'I did not mean to give offence,' said the poor old lady meekly.

Marie, as she thought of what she had said, repented so bitterly
that she could hardly refrain from tears.

'There is no offence at all,' said Michel angrily.

'Will you allow me to give you a little wine?' said Adrian, turning
to his neighbour.

Marie bowed her head, and held her glass, but the wine remained in
it to the end of the supper, and there it was left.

When it was all over, Michel felt that it had not been a success.
With the exception of her savage speech to the disagreeable old
lady, Marie had behaved well. She was on her mettle, and very
anxious to show that she could sit at table with Adrian Urmand, and
be at her ease. She was not at her ease, but she made a bold fight-
-which was more than was done by her uncle or her aunt. Michel was
unable to speak in his ordinary voice or with his usual authority,
and Madame Voss hardly uttered a word. Urmand, whose position was
the hardest of all, struggled gallantly, but was quite unable to
keep up any continued conversation. The old lady had been
thoroughly silenced, and neither she nor her sister again opened
their mouth. When Madame Voss rose from her chair in order that
they might all retire, the consciousness of relief was very great.

For that night Marie's duty to her uncle was done. So much had been
understood. She was to dress herself and sit down to supper, and