brilliant carriage shall say to himself, "Who can call such a divinity
his?" and grow thoughtful--why, it will double my pleasure.'

"La Palferine owned to us that he flung this programme at Claudine's
head simply to rid himself of her. As a result he was stupefied with
astonishment for the first and probably the only time in his life.

"'Dear,' she said, and there was a ring in her voice that betrayed
the great agitation which shook her whole being, 'it is well. All this
shall be done, or I will die.'

"She let fall a few happy tears on his hand as she kissed it.

"'You have told me what I must do to be your mistress still,' she
added; 'I am glad.'

"'And then' (La Palferine told us) 'she went out with a little
coquettish gesture like a woman that has had her way. As she stood in
my garrett doorway, tall and proud, she seemed to reach the stature of
an antique sibyl.'

"All this should sufficiently explain the manners and customs of the
Bohemia in which the young _condottiere_ is one of the most brilliant
figures," Nathan continued after a pause. "Now it so happened that I
discovered Claudine's identity, and could understand the appalling
truth of one line which you perhaps overlooked in that letter of hers.
It was on this wise."

The Marquise, too thoughtful now for laughter, bade Nathan "Go on," in
a tone that told him plainly how deeply she had been impressed by