tood it, and passed out, closing the door
noiselessly behind him.

"Well?" said Rica, as he grasped the other's arm; "well?"

"Well?" echoed Linton, peevishly. "She is in her most insolent of moods,
and affects to think that all the splendor I have offered her is but the
twin of the mock magnificence of the stage. She is a fool, but she'll
think better of it, or she must be taught to do so."

Rica sighed heavily, but made no answer; at last he said,--

"It is over with the Duke, and he bears it well."

"Good blood always does," said Linton. "Your men of birth have a lively
sense of how little they have done for their estates, and therefore part
with them with a proportionate degree of indifference. Where is he?"

"Writing letters in the boudoir off the drawing-room. You must see him,
and ask when the necessary papers can be signed and exchanged."

Linton walked on, and passing through the play-room, around which in
every attitude of slumber the gamblers lay, entered the boudoir, before
a table in which the Duke de Marsac was busy writing.

"Fortune has still been obdurate, my Lord Duke, I hear," said he,
entering softly.

The Duke looked up, and his pale features were totally devoid of all
emotion as he said,--

"I have lost heavily, sir."

"I am sincerely grieved to hear it; as an old sufferer in the same
field, I can feel for others." A very slight movement of impatience
on the Duke's part showed that he regarded the sympathy as obtrusive.
Linton saw this, and went on: "I would not have invaded your privacy to
say as much, my Lord Duke, but I thought it might be satisfactory to
you to learn that your ancient dukedom--the chateau of your proud
ancestors--is not destined to fall into plebeian hands, nor suffer the
indignity of their profanation. I mean to purchase the property from
Rica myself."

"Indeed!" said the Duke, carelessly, as though the announcement had no
interest for him.

"I had fancied, my Lord, this information would have given you
pleasure," said Linton, with evident irritation of manner.

"No, sir," said the other, languidly, "I am ashamed to say I cannot
appreciate the value of these tidings."

"Can the contract and transfer be speedily made out?" said Linton,
abruptly.

"Of course; there shall be no delay in the matter. I will give orders to
my 'notaire' at once."

"And where shall you be found to-morrow, my Lord Duke, in case we desire
to confer with you?"

The Duke grew livid