d consent to this sacrifice of prejudice, as it will be the
last required of you. Think of the honor of your family, and not of your
niece's love-affair. I will return in three days for your answer."

"Your return is unnecessary, monsieur: I shall tell my husband
everything to-night."

If Mme. Fauvel had not been so agitated herself, she would have detected
an expression of alarm upon Clameran's face.

But this uneasiness was only momentary. With a shrug, which meant, "Just
as you please," he said:

"I think you have sense enough to keep your secret."

He bowed ceremoniously, and left the room, but slammed the front door
after him so violently as to prove that his restrained anger burst forth
before leaving the house.

Clameran had cause for fear. Mme. Fauvel's determination was not
feigned. She was firm in her resolve to confess.

"Yes," she cried, with the enthusiasm of a noble resolution, "yes, I
will tell Andre everything!"

She believed herself to be alone, but turned around suddenly at the
sound of footsteps, and found herself face to face with Madeleine, who
was pale and swollen-eyed with weeping.

"You must obey this man, aunt," she quietly said.

Adjoining the parlor was a little card-room separated only by a heavy
silk curtain, instead of a door.

Madeleine was sitting in this little room when the marquis arrived, and,
as there was no egress save through the parlor, had remained, and thus
overheard the conversation.

"Good Heaven!" cried Mme. Fauvel with terror, "do you know----"

"I know everything, aunt."

"And you wish me to sacrifice you to this fiend?"

"I implore you to let me save you from misery."

"You certainly despise and hate M. de Clameran; how can you think I
would let you marry him?"

"I do despise him, aunt, and shall always regard him as the basest of
men; nevertheless I will marry him."

Mme. Fauvel was overcome by the magnitude of this devotion.

"And what is to become of Prosper, my poor child--Prosper, whom you
love?"

Madeleine stifled a sob, and said in a firm voice:

"To-morrow I will break off my engagement with M. Bertomy."

"I will never permit such a wrong," cried Mme. Fauvel. "I will not add
to my sins by suffering an innocent girl to bear their penalty."

The noble girl sadly shook her head, and replied:

"Neither will I suffer dishonor to fall upon this house, which is my
home, while I have power to prevent it. Am I not indebted to you for
more than