ed she says so herself, for she could not
otherwise explain the sudden inspiration which caused her to plan this
trimming. M. de Fleury wanted me to have these jewels set anew; but I
would not allow them to be touched,--this old-fashioned setting is so
remarkable, so unique. Probably there is not another like it to be found
in Paris: _that_ is always vantage ground gained over one's
jewel-wearing adversaries."

The marchioness, once launched upon her favorite stream of talk, would
have sailed on interminably, had not the announcement of new guests
floated her upon another current.

"I hope the spasms are going over, my dear," said the Marquis de
Merrivale, who was really distressed by Bertha's supposed illness. "It
was very clever to divert observation by talking about dresses and
jewels; but the truffles did the mischief. I knew well enough what was
the matter with you."

"No--no; it was those jewels," replied Bertha, who had not yet recovered
her self-possession. "Those diamonds and emeralds were Madeleine's!"

"Madeleine's!" ejaculated Maurice, who had approached her on witnessing
her unaccountable agitation. "Good heavens! is it possible?"

"Yes, they were Madeleine's,--they were her mother's jewels and had been
in her family for generations. Madeleine showed them to me only a few
nights before she left the Chateau de Gramont. I am sure of them. I
would have recognized them anywhere."

"Then at last--at last, oh thank God--we shall trace her! She must have
sold those jewels for her support. We must learn from whence Madame de
Fleury purchased them," returned Maurice, with a voice trembling with
exultation.

"Madame de Fleury said they were a _cadeau_ from the marquis," replied
Bertha. "Come, let us find him,--let us ask him at once."

Bertha rose with animation and took her uncle's arm.

"Where are you going, my dear? Pray do not excite yourself again,"
pleaded her solicitous guardian. "Pray keep cool. Dinner must shortly be
served, and you will not be in a fit state to do justice to the
sumptuous repast which I have no doubt awaits us,--some of those novel
inventions, perhaps, which you were so anxious to taste. I see people
are not scrupulously punctual in Paris,--it is ten minutes after the
time. Possibly we are waiting for some guest who has not sufficient good
taste to remember that viands may be overdone through his culpability."

"I must speak to M. de Fleury," said Bertha. "Let us get nearer to hi