who felt that Madeleine was clinging to his arm, as though
her strength was failing, answered for her,--

"The daughter of the Duke de Gramont has not become less noble, madame,
through her noble industry. She has not brought to her own, or any other
cheek, a blush of genuine shame. I, who have watched over her from the
hour that she left the Chateau de Gramont, claim the proud privilege of
giving this testimony. No duchess has the right to hold her head higher
than the Duke de Gramont's orphan daughter."

Before any one could reply, he led Madeleine from the room, and out of
the house. The movement which Maurice and Bertha, at the same moment,
made to follow her was arrested by the countess. Before they had
recovered themselves, Madeleine was seated in her carriage, and had
driven away. M. de Bois was walking rapidly to his hotel.

CHAPTER XXIV.

FEMININE BELLIGERENTS.

Madeleine's residence was one of the most superb mansions in Washington:
a spacious house, built of white stone, and located within a few
minutes' walk of the capitol. She was in the habit of seeking the
beautiful capitol-grounds every fine morning, before the busy city was
astir, accompanied by Ruth Thornton. The matinal hour devoted to this
refreshing walk was to both maidens the calmest and happiest of the
twenty-four. In that peaceful hour they gained strength to encounter the
petty vexations and _desagrement_ incident to the at once humble and
important vocation they had adopted.

Buried deep in Madeleine's heart there was ever a sadness that could not
be shaken off, but she turned the sunny side of her existence toward
others, and kept the shadow of her great sorrow for herself alone;
therefore her mien was ever tranquil, even cheerful. Possibly, she
suffered less than many whose griefs were not so heavy, because her
meek, uncomplaining spirit tempered the bleak wind that blew over her
bowed head, and rounded the sharp stones that would have cut her feet on
their pilgrimage, had they stepped less softly. Thus she carried within
herself the magic that drew from waspish circumstance its sharpest
sting.

The morning after Madeleine's rencontre with her relatives, a group of
young women were sitting busily employed around a large table in
Mademoiselle Melanie's workroom.

Mademoiselle Victorine, the forewoman, and Mademoiselle Clemence, her
chief assistant, were the only foreigners. They had been in Vignon's
employment, and had acco