hich now enthralled his whole
life, and the certainty that his love was returned, had done away with
a great deal of his bashfulness and timidity. He had resumed his
acquaintanceship with Montlouis, and had often been with him to the Cafe
Castille. Montlouis was only for a short time at Poitiers, for as soon
as spring began he was to join the young Count de Mussidan, who had
promised to find some employment for him. The approaching departure was
not at all to Montlouis' taste, as he was madly in love with a young
girl who resided in the town. He told all to Norbert; and as confidence
begets confidence, he more than once accompanied the young Marquis to
the door in the garden wall of the Count de Laurebourg's town house.

April came at last. The gentry returned to their country houses, and in
time the happy day arrived when Diana de Laurebourg was to return to her
father's country mansion. The lovers had now every opportunity to meet,
and would exhort each other to have patience, and a week after Diana's
return they spent a long day together in the woods. After this delicious
day, Norbert, happy and light-hearted, returned to his father's house.

"Marquis," said the Duke, plunging at once into the topic nearest his
heart, "I have found a wife for you, and in two months you will marry
her."

CHAPTER VII.

AN UNLUCKY BLOW.

The falling of a thunderbolt at his feet would have startled Norbert
less than these words did. The Duke took, or affected to take, no notice
of his son's extreme agitation, and in a careless manner he continued,--

"I suppose, my son, that it is hardly necessary for me to tell you
the young lady's name. Mademoiselle Marie de Puymandour cannot fail
to please you. She is excessively pretty, tall, dark, and with a fine
figure. You saw her at Mass one day. What do you think of her?"

"Think!" stammered Norbert. "Really I----"

"Pshaw," replied the old gentleman; "I thought that you had begun to use
your eyes. And look here, Marquis, you must adopt a different style of
dress. You can go over with me to Poitiers to-morrow, and one of the
tailors there will make you some clothes suitable to your rank, for I
don't suppose that you wish to alarm your future wife by the uncouthness
of your appearance."

"But, father--"

"Wait a moment, if you please. I shall have a suite of apartments
reserved for you and your bride, and you can pass your honeymoon here.
Take care you do not prolong it for too le