t, gentlemen, I must say," said the young Count
de Guilmard, the French secretary of legation, who, having finished his
coffee and liquor, coolly arranged his curls beneath his hat before the
glass, "very ungallant, indeed, not to offer an arm to an unprotected
princess. We Frenchmen understand our devoirs differently." And, so
saying, he passed out into the street, while the rest pressed up closer
to the window to observe his proceedings.

"Cleverly done, Guilmard!" cried one. "See how he affects to have
protected her from the pole of that carriage."

"She 'll not notice him." "She will." "She has." "She has n't." "She is
moving his way!" "Not at all."

"She 's speaking!" "There, I told you he 'd succeed."

"But he hasn't, though." Amid all these phrases, which rattled on more
rapidly than we can write them, Onslow joined the party, one heavy
venture on a single card having involved him in a tremendous loss.

"Is that a countrywoman of yours, Onslow?" asked a young Russian noble.
"If so, the entente cordiale with France seems scarcely so secure as
statesmen tell us."

Onslow gave one glance through the window, and dashed into the street
with a bound like the spring of a wild animal. He threw himself between
Guilmard and Kate. The Frenchman lifted his cane, and the same instant
he fell backwards upon the pavement, rather hurled than struck down
by the strong arm of the young Guardsman. Before the lookers-on could
hasten out, George had hailed a carriage, and, assisting Kate in, took
his seat beside her, and drove off.

So sudden was the whole incident, and so engrossing the terror of
poor Kate's mind, that she saw nothing of what passed, and was merely
conscious that by George's opportune coming she was rescued from the
insolent attentions of the stranger.

"Did he speak to you? Did he dare to address you?" asked Onslow, in a
voice which boiling passion rendered almost unintelligible.

"If he did, I know not," said she, as she covered her face with shame,
and struggled against the emotion that almost choked her.

"He took your arm; he certainly laid hold of your hand!"

"It was all so rapid that I can tell nothing," said she, sobbing; "and
although my courage never failed me till you came, then I thought I
should have fainted."

"But how came you alone, and on foot, and at such an hour, too? Where
had you been?"

These questions he put with a sort of stern resolution that showed no
evasive answer would r