rd to the
probabilities that the railroad will take the direction which we so much
desire?"

"Our prospects are tolerably good," returned the count; "but we need to
exert ourselves, and, possibly, you may be of service. The committee
that has the decision in its hands consists of nine persons. Out of
these, four have declared their preference for the road to the right,
and are immovable. Our friends, Meredith and Hilson, who are on the
committee, vote, of course, for the left road; then there are two rival
bankers, Mr. Gobert and Mr. Gilmer, who are bitterly opposed to each
other, and generally vote in opposition one to the other; we must bring
some agency into play which will induce them, for once, to vote alike."

"That seems indispensable; but is it possible?" questioned Maurice.

"I trust so. Mr. Gobert is the banker of the Marquis de Fleury, who
exerts unbounded power over him. One word from the marquis, and Gobert's
vote is secured. The marquis, as every one is aware, can always be
approached through Madame de Fleury. Obtain _her_ promise that we shall
have Mr. Gobert's vote, and it is ours! The marchioness, I fear, may not
have forgiven Bertha's rejection of her brother's suit; but, as both
parties are still unmarried and unengaged, if she can only be convinced
that Bertha's refusal was mere girlish caprice, and that there is still
hope of the young duke's success, she will be ready enough to serve us."

"But is there hope?" inquired Maurice, quite innocently.

The wily schemer replied by a glance half-angry, half-contemptuous; but,
without making any other answer, went on.

"The other banker, Mr. Gilmer, I am seeking the means to influence. I
have no doubt that I shall find them. The ninth member of the committee
is Mr. Rutledge, quite a young man, the only son and heir of a
Washington millionnaire. I learn, from M. de Bois, that Rutledge is
deeply enamored of the sister of Lord Linden."

"I beg pardon, but you have not yet told me who Lord Linden is; and it
is so unusual to hear _lords_ mentioned in this country that my ears are
quite unattuned to the sound of a title."

Another hasty look from the count might have been interpreted into one
of slight disgust. His son was far more Americanized than he could have
desired. He went on, with increased haughtiness.

"The English ambassador to the United States married a sister of Lord
Linden, and his lordship and a younger sister accompanied them to
Washing