o mention Charles,--so
sure was she that her marriage would be prevented if Charles were spoken
of. Her father declared, however, that he knew the Count and his ways,
and was certain that, his notice being attracted, nothing could now
prevent his becoming acquainted with the minutest of their family
circumstances; and that the most politic course would be to appear to
desire his consent, and only to have waited his arrival at the chateau
to request it. Randolphe had decided upon his plan, and Marie had only
to submit.

The bailiff met them at the head of the avenue, and led them to the
morning apartment of the Count, which he entered first, after being
announced, leaving his companions in the hall. The door was presently
opened, and he beckoned them in.

The Count was sitting in his morning gown beside a table, on which stood
a small silver tray, with his coffee-cup upon it. His valet was
dressing his hair. Two of his sons were in the room; one playing with
his dogs in a recess of the window, and the other reading the newspaper.

"Come closer," said the Count, in answer to Randolphe's bow. "Nearer--
come close up to the table."

The truth was, he could not otherwise see them well while his hair was
in the hands of his valet.

"Is it possible?" he said, as if to himself, while he looked at the
peasant and his daughter. "Are you Randolphe? I had heard your name
for so long and so often, among my people, that I had imagined you one
of the principal of them. But you appear wretchedly poor, eh?" he
continued, looking into the sallow, unshaven face before him. "I am
afraid you are very poor, eh?"

"Well-nigh heart-broken with poverty, my lord."

"There is some mistake," resumed the Count. "How is this?" said he,
looking towards the bailiff; and then, calling to his son in the window,
"Casimir, how is this?"

The bailiff answered first:--

"Randolphe is wretchedly poor, my lord, as you say; but there is no one
of your people hereabouts who is less so."

The youth's reply was, that in the question of arrangements for
receiving the Dauphiness, he supposed the principal peasants belonging
to the chateau would be spoken to; and he had mentioned Randolphe,
understanding him to be one of them.

Marie saw that this youth was the one who had stared her out of
countenance at the stile, the afternoon before: the same who had talked
with her brothers on the verge of the wood.

The Count was for dismissing his v