fore lacked, to impart the fearful tidings.

"He is too ill to be moved at this moment. I sent for medical aid at
once, and everything has been done to restore him."

"_Restore him?_ What do you mean?" almost shrieked the countess, now
becoming painfully excited, and struggling against her fears, as though,
by disbelieving the calamity which had befallen her son, she could alter
the fact. "Why do you try to alarm me in this manner? It is very
inconsiderate! very cruel! You do it to revenge yourself upon me! Where
is Maurice? Where is Bertha? I must have some one near me on whom I can
depend! Why am I left at your mercy?"

"I asked for Maurice and Bertha before I attempted to force my way to
you," returned Madeleine. "I was told that neither was at home. Pray do
not allow yourself to be so much distressed. I have no doubt that we
shall find Count Tristan better."

"_We_ shall find! What do you mean by _we_ shall find?" sternly demanded
the countess, whose grief and alarm did not conquer her pride, though
her voice trembled as she asked the question.

"My carriage is at the door: I thought I might venture to propose that
you would enter it, and return with me to my house, that no time might
be lost." Madeleine said this with quiet dignity.

"_Your_ carriage? And you expect me to be seen _with you_, in _your_
carriage? I cannot comprehend your object, Mademoiselle de Gramont. What
possesses you to try to exasperate me by your insolent propositions?"

"Pardon me; I did not mean to add to your trouble; if my suggestion was
injudicious, disregard it. Nothing can be easier than to send for
another carriage. Will you allow me to ring the bell for you to do so?
And, since you would not wish to be seen in my company, I can leave the
house before you."

"And you expect me to follow? You expect that I will order the carriage
to drive to the residence of _Mademoiselle Melanie_, the
_mantua-maker_?"

"You need only say, 'Drive to ---- street, number ----.' My errand here
is at an end. I pray you to pardon me, if I have executed it clumsily.
My sole intention was to spare you pain, and I almost fear that I have
caused you more than I have shielded you from."

Madeleine was retiring, but the countess called her back.

"Stay! You have not told me all yet. What is the matter with my son? Was
it a fainting fit? I never knew him guilty of the weakness of fainting."

It was difficult to answer this question without explaining t