e rejected me as a lover, could I even be known
to the world as your cousin, I might, at least, have the joy of
protecting you. Must that, too, be denied me?"

"Yes, Maurice. Do you not know how important it is that our relationship
should remain undivulged, unsuspected?"

"No; I cannot see the importance! I cannot submit to such an
interdiction! Let my grandmother and my father say what they will, I am
not bound to yield to so unnatural a request!"

"You will yield to it as my petition, Maurice. Think of it as a favor, a
sacrifice I ask of you. If you refuse me, I shall believe that you feel
I have no right to ask favors."

"No right? There you touch me deeply! Madeleine, I am here to-day to
learn whether you have not laid me under the deepest obligation--whether
it was not by you"--

Madeleine, though she was not a little discomposed by learning that her
recent interference in his behalf was suspected, had presence of mind
left to endeavor to divert his thoughts. She interrupted him by saying,
in a lively tone,--

"I have made several vain attempts to explain Lord Linden's presence
here, and you will not permit me to do so, though his visit concerns
yourself. Have you no curiosity? I am half inclined to punish you for
your indifference."

Before Maurice could reply, Count Tristan de Gramont was announced.

"It is _you_ whom I have to thank,--you, good, generous, noble
Madeleine, I am sure it is!" said he, excitedly. "It is your hand which
has saved me and my son from the precipice over which we were suspended!
I could scarcely credit the good news."

"If you talk of good news," replied Madeleine, "I have some to give you
which I have just received from Lord Linden. Mr. Rutledge has promised
his vote for the left road."

The count looked at her as though he could not trust his ears; then he
said, in a tremulous voice that broke into a childish sob, "It is all
wonder! You are the Fairy they called you, the magician,--the--the--the"--

Robert opened the door and announced the Countess de Gramont and
Mademoiselle de Merrivale.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

MADAME DE GRAMONT.

The countess entered the room casting disdainful glances around her.

Madeleine, who could not suspect the object of her visit, accosted her
in astonishment.

"You, madame, beneath my roof; this is an unhoped-for condescension!"

"Do not imagine that I come to be classed among your customers, and
order my dresses of you," returned t