n my shoulder, drew me back from the door, and pushed
me gently into an easy-chair.

"Look here!" he said, planting himself in front of me. "It will never
do for you and me to part, except as friends. I did not mean to
patronize you, and if my foolish speech impressed you in that way, I
beg you to forgive me."

He held out his long, beautiful hand, which after some hesitation I
grasped, and peace was concluded.

"Take another cigar," he continued, throwing himself down on a
damask-covered lounge opposite me. "I am in a confiding mood to-night,
and should like to tell you something. I feel an absolute need to
unbosom myself, and Fate points to you as the only safe receptacle of
my confidence. After to-morrow, the Atlantic will be between us, and
if my secret should prove too explosive for your reticence, your
indiscretion will do me no harm. Listen, then. You have probably heard
the town gossip connecting my name with that of the Countess von
Brehm."

I nodded assent.

"Well, my modesty forbids me to explain how far the rumor is true.
But, the fact is, she has given me the most unmistakable proofs of her
favor. Of course, a man who has seen as much of the world as I have
cannot be expected to reciprocate such a passion in its sentimental
aspects; but from its--what shall I say?"

"Say, from a financial point of view it is not unworthy of your
consideration," I supplied, unable to conceal my disgust.

"Well, yes," he resumed blandly, "you have hit it. However, I am by no
means blind to her fascination. Moreover, the countess has a latent
vein of fierceness in her nature which in time may endear her to my
heart. Last night, for instance, we were at a ball at the Baron
P----'s, and we danced together incessantly. While we were whirling
about to the rhythm of an intoxicating melody, I, feeling pretty sure
of my game, whispered half playfully in her ear: 'Countess, what would
you say, if I should propose to you?' 'Propose and you will see,' she
answered gravely, while those big black eyes of hers flashed at until
I felt half ashamed of my flippancy. Of course I did not venture to
put the question then and there, although I was sorely tempted. Now
that shows that she has spirit, to say the least. What do you think?"

"I think," I answered, with emphasis, "that if I were a friend of the
Countess von Brehm I should go to her to-morrow and implore her to
have nothing to do with you."

"By Jove," he burst forth, laughi