the sunshine of the passing hour, even though she did not lose sight
of the clouds that lay in the distant horizon. And how often the present
beams had pierced their way through thick darkness to reach her!

"Come and tell me what you think of my invention," said she, as they
rose from the table and opened the door which led into the hall.

The upholsterer had already completed his work. A crimson drapery was
suspended from the ceiling to the ground, along the whole length of the
entry, and entirely shut out the staircase. At the street door this
drapery was so skilfully arranged that a person visiting the apartments
on the first floor could, at once, pass out of sight.

"Will not these curtains render this portion of the house quite
secluded? I hope they will make your grandmother feel less aversion to
coming here."

"What resources you have, Madeleine! And how kindly you employ your
fertile ingenuity! _Who_ would have thought of such an arrangement?"

"Why _any one_ who took the trouble to sit down and think about the
matter at all! Possibly some people might not have been in the habit of
exercising their ingenuity enough to do that; but _any one_ who took the
trouble to reflect how the desired object could be accomplished would
have seen the difficulties melt away."

"Under the touch of 'Fairy Fingers,'" returned Maurice, admiringly.

"Ah, that is an old superstition of yours which you have not quite
outlived. Will you not go to your grandmother now? She may be expecting
you, and must be anxious for news."

"She showed great anxiety last night," replied Maurice, bitterly.

"Maurice, we have no right to judge her! Unless we ourselves have
experienced her sensations, we cannot even comprehend her state. Speak
to her this morning as though you had parted in all affection yesterday;
and bring her here, if you can. For her own sake try to bring her."

Shortly after Maurice left, Madeleine received another letter from Lord
Linden. Finding that she did not reply to the first, he had called upon
her twice on the day previous; but, greatly to his mortification, had
been denied. Later in the day, his wounded vanity was somewhat soothed
by learning the calamity which had befallen Count Tristan, at
Madeleine's house; though his lordship could hardly deem even such an
event sufficient excuse for her tardiness in replying to a letter of so
much importance. In reality, Madeleine had entirely forgotten her suitor
and his l