None of us must know what has become of the Countess St.Auban, now or later.
You have heard me.

Gentlemen, we adjourn." He stepped now to the door, and admitted the ancient colored man, with his lights.

The curtains were drawn, shutting out even the twilight gloom.

And now the lights blazed up, illuminating an historic stage.
The chief of the deliberations now became the host, and motioned his guests to the corner of the apartments where stood a long sideboard of dark mahogany, bearing different crystal decanters.
Himself refraining, as did one or two others, he passed glasses, motioned to the ancient colored man, and, raising his own hand, proposed them a toast.
"Gentlemen,--the Union!" They bowed to him ceremoniously, each in his way, with reverence, touching lips to his glass.

As they parted, one for a moment stood alone, the dark man who had sat at the speaker's right.