t well refuse.

He left the _chalet_ with the count, but, after taking a few steps,
apologized for being obliged to return in search of a glove he had
dropped. He went back alone. Madeleine was occupied with her needle as
when he left her. There were no traces of tears upon her cheeks; there
was no flush, no expression of anger or mortification upon her serene
countenance.

M. de Bois regarded her a moment in surprise, for he had expected to
find her weeping, or looking vexed, or, at all events, in a state of
excitement.

"Is the count often in such an amiable temper?" he asked.

"No; pray, do not imagine _that_; he is evidently troubled to-day. You
saw how preoccupied he was. Something has gone wrong, something annoys
him. He did not mean to be harsh."

"And _you_ can excuse him? Well, then _I_ cannot! I felt as though I
must speak when he rated you so unreasonably. And, if I had spoken, I
should certainly have had my tongue loosened by swearing; perhaps I
shall yet"--

"Pray, M. de Bois," urged Madeleine, "do not try to defend me, or
allude to what you unfortunately heard. It will only make my position
more trying."

"So I fear; but I have something to say to you. _You_ have given _me_
good counsels; you must listen to some I have to give you in
return,--but not now. You are going to the ball to-night?"

"Yes, certainly."

"Perhaps I may find an opportunity of talking to you there."

Saying these words, he picked up the glove, and hastened to rejoin the
count, who was too much absorbed in his own thoughts to remark the
length of his friend's absence.

CHAPTER VI.

UNMASKING.

Madeleine, left alone in the old _chalet_, remained for some time
absorbed in her work, which progressed rapidly. The ivy leaves were
dexterously polished, and a graceful garland laid above every tuck of
the transparent white dress. The last leafy band was nearly completed,
when the door again creaked upon its rusty hinges, and the young girl,
looking up, beheld Maurice.

"Is not Bertha here?" he asked, in a tone that sounded very unlike his
usual cheerful voice. "I came to seek her, and felt sure she must be
with you."

"I have not seen her since early morning," answered Madeleine. "She
promised to bring me this basket full of ivy leaves, but sent Baptiste
instead."

"I looked for her in the library, the _boudoir_, the drawing-room, and
the garden, before I came here," Maurice continued, in the same grave
tone. "S