"One of my friends."

"What name?"

"I wish you would render the service I ask of you doubly valuable by not
asking me that question,--at least, not to-day."

Daniel spoke with such an accent of truth, that not a shadow of doubt
remained on Maxime's mind. It was not Daniel who had fallen in love with
Sarah Brandon. Brevan did not doubt that for a moment. But he could not
conceal his trouble, and his disappointment even, as he exclaimed,--

"Well done, Daniel! Tell me that your ingenuous people cannot deceive
anybody!"

However, he said nothing more about it; and, while Daniel was pouring
out his excuses, he quietly went back to the fire, and sat down. After a
moment's silence, he began again,--

"Let us assume, then, that it is one of your friends who is bewitched?"

"Yes."

"And the matter is--serious?"

"Alas! He talks of marrying that woman."

Maxime shrugged his shoulders contemptuously, and said,--

"As to that, console yourself. Sarah will never consent."