Blanche, on seeing him, sprang up with a pretty affectation of intense timidity.
Bowing low before her, he said, gently, and with profound deference: "Monsieur de Courtornieu, Mademoiselle, was so kind as to tell me where I might have the honor of finding you.

I had not courage to brave those formidable discussions inside; but----" He pointed to the letter the young girl held in her hand, and added: "But I fear that I am _de trap_." "Oh! not in the least, Monsieur le Marquis, although this letter which I have just been reading has, I confess, interested me deeply.

It was written by a poor child in whom I have taken a great interest--whom I have sent for sometimes when I was lonely--Marie-Anne Lacheneur." Accustomed from his infancy to the hypocrisy of drawing-rooms, the young marquis had taught his face not to betray his feelings.
He could have laughed gayly with anguish at his heart; he could have preserved the sternest gravity when inwardly convulsed with merriment.
And yet, this name of Marie-Anne upon the lips of Mlle.

de Courtornieu, caused his glance to waver.
"They know each other!" he thought.
In an instant he was himself again; but Mlle.

Blanche had perceived his momentary agitation.
"What can it mean ?" she wondered, much disturbed.
Still, it was with the perfect assumption of innocence that she continued: "In fact, you must have seen her, this poor Marie-Anne, Monsieur le Marquis, since her father was the guardian of Sairmeuse ?" "Yes, I have seen her, Mademoiselle," replied Martial, quietly.
"Is she not remarkably beautiful?
Her beauty is of an unusual type, it quite takes one by surprise." A fool would have protested.