it would be an impropriety to confide in M. de Bois, then Madeleine
certainly has not made him her confidant. Oh, my poor Madeleine! It is
dreadful to think that she must have gone away alone,--quite alone!"

"You may well call it _dreadful_, Bertha. An occurrence of this kind has
never blotted the annals of our family! What will be said of her and of
us? Such a step, taken by a woman of her birth, will set hundreds of
tongues discussing our domestic concerns; our names will be bandied
about from lip to lip; our affairs will be in all sorts of common
people's mouths. Hasten, for heaven's sake, my son, and find Madeleine
before this story gets wind."

Count Tristan dutifully obeyed,--that is to say, he assumed an
appearance of compliance, for in a few moments he was galloping toward
Rennes.

Evening set in before he returned. His long absence had kindled in the
minds of the countess and Bertha a hope that he had discovered some
clew, and the latter had worked herself up to such a pitch of excitement
that she almost anticipated the return of Madeleine in Count Tristan's
company. Her disappointment when, at last, he entered, looking weary and
dejected, was proportionate to her expectations. He had made all
possible search,--_so he said_,--and no information concerning the
fugitive could be gathered; she was gone! He feared they must now wait
patiently until they heard from her. She would doubtless write soon,--a
letter might come at any moment. Very possibly she had changed her mind
in regard to Lady Vivian's offer, and had accepted it without
communicating her intention, because she feared her aunt's displeasure.
This was the most likely explanation of her sudden departure. He had
called at the Chateau de Tremazan, and Lady Vivian had left for Scotland
two days after the ball. Madeleine was doubtless at this moment on her
way to Edinburgh.

The count, though he made this assertion with an air of perfect
credence, did not, for a moment, believe that such was Madeleine's
destination; but he thought to check persistent inquiries which might
accidentally bring to light some fine thread that would lead to the
discovery of her retreat.

"Oh, if she goes to Lady Vivian, we will make her return at once,--will
we not, aunt?" asked Bertha, catching eagerly at this new hope. "But
Madeleine told me distinctly that she had no intention of accepting Lady
Vivian's offer."

"There would be no harm in changing her mind," observed