ave me without, at least, one word of pardon?"

"I have said we were quits. You demanded a price for the service you
rendered me; I have paid it by listening for the first time to language
which, had I a father, or a brother, could not have been addressed to me
with impunity; I have neither."

"Let me, at least, vindicate myself. You do not know to what lengths
passion will drive a man."

"You are right, I never knew until now; I have learned to-day. Allow me
to pass without the necessity of ringing for a servant."

"First you must hear me," exclaimed Lord Linden, almost beside himself
at the prospect of her leaving him in anger, and closing her doors
henceforward against him. "I know how contemptible I must seem in your
eyes. I read it in your countenance; I have no excuse to offer, except
the plea that my love for you overleapt the bounds of all discretion."

"I ask for no excuse," answered Madeleine, freezingly.

"I only plead for forgiveness; I only entreat that you will forget the
error of which I have been guilty, that you will allow me to see you
again; that you will permit me to endeavor to reinstate myself in your
esteem."

"My lord, our intercourse is at an end. The service you have rendered me
it is no longer in my power to refuse, but you have received its full
equivalent. I can spare no more time in the discussion of this subject.
Once more, I request you to let me pass without forcing me to ring the
bell."

"I obey you, but on condition that I may return, if it be but once more.
Promise to grant me one more interview, and I leave you on the instant;
I implore you not to refuse."

He approached her, and before Madeleine was even aware of his intention,
seized her hand.

The door opened; M. Maurice de Gramont was announced just as Madeleine
snatched away the hand Lord Linden had taken, but not before the action
had been noticed by Maurice.

He paused at the sight of the nobleman, but Madeleine relieved and
rejoiced by the presence of her cousin, unreflectingly hastened toward,
and greeted him with a beaming face.

Lord Linden's astonishment was eloquently portrayed upon his
countenance. His hostess, recovering her presence of mind, turned to the
nobleman, and bowing as courteously as though she had no cause for
indignation, wished him good-morning. Her tone seemed to imply that he
was taking his leave when Maurice entered. Lord Linden had no
alternative but to withdraw.

Maurice, whose heart