sure I got my share, Amelie." Angelique laughed aloud at some
secret reminiscences of her summer campaign.

"It is well that I did not come to the city, Angelique, to get my
head turned like the rest; but now that I am here, suppose I should
mercifully try to heal some of the hearts you have broken!"

"I hope you won't try. Those bright eyes of yours would heal too
effectually the wounds made by mine, and that is not what I desire,"
replied Angelique, laughing.

"No! then your heart is more cruel than your eyes. But, tell me,
who have been your victims this year, Angelique?"

"Well, to be frank, Amelie, I have tried my fascinations upon the
King's officers very impartially, and with fair success. There
have been three duels, two deaths, and one captain of the Royal
Roussillon turned cordelier for my sake. Is that not a fair return
for my labor?"

"You are shocking as ever, Angelique! I do not believe you feel
proud of such triumphs," exclaimed Amelie.

"Proud, no! I am not proud of conquering men. That is easy! My
triumphs are over the women! And the way to triumph over them is to
subdue the men. You know my old rival at school, the haughty
Francoise de Lantagnac: I owed her a grudge, and she has put on the
black veil for life, instead of the white one and orange-blossoms
for a day! I only meant to frighten her, however, when I stole her
lover, but she took it to heart and went into the Convent. It was