egan to play a waltz. Then came a sudden silence. A
magnificent person entered, an officer of the Royal Guard, in his white
and gold uniform. He was received by the Marquis de Fongereues.

"Marquis," he said, "I come in the name of the king."

Every one listened with bated breath. Fongereues was radiant.

"Desirous of recompensing services rendered to the holy cause of
monarchy, His Majesty has condescended to lend a favorable ear to
certain applications, and, Monsieur, I am the bearer of the commission
which confers on your son the rank of lieutenant in the King's Guards."

Magdalena laid her hand on Frederic's shoulder.

"Talizac," she said, "remember that your life and the lives of the
Fongereues belong to the king."

Talizac bowed low, and as he turned he gave Irene a look of triumph.
She, poor girl, knew that her fate was sealed.

"How happy you will be!" whispered her mother, tenderly.

"Happy!" repeated Irene, drearily.

But this was not all. The Royal Envoy had not completed his mission. La
Vicomte de Talizac was made a Chevalier de Saint-Louis.

"_Vive le Roi!_" cried the women, gayly.

Monsieur de Montferrand turned to his son Arthur. "You see, sir," he
said, in a severe tone, "how our King, a worthy son of Henri IV.,
rewards those whom he finds worthy of his protection."

Arthur de Montferrand had, in obedience to his father's wishes,
accompanied him to this entertainment. The two young men exchanged a few
words of feigned cordiality, but Arthur felt the most profound contempt
for the Vicomte; while the image of Francine in the power of those
scoundrels haunted him perpetually.

Fernando did not make his appearance, and Arthur dared not talk to any
one else of this miserable affair in which he had been engaged. He
listened with a shudder to the congratulations and compliments showered
upon the Vicomte, who finally had the audacity to go up to Arthur and
demand his felicitations.

Arthur started, and said low in his ear, "I will congratulate you, sir,
when the mark upon your cheek, which I imprinted there, is no longer to
be seen."

Talizac uttered an exclamation, but Monsieur de Montferrand, suspecting
what was going on, stepped forward.

"Arthur," he said sternly, "apologize to the Vicomte for your rash
words, or leave this house!"

Arthur looked reproachfully at his father, and moved toward the door. At
the same moment a great tumult was heard in the hall.

"What can it be?" said De Fo