would, one day, be his. He also purposed, if
possible, to put her on her guard against the advances of Lord Linden.
At the door he encountered Maurice, who with unaffected warmth,
congratulated him upon his betrothal.

When the servant answered their ring, both gentlemen were denied
admission. Mademoiselle Melanie was not well, and had retired.

"Are you going back to the hotel?" asked Gaston, as they left the door.

"No, not until late. I hardly know what I shall do with myself; I may go
to the reading-rooms."

As their roads were different, they parted, and Maurice, not being able
to select any better place of refuge, took his way to the reading-rooms
most frequented by gentlemen of the metropolis. He was fortunate in
finding an apartment vacant. He sat down by the table, took up a
newspaper, though the words before him might have been printed in an
unknown tongue, for any sense they conveyed.

He had been sitting about half an hour, musing sadly, when Lord Linden
sauntered through the rooms. The instant he observed Maurice, he
advanced toward him, and unceremoniously took a seat at the same table.
This was just the opportunity which the _piqued_ nobleman had desired.
Maurice returned his salutation politely, but with an occupied air which
seemed to forbid conversation. But Lord Linden was not to be baffled. He
opened a periodical, and, after listlessly turning the leaves, closed
it, and, leaning over the table in the direction of Maurice, said, with
a sarcastic intonation,--

"I hope you had an agreeable visit, M. de Gramont."

Maurice looked up in surprise.

"I beg pardon,--I do not comprehend. To what visit do you allude?"

"When we last met," returned Lord Linden, in the same offensive manner,
"I left you in charming company; the lovely mantua-maker, you know!--the
very queen of sirens!"

Maurice flushed crimson and half started from his chair, then sat down
again, making a strong effort to control himself, as he answered coldly,
"I am at a loss to comprehend the meaning of the language in which you
are pleased to indulge."

"'Pon my life, that's going too far; especially as I feel not a little
aggrieved that your inopportune entrance cut short my visit. And you
seemed to be a decided favorite. Deuced lucky! for she is the handsomest
woman in Washington. Come, be frank enough to confess that you think so,
and I'll admit that I think her the most beautiful woman upon the face
of the globe."

"My fra