ituation unmatched in my
social experience.

The two women were delightful, the menu admirable, the wines past
praise. It was an artful and agreeable _lever du rideau_, and I knew
it for that when, at a word from the count, the servants left us at
the close of the meal. Then, smiling, he turned to Mrs. Merton and
said:

"Perhaps, madame, you may have understood that in asking you all here
and alone I had more than the ordinary pleasant reasons. If in the
least degree you object to my saying more, we will consider that I
have said nothing, and," he added gaily, "we shall then chat of Rachel
and the June exhibition of tulips."

It was neatly done, and Mrs. Merton at once replied: "I wish to say
for myself that I have for years desired to talk freely with you of
what is no doubt in your mind just now."

"Thank you," he returned; "and if no one else objects,"--and no one
did,--"I may say that, apart from my own eager desire to ask you
certain questions, my wife has had, for years, what I may call chronic
curiosity."

"Oh, at times acute!" cried the countess.

"Her curiosity is, as you must know, in regard to certain matters
connected with that mysterious diplomatic affair in the autumn of
1862. It cost me pretty dear."

"And me," said the countess, "many tears."

Mrs. Merton's face became serious. She was about to speak, when the
count added: "Pardon me. I am most sincere in my own wish not to
embarrass you, our guests, and if, on reflection, you feel that our
very natural curiosity ought to die a natural death, we will dismiss
the matter. Tell me, would you prefer to drop it?"

"Oh, no. I, too, am curious." And, turning to her husband, "Arthur, I
am sure you will be as well pleased as I."

Merton said: "I am entirely at your service, count. How is it,
Greville?"

"But," said the count, interposing, "what has M. Greville to do with
it, except as we know that his legation profited by madame's--may I
say--interference?"

"I like that," laughed Mrs. Merton, "interference. There is nothing so
amiable as the charity of time."

"Ah," said I, laughing, "I, too, had a trifling share in the business.
Let us all agree to be frank and to consider as confidential for some
years to come what we hear. I am as curious as the countess."

"And no wonder," said the count. "Of course enough got out to make
every _chancellerie_ in Europe wonder how Mr. Adams was able to report
the opinions and even the words of the emperor