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 to keep time to the murmurs of a fountain which played directly before the banqueting-house.

Madeline perceived she was attentively watched by the Countess, and endeavoured to appear amused; but the scene had no charms for her. She could not prevent herself from stealing a glance at de Sevignie, who sat opposite to her; she caught his eyes at the moment, and hers were instantly withdrawn, yet not without observing a pensive expression in his face, which seemed to say his gaiety, like hers, was only assumed.

She felt pleased, as if about being relieved from a disagreeable restraint, when the company broke up; as she was quitting the banqueting-house with the Countess, de Sevignie contrived to approach and enquire, in a low voice, whether she returned to the chateau that night. She replied in the negative, having just been informed by the Countess it was her inten-