The Countess de Pel--a horrible creature! Oh! she was the Duchess's determined enemy-would have stabbed her for Belmarana, one of the most beautiful men! Adored by every woman! So we talked ices, Eugenic and myself, quite comfortably, and that horrible De Pel had no idea in life! Eugenia had just said, "This ice sickens me! I do not taste the flavour of the vanille." I answered, "It is here! It must--it cannot but be here! You love the flavour of the vanille ?" With her exquisite smile, I see her now saying, "Too well! it is necessary to me! I live on it!"-- when up he came.

In his eagerness, his foot just effleured my robe.

Oh! I never shall forget! In an instant he was down on one knee it was so momentary that none saw it but we three, and done with ineffable grace.

"Pardon!" he said, in his sweet Portuguese; "Pardon!" looking up--the handsomest man I ever beheld; and when I think of that odious wretch the other night, with his "Oh! 'm sure, beg pardon, 'm sure! 'pon my honour!" I could have kicked him--I could, indeed!' Here the Countess laughed out, but relapsed into: 'Alas! that Belmarana should have betrayed that beautiful trusting creature to De Pel.

Such scandal! a duel!--the Duke was wounded.