pensation for her displeasure, should I prove
wrong; and if I am right, you can keep it in payment for having served
me."

She handed him a piece of gold, which the man took with so little
hesitation it left no doubt upon Madeleine's mind that he was well
acquainted with the nature of a bribe.

"I'll do what I can, ma'am, if you will take the blame," replied he.

Madeleine alighted, followed him to the door of the room which he
designated as the drawing-room of the countess, and then desired him to
retire; he obeyed with well-pleased alacrity.

The young girl had been trembling from agitation until that moment; but
there was necessity for calmness in executing her mission. She opened
the door with a firm hand, and entered the apartment with unfaltering
steps.

The countess was sitting with her back turned to the entrance; she did
not perceive Madeleine until the latter stood beside her.

Madame de Gramont pushed back her chair with a repellant gesture, and,
before her niece could speak, asked indignantly, "What is the meaning of
this intrusion? Did you not receive my message, Mademoiselle de Gramont,
and understand that I declined to see you?"

"I received it, madame," returned Madeleine, mildly and mournfully; "but
I feel sure you will pardon an intrusion I could not avoid when you
learn the cause which brings me here."

"I can divine your errand, Mademoiselle de Gramont; you probably imagine
that, because I permitted my son to say that your marriage with Lord
Linden would, _after a proper interval_, allow me to acknowledge you
once more as a relative, your mere acceptance of his lordship's hand
entitles you to seize upon any frivolous excuse to force yourself upon
my privacy. You are mistaken. I have no intention of recognizing _the
mantua-maker_, and I forbid her to make any attempt to hold the most
transient intercourse with me. I have already said, I will receive Lady
Linden when I meet her in another country, where her history is unknown;
but not until then. And now I must request you to retire, or you will
compel me to leave my own apartment."

Madeleine had made one or two fruitless attempts to interrupt the
countess; but now, as the latter moved toward the door, about to put her
threat into execution, the young girl sprang after her and said,
beseechingly,--

"I implore you not to go until you hear me! I did not come to speak of
myself at all. I came in the hope of sparing you too severe a shock."