"I heard Lady Vivian speak to Mademoiselle Bertha of the offer she had
made her cousin, and after that, Mademoiselle Mad--ad--adeleine told me
she had declined the prop--op--oposition. But, if you imagine she has
changed her mind, would not a letter to Lady Vivian answer every
pur--ur--urpose?"

"No; if she should be there, I must see her, and use arguments which
would have no force upon paper. _She must be there!_ Where else could
she be? I will start for Scotland to-night. Now I must bid you adieu."

"If you are going back to the chateau, I will accompany you. I must make
my _adieux_ to the ladies. I leave for Paris to-morrow."

"Indeed! Do you make a long stay?"

"Prob--ob--obably. The Marquis de Fleury had promised me a
secretaryship, if he were sent as ambassador to America. It is uncertain
when he may get the appointment, but he has offered me the post of
confidential sec--ec--ecretary at once."

"And you have accepted?"

"Gladly."

"Ah, M. de Bois, how I envy you! _You_ will have an object in life,
while _I_, who feel as though a pent-up volcano were roaring within me,
am condemned to let my struggling energies smoulder beneath the ashes of
my father's autocratic will! You have heard of his opposition to my
studying for the bar? What is to become of me if I am deprived of every
stimulating incentive to action?--especially now--now that"--he checked
himself suddenly. He was not aware that M. de Bois had been informed by
Bertha of Madeleine's rejection, and Maurice could not dwell upon his
own disappointment to one who might be a rival.

"Count Tristan may gradually be brought to contemplate your wishes with
more favor."

"Hardly; but come--if you will accompany me, let us go."

Bertha, who had been waiting impatiently for the return of Maurice, did
not fly to meet him when she saw M. de Bois walking by his side, as they
approached the chateau. The countess was in the drawing-room when the
gentlemen entered, and her majestic presence stemmed the stream of
inquiries that was ready to gush from Bertha's lips.

M. de Bois, who during his interview with Maurice had been so
self-possessed that the impediment in his speech was scarcely
observable, was seized anew and cast into chains by his invisible enemy.
The captive struggled in vain; the avenues of speech were barricaded;
all his limbs were shackled; his movements became uncertain and
spasmodic, menacing tables, chairs, vases, which, had they been gif