no
change in the patient's condition, and then said, "Come, Ruth, dinner is
served; come, Maurice, if you assume the office of _garde malade_, I
must take care that your strength is not exhausted."

Her cheerfulness dispelled some of the heavy gloom that hung about
Maurice, and he rose and followed her. She led the way through the
apartment which had been the drawing-room, and pointing to the bed,
said,--

"That is for you; this is your bed-chamber."

"Mine? I do not expect to need a bed; I mean to sit up with my father."

"Yes, to-night; but not every night," she added, with playful
imperativeness. "I shall not allow _that_, and you see I have taken the
reins into my own hands, and show that a little of the de Gramont love
of rule has descended to me with its blood."

They entered the dining-room. Maurice was struck by the air of combined
simplicity and elegance which characterized all the appointments. The
dinner, too, was simple, but well-cooked. Maurice had no appetite at
first, but was soon lured to eat,--everything placed before him appeared
so inviting. Then, it was delightful to see Madeleine sitting quietly
opposite to him, looking even lovelier than she did in those happy,
happy, by-gone days in the ancient chateau! Ruth's pretty and pleasant
countenance at another time might have been an addition; but we fear
that Maurice at that moment, did not appreciate the presence of a very
modest and attractive young girl who reflected in her own person not a
few of Madeleine's virtues. The repast was of brief duration; but
Madeleine was the one who partook of it most sparingly. She enjoyed so
much seeing Maurice eat that she could not follow his example.

Maurice and Madeleine returned to Count Tristan's apartment together.
Soon after, Dr. Bayard paid another visit, but expressed no opinion.
Maurice went back to the hotel to keep his promise to his grandmother.
There was no response when he knocked at her door; no reply, though he
spoke to her, that she might hear his voice and know who was there.

Bertha and Gaston were sitting together. Albeit the conversation in
which they were engaged appeared to be singularly absorbing, the latter
said,--

"Do you return immediately to Mademoiselle Madeleine's? If so, I will
accompany you; and, as I suppose you will watch beside your father, we
will sit up together."

Maurice assented and they set forth; that is, as soon as Bertha, who
detained them, first upon one plea