fe Riche, devoting as
much time as possible to the operation. He was finishing his coffee when
the clock struck eight. He caught up his hat, drew on his gloves, and
hastened to the Hotel d'Argeles again.

"Madame has not yet returned," said the concierge, who knew that his
mistress had only just risen from her bed, "but I don't think it will be
long. And if monsieur wishes--"

"No," replied M. Wilkie brusquely, and he was going off in a furious
passion, when, on crossing the street, he chanced to turn his head and
notice that the reception rooms were brilliantly lighted up. "Ah! I
think that a very shabby trick!" grumbled the intelligent youth. "They
won't succeed in playing that game on me again. Why, she's there now!"

It occurred to him that Madame d'Argeles had perhaps described him to
her servants, and had given them strict orders not to admit him.
"I'll find out if that is the case, even if I have to wait here until
to-morrow morning," he thought, angrily. However, he had not been on
guard very long, when he saw a brougham stop in front of the mansion,
whereupon the gate opened, as if by enchantment. The vehicle entered the
courtyard, deposited its occupants, and drove away. A second carriage
soon appeared, then a third, and then five or six in quick succession.
"And does she think I'll wear out my shoe-leather here, while everybody
else is allowed to enter?" he grumbled. "Never!--I've an idea." And,
without giving himself time for further deliberation, he returned to his
rooms, arrayed himself in evening-dress, and sent for his carriage. "You
will drive to No.--in the Rue de Berry," he said. "There is a soiree
there, and you can drive directly into the courtyard." The coachman
obeyed, and M. Wilkie realized that his idea was really an excellent
one.

As soon as he alighted, the doors were thrown open, and he ascended
a handsome staircase, heavily carpeted, and adorned with flowers. Two
liveried footmen were standing at the door of the drawing-room, and one
of them advanced to relieve Wilkie of his overcoat, but his services
were declined. "I don't wish to go in," said the young man roughly.
"I wish to speak with Madame d'Argeles in private. She is expecting
me--inform her. Here is my card."

The servant was hesitating, when Job, suspecting some mystery perhaps,
approached. "Take in the gentleman's card," he said, with an air of
authority; and, opening the door of a small room on the left-hand side
of the st