ery young gentleman, Ma'm'selle."

"They are all mature at seventeen, now. At Paris I was taken for a man
of fashion by half the ladies at the court ball, and even found myself
with many a pretty quarrel on my hands. Well, M. de Berniers arrives;
finds not me, but my cousin Charles, do you understand, who remains at
the _chateau_ to receive him in the temporary absence of M. and Mlle. de
Terville. With one of his own sex he will have no concealments, and we
shall soon know, my good Mariotte, what sort of gentleman we have to
deal with."

"Then you will be--"

"My cousin Charles."

"O, impossible, Ma'm'selle! Think of the Count, your uncle."

"Mariotte, think of me. It is I who am to be married, not the Count, my
uncle. Consider, it is for my happiness."

"One would almost think, Ma'm'selle, that you _wished_ to detect some
excuse for ridding yourself of M. de Berniers."

"Perhaps."

"Ah, ah! then there is a reason."

"Possibly."

"And that reason is--"

"Tall, brave, and handsome. Mariotte, do me justice; do you think it was
for nothing that I used to dress with such double, triple care for the
last few court balls at Paris?"

"Ma'm'selle, say no more; I consent."

"A thousand thanks, Mariotte."

"But it is dreadful to so deceive one's husband before marriage."

"Much better than to deceive him after, Mariotte."

This swept aside all Mariotte's hesitation, and the plot was carried out
accordingly. M. de Berniers was received in due form by the fictitious
cousin Charles, whose disguise a keener observer could not easily have
penetrated. According to her expectation, the conceited Parisian soon
became free and confidential.

"A neat little figure," said De Berniers, patronizingly. "Come to court
a year hence, and I will point you the way to any victory you please."

"Ah, M. de Berniers, it is easy to point the way; but there are few who
can follow it so triumphantly as you. I am not so young but that I have
heard of your conquests."

"True," said De Berniers, affecting indifference; "a few countesses here
and there, and once in a way a duchess or two. But of course Mlle. de
Terville suspects nothing of that sort."

"I suspect she knows it all as well as I."

"Fancy this adventure," began De Berniers, languidly. "Only eight or ten
nights ago--"

"Pardon, Monsieur," interrupted Virginie, who began to think she had
opened a questionable game, "let me order some refreshment."

"No, I breakfasted