rmost in the thoughts of both, the result must be an
uncomfortable constraint and reserve. So the adieus, up to a certain
point, were rather formal. But just as he was going, the same impulse
overcame Royston which had affected him in his interview with Harry
Molyneux. Considering that the age of miracles is past, it was
remarkable that twice in one day the Cool Captain should have approached
so near to the verge of sentimentalism.

"I hope that I shall see you again before long," he said, "but nothing
seems certain--not even the meeting of friends. I should like to thank
you now for some pleasant days and evenings. You have brought a good
deal of sunshine into my life, since I knew you first. I like to think
that, neither in deed nor intention, I have ever deliberately done you
or Harry any harm. I hope you will go on taking as much care of him, and
making him as perfectly happy as you have done. Perhaps I have vexed you
both, lately; but all that is over, and I fancy the punishment will be
proportionate to the offense before it is ended. Farewell. Don't forget
me sooner than you can help; and while you do remember me, think of me
as kindly as you can."

He leaned over her as he finished speaking, and his lips just brushed
her smooth forehead. When Charles the martyr embraced his children an
hour before his death, they received no purer or more sinless kiss. A
sob choked Fanny's voice when she would have replied; and the beautiful
brown eyes were so dim with rushing tears, that they never saw him go.

Keene's last visit in Dorade was to the Vicomte de Chateaumesnil. The
latter manifested no surprise at the sudden departure, and expressed his
regrets with a perfectly calm courtesy. But, at the moment of
leave-taking, he detained the other's hand for a second or so and said,
looking wistfully in his face, "Ainsi, vous partez seul? je ne l'aurais
pas cru; et, je l'avoue franchement, ca me contrarie. N'importe; je
connois votre jeu; et je ne vous tiens pas pour battu, quand c'est
manche a. Ce serait une betise, de dire--'au revoir.' Adieu; amusez vous
bien."

Royston shook his head impatiently; he was too proud to save his credit
by dissembling a defeat; and his reply was quick and decisive.

"Vous me flattez, M. le Vicomte. Quand on perd, on doit, au moins
l'avouer loyalement, et payer l'en jeu. Cette fois j'ai tant perdu, que
je ne prendrai pas la revanche."

Not another word was exchanged between them; but Armand