whether the account of the transaction which he had received was
thoroughly correct, and more than hinting his certainty that all the
facts had not been brought to light. Maurice was sorely perplexed; but,
in spite of his strong desire to shield his father, he finally decided
that Mr. Lorrillard was entitled to a full explanation, and that his own
position would never be endurable while a suspicion shadowed his name.
He despatched Mr. Lorrillard the following letter.

"_My dear Sir_:--

"I cannot but be touched by the confidence you repose in me.
I do not thank you less because you have done me the common
justice which is due from one man to another. When I
received the loan from Mr. Emerson, I as firmly believed
that the security I gave him was unquestionable, as he did.
I had been led to think that the power of attorney in my
father's hands had not been used. I was mistaken. I pass
over Mr. Emerson's proceedings, which, however severe, were
authorized by the light in which he viewed my conduct. The
ten thousand dollars he loaned me were, at once, repaid him
by the generosity of one of my relatives, Mademoiselle
Madeleine de Gramont, whose debtor I remain. My father's
dangerous illness has detained me in Washington. The instant
he is sufficiently convalescent I purpose returning to
Charleston to resume my professional duties.

"I am, my dear sir,
"Yours, very truly,
"MAURICE DE GRAMONT."

Mr. Lorrillard was highly gratified by the simple, ingenuous, yet manly
tone of this letter, and well pleased to find his impressions correct.
He immediately despatched an epistle to Mr. Emerson which convinced the
latter that he could only conciliate a valued friend by making every
possible reparation.

A few days later Maurice was surprised by Mr. Emerson's card. He could
not converse with him in the presence of Count Tristan and Madame de
Gramont, and was obliged to receive him in the general drawing-room of
the hotel.

When Maurice entered, Mr. Emerson extended his hand and said, with an
air of frankness,--

"I am a just man, M. de Gramont, and I came to make you an apology. My
friend, Mr. Lorrillard, has convinced me that I ought to have paused
before I yielded to the conviction that one whom he esteemed so highly
had wilfully taken advantage of my credulity. I am now convinced that
you were