nly grant me a few moments' interview this
morning," said Count Tristan, who evidently doubted the strength of
Madeleine's advocacy.

"I promise that she _will_ grant you an interview this morning," replied
Madeleine, interrupting him.

The _femme de chambre_ now reentered and said, "Madame is impatient at
this delay; every moment seems an hour."

"Say that I will be with her immediately," answered Madeleine. She then
addressed the count: "Have no fears,--you may depend upon me; the
countess will receive you the moment her toilet is completed."

Madeleine once more embraced Bertha, once more extended her hand to
Maurice, who stood bewildered, dismayed, looking half petrified, and
passed out of the room.

As soon as she had disappeared, Bertha broke forth joyously, "Well,
aunt, what do you think _now_ of our Madeleine? Is not this magic? Is
not this a fairy-like _denouement_? She disappears from the Chateau de
Gramont as though the earth had opened to swallow her; no trace of her
could be discovered for nearly five years, and suddenly she rises up in
our very midst, a grand lady, enveloped in a cloud of mystery, and
working as many wonders as a veritable witch. She leaves us poor,
friendless, dependent; she returns to us rich, powerful, and with
influential friends ready to serve those who once protected her. But I
think I have found the key to the enigma. Did we not hear strict orders
given that none but the Countess Orlowski should be admitted? Well,
Madeleine was at once allowed to enter: it follows, beyond doubt, that
she is the Countess Orlowski."

This version of Madeleine's position seemed to strike both the countess
and her son as not merely possibly, but probably, correct.

"I always thought," returned the count, "that Madeleine was a young
person who, in the end"--

His mother finished the sentence, in a tone of pride, "would prove
herself worthy of the family to which she belongs."

The loud ringing of the street door-bell attracted the attention of the
group assembled in the drawing-room. A well-known voice exchanged a few
words with the servant, and Gaston de Bois entered. His manner was
unusually perturbed, and he looked around the room as though in search
of some one.

The instant he appeared, Bertha exclaimed, "Oh, M. de Bois! M. de Bois!
We are all so much rejoiced! Madeleine, our own Madeleine, is found at
last! She is here,--here in this very house, at this very moment!"

"I--I--I knew it