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198 another claim upon me. A lady, and alone in a strange country! Pray command my services. May I ask if you are a visitor to any of the county families?—for in that event everything would be very much simplified."

"Scarcely," responded the stranger, with the ghost of a smile upon her handsome face; "but I have traveled many thousand miles to have an interview with Mr. Richard Romaine. Permit me to introduce myself—I am Madame de Fonblanque."

The Colonel's face was a study as Madame de Fonblanque continued, calmly: "I should like first to go to a hotel—somewhere—and then I could arrange to meet Mr. Romaine."

"But, madam, there is no hotel, except a country tavern at the Court House, ten miles away. My residence, however, Corbin Hall, is only four miles from here—and Mr. Romaine's place, Shrewsbury, is also within that distance; and if you would accept of my hospitality, and that of my sister and my granddaughter, I should be most happy. I have here a chaise and pair, and would feel honored if you would accept of their service as well as mine."

Madame de Fonblanque then showed considerable knowledge of human nature: for