“I am told that my dear count has been to see you this afternoon,” she continued, “and you have heard that in less than a month I shall be the Countess Ville-Handry?”

Daniel was surprised.  In less than a month!  What could be done in so little time?

“Now, sir,” continued Miss Brandon, “I wish to hear from your own lips whether you see—­any—­objections to this match.”

She spoke so frankly, that it was evident she was utterly unconscious of that article in the code of social laws which prescribes that a French girl must never mention the word “marriage” without blushing to the roots of her hair.  Daniel, on the contrary, was terribly embarrassed.

“I confess,” he replied with much hesitation, “that I do not understand, that I cannot possibly explain to myself, why you do me the honor”—­

“To consult you?  Pardon me; I think you understand me perfectly well.  Have they not promised you Miss Ville-Handry’s hand?”

“The count has permitted me to hope”—­

“He has pledged his word, sir, under certain conditions.  My dear count has told me every thing.  I speak, therefore, to Count Ville-Handry’s son-in-law, and I repeat, Do you see any objections to this match?”

The question was too precisely put to allow of any prevarication.  And still Daniel was bent upon gaining time, and avoiding any positive answer.  For the first time in his life he said a falsehood; and, turning crimson all over, he stammered out,—­

“I see no objection.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

She shook her head, and then said very slowly,—­

“If that is so, you will not refuse me a great favor.  Carried away by her grief at seeing her father marry again, Miss Ville-Handry hates me.  Will you promise me to use your influence in trying to persuade her to change her disposition towards me?”

Never had honest Daniel Champcey been tried so hard.  He answered diplomatically,—­

“I am afraid you overestimate my influence.”

She looked at him suddenly with such a sharp and penetrating glance that he felt almost startled, and then said,—­

“I do not ask of you to succeed, only promise me upon your honor that you will do your best, and I shall be very much obliged to you.  Will you give me that promise?”

Could he do so?  The situation was so exceptional, Daniel had at all cost to lull the enemy into security for a time, and for a moment he was inclined to pledge his honor.  Nay, more than that, he made an effort to do it.  But his lips refused to utter a false oath.

“You see,” resumed Miss Brandon very coldly, “you see you were deceiving me.”

And, turning away from him, she hid her face in her hands, apparently overcome by grief, and repeated in a tone of deep sorrow,—­

“What a disgrace!  Great God!  What a humiliation!”

But suddenly she started up again, her face bright with a glow of hope, and cried out,—­