struggled as bravely as my dazed
condition would permit. It seemed I would never grow accustomed to the
like, though it is said many men find great delight in such gatherings.
But one thing I searched for most eagerly.

Behind Madame's chair, after a little, appeared the sweet shy face of
my weeping Niobe of the park. I felt she saw and recognized me, and my
face grew warmer at the thought. I made bold to ask one of the
gentlemen standing near me who the lady might be, and not desiring to
point at her, simply described her as well as possible, and as being in
attendance upon Madame.

"That, Monsieur, is Madame Agnes, wife of the Chevalier de la Mora; the
wittiest and most beautiful woman at Sceaux, and the chilliest."

Noting the change of countenance which I sought in vain to control, he
went on banteringly.

"Beware M. le Capitaine, half the men at Sceaux are in love with her,
but she has the execrable taste to prefer her own husband. Such women
destroy half the zest of living. Beside, the Chevalier has a marvelous
sword and a most unpleasant temper. Bah! how ludicrous it is for men
to anger at trifles."

"But," I faltered, "she seems a mere child."

"Yes, but none the less charming," and he turned away to continue his
interrupted conversation with the daring young Arouet, the same who was
to acquire universal fame under the name Voltaire.

Thus rudely were my new-awakened hopes of love cast down. A wife, and
the wife of a friend! She had spoken to me of "Charles," and of going
with him to the colonies. A wife, yet for all that, I knew I loved her.

They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. My intentions
were the best that ever made excellent cobblestones toward the infernal
gate. Only a few days and I would be gone; surely those could be
passed through in peace. She was a wife--I would never let her know
that all my heart was hers. This I determined. But man is weak, and
the very atmosphere of France dried up the springs of every honest
impulse. Everywhere was scoffing, raillery and disbelief. Honor,
friendship and virtue were regarded as the vain chimeras of a fool.
Why should not I enjoy life while I might?

Directly Madame Chartrain entered without intruding, and composedly
took her place among the ladies who made room for her near Madame.
Nothing in her manner bore evidence of her recent conflict. It was
really marvelous how the life these women led schooled them to a
st