remark--I made my adieux, the Vicomte most
obligingly offering me his services should I wish to pass over to
France. But of these I could not as yet avail myself, as it was
necessary I should know of Lady Jane's intentions more definitely;
so, with my acknowledgments, the interview ended.

CHAPTER II

I DISCOVER A NEW INTEREST IN LIFE

On my way back to Soho I turned over matters with interest. I had
but little difficulty in placing the Vicomte; he was one of those
clear, simple souls, very charming at times in woman, but less
acceptable in the man of the world.

No one can admire purity of mind in a woman more than myself, but
I have no hesitation in stating that at times I find it positively
disconcerting when displayed in too obvious a degree by a man. In
woman, it is to be desired above all things, and woman is so far
superior to man in the manipulation of the more delicate qualities,
that she seldom errs in her concealments, and when she reveals,
she does so at the most opportune moment, and so effectively that,
though it be no more than a glimpse, it suffices.

And these reflections brought me naturally to Miss Grey; indeed,
in fancy I had never been away from her since we met. The Vicomte's
manner absolutely confirmed me in my belief that the name was
assumed.

Now if a man does not wish to tell you the truth, and the occasion
be important, he has just one of two alternatives: the one, is to
tell a lie with such assurance and bearing that it carries conviction
with it; but, egad! if he won't do that, then the only other is to
run you through.

The Vicomte not having been ready for either, I was so far in his
confidence that I knew "Miss Grey" was an assumed name; and I
shrewdly suspected, from the familiarity of her manner with him,
that their mutual relation might be closer than he cared to admit--a
suspicion I resolved to put to the touch. Accordingly, the next
day I made as careful a toilet as my cursed disguise would admit
of, and took my way to Essex Street.

Giving my name to the man at the door, for the lodgings were genteel
beyond the ordinary, which advanced me in my surmise as to the fair
one's condition, I was ushered into a drawing-room which would have
been much better for a little more light than was permitted to
enter through the drawn curtains.

In a few moments the door opened and an elderly lady entered, whom
I conjectured to be the aunt.

"Madam," I said, bowing low, "it wa