This rare combination of strength of mind, strength of body, and extreme elegance of manners, was in this instance rendered still more striking by the circumstance, that whatever there might be of haughtiness or command in the upper part of that energetic countenance, was softened down, and tempered by a constant but not uniform smile--for, as occasion served, this smile became either kind or sly, cordial or gay, discreet or prepossessing, and thus augmented the insinuating charm of this man, who, once seen, was never again forgotten.

But, in yielding to this involuntary sympathy, the doubt occurred if the influence was for good--or for evil.
M.Rodin, the secretary of the newcomer, continued to write.
"Are there any letters from Dunkirk, Rodin ?" inquired his master.
"Post not yet in." "Without being positively uneasy as to my mother's health, since she was already convalescent," resumed the other, "I shall only be quite reassured by a letter from my excellent friend, the Princess de Saint Dizier.

I shall have good news this morning, I hope." "It is to be desired," said the secretary, as humble and submissive as he was laconic and impassible.
"Certainly it is to be desired," resumed his master; "for one of the brightest days of my life was when the Princess de Saint-Dizier announced to me that this sudden and dangerous illness had yielded to the care and attention with which she surrounds my mother.

Had it not been for that I must have gone down to her instantly, though my presence here is very necessary." Then, approaching the desk, he added: "Is the summary of the foreign correspondence complete ?" "Here is the analysis." "The letters are still sent under envelope to the places named, and are then brought here as I directed ?" "Always." "Read to me the notes of this correspondence; if there are any letters for me to answer, I will tell you." And Rodin's master began to walk up and down the room, with his hands crossed behind his back, dictating observations of which Rodin took careful note.
The secretary turned to a pretty large pile of papers, and thus began: "Don Raymond Olivarez acknowledges from Cadiz receipt of letter No.19; he will conform to it, and deny all share in the abduction." "Very well; file it." "Count Romanoff, of Riga, finds himself in a position of pecuniary embarrassment." "Let Duplessis send him fifty louis; I formerly served as captain in his regiment, and he has since given us good information." "They have received at Philadelphia the last cargo of Histories of France, expurgated for the use of the faithful they require some more of the same sort." "Take note of it, and write to Duplessis.

Go on." "M.