kindness in assisting me."

Fearing recognition, Chupin hid his face as much as possible; but M.
de Coralth did not pay the slightest attention to him. There was a dark
frown on his handsome, usually smiling countenance, and his hair was in
great disorder. Evidently enough, something had greatly annoyed him. "I
am going out again," he remarked to his valet, "but first of all I must
write two letters which you must deliver immediately."

He passed into the drawing-room as he spoke, and Florent scarcely waited
till the door was closed before uttering an oath. "May the devil
take him!" he exclaimed. "Here he sets me on the go again. It is five
o'clock, too, and I have an appointment in half an hour."

A sudden hope quickened the throbbings of Chupin's heart. He touched the
valet's arm, and in his most persuasive tone remarked: "I've nothing
to do, and as your wine was so good, I'll do your errands for you, if
you'll pay me for the wear and tear of shoe-leather."

Chupin's appearance must have inspired confidence, for the servant
replied:--"Well--I don't refuse--but we'll see."

The viscount did not spend much time in writing; he speedily reappeared
holding two letters which he flung upon the table, saying: "One of these
is for the baroness. You must deliver it into HER hands or into the
hands of her maid--there will be no answer. You will afterward take the
other to the person it is addressed to, and you must wait for an answer
which you will place on my writing-table--and make haste." So saying,
the viscount went off as he had entered--on the run--and a moment later,
his brougham was heard rolling out of the courtyard.

Florent was crimson with rage. "There," said he, addressing Chupin
rather than the concierge, "what did I tell you? A letter to be placed
in madame's own hands or in the hands of her maid, and to be concealed
from the baron, who is on the watch, of course. Naturally no one can
execute that commission but myself."

"That's true!" replied Chupin; "but how about the other?"

The valet had not yet examined the second letter. He now took it from
the table, and glanced at the address. "Ah," said he, "I can confide
this one to you, my good fellow, and it's very fortunate, for it is
to be taken to a place on the other side of the river. Upon my word!
masters are strange creatures! You manage your work so as to have a
little leisure, and the moment you think yourself free, pouf!--they
send you anywhere in c