ings were less vivaciously expressed.

I told her it was nothing, and less than nothing, that I had done, and I
thought there had been far too much said about it already. I was deeply
thankful that no harm had come to Mlle. de Ste. Valerie, but I could
claim no merit, beyond that of having my eyes open, and my wits about
me.

She bowed in assent. "Your wits about you!" she said. "But that in
itself is no small matter, M. D'Arthenay, I assure you. It is not every
young man who can say as much. Your eyes open, and your wits about you?
You are fortunate, believe me."

Her tone was so strange, I knew not what reply to make, if any; again I
waited her lead.

"The young people with whom I have to do are so widely different from
this!" she said, presently. "Hearts of gold, heads of feather! you must
have observed this, M. D'Arthenay."

I replied with some warmth that I had recognised the gold, but not the
other quality. She smiled, a smile that had no more warmth in it than
February sunshine on an icicle.

"You are modest!" she said. "I give you credit for more discernment than
you admit. Confess that you think our marquis needs a stronger head
beside him, to aid in his affairs."

I had thought this, but I conceived it no part of my duty to say as
much. I was silent, therefore, and looked at her, wondering.

"Confess," she went on, "that you saw as much, when he came to your
estate--of which the title escapes me--in North America; that you
thought it might be well for him to have a companion, an adviser, with
more definite ideas of life; well for him, and possibly--incidentally,
of course--for the companion?"

"Madam!" I said. I could say no more, being confounded past the point of
speech.

"It is because of this friendly interest in my nephew," the lady went
on, taking no notice of my exclamation. "In my _nephew_, that I think to
give you pleasure by announcing a visit that we are shortly to receive.
A guest is expected at Chateau Claire in a few days; in fact, the day
after to-morrow. My nephew has doubtless spoken to you of the Vicomte de
Crecy?"

I said no, I had heard of no such person.

"Not heard of him? Unpardonable remissness in Yvon! Not heard of the
vicomte? Of the future husband of Mlle. de Ste. Valerie?"

I took the blow full and fair, my dear. I think my father in me kept me
from flinching; but I may have turned white as I saw myself an hour
after; for after one glance the woman turned her eyes a