France was
wholly abandoned.

"And we will go soon,--as soon as I am able to travel, that time will
come quickly. I am growing stronger every minute. Let me depart
speedily; it is all I can look forward to that can sustain me, that can
lift me up after the abasement to which I have been subjected."

Though they conversed no more, Bertha did not leave her aunt until she
had seen her sink to repose.

When Bertha repeated to Maurice, Madeleine, and Gaston the conversation
which had just taken place, a heavy gloom fell upon all. Maurice's
return to Brittany, at this crisis, would be a great disadvantage to
him, and when the countess was removed to a distance from Madeleine, it
was more unlikely than ever that she would yield consent to Madeleine's
union with Maurice; the chances were that she would not allow
Madeleine's name to be uttered in her presence.

Gaston had given up all idea of altering Bertha's repeatedly expressed
determination to be married upon the same day as her cousin, and not to
marry at all if that day never came; but since Count Tristan had joined
the hands of Maurice and Madeleine, he cherished the hope that the
countess would no longer refuse to sanction their union, and that this
voyage to France would be wholly relinquished.

Maurice listened to Bertha in silence, but that night his step could be
heard pacing up and down his chamber through the still hours, and he
scarcely attempted to rest. During this period of painful reflection, he
formed a resolution which he proposed to carry into execution as soon as
his grandmother was ready to receive him.

As he took a seat by her side he motioned Mrs. Lawkins to leave them
together.

"Are you well enough to listen to me, my dear grandmother? I must speak
to you on a subject of great importance to me; I ought to add, of some
importance to yourself."

The countess signified that she listened by a slight affirmative
movement of the head.

"Bertha has told me that you still desire to return to Brittany. Though
at this moment my accompanying you will force me to make some heavy
sacrifices, still, there is one condition,--_and only one_,"--Maurice
emphasized these last words,--"upon which I can consent."

The countess made no observation. He was forced to proceed,--

"You were present when my dying father placed Madeleine's hand in
mine,--do not interrupt me, I entreat! Madeleine and I have loved each
other from our infancy; she has rejected me sol