declares that you have concluded
upon something. If the marquis goes to America, you will perhaps
accompany him?"

"Yes, as sec--sec--sec--"

"As secretary?" cried Madeleine. "That will be an admirable position.
But America--ah!