d not appear until the day fixed for the signing of the
contract, when he arrived in great haste, accompanied by a notary, and
expressed his wish that the ceremony should not be delayed, as he was
obliged to return at once, to the South of France. As soon as it was
known that he was within the chateau, De Berniers sought Virginie, and
inquired whether her uncle had received due warning; to which she
answered that he knew all that was necessary. She then prepared to
surrender herself to destiny; for, though a spirited girl, she had not
courage enough even now to take the control of affairs into her own
hands, and could only indulge a vague hope that some beneficent
interposition of fortune might smoothly shape the course of her true
love.

The two young gentlemen joined M. de Terville and the notary in the
library, where the blank contract and writing-materials were
conspicuously displayed. De Berniers wore an air of almost supernatural
intelligence, at which the noble Count marvelled, though he was too
hurried to seek an explanation. On greeting M. de Montalvan, he
expressed regret at not having immediately recognized him. De Berniers,
fully convinced that the Count was in the plot, took this as a piece of
by-play, not, however, thoroughly understanding its purport. De
Montalvan was wretchedly ill at ease, but gathered a little reassurance
from De Berniers's declaration that he would voluntarily renounce his
pretensions, and abdicate in favor of his friend.

"Now, Monsieur, if you please, as follows," said M. de Terville to the
notary--"between Monsieur Louis de Berniers and--"

"Excuse me," interrupted De Berniers, making singular and inexplicable
signs to the Count, "Monsieur Raoul de Montalvan, if you please."

"How, Monsieur," exclaimed the Count, with hauteur.

"But surely you understand," whispered De Berniers, hastily; "of course
you must understand."

"Explain your observation," said the Count, aloud.

"Most extraordinary!" thought De Berniers. "He will spoil everything."
Then again, in an undertone, "You know he is supposed to take my
place."

"Monsieur," said the Count, more stiffly than ever, "I do not understand
this enigma."

"How stupid I am!" said De Berniers suddenly to himself. "To be sure, it
is necessary for him to affect surprise and indignation. The fact is, he
acted it too well; for a moment he almost deceived me." Then turning to
Raoul, he exclaimed: "M. de Montalvan, the Count shall kn