he said but one word to his daughter:

"Well!"

"You have done your duty," she replied; "it is those who have not done
it, who are to be pitied!"

She had no opportunity to say more. Martial came running after them,
anxious for another chance of seeing this young girl whose beauty had
made such an impression upon him.

"I hastened after you," he said, addressing Marie-Anne, rather than M.
Lacheneur, "to reassure you. All this will be arranged, Mademoiselle.
Eyes so beautiful as yours should never know tears. I will be your
advocate with my father--"

"Mademoiselle Lacheneur has no need of an advocate!" a harsh voice
interrupted.

Martial turned, and saw the young man, who, that morning, went to warn
M. Lacheneur of the duke's arrival.

"I am the Marquis de Sairmeuse," he said, insolently.

"And I," said the other, quietly, "am Maurice d'Escorval."

They surveyed each other for a moment; each expecting, perhaps, an
insult from the other. Instinctively, they felt that they were to
be enemies; and the bitterest animosity spoke in the glances they
exchanged. Perhaps they felt a presentiment that they were to be