ld ever plan half so well!"

"It will be your turn to play the hostess, and to them all!" cried
Gaston. "Who would have believed such a revolution of the great wheel
possible! That's what I call _compensation in this world_; for few
things, I know, can make you happier; and nothing can strike such a
severe blow at the pride of the Countess de Gramont as to find herself
the compulsory guest of the relative she has despised and persecuted."

Gaston, in his ardor and desire to see Madeleine avenged, had forgotten
the presence of the viscount; but Madeleine's look of reproach and her
glance toward her cousin recalled his presence to the mind of her
enthusiastic defender.

"I beg pardon, Maurice," said he; "I ought not to have spoken
disrespectfully of the countess; that is, while you were by."

"I understand and can pardon you, Gaston. Now I must go to my
grandmother and learn what she says; for I can see Madeleine's 'fairy
fingers' are impatient to commence their magical preparations for our
comfort."

He spoke sadly; though his words were half gay in their import.

Very few minutes elapsed before Maurice returned, accompanied by the
countess. She swept into the room, towering as majestically as though
she could rise above and conquer all the assailing army of circumstances
arrayed against her.

Madeleine made a movement toward the door.

"Remain! I wish to speak to you, Mademoiselle de Gramont," cried the
countess in her most icy tone.

"Permit me first to request Miss Thornton to watch beside Count Tristan.
He ought not to be left alone."

Madeleine had been more thoughtful of the patient than his mother, and
the latter could not detain her.

"Are you positive that your father cannot be moved? I am not convinced
that it is out of the question."

The countess addressed these words to Maurice.

"The physician has just declared that the risk would be too great. That
question, then, is definitely settled. It only remains for you to say
how far you will accept Madeleine's hospitable proposition."

"_Hospitable!_ Do not talk of _hospitality_ but of _degradation!_ What
will be said when it is known that Count Tristan de Gramont was
sheltered, during his illness, by his _mantua-maker relative!_--his
_tradeswoman niece!_ There is only one condition upon which I can be
forced to consent."

Here Madeleine reentered, and the countess accosted her.

"Mademoiselle de Gramont, the tide of fortune has, for the moment