n," said M. de Bois, apparently much relieved.

The marchioness saluted her guests with excessive cordiality, softly
murmured her gratification at their visit, and added apologetically,--

"I must entreat your pardon for allowing you to wait; it was not in my
power to be more punctual; a terrible accident--the first of the kind
which has ever occurred to me--is my excuse. Do not imagine, my dear
viscount," turning to Maurice with a fascinating smile, "that I had
forgotten my appointment; but, at the Russian embassy, yesterday, I was
prevailed upon to promise that I would be present at the senate to-day
to hear the speech of a Vermont orator, a sort of Orson Demosthenes, who
has gained great renown by his rude but stirring eloquence. We ladies
have been promised admission (which is now and then granted) to the
floor of the house, instead of being crammed into the close galleries.
It will be a brilliant occasion. I invited the Countess Orlowski to
accompany me. If all had gone well I should have been ready to receive
your visit before she came."

The brow of the countess smoothed a little as she answered, "I felt
confident, madame, that there must have been _some_ explanation."

"Ah! I fear you are displeased with me," resumed Madame de Fleury,
playfully. "But I will earn my pardon. You will be compelled to forgive
me; M. de Fleury meets me at the capitol, and I will deliver this letter
of the count's into his hand, and make him promise, blindfold, to
consent to any request that it may contain."

"Madame," returned the count, bowing to the ground, "I shall never be
able to express my gratitude. You can hardly form a conception of the
favor you are conferring upon me. That letter is of the highest
importance, and my indebtedness beggars all expression."

"To be frank with you, count," answered Madame de Fleury, "you owe me
nothing. You are only indebted to the advocate you chose,--one whom I
never refuse,--one to whom I feel under the deepest obligation,
especially this morning,--one who is so modest that she can seldom be
induced to ask me a favor, or to allow me to serve her. Thus, you see,
it is but natural that I should seize with avidity upon this
opportunity."

The count looked at his mother triumphantly; and, as the face of the
marchioness was turned toward Bertha, he whispered, "Shall I not tell
her that Madeleine is our niece?"

The countess seemed disposed to consent, for the words of Madame de
Fleury ha