sdt was well calculated to illustrate my theory. He was tall and
well made; his face, dark as a Spaniard's (his mother was descended from
a Catalonian family), was manly-looking and frank, at once indicating
openness of temperament, and a dash of heroic daring that would like
danger for itself alone; his carriage had the easy freedom of a soldier,
without anything bordering on coarseness or effrontery. Advancing with a
quiet bow, he tendered his apologies for being late, rather as a matter
he owed to himself, to excuse his want of punctuality, than from
any sense of inconvenience to others, and ascribed the delay to the
difficulty of finding post-horses. "While waiting, therefore," said he,
"I resolved to economise time, and so dressed for dinner at the last
stage."

'This apology at least showed a desire on his part to be in time, and
at once disposed the secretary in his favour. The baron himself spoke
little; and as for Marguerite, she never opened her lips to him
the whole time of dinner; and Norvins could barely get out the few
commonplaces of table, and sat eyeing him from time to time with an
increasing dislike.

'Van Halsdt could not help feeling that his reception was of the
coldest; yet either perfectly indifferent to the fact, or resolved to
overcome their impressions against him, he talked away unceasingly of
everything he could think of--the dinners at court, the theatres, the
diplomatic soirees, the news from foreign countries, all of which he
spoke of with knowledge and intimacy. Yet nothing could he extract
in return. The old baron retired, as was his wont, immediately after
dinner; the secretary dropped off soon after; Marguerite went to take
her evening drive on the boulevards; and Norvins was left alone with his
new comrade. At first he was going to pretend an engagement. Then the
awkwardness of the moment came forcibly before him, and he sat still,
silent and confused.

'"Any wine in that decanter?" said Van Halsdt, with a short abrupt tone,
as he pointed to the bottle beside him. "Pray pass it over here. I have
only drunk three glasses. I shall be better aware to-morrow how soon
your party breaks up here."

'"Yes," said Edward timidly, and not well knowing what to say. "The
baron retires to his study every evening at seven."

'"With all my heart," said he gaily; "at six, if he prefer it, and he
may even take the old secretary with him. But the mademoiselle, shall we
see any more of her during