erstand that you were privy
to her introduction into this house, and that you were aware that she
was a spy of Mademoiselle de Gramont?"

"A spy, madame?"

"Yes, a spy! Why should Mademoiselle de Gramont wish to place her
menials here except to institute _espionage_ over my family?"

"Mrs. Lawkins was sent here by Madeleine because she is an efficient
nurse,--such a nurse as my father needs and as he could not readily
obtain, _I_ brought her here, and I did not do so without knowing her
fitness for her office."

"Her chief fitness consists, it appears, in her having been in the
employment of the mantua-maker. I have no more to say on this subject,
except that the woman must quit the house this evening."

"That is out of the question; she cannot leave until I have found some
one to take her place."

"Do you mean to dispute my orders, Maurice de Gramont? I shall not
entrust to you the task of dismissing her. I shall myself command her to
leave, and that without delay."

"You will do as you please, madame; but may I ask by whom you intend to
replace her?"

"Somebody will be found. I will give orders to have another nurse
procured. In the mean time, Adolphine can make herself useful."

"Adolphine!" replied Maurice, contemptuously. "A butterfly might turn a
mill-wheel as efficiently as Adolphine could take charge of an invalid."

"Be the alternative what it may," replied the countess, peremptorily, "I
am unalterable in my determination. That woman sent here by Madeleine de
Gramont leaves the house to-day!"

Just then her eye fell upon the salver which Robert had left upon the
table when he ran for the doctor; that sight added fresh fuel to her
indignation.

"Have you also been aware that Mademoiselle de Gramont carried her
audacity so far that she had even ventured secretly to send donations,
in the shape of chocolate, beef-tea, cakes, jellies, and fruit, to her
family?"

"I am aware," replied Maurice, "that Madeleine's thoughtful kindness
prompted her, during your indisposition as well as my father's, to
prepare, with her own hands, delicacies which are not to be obtained in
a hotel. I was aware that this was her return for the harsh and cruel
treatment she had received at the hands of,--of some of her family."

"Mad boy! You are leagued with her against me! This is unendurable! Oh,
that I had never been lured to this abominable country! Oh, that I had
never known the shame of finding my own grandson sunke