and half of fear.

"Oh, Monsieur Browne," said she, "Heaven be praised that you have come!
I have had such terrible trouble this morning, and have passed through
such a scene with Katherine that my nerves are quite unstrung."

"Where is Katherine?" Browne inquired almost angrily, and quite
ignoring the description of her woes; "and what is the meaning of the
letter she wrote me this morning?"

"You must not be angry with her," said Madame, approaching and laying
her hand gently upon his arm, while she looked up into his face, with
what was intended to be a piteous expression. "The poor child is only
doing what she deems to be right. You would not have her act
otherwise, I know."

"You understand my feelings, I think," Browne replied bluntly. "At the
same time, I know how over-conscientious she is apt to be in such
matters. Cannot I see her? Where is she?"

"She has gone out," said Madame, with a sigh. "She and I, I am sorry
to say, had a little disagreement this morning over her treatment of
you. I know it was very wrong of me, and that you will hate me for it;
but I could not help it. I could not let her spoil her own life and
yours without uttering a protest. As a result, she did what she always
does--that is to say, she put on her hat and cape, and went for a walk."

"But have you no notion where I could find her?" asked Browne, who was
beginning to feel that everything and everybody were conspiring against
him. "Has she any usual haunts, where I should run a moderate chance
of coming across her?"

"On that point I am afraid I can say nothing," answered Madame. "She
seldom takes me into her confidence. Yet, stay; I _do_ remember having
heard her once say that, when she was put out by anything, the only
thing that could soothe her, and set her right again, was a visit to
the picture galleries at the Louvre."

"You are sure you know of no other place?"

"None whatever," replied the lady. "The pictures at the Louvre are the
only things in Paris in which she seems to take any interest. She is
insane on the subject."

"In that case I'll try the Louvre at once," said Browne, picking up his
hat.

"But let me first explain to you the reason of all that has happened,"
said Madame, stretching out her hand as if to detain him.

"Thank you," Browne returned, with greater coldness than he had ever
yet spoken to her; "but, if you do not mind, I would rather hear that
from her own lips."

With that h