whole colloquy, which was
carried on in whispers. More than once it seemed to the young New
Englander as if their gestures indicated his own apartment; but the only
thing definite he could gather by the most scrupulous attention was this
remark, made by the Englishman in a somewhat higher key, as if in answer
to some reluctance or opposition--

"I have studied his taste to a nicety, and I tell you again and again
you are the only woman of the sort that I can lay my hands on."

In answer to this, Madame Zephyrine sighed, and appeared by a gesture to
resign herself, like one yielding to unqualified authority.

That afternoon the observatory was finally blinded, a wardrobe having
been drawn in front of it upon the other side; and while Silas was still
lamenting over this misfortune, which he attributed to the Britisher's
malign suggestion, the _concierge_ brought him up a letter in a female
handwriting. It was conceived in French of no very rigorous orthography,
bore no signature, and in the most encouraging terms invited the young
American to be present in a certain part of the Bullier Ball at eleven
o'clock that night. Curiosity and timidity fought a long battle in his
heart; sometimes he was all virtue, sometimes all fire and daring; and
the result of it was that, long before ten, Mr. Silas Q. Scuddamore
presented himself in unimpeachable attire at the door of the Bullier
Ball Rooms, and paid his entry money with a sense of reckless devilry
that was not without its charm.

It was Carnival time, and the Ball was very full and noisy. The lights
and the crowd at first rather abashed our young adventurer, and then,
mounting to his brain with a sort of intoxication, put him in possession
of more than his own share of manhood. He felt ready to face the devil,
and strutted in the ball-room with the swagger of a cavalier. While he
was thus parading, he became aware of Madame Zephyrine and her
Britisher in conference behind a pillar. The cat-like spirit of
eavesdropping overcame him at once. He stole nearer and nearer on the
couple from behind, until he was within earshot.

"That is the man," the Britisher was saying; "there--with the long blond
hair--speaking to a girl in green."

Silas identified a very handsome young fellow of small stature, who was
plainly the object of this designation.

"It is well," said Madame Zephyrine. "I shall do my utmost. But,
remember, the best of us may fail in such a matter."

"Tut!" ret