ears, Diana de Mussidan will sleep a calm and untroubled
sleep."

The excitement of the Countess had risen to so high a pitch that the
doctor asked himself how he could allay a tempest which he had not
foreseen; for her loud tones would certainly alarm the servants, who
would hasten to acquaint the Count, who was himself stretched upon the
rack; then the entire plot would be laid bare, and all would be lost.

Madame de Mussidan was about to rush from the room, when the doctor,
perceiving that he must act decisively, seized her by both wrists, and,
almost by force, caused her to resume her seat.

"In Heaven's name, madame," he whispered, "for your daughter's sake,
listen to me. Do not throw up all; am not I here ready to do your
bidding, whatever it may be? Rely upon me,--rely upon the knowledge of a
man of the world, and of one who still possesses some portion of what is
called a heart. Cannot we form an alliance to ward off this attack?"

The doctor continued in this strain, endeavoring to reassure the
Countess as much as he had previously endeavored to terrify her, and
soon had the satisfaction of seeing his efforts crowned with success;
for Madame de Mussidan listened to his flow of language, hardly
comprehending its import, but feeling calmer as he went on; and in a
quarter of an hour he had persuaded her to look the situation boldly
in the face. Then Hortebise breathed more freely, and, wiping the
perspiration from his brow, felt that he had gained the victory.

"It is a nefarious plot," said the Countess.

"So it is, madame; but the facts remain. Only tell me one thing, have
you any special objection to M. de Croisenois paying his addresses to
your daughter?"

"Certainly not."

"He comes from a good family, is well educated, handsome, popular, and
only thirty-four. If you remember, George was his senior by fifteen
years. Why, then, is not the marriage a suitable one? Certainly, he has
led rather a fast life; but what young man is immaculate? They say
that he is deeply in debt; but then your daughter has enough for both.
Besides, his brother left him a considerable fortune, not far short of
two millions, I believe; and to this, of course Henry will eventually
succeed."

Madame de Mussidan was too overwhelmed by what she had already gone
through to offer any further exposition of her feelings on the subject.

"All this is very well," answered she; "but the Count has decided that
Sabine is to become the w