, hang on a single
thread? and that nothing is wanting in order to cut that thread but an
opportunity? And when you may expect, at any moment, any thing and every
thing, what is to be done but to wait and watch?"

Daniel did not seem to be convinced. He added,--

"Miss Sarah will talk to me about her marriage."

"Certainly she will."

"What can I say?"

"Nothing,--neither yes nor no,--but smile, or run away; at all events,
you gain time."

He was interrupted by Daniel's servant, who came in, holding a card in
his hand, and said,--

"Sir, there is a gentleman down stairs in a carriage, who wants to know
if he would interrupt you if he came up to see you."

"What is the gentleman's name?"

"Count Ville-Handry. Here is his card."

"Be quick!" said Daniel, "run down and ask him, would he please come
up."

M. de Brevan had started up, and was standing, with his hat on, near the
door. As the servant left, he said,--

"I am running away."

"Why?"

"Because the count must not find me here. You would be compelled to
introduce me to him; he might remember my name; and, if he were to tell
Miss Sarah that I am your friend, all would be lost."

Thereupon he turned to go; but at the same moment the outer door was
opened, and he said,--

"There is the count! I am caught."

But Daniel opened promptly the door to his bedroom, pushed him in, and
shut the door. It was high time; the same moment the count entered.

VI.

The count must have risen early that day. Although it was not yet ten
o'clock, he was already brilliant, rouged, dyed, and frizzed. Of course
all these results had not been the work of an hour. As he entered, he
drew a long breath, and said,--

"Ah! You live pretty high up, my dear Daniel."

Poor fellow! He forgot that he was playing the young man. But he
recalled himself at once, and added, full of vivacity,--

"Not that I complain of it; oh, no! A few stories to climb--what is that
to me?"

At the same time he stretched out his leg, and caressed his calf, as if
to exhibit its vigor and its suppleness. In the meantime, Daniel, full
of respect for his future father-in-law, had drawn forward his easiest
arm-chair. The count took it, and in an airy manner, which contrasted
ill with his evident embarrassment, he said,--

"I am sure, my dear Daniel, you must be very much surprised and puzzled
to see me here; are you not?"

"I confess, sir, I am. If you wished to speak to me, you had only