appearance of the ogress, which
came to awaken more painfully than ever the remembrance of her former
degradation, appeared to her a sinister presage. From this moment,
Fleur-de-Marie was struck with one of those presentiments which, in
dispositions like hers, have most frequently an irresistible influence.

* * * * *

A few days after these events and Rodolph and his daughter quitted Paris
for ever.

EPILOGUE.

CHAPTER I.

GEROLSTEIN.

_Prince Henry of Herkauesen-Oldenzaal to the Count Maximilian
Kaminetz._

OLDENZAAL, 25th August, 1840.

I am just arrived from Gerolstein, where I have passed three
months with the grand duke and his family. I expected to find a
letter announcing your arrival at Oldenzaal, my dear Maximilian.
Judge of my surprise--of my regret, on hearing that you will be
detained in Hungary for several weeks.

For more than four months I have been unable to write to you,
not knowing where to direct my letters, thanks to your original
and adventurous manner of travelling. You had, however, formally
promised me at Vienna that you would be at Oldenzaal the first
of August; I must then give up the pleasure of seeing you, and
yet I have never had greater need of pouring forth my sorrows to
you, Maximilian, my oldest friend, for although we are both of
us still very young, our friendship is of long standing, as it
dates from our childhood.

What shall I say to you? During the last three months a complete
revolution has taken place in me. I am at one of those moments
that decide the existence of a man. Judge, then, how necessary
your presence and your advice are to me. But you will not long
be wanting, whatever motives you have for remaining in Hungary.
Come! Come! I entreat of you, Maximilian, for I stand in need of
you to console me, and I cannot go to seek you. My father, whose
health is daily declining, has summoned me from Gerolstein. Each
day makes so great an alteration in him that it is impossible
for me to leave him.

I have so much to say that I shall become tedious, but I must
relate to you the most important--the most romantic incident of
my life. Why were you not there, my friend? Why were you not
there? For three months my heart has been a prey to emotions
equally sweet and sorrowf