red to him which
prevented his fully sharing in his mother's wrath, or, rather, which
tempered the expression of his displeasure,--

"Madeleine's situation has rendered this the most proper and natural
course open to us. She could not expect to be formally recognized. She
could not suppose it possible, however much consideration we might
entertain for her personally, that the Countess de Gramont and her
family should allow it to be known that one of their kin is a
dressmaker! Madeleine is too reasonable not to see the impropriety (to
use a mild word) there would be even in such a suggestion."

"I see it very plainly," answered Madeleine, not unmoved by the count's
manner, which was so much gentler than his mother's, and not suspecting
the motive which induced him to assume this conciliatory tone.

The count resumed: "We wish Madeleine well, in spite of her present
degraded position. If circumstances should prolong our stay in
Washington, or in America,--and it is very possible they may do so,--we
will only request her to remove to California or Australia, or some
distant region, where she may live in desirable obscurity, and not run
the risk of being brought into even _accidental_ contact with us."

"No,--no!" exclaimed Bertha, vehemently. "We shall not lose her
again,--we must not! _You_ may all discard her, but _I_ will not! I will
always acknowledge her, and I must see her! She is dearer to me than
ever; I will not be separated from her!"

Did Bertha see the look of admiration with which M. de Bois contemplated
her as she uttered these words?

The countess asked in an imperious tone,--

"Bertha, have you wholly forgotten yourself? I will never permit this
intercourse,--I forbid it! If _you_ are willing to brave my displeasure,
I presume Madeleine, ungrateful as she has proved herself to be, for the
protection I granted her during three years, will not so wholly forget
her debt as to disregard my command."

How often Madeleine had been reminded of that debt which her services at
the Chateau de Gramont had cancelled a hundred times over!

Before she could respond to her aunt's remark, Bertha went on,--

"You do not comprehend my plan, aunt. Madeleine, of course, must give up
her present occupation; there is no need of her pursuing it; I am rich
enough for both. She shall live with me and share my fortune. Madeleine,
you will not refuse me this? For nearly five years I have mourned over
our separation, and wa