ith her?"

"I do not understand you."

"Well, _I_ do then, my boy; I heard all about your making love to her.
Why, you are really blushing! What is up now?"

"I can assure you----"

De Puymandour burst into a loud laugh.

"I have heard a good deal of your little country walks, and all the
pretty things that you used to say to each other."

In vain did Norbert deny the whole thing, for his intended father-in-law
would not believe him; and at last he got so annoyed that he refused to
remain and dine with the Count, alleging anxiety for his father as an
excuse. He returned home as soon as he possibly could, much agitated by
what he had heard; and as he was walking rapidly on, he heard his name
called by some one who was running after him: Norbert turned round, and
found himself face to face with Montlouis.

"I have been here a week," said the young man. "I am here with my
patron, for I have one now. I am now with the Viscount de Mussidan, as
his private secretary. M. Octave is not the most agreeable man in the
world to get on with, as he gets into the most violent passions on very
trivial occasions; but he has a good heart, after all, and I am very
pleased with the position I have gained."

"I am very glad to hear it, Montlouis, very much pleased indeed."

"And you, Marquis, I hear, are to marry Mademoiselle de Puymandour; I
could scarcely credit the news."

"And why, pray?"

"Because I remembered when we used to wait outside a certain garden
wall, until we saw a certain door open discreetly."

"But you must efface all this from your memory, Montlouis."

"Do not be alarmed; save to you, my lips would never utter a word of
this. No one else would ever make me speak."

"Stop!" said Norbert, with an angry gesture. "Do you venture to say--"

"To say what?"

"I wish you to understand that Mademoiselle Diana is as free from blame
to-day as she was when first I met her. She has been indiscreet, but
nothing more, I swear it before heaven!"

"I believe you perfectly."

In reality Montlouis did not believe one word of Norbert's assertion,
and the young Marquis could read this in his companion's face.

"The more so," continued the secretary, "as the young lady is about to
be married to my friend and patron."

"But where," asked Norbert, "did the Viscount meet with Mademoiselle de
Laurebourg?"

"In Paris; the Viscount and her brother were very intimate, and nursed
him during his last illness, and as soon as