or two of London life with its horsey slang and its fast girls of the
period would have vulgarised an English Rochebriant! Graham gnawed his
lips and replied quietly, "I do not challenge! Am I to congratulate
you?"

"No, that brilliant victory is not for me. I thought that was made clear
in the conversation I have referred to. But if you have done me the
honour to be jealous I am exceedingly flattered. Speaking, seriously, if
I admired Mademoiselle Cicogna when you and I last met, the admiration
is increased by the respect with which I regard a character so simply
noble. How many women older than she would have been spoiled by the
adulation that has followed her literary success!--how few women so
young, placed in a position so critical, having the courage to lead
a life so independent, would have maintained the dignity of their
character free from a single indiscretion! I speak not from my own
knowledge, but from the report of all, who would be pleased enough to
censure if they could find a cause. Good society is the paradise of
mauvaises langues."

Graham caught Alain's hand and pressed it, but made no answer.

The young Marquis continued:

"You will pardon me for speaking thus freely in the way that I would
wish any friend to speak of the demoiselle who might become my wife.
I owe you much, not only for the loyalty with which you address me in
reference to this young lady, but for words affecting my own position
in France, which sank deep into my mind--saved me from deeming myself
a proscrit in my own land--filled me with a manly ambition, not stifled
amidst the thick of many effeminate follies--and, in fact, led me to the
career which is about to open before me, and in which my ancestors have
left me no undistinguished examples. Let us speak, then, a coeur ouvert,
as one friend to another. Has there been any misunderstanding between
you and Mademoiselle Cicogna which has delayed your return to Paris? If
so, is it over now?"

"There has been no such misunderstanding."

"Do you doubt whether the sentiments you expressed in regard to her when
we met last year, are returned?"

"I have no right to conjecture her sentiments. You mistake altogether."

"I do not believe that I am dunce enough to mistake your feelings
towards Mademoiselle--they may be read in your face at this moment.
Of course I do not presume to hazard a conjecture as to those of
Mademoiselle towards yourself. But when I met her not long since a