leur-de-Marie was the fruit of the secret marriage of Rodolph and
Sarah, and that they both believed their daughter dead.

It has not been forgotten that Rodolph, after having visited the house
in the Rue du Temple, had returned home, and intended, in the evening,
to be present at a ball given by the ---- ambassadress. It was to this
fete that we shall follow his royal highness, the reigning Grand Duke of
Gerolstein, Gustavus Rodolph, travelling in France under the name of the
Count de Duren.

CHAPTER XXVI.

THE BALL.

As the eleventh hour of the night sounded from the different clocks in
Paris, the gates of an hotel in the Rue Plumet were thrown open by a
Swiss in rich livery, and forthwith issued a magnificent dark blue
Berlin carriage, drawn by two superb long-tailed gray horses; on the
seat, which was covered by a rich hammercloth, trimmed with a mossy silk
fringe, sat a portly-looking coachman, whose head was ornamented by a
three-cornered hat, while his rotund figure looked still more imposing
in his dress livery-coat of blue cloth, trimmed up the seams with silver
lace, and thickly braided with the same material; the whole finished by
a splendid sable collar and cuffs. Behind the carriage stood a tall
powdered lacquey, dressed in a livery of blue turned up with yellow and
silver; and by his side was a chasseur, whose fierce-looking moustaches,
gaily embroidered dress and hat, half concealed by a waving plume of
blue and yellow feathers, completed a most imposing _coup-d'oeil_.

The bright light of the lamps revealed the costly satin lining of the
interior of the vehicle we are describing, in which were seated Rodolph,
having on his right hand the Baron de Grauen, and opposite to him the
faithful Murphy.

Out of deference for the sovereign represented by the ambassador to
whose ball he was then proceeding, Rodolph wore no other mark of
distinction than the diamond order of ----.

Round the neck of Sir Walter Murphy, and suspended by a broad orange
riband, hung the enamelled cross of the grand commander of the Golden
Eagle of Gerolstein; and a similar insignia decorated the Baron de
Grauen, amidst an infinite number of the crosses and badges of honour
belonging to all countries, depending by a gold chain placed in the two
full buttonholes of the diplomatist's coat.

"I am delighted," said Rodolph, "with the very favourable accounts I
have received from Madame Georges respecting my poor little prote