l as in other days, when she was asking her to
come and spend an afternoon at Sairmeuse.

So, when the two girls embraced each other, their roles were reversed.

It was Marie-Anne who had been crushed by misfortune; it was Mlle.
Blanche who wept.

But, while writing a list of the names of persons in the neighborhood
with whom she was acquainted, Mlle. de Courtornieu did not neglect
this favorable opportunity for verifying the suspicions which had been
aroused by Martial's momentary agitation.

"It is inconceivable," she remarked to her friend, "that the Duc de
Sairmeuse should allow you to be reduced to such an extremity."

Marie-Anne's nature was so royal, that she did not wish an unjust
accusation to rest even upon the man who had treated her father so
cruelly.

"The duke is not to blame," she replied, gently; "he offered us a very
considerable sum, this morning, through his son."

Mlle. Blanche started as if a viper had stung her.

"So you have seen the marquis, Marie-Anne?"

"Yes."

"Has he been to your house?"

"He was going there, when he met me in the grove on the waste."

She blushed as she spoke; she turned crimson at the thought of Martial's
impertinent gallantry.

This girl who had just emerged from a convent was terribly experienced;
but she misunderstood the cause of Marie-Anne's confusion. She could
dissimulate, however, and when Marie-Anne went away, Mlle. Blanche
embraced her with every sign of the most ardent affection. But she was
almost suffocated with rage.

"What!" she thought; "they have met but once, and yet they are so
strongly impressed with each other. Do they love each other already?"

CHAPTER XIV

If Martial had faithfully reported to Mlle. Blanche all that he heard in
the Marquis de Courtornieu's cabinet, he would probably have astonished
her a little.

He, himself, if he had sincerely confessed his impressions and his
reflections, would have been obliged to admit that he was greatly
amazed.

But this unfortunate man, who, in days to come, would be compelled to
reproach himself bitterly for the excess of his fanaticism, refused
to confess this truth even to himself. His life was to be spent in
defending prejudices which his own reason condemned.

Forced by Mlle. Blanche's will into the midst of a discussion, he was
really disgusted with the ridiculous and intense greediness of M. de
Courtornieu's noble guests.

Decorations, fortune, honors, power--they desired