n the little apartment that served her as a salon, and with
her was her brother Leon. The contrast between the pair seemed
intensified in private life. Louise had that dark, imperious, majestic
beauty usually possessed by brunettes; her figure was full and finely
developed, her black eyes had the deep, intense fire of passion, and her
faultless countenance, glowing with health and loveliness, indicated at
once firmness, decision and caprices without number. Leon, on the
contrary, was delicate and feminine in appearance; he had exceedingly
small feet and hands, and a single glance at his strikingly handsome
face was sufficient to convince any experienced judge of human nature
that he possessed a mild and yielding disposition. The young man bore
not the remotest family likeness to his sister, and it was difficult to
realize that they could be in any way related.

Leon quitted his sister and, going to a piano that stood in one corner
of the apartment, softly opened it and commenced lightly running his
fingers over the keys; then he seated himself at the instrument and
played an air from "Lucrezia Borgia" with brilliancy and effect that
only a finished performer could attain. At the first notes Louise arose
and approaching the piano stood beside the player, her eyes sparkling
with appreciation and delight. So absorbed were the brother and sister
that they did not hear a soft knock at the door, and only at the
conclusion of the air did they realize that a visitor was in the
apartment. Leon sprang from the instrument in confusion, behaving like a
startled girl, but Mlle. d'Armilly, with perfect self-control, turned to
the new comer and said, in a tone of mingled coquetry and merriment:

"So, so, Captain Joliette, your military career has accustomed you to
surprising the enemy to such an extent that it has become second nature
with you, and you cannot avoid carrying your favorite tactics even into
private life!"

Captain Joliette, for it was, indeed, he, bowed and answered with a
smile:

"You must allow me solemnly to protest against classing yourself and
your brother with the enemy! You are, both of you, very dear friends!"

"Especially Louise!" said Leon, with a sly look and a pretty little
ringing laugh.

"Leon, Leon, when will you learn wisdom!" exclaimed Mlle. d'Armilly, a
blush mantling her visage, and adding to its voluptuous beauty.

"Never, I suppose!" returned her brother, still laughing. "But I am
already we