n incredulity.
He is determined to write to Maurice and inform him of his discovery,
and also to commence legal proceedings at once."

"Should these ten thousand dollars be paid into the hands of Mr.
Emerson, would they not prevent his sending the threatened letter to
Maurice, or taking any other steps?" inquired Madeleine, eagerly.

"Undoubtedly; but how are we to command ten thousand dollars?"

Madeleine smiled an inexpressibly happy smile, opened her desk, took out
a paper, and said,--

"I had arranged to make the last payment upon this house yesterday; the
sum due was ten thousand dollars: by some mistake, the person who was to
receive this money did not keep his appointment. He will, doubtless, be
here to-day. A few hours later, I might no longer have had these funds
under my own control. See how fortunate it is that I urged you to act
promptly!"

"Mademoiselle Madeleine, what--what do you intend to do?"

"Is not my intention plain and simple enough? Here is a check for ten
thousand dollars; draw the money at once, and place it in Mr. Emerson's
hands."

"But the payment for your house?"

"Cannot be made. We have no time for further discussion."

"Mademoiselle Madeleine, you are"--

"Very impatient and very imperative when I issue orders that I intend to
have obeyed? Admitted. You need not waste time in summing up the
catalogue of my imperfections."

Gaston took the check and was preparing to depart, when Madeleine
delayed him.

"Mr. Emerson must not know that these funds are furnished by me. What an
endless theme for gossip and speculation would be afforded by the very
suggestion that the fashionable mantua-maker came to the assistance of
the young nobleman! Let Mr. Emerson understand that this money is paid
by one of Maurice's relatives. That will be sufficient."

"Good," returned Gaston; "and if he should conclude that it was supplied
by Maurice's grandmother, all the better. If I said a relative, and
Madame de Gramont were not supposed to be the person, there is no one
but Mademoiselle Bertha; and Mr. Emerson might infer--I mean, it would
be natural to suppose"--

"You are right. We must guard against such a false step. Surely, no name
at all is necessary; but I leave the matter to your discretion; pray
hasten."

Without further discussion, Gaston set out to execute his agreeable
mission. He reached Mr. Emerson's office too late to stop the threatened
letter; it had already been despatched.