e, an instinctive appreciation of the superior energy
and daring of her more fiery companion, and knew that she would, too
probably, take some violent and irreparable step in furtherance of her
resolution. It was, therefore, with feelings of anxiety and fear that
she left her to the solitary influence of her own angry and excited
thoughts.

Monsieur Le Prun did not arrive till night. As he and the Count de
Blassemare rolled homeward, side by side in his carriage, under the
uncertain moonlight, between the lordly rows of forest-trees that, like
files of gloomy Titans, kept perennial guard along the approaches of the
chateau, or, as Lucille has not unaptly styled it, "the magician's
prison," they talked pretty much as follows:

"Le Prun, my good friend, you are jealous--jealous, by all the imps in
true love's purgatory," said Blassemare.

"Not jealous, but cautious."

"A nice distinction."

"Why, when one has reached our time of life----"

"_Ours!_ you might be my father."

"Well, I can't deny it, for nobody knows _how_ old you are. But at my
years a man with a young wife must exercise precaution. _Par bleu!_ we
are neither of us fools, and I need not tell you that."

"Why, yes, we have had our experiences--I as a spectator--you as----"

"Of course--therefore this threatened irruption of frivolity and vice--"

"Say of youth and beauty; the other qualities--frivolity and vice--may
coexist with age and ugliness, and, therefore, harmlessly."

"Well, what you will, it does not please me. But, under existing
circumstances, with my application pending, you know it was impossible
to deny the marchioness her whim."

"Of course; and so for a single night the Chateau des Anges becomes a
fairy palace. Well, what harm--you can't apprehend that a single _fete_,
however gay and spirited, will--_ruin_ you."

"Why, no; after all, it is, as you say, but a single _fete_, and then
extinguish the lights, and lock the doors, and so the Chateau des Anges
becomes as sober as before."

"And I wager a hundred crowns you will tell Madame Le Prun that you have
given this _fete_ entirely on _her_ account."

"I thought of that," he replied, with a grin; "but it would not be
wise."

"Why so?"

"Because it would make a precedent."

"And will you never again indulge her fancy for society?"

"By ---- my good friend, _never_. She fancies she has a great deal of
spirit, and will contrive to rule me; but she does not know Etienne Le