rgotten all
about it. But confess, Marquis," she added, with a coquettish laugh,
"that this is a droll way of making an acquaintance."

Norbert started at the word Marquis, for no one but Daumon had ever
addressed him thus.

"She does not despise me," thought he.

"This little incident will be a lesson to me," continued she. "Mamma
always has told me to keep to the highroad; but I preferred the by-paths
because of the lovely scenery."

Norbert, for the first time in his life, realized that the view was a
beautiful one.

"I am this way nearly every day," pursued Diana, "though I am very
wicked to disobey my mother. I go to see poor La Berven. She is dying of
consumption, poor thing, and I take her a little soup and wine every now
and then."

She spoke like a real Sister of Mercy, and, in Norbert's opinion, wings
only were lacking to transform her into a perfect angel.

"The poor woman has three children, and their father does nothing for
them, for he drinks what he earns," the young girl went on.

Berven was one of the identical men to whom Norbert had given his
promissory note for four thousand francs, for he was one of the two
men who had intrusted Daumon with their savings for investment; but
the young man was not in a condition to notice this. Diana had meantime
slung her basket on her arm.

"Before I leave you to-day," said she, "I should so much like to ask a
favor of you."

"A favor of me, mademoiselle?"

"Yes; oblige me by saying nothing of what has occurred to-day to any
one; for should it come to my parents' ears, they would undoubtedly
deprive me of the little liberty that they now grant me."

"Mademoiselle," answered Norbert, "be sure that I will never mention the
terrible accident that my awkwardness has caused."

"Thank you, Marquis," answered the girl, with a half-mocking courtesy.
"Another time let me advise you, before you shoot, to look that no one
is behind a hedge."

With these words she tripped away, without her tiny feet showing any
signs of lameness. She had read Norbert's heart like the pages of a
book, and felt that there was every chance of her winning the game. "I
am sure of it now," said she; "I shall be the Duchess of Champdoce." How
grateful she felt for that untimely shot! And she felt sure that Norbert
had understood what she meant when she had said that she went along that
path. She felt certain that the young man had not lost one word. She
believed that the only opposi