nguage, and Madeleine, struck by his abstracted air, inquired
in that tongue whether he had any cause for vexation.

Gaston answered, vaguely, that he was troubled; he did not himself know
with how much real cause. A moment after, he mentioned her interview
with Count Tristan, and, stammering a little in his old fashion, asked
whether she would deem it a great liberty if he desired to know the
object of the count's visit.

A moment's reflection convinced Madeleine that M. de Bois would not have
made this inquiry out of sheer, causeless curiosity; and she made known
to him the count's request concerning the votes which she was to exert
herself to obtain. Gaston caught eagerly at her words, and exclaimed,--

"Valueless? Are you sure Count Tristan said the property of Maurice
would be valueless but for the advent of this railroad?"

"Yes," replied Madeleine; "I am quite sure that such was his assertion.
But why do you ask? What has happened? Nothing to compromise Maurice?"

"I do not yet definitely know; but, if it be what I suspect, what I
fear, it will compromise him wofully."

"Pray be explicit," said Madeleine, becoming alarmed. "Tell me what you
positively know, and what you fear. Remember, Maurice is my cousin."

"Would he were more! But that wish now is vain. In a word, then, I have
no faith in Count Tristan. I believe him capable of unscrupulous actions
which might ruin his son. At the club, last night, a group of gentlemen
chanced to be conversing near me. The name of Maurice de Gramont
attracted my attention. A Mr. Emerson asserted that he had just made a
discovery which convinced him that the Viscount de Gramont was a young
man regardless of honor; and added that he intended, without delay, to
commence legal proceedings against him. As soon as I could control my
indignation, I informed Mr. Emerson that the Viscount de Gramont was my
friend, and I could not allow his name to be used with disrespect
without demanding an explanation."

"And he gave you one?" inquired Madeleine, greatly agitated.

"He did not give me one. At first he was inclined to treat my request
cavalierly. But, upon my persisting, he replied that neither place nor
time served to discuss a business matter; adding that he would be at his
office on the morrow, at twelve o'clock, and, if I chose to call at that
hour, the whole matter would be made known to me; remarking,
significantly, that he had no intention of keeping the transaction fro