ding with the French
ambassador and the two ladies.

"My dear," said her husband, "I have brought you an old acquaintance,
Professor Moritz."

As Ebenstreit would retreat, Moritz commanded him to remain, placing his
white-gloved hand upon his arm, and holding him fast. "I would ask you
one question before I speak with the baroness."

Moritz spoke so loud, and in such a strange, harsh, and repulsive
manner, that every one turned astonished, asking himself what it meant.
Conversation was hushed, and the curious pressed toward the peculiar
group in the centre to the baroness, who regarded her husband perfectly
composed, and the pale man, with the flashing eyes, the glance of which
pierced her like daggers.

A breathless silence reigned, broken only by Ebenstreit's trembling
voice. "What is it, professor? How can I serve you?"

"Tell me who you are?" replied Moritz, with a gruff laugh.

"I am the Baron Ebenstreit von Leuthen!"

"And the scar which you bear upon your face, is it not the mark of a
whip, with which I lashed a certain Herr Ebenstreit three years since,
who prevented my eloping with my betrothed? I challenged him to fight a
duel, but the coward refused me satisfaction, and then I struck him in
the face, causing the blood to flow. Answer me--are you this gentleman?"

Not a sound interrupted the fearfully long pause which followed. Every
one turned astonished to Ebenstreit, who, pale as death, was powerless
to utter a word, but stood staring at his opponent.

"Why do you not answer me?" cried Moritz, stamping his foot. "Are you
the coward? Was this red scar caused by the whip-lash?"

Another long pause ensued, and a distinctly audible voice was heard,
saying, "Yes, it is he!"

"Who replied to me?" asked Moritz, turning his angry glance away from
Ebenstreit.

"I," said Marie. "I reply for my husband!"

"You? Are you the wife of this man?" thundered Moritz.

"I am," Marie answered.

"Is this invitation directed to me from you?" he continued, drawing a
paper from his pocket. "Did you permit yourself to invite me to your
house?"

"Yes, I did," she calmly answered.

"And by what right, madame? This is the question I wish answered, and I
came here for that purpose."

"I invited you because I desired to see you."

"Shameless one!" cried Moritz, furious.

"Sir," cried the ambassador, placing himself before Moritz, defying his
anger, "you forget that you are speaking to a lady. As her husband is