adulation of us poor American plebeians? I had not thought it,
madame."

Slowly her dark eyes turned towards him; she stood a statue.

"But I forget," he went on, a tinge of bitterness for a moment showing
itself in his smile: "perhaps in returning to her own country, Evelyn
Blake has so far forgotten the last two years as to find pleasure
again in the toys and foibles of her youth. Such things have been, I
hear." And he bowed almost to the ground in his half sarcastic
homage.

"Evelyn Blake! It is long since I have heard that name," she murmured.

He could not restrain the quick flush from mounting to his brow.
"Pardon me," said he, "if it brings you sadness or unwelcome
memories. I promise you I will not so transgress again."

A wan smile crossed her lips grown suddenly pallid.

"You mistake," said she; "if my name brings up a past laden with
bitter memories and shadowed by regret, it also recalls much that is
pleasant and never to be forgotten. I do not object to hearing my
girlhood's name uttered--by my nearest relative."

The answer was dignity itself. "Your name is Countess De Mirac, your
relatives must be proud to utter it."

A gleam not unlike the lightning's quick flash shot from the eyes she
drooped before him.