-"

"Say it frankly, sir; you think that saucy look is not from mere fancy.
I deemed you a closer observer; but no matter. You have been ill; I
trust you are recovered again."

"Oh, a mere passing indisposition, which unfortunately came at the
moment of the Court ball. You were there, of course?"

"Yes; it was there we had the pleasure to meet your friend, the general:
but perhaps this is indiscreet on my part; I believe, indeed, I promised
to say nothing of him."

"The general! Do you mean General d'Auvergne?"

"That much I will answer you,--I do not. But ask me no more questions.
Your patience will not be submitted to a long trial; he dines with us
to-day."

I made no reply, but began to ponder over in my mind who the general in
question could be.

"There! pray do not worry yourself about what a few moments will reveal
for you, without any guessing. How strange it is, the intense feeling of
curiosity people are afflicted with who themselves have secrets."

"But I have none, Mademoiselle; at least, none worth the telling."

"Perhaps," replied she, saucily. "But here come our guests."

Several persons entered the _salon_ at this moment, with each of whom I
was slightly acquainted; they were either members of the Government
or generals on the staff. The countess herself soon after made her
appearance; and now we only waited for the individual so distinctively
termed "my friend" to complete the party.

"Pauline has kept our secret, I hope," said the countess to me. "I shall
be sadly disappointed if anything mars this surprise."

"Who can it be?" thought I. "Or is the whole thing some piece of
badinage got up at my expense?"

Scarcely had the notion struck me, when a servant flung wide the
folding-doors, and announced "le General" somebody, but so mumbled was
the word, the nearest thing I could make of it was "Bulletin." This
time, however, my curiosity suffered no long delay; for quickly after
the announcement a portly personage in an English uniform entered
hastily, and approaching madame, kissed her hand with a most gallant
air; then turning to mademoiselle, he performed a similar ceremony. All
this time my eyes were riveted upon him, without my being able to make
the most remote guess as to who he was.

"Must I introduce you, gentlemen?" said the countess: "Captain Burke."

"Eh, what! my old friend, my boy Tom! This you, with all that mustache?
Delighted to see you," cried the large unknown, grasping