the Frenchman, "you seem
extraordinarily well acquainted with all these intrigues?"

"I observe closely," said Ranuzi, with a meaning smile. "I am very
silent--therefore hear a great deal."

"Well, I counsel you not to give to me or my actions the honor of your
observations," said Belleville. "My life offers few opportunities for
discovery. I live, I eat, I sleep, I chat, and write poetry and caress,
and seek to amuse myself as well as possible. Sometimes I catch myself
praying to God tearfully for liberty, and truly, not from any political
considerations--simply from the selfish wish to get away from here. You
see, therefore, I am an innocent and harmless bon enfant, not in the
least troubled about public affairs."

"No," said Ranuzi, "you do not love Fraulein Marshal at all from
political reasons, but solely because of her beauty, her grace, and her
charms. Behold, this is the result of my observations."

"You have, then, been watching me?" said Belleville, blushing. "I have
told you that I was always observant. This is here my only distraction
and recreation, and really I do not know what I should do with my time
if I did not kill the weary hours in this way."

"You do employ it sometimes to a better purpose?" said the Frenchman,
in low tones. "Love is still for you a more agreeable diversion, and you
understand the game well."

"It appears you are also an observer," said Ranuzi, with an ironical
smile. "Well, then, I do find love a sweeter diversion; and if I should
yield myself up entirely to my love-dreams, I would perhaps be less
observant. But, Belleville, why do you take your hat? Will you also
leave me?"

"I must, perforce. Through our agreeable conversation I had entirely
forgotten that I had promised Fraulein Marshal to ride with her. A
cavalier must keep his promise with a lady, at least till he knows she
is ardently in love with him." He gave his hand to the duke, and as he
left the room he hummed a light French chanson.

Ranuzi looked after him with a long, frowning glance. "Poor fool,"
murmured he, "he believes he plays his part so well that he deceives
even me. This mask of folly and levity he has assumed is thin and
transparent enough I see his true face behind it. It is the physiognomy
of a sly intriguant. Oh, I know him thoroughly; I understand every
emotion of his heart, and I know well what his passion for the beautiful
Marshal signifies. She is the maid of honor of the Princess Henry thi