ashington.
The cars met with an accident and he broke his arm; I, being unhurt, was
of some little assistance; but I have never seen him since."

"Then it is a most fortunate chance," resumed Count Tristan, "that
brings him here. Through him you can influence his sister,--through her
the vote of Mr. Rutledge will be secured, and these two votes gained;
the road to the left will be chosen, and for this I shall be wholly your
debtor. Truly, Madeleine, you are the fairy Maurice used to call you in
old times; for you have the power, the gift of working wonders, and you
always _had_!"

"Cousin Tristan,"--began Madeleine, seriously, then paused; "do you
allow me still to call you so?"

"Yes,--yes, undoubtedly; and especially when we are alone. Call me
_cousin_, certainly; but what did you wish to say?"

"You must find some other advocate as far as Mr. Rutledge is concerned.
I fear I have not sufficient influence with Lady Augusta Linden to make
this request, or to induce her to grant it, or to prevent her thinking
the petition itself an impertinence."

"That does not matter; you can manage the affair through Lord Linden,
and the opportunity presents itself this very moment, since he is
here,--here under your own roof."

"I cannot see him,--I particularly desire not to see him; there are
reasons which must prevent my asking any favor at his hands. It is
totally out of my power to do what you desire."

"But it is of the greatest importance, Madeleine; this opportunity must
not be thrown away. What would Maurice think if he believed that you
refused to serve him at such a critical moment?"

"Maurice, if he knew all which I could tell him, would be the first to
forbid my appealing to Lord Linden. I pray you to seek some other means
of influencing Mr. Rutledge; he cannot be reached through me."

"I have no other!" cried the count, with desperate energy. "My sole
dependence is upon you. And, Madeleine, this is not the mere question of
gain: more than I dare confide to you depends upon the decision of that
committee."

Madeleine made no response, but her manner plainly manifested that she
was not prepared to retract what she had said.

"Madeleine," continued the count, with ill-disguised anger, and feeling
that he had no alternative but to make a confession which humbled him to
the dust, "this property was held in trust by me; my difficulties, my
embarrassments, have been overwhelming: they have brought me to the
verge