nothing to urge
against Madeleine, who has too nobly proved her devotion to her family,
and her respect for your feelings; but if you _had_ real and just cause
of complaint, it should be forgotten at this moment. If my father
desires to see her, she should be permitted to come to him."

"Do you presume to dictate to me, Maurice de Gramont? Is this one of
the lessons you have learned from the _mantua-maker_? Do you intend to
teach me my duty to my own child? I _swear to you_ that Madeleine de
Gramont shall _never_ see my son again, while I live! I, his mother, am
by his side,--that is sufficient. No one's presence can supersede that
of a mother!"

Maurice saw that contention was fruitless; he sat down in silence, but
not without noticing the look of compassion which Mrs. Lawkins bestowed
upon him. The count had closed his eyes again, but low groans, almost
like stifled sobs, burst at intervals from his lips.

The countess essayed to unbend sufficiently to attempt the task of
soothing him.

"My son," she said, in the mildest tone she could command, "do you not
know that your mother is near you?"

Without unclosing his eyes, he answered, "Yes."

"And her presence under all circumstances," she continued, "should leave
nothing to desire. In spite of what Maurice with so little respect and
consideration has attempted to make me believe, I know you too well not
to be certain that he did you injustice."

No answer; but the countess interpreted her son's silence into
acquiescence with her observation, and remarked to Maurice with
asperity,--

"I presume you perceive that your father is fully satisfied. It does not
interfere with his comfort that you have failed in your attempt. I well
know you were instigated by one who hopes to make use of your father's
indisposition as the stepping-stone by which she can again mount into
favor with her family, and force them into public recognition of her.
This is but one of her many cunning stratagems; there are others of
which we will talk presently."

She glanced at Mrs. Lawkins, who was arranging the count's pillows, and
raising him into a more comfortable position.

Maurice bethought him that it was time to let Madeleine know there was
no hope of her obtaining admission to his father. As he left the
apartment, the countess followed him into the drawing-room.

"I have something further to say to you, Maurice, and I prefer to speak
out of the hearing of that woman. Am I to und