llow me into my salon, I will see to these injured
hands."

How a cold touch can take the colour out of life. An instant before I
was a hero, not in my own eyes, but surely in those tender blue ones
that now shone through angry tears, and--I knew not what sweet folly was
springing up in me while she held my hands in hers. Now, I was only a
young man with dirty and blackened fingers, standing in a constrained
position, and, I make no doubt, looking a great fool. The young lady
vanished, and I followed madame into the little room. I am bound to say
that she treated my scorched hands with perfect skill.

When Yvon came rushing in a few minutes later,--he had heard the story
from his sister, and was for falling on my neck, and calling me his
brother, the saviour of his cherished sister,--I know not what wild
nonsense,--Mme. de Lalange cut his expressions short. "M. le Marquis,"
she said, and she put a curious emphasis on the title, I thought; "M. le
Marquis, it will be well, believe me, for you to leave this gentleman
with me for a short time. He has suffered a shock, more violent than he
yet realises. His hands are painfully burned, yet I hope to relieve his
sufferings in a few minutes. I suggest that you retire to your own
apartments, where M. D'Arthenay will join you, say in half an hour."

Generally, Yvon paid little heed to his aunt, rather taking pleasure in
thwarting her, which was wrong, no doubt, yet her aspect invited it; but
on this occasion, she daunted us both. There was a weight in her words,
a command in her voice, which I, for one, was not inclined at that
moment to dispute; and Yvon, after an angry stare, and a few muttered
words of protest, went away, only charging me to be with him within the
half-hour.

Left alone with the ancient lady, there was silence for a time. I could
not think what she wanted with me; she had shown no love for my society
since I had been in the house. I waited, thinking it the part of
courtesy to let her begin the conversation, if she desired any.

Presently she began to talk, in a pleasanter strain than I had yet heard
her use. Was the pain less severe? she asked; and now she changed the
linen cloths dipped in something cool and fragrant, infinitely soothing
to the irritated skin. I must have been very quick, to prevent further
mischief; in truth, it was a great debt they owed me, and she, I must
believe her, shared the gratitude of her niece and nephew, even though
her feel