mentioning the name of Count Ville-Handry; but, seeing it thus offered
to him, he determined to profit by the opportunity.

"Well, yes, suppose it is so," he said with a sigh.

Maxime raised his hands to heaven, and said in a tone of painful
conviction,--

"In that case you are right. You ought to inquire; for you may be close
upon a terrible misfortune."

"Ah, is she really so formidable?"

Maxime shrugged his shoulders, as if he were impatient at being called
upon to prove a well-known fact, and said,--

"I should think so."

There seemed to be no reason why Daniel should persist in his questions
after that. Those words ought to have been explanation enough.
Nevertheless he said in a subdued voice,--

"Pray explain, Maxime! Don't you know, that, as I lead a very quiet
life, I know nothing?"

Brevan, looking more serious than he had ever done, rose and replied,
leaning against the mantlepiece,--

"What would you have me tell you? It is only fools who call out to
lovers to beware; and to warn a man who will not be warned, is useless.