"Do you like him better than Mr. Denham?"

"Better than Fred?" in a tone of surprise. "Why no, of course not: I have known Fred always."

"The best thing will be to tell him of Mr. Denham."

"Oh no, I never can."

"I will, then."

"Don't, I beseech you. We shall go away soon, and that will be the end of it. Promise me you will not. I would rather tell him myself if I ever have a chance."

I looked in to see my invalid friend, and then descended to the parlor, where I found the young count almost alone. He looked up eagerly as I entered: "I thought Miss St. Clair was with you. I have been waiting for her all the evening."

"Indeed!"

"I told her at table that I wished to see her particularly this evening."

"Perhaps she did not understand you."