the proposal at all exorbitant.
It was a price that they could well afford to pay."

"Well, they refused me," said he, bluntly.

"Not exactly refused you," said she, more gently. "They reminded you of
the necessity of conforming--of at least appearing to conform--to the
rules of the service; that you had only been a few months in command of
a squadron; that your debts, which were considerable, had been noised
about the world, so that a little time should elapse, and a favorable
opportunity present itself, before this promotion could be effected."

"How correctly they have instructed you in all the details of this
affair!" said he, with a scornful smile.

"It is a rare event when I am misinformed, sir," was her cold reply;
"nor could it redound to the advantage of those who ask my advice to
afford me incorrect information."

"Then I am quite unable to perceive what you want with _me_." cried he.
"It is plain enough you are in possession of all that I could tell you.
Or is all this only the prelude to some menace or other?"

She made no other answer to this rude question than by a smile so
dubious in its meaning, it might imply scorn, or pity, or even sorrow.

"You must not wonder if I be angry," continued he, in an accent that
betokened shame at his own violence. "They have treated me so long as a
fool that they have made me something worse than one."

"I am not offended by your warmth, Count," said she, softly. "It is at
least the guarantee of your sincerity. I tell you, therefore, I have
no threat to hold over you. It will be enough that I can show you the
impolicy of this marriage,--I don't want to use a stronger word,--what
estrangement it will lead to as regards your own family, how
inadequately it will respond to the sacrifices it must cost."

"That consideration is for me to think of, madam," said he, proudly.

"And for your friends also," interposed she, softly.

"If by my friends you mean those who have watched every occasion of my
life to oppose my plans and thwart my wishes, I conclude that they
will prove themselves as vigilant now as heretofore; but I am getting
somewhat weary of this friendship."

"My dear Count, give me a patient--if possible, an indulgent--hearing
for five minutes, or even half that time, and I hope it will save us
both a world of misconception. If this marriage that you are so eager to
contract were an affair of love,--of that ardent, passionate love which
recognizes no obst