pale and careworn; you are
happy, my own Madeleine,--you are happy,--are you not? But why have you
forgotten us?"

"I have never forgotten--never--never _forgotten_!" faltered Madeleine,
in a voice that had a sound of tears, answering to those that glittered
in her eyes.

Maurice had not released her hand, and, bending over her, made an effort
to speak; but at that moment the stern voice of the countess broke in
harshly,--

"How is it that we find you here, Mademoiselle de Gramont? Where have
you hidden yourself? What have you done since you fled from my
protection?"

"Yes, what have you done?" chimed in Count Tristan. "How is it that we
find you descending from a handsome equipage and elegantly attired?"

"I have done nothing for which I shall ever have to blush!" answered
Madeleine, with a dignity which awed him into silence.

"It was needless to say _that_, dear Madeleine," cried Maurice, whose
powers of utterance had returned when he saw Madeleine about to be
assailed. "No one who knows you would _dare to believe_ that you ever
committed an action that demanded a blush."

Madeleine thanked him with her speaking countenance. Perhaps it was only
fancy, but he thought he felt a light, grateful pressure of the hand he
held.

"But tell us where you have been!" continued Bertha, affectionately.
"You look differently, Madeleine, and yet the same; and how this rich
attire becomes you! You are no longer poor and dependent then,--are
you?"

"I am no longer poor, and no longer dependent!" answered Madeleine, in a
tone of honest pride.

"Is it possible?" exclaimed the count and his mother together.

"But how has all this happened?" Bertha ran on. "Oh! I can divine: you
are married,--you have made a brilliant marriage."

At those words a suppressed groan, of unutterable anguish, struck on
Madeleine's ear; and the hand Maurice held dropped from his grasp.

"Speak! do speak! dear Madeleine!" continued Bertha. "Tell us all your
sufferings,--for you must have suffered at first,--and all your joys,
since you are happy now. And tell us how you chance to be here,--here in
America, as we are; and how it happens that you are calling upon the
Marchioness de Fleury, at the same time as ourselves; and why you expect
to be received by her, though she will not receive us."

Before Madeleine could reply, and she was evidently collecting herself
to speak, Lurline, who had just returned from executing her commission,
passed th