again--and I cannot very well go on alone so far."

While lisping this somewhat confused explanation, the Little Countess had
an expression at once sly and embarrassed, which greatly fortified the
sentiment of distrust which the awkwardness of her entrance had excited in
my mind.

"Madam," I said, "you really distress me. I shall regret all my life to
have missed the delightful occasion you are kind enough to offer me; but
it is indispensable that to-morrow's mail shall carry off this report,
which the minister is expecting with extreme impatience."

"You are afraid to lose your situation?"

"I have none to lose, madam."

"Well, then, let the minister wait, for my sake; it will flatter me."

"That is impossible, madam."

She assumed a very dry tone:

"But, that is really strange! What! you are not more anxious to be
agreeable to me?"

"Madam," I replied rather dryly in my turn, "I should be extremely anxious
to be agreeable to you, but I am not at all anxious to help you win your
wager."

I threw out that insinuation somewhat at random, resting it upon some