ut as they passed through
the curtained archway leading from the dining-saloon to the drawing-room,
Lady C., with the kindest intentions toward the supposed mourner, and
with the motherly grace for which her ladyship was noted, drew Valerie's
arm within her own and began a conversation, to draw her mind from the
contemplation of her bereavements.

"What do you think of the young Russian count who brought you in to
dinner, my dear?" inquired Lady C.

"I--he is a Pole," answered Valerie, in a low voice.

"Yes, I am aware that he is a Pole by birth; but he is a thorough Russian
in politics and principles; has been in the service of the Czar since the
age of fifteen.--Here, my love, sit beside me," added her ladyship, as
she sank gracefully down upon a sofa and drew her young guest to her
side.

Valerie submitted in silence.

"Oh, by the way, however, I think I heard some one say that you had met
the count at the court of St. Petersburg?" pursued Lady C.

"I--have met him," answered Valerie, in the same level tone.

"I am boring you, I fear, with this young Russian, my dear, but--"

"Oh no," softly interrupted Valerie.

"I was about to explain that I feel some interest in him from the fact
that he is betrothed to my niece--"

"Betrothed! Your niece!" exclaimed Valerie, surprised out of the apathy
of her despair.

"Yes, my love. Is there anything wonderful in that? It is a way these
continental people have of doing things, you see. The Count Waldemar and
my niece were betrothed to each other in their childhood. There is a very
great attachment between them--at least on her part. The child seems to
think that there is but one man in the world and his name is Waldemar de
Volaski."

"But--I did not know--I thought--I did not think--the count had ever been
in England," incoherently murmured Valerie.

"Nor has he; but what has that to do with it?" smiled her ladyship.

"Your niece--"

"Oh, I see! Because I am an Englishwoman my niece must be one, you
think. You are mistaken, dear; she is French. My sister Anne married
a Frenchman, the Marquis de St. Cyr. They had two children--Alphouse,
a colonel in the Chasseurs d'Afrique, now in Algiers; and Aimee, now in
the Convent of St. Rosalie. It was when the late Count de Volaski was
here as the minister from Russia, that the acquaintance between the two
families commenced and ripened into intimacy and the intimacy into
friendship. Then Waldemar and Aimee were betrothe