was swelling with deep gratitude, with increased
tenderness, with exalted admiration, experienced, at the sight of Lord
Linden, a sickening revulsion of feeling.

This nobleman, then, was received by Madeleine in her own especial
apartment, the doors of which were only opened to her particular
friends; he was alone with her, and his unusually agitated manner
betrayed that he had been conversing upon some subject of the deepest
interest. Madeleine, too, looked paler than usual, and the troubled
expression which had displaced the wonted placidity of her countenance
was, doubtless, owing to this unanticipated interruption.

As Lord Linden made his exit, he glanced at Maurice at once haughtily
and inquiringly. What was this young man, of his lordship's own rank,
doing here, in the boudoir of the mantua-maker? What claim had he to
admission? Must he not be upon an intimate footing? for, had not
Madeleine extended her hand to him without reserve, and as though she
were greeting one who was far from a stranger?

"A lover!" exclaimed Lord Linden to himself as he closed the door; "a
rival to whom she listens in spite of her bewitching prudery. It is
incomprehensible! and yet it has inspired me with new courage; I will
not leave him an undisputed field."

He had approached the street-door when he reflected that something might
be learned from Mademoiselle Melanie's _employees_. He turned back and
went upstairs to the exhibition rooms.

Ruth Thornton received him; and, at his request, displayed shawls,
mantles, scarfs innumerable. He had desired to see these articles on the
plea of making a selection for his sister. Hardly looking at them, he
purchased one of the most extravagant, while making an attempt to lure
Ruth into conversation. She replied simply and politely, but appeared to
be only interested in her occupation, and quite to ignore the occasional
gallantry of his remarks. He was on the point of desisting, when
Victorine, who had been attending to customers in another apartment,
chanced to look into this room, saw Lord Linden, recognized him as the
gentleman with whom she had noticed Mademoiselle Melanie earnestly
conversing on the day previous, and at once came forward as though to
assist Ruth. The latter had been rendered very uncomfortable by the
deportment of his lordship, and was only too glad to retire, leaving
the forewoman alone with Lord Linden.

The nobleman added so largely to his purchase that Lady Augus