hich Gerald always hated; and never
was he less in the humour to enjoy the society of one whom even friends
called 'malin.'

'I believed I was alone, sir,' said Gerald, half haughtily, as the other
continued to show his whole teeth in ridicule of the youth's speech.

'It was chance gave me the honour of overhearing you,' replied the Abbe,
smiling. 'I opened this door by mere accident, and without expecting to
find you here.'

Gerald's cheek grew crimson. The exceeding courtesy of the other's
manner seemed to him a studied impertinence, and he stared steadfastly
at him, without knowing how to reply.

'And yet,' resumed the Abbe, 'it was in search of you I came out from
Florence this dreary day. I had no other object, I assure you.'

'Too much honour, Monsieur,' said Gerald, with a haughty bend of the
head; for the raillery, as he deemed it, was becoming insupportable.

'Not but the tidings I bear would reward me for even a rougher journey,'
said the Abbe courteously. 'You are aware of the deep interest the
Marquise de Bauffremont has ever taken in your fortunes. To her care and
kindness you owe, indeed, all the attentions your long illness stood in
need of. Well, her only difficulty in obtaining a career for you was
her inability to learn to what rank in life to ascribe you. You believed
yourself noble, and she was most willing to accept the belief. Now, a
mere accident has tended to confirm this assumption.'

'Let me hear what you call this accident, Monsieur l'Abbe,' broke in
Gerald anxiously.

'It was an observation made yesterday at dinner by Sir Horace Mann.
In speaking of the Geraldines, and addressing Count Gherardini for
confirmation, he said: "The earldom of Desmond, which is held by a
branch of the family, is yet the youngest title of the house." And the
Count answered quickly: "Your Excellency is right; we date from a long
time back. There 's an insolent proverb in our house that says, '_Meglio
un Gherardini bastardo che un Corsini ben nato_.'" Madame de Bauffremont
caught at the phrase, and made him repeat it. In a word, Monsieur, she
was but too happy to avail herself of what aided a foregone conclusion.
She wished you to be noble, and you were so.'

'But I am noble!' cried Gerald boldly. 'I want no hazards like these
to establish my station. Let them inquire how I am enrolled in the
college.'

'Of what college do you speak?' asked the Abbe quickly.

'It matters not,' stammered out Gerald, in co