I indulged in any hope
of succeeding to her affections, nothing could be less promising,--this
very proof of her confidence was the strongest earnest of her
indifference. But, indeed, I had never any such expectation. My pride
might have been flattered by such a supposition; my heart could never
have sympathized in the emotion.

"We are alone here," said she, hurriedly, "and we may be missed; so let
me be brief. It will seem strange that I should ask you to meet me here,
but I could not help it. You alone, of all who frequent this, have never
paid me the least attention, nor seemed disposed to flatter me; this
leads me to trust you. I have no other reason but that, and because I am
friendless." There was a tremulous sadness in the last word which
went to my heart, and I could mark that her breathing was hurried
and irregular for some few seconds after. "Will you promise me your
friendship in what I ask? or, if that be too much, will you pledge
yourself at least to secrecy? Enough, I am quite satisfied. Now, tell
me, who is this Chevalier Duchesne?--what is he?"

I ran over in a few words all I knew of him, dwelling on whatever might
most redound to his credit; his distinguished military career, his
undoubted talent, and, lastly, alluding to his family, to which I
conceived the question might most probably apply.

"Oh, it is not that," said she, vehemently, "I wish to know. I care not
for his bravery, nor his birth either. Tell me, what are the sources of
his power? How is he admitted everywhere, intimate with every one, with
influence over all? Why does Fouche fear, and Talleyrand admit him? I
know they do this; and can you give me no clew, however faint, to
guide me? The Comte de Lacostellerie was refused the Spanish contract;
Duchesne interferes, and it is given him. There is a difficulty about a
card for a private concert at St. Cloud; Duchesne sends it. Nor does it
end here. _You_ know"--here her voice assumed a forced distinctness,
as though it cost her an effort to speak calmly--"of his duel with the
Prince Dobretski; but perhaps you may not know how he has obtained an
imperial order for his recall to St. Petersburg?"

"Of that I never heard. Can it be possible?"

"Have you, then, never tasted of his arbitrary power," said she, smiling
half superciliously, "that these things seem strange to you? or does
he work so secretly that even those most intimate with him are in
ignorance? But this must be so." She paus