of thought. The Minister, the Deputes
and the Duchesse de Tarascon talked politics, and ridiculed the trumpery
emeute of the 14th; exulted in the success of the plebiscite; and
admitting, with indignation, the growing strength of Prussia, and--with
scarcely less indignation, but more contempt, censuring the selfish
egotism of England in disregarding the due equilibrium of the European
balance of power,--hinted at the necessity of annexing Belgium as a
set-off against the results of Sadowa.

Alain found himself seated next to Isaura--to the woman who had so
captivated his eye and fancy on his first arrival in Paris.

Remembering his last conversation with Graham nearly a year ago, he felt
some curiosity to ascertain whether the rich Englishman had proposed to
her, and if so, been refused or accepted.

The first words that passed between them were trite enough, but after a
little pause in the talk, Alain said:

"I think Mademoiselle and myself have an acquaintance in common-Monsieur
Vane, a distinguished Englishman. Do you know if he be in Paris at
present? I have not seen him for many months."

"I believe he is in London; at least, Colonel Morley met the other day a
friend of his who said so."

Though Isaura strove to speak in a tone of indifference, Alain's ear
detected a ring of pain in her voice; and watching her countenance, he
was impressed with a saddened change in its expression. He was touched,
and his curiosity was mingled with a gentler interest as he said "When I
last saw M. Vane I should have judged him to be too much under the spell
of an enchantress to remain long without the pale of the circle she
draws around her."

Isaura turned her face quickly towards the speaker, and her lips moved,
but she said nothing audibly.

"Can there have been quarrel or misunderstanding?" thought Alain; and
after that question his heart asked itself, "Supposing Isaura were free,
her affections disengaged, could he wish to woo and to win her?" and his
heart answered--"Eighteen months ago thou wert nearer to her than now.
Thou wert removed from her for ever when thou didst accept the world
as a barrier between you; then, poor as thou wert, thou wouldst have
preferred her to riches. Thou went then sensible only of the ingenuous
impulses of youth, but the moment thou saidst, 'I am Rochebriant, and
having once owned the claims of birth and station, I cannot renounce
them for love, Isaura became but a dream. Now that ruin