That was so; but he forgot that that was twenty years ago.

"However," he added, "you will see her; I shall ask her to let me
present you to her. She _is_ a foreigner, of excellent family, very
rich, marvellously clever and beautiful; and her name is Sarah Brandon."

That evening, when Henrietta told Daniel the name of her future
mother-in-law, he started with an air of utter despair, and said,--

"Great God! If Maxime de Brevan is not mistaken, that is worse than any
thing we could possibly anticipate."




IV.

When Henrietta saw how the young officer was overcome by the mere
mention of that name, Sarah Brandon, she felt the blood turn to ice in
her veins. She knew perfectly well that a man like Daniel was not likely
to be so utterly overwhelmed unless there was something fearful, unheard
of, in the matter.

"Do you know the woman, Daniel?"

But he, regretting his want of self-possession, was already thinking how
he could make amends for his imprudence.

"I swear to you," he began.