e broke one of the seals, and glanced over the contents of the letter,
gnawing his under lip as he read.

"Well, my son, what reply?"

"This letter is from M. de Bonneville. He writes that his chateau is
only large enough for his own family,--that it would be a great
inconvenience to have any addition to his home circle; and _we_--I
suppose _we_ have not been inconvenienced for the last three years"--

"I am not astonished at such a reply from M. de Bonneville. I expected
nothing else. Give me Madame de Nervac's letter. She is a charming
woman, whom every one admires and respects, and I know her kindness of
heart."

The count handed the letter. His mother opened it, and read,--

"MY DEAR COUSIN:

"Are you not aware that a woman of any tact, who has still
some claims to admiration, could hardly commit the absurd
_faux pas_ of establishing in her own house, and having
always by her side, a person younger and handsomer than
herself? To consent to your proposition concerning Madeleine
would therefore be a suicidal act"--

"This is insupportable!" ejaculated the count. "It seems that we are to
be forced into continuing to bear this burden, though it may bring us
to ruin. What insupportable vanity Madame de Nervac betrays! You see
what her kindness of heart is worth!"

"There is still one letter to open," remarked his mother, clinging to a
faint hope.

"Oh, it will be a repetition of the others,--you may be sure of that!"
He tore it open angrily; but, glancing at the first lines, exclaimed,
"What do I see? Have we found one reasonable and charitable person at
last? The Count Damoreau writes,--

"'A thousand thanks, my dear cousin for the opportunity you
afford me of being useful to that lovely and unfortunate
relative of ours. I have always regarded her with admiration
and affection, and always appreciated the noble generosity
which prompted your kindness to the orphan.'"

"The count is a man endowed with most excellent judgment," remarked the
countess with complacency.

Her son continued reading the letter,--

"'I am at this moment about to make a number of necessary
repairs in my chateau, which will cause me to absent myself
for some time. I shall probably spend a year or two on the
continent.'"

"So much the better! He will doubtless take Madeleine with him,"
suggested the countess.

Count Tristan in an altered tone read on