r
folks, but I suspected the old lady was up to something that would worry
the poor dear, and, to be sure, I was right."

"What do you mean?" inquired Maurice, anxiously.

"Why, I couldn't help catching a word or two of what the doctor said
when he went out; I just heard him say that the patient _could_ make the
voyage if it were necessary, though it would be better to keep him
quiet. Mark my words, she wants to pack off, bag and baggage, at short
notice,--and _she'll do it_! Never trust my judgment if she don't."

Mrs. Gratacap was right; one hour later, the countess, with a look which
reminded Maurice, of the days when she swayed unopposed, informed him
that Count Tristan had been pronounced by his physician sufficiently
convalescent to bear a sea-voyage, and that she intended to leave
Washington that day week, for New York, and take the first steamer that
sails for Havre.

Maurice could only stammer out, "So suddenly?"

"Suddenly?" echoed the imperious lady; "it is a century to me! a century
of torture! And you call it _suddenly_? _Nothing_ will prevent my
leaving this city in a week, and this detestable country as soon after
as possible. Do you understand me?"

"I do."

"Then I depend upon you to make all the needful preparations. There will
be no change in my plans; the matter is settled and requires no further
discussion."

Maurice knew too well that there was but one course left, and that was
submission to her despotic will. He at once apprised Gaston of the
determination of the countess. M. de Bois was more grieved for his
friend than for himself, and said he could be ready to accompany the
party in twenty-four hours.

After this, Maurice took his way to the Waltons. He could not yet summon
resolution to go to Madeleine.

We have already said that Mrs. Walton, through her woman's instincts,
thought she had discovered Madeleine's secret, and every day some
trivial circumstance confirmed her in her belief. But her shrinking
nature made it difficult for her ever to take the initiative, or to
attempt to change the current of events by any strong act of her own.
There was no absence of _power_ in her composition, but a distrust of
her own powers which produced the same effect. Hers was a _passive_ and
not _suggestive_ nature; if the first step in some desirable path were
taken by another she would follow, and labor heart and hand, and by her
judgment and zeal accomplish what that other only projected; bu