me me; for, I may say, I have too much good in me to act
falsely. Yet there are so many contradictory feelings in me that I
sometimes stand surprised at myself. And let me tell you, Leo, I came
here to seek consolation from you, but your tone and your words have
bitterly disappointed me, so much so that for a moment I have asked
myself whether you were one of those snobs in patent-leather boots,
who, while expressing horror at an ungloved hand, are yet not afraid
of soiling its whiteness by boxing your wife's ears. Because I did not
observe the form of sending a servant to ask you to come to my room,
you receive me as you did, and repulse me with mocking words!"

It was now my turn to feel piqued, and I should have answered sharply
had I not succeeded in controlling myself.

"Pardon me, Francis, I should consider myself the greatest of cowards
to strike a woman; but it was no question of a woman just now. We were
speaking of Major Frank--Major Frank who is angry when reminded of
the privileges of the fair sex, because he will not be classed amongst
'the ladies,' and who, in my opinion, ought not to be surprised when,
after his own fashion, one tells him the truth roundly, and without
mincing matters."

Francis listened this time without interrupting me. She was staring
at the panes of the window, as if to put herself in countenance again;
her paleness disappeared, and, turning round, she said, without anger,
but with firmness--

"I confess, Leopold, it is not easy to contradict you; and now I
think we are quits. Are we again good friends?"

"There's nothing I desire more ardently; but, once for all, with
whom? with Major Frank or----"

"Well, then, Francis Mordaunt asks for your friendship."

She offered me both her hands, and her eyes filled with tears she could
no longer keep back. How gladly I would have kissed them away, and
pressed her to my heart and told her all! But I could not compromise
my commencing victory.

"Should I have spoken to you in this way, Francis, if I had not been
your sincere friend?"

"I see it now, and I have need of a sincere friend. Well then, the
Captain is ruining himself for our sakes; and grandfather, in a most
cowardly fashion, lends himself to such doings. Is it not horrible?"

"It is very wrong, I admit."

"Now, suppose the General were to die--I should be left shut up in
this place for life with the Captain. When he has rendered himself
poor for our sakes, I cannot send