of a fortune, if she can have the whole, with a great name and a high
position into the bargain?"

Daniel opened his lips to present another suggestion; but Maxime, laying
aside his usual half-dreamy, mocking manner, said, as if roused by a
matter of great personal interest,--

"You do not understand me, my dear friend. Miss Brandon is not one of
those vulgar hawks, who, in broad daylight, seize upon a poor pigeon,
pluck it alive, and cast it aside, still living, and bleeding all over."

"Then, Maxime, she must be"--

"Well, I tell you you misapprehend her. Miss Brandon"--

He stopped suddenly, and looking at Daniel with a glance with which
a judge examines the features of a criminal, he added in an almost
threatening voice,--

"By telling you what little I know about her, Daniel, I give you the
highest proof of confidence which one man can give to another. I love
you too dearly to exact your promise to be discreet. If you ever mention
my name in connection with this affair, if you ever let any one suspect
that you learned what I am going to tell you from me, you will dishonor
yourself."

Daniel, deeply moved, seized his friend's hand, and, pressing it most
affectionately, said,--

"Ah, you know Daniel Champcey is to be relied upon."