As can be readily imagined, from our last remark, love had not been the moving cause in this union.

Adjoining estates, which, united in one, formed a noble domain, and equality of rank had been the chief considerations.

After a very brief honeymoon, during which they had become painfully aware of a total want of congeniality, the marquis and marquise--like well-bred people, making no outcry about their matrimonial failure--had tacitly agreed to live amicably under the same roof, but entirely independent of each other--he to go his way and she hers, with perfect freedom.

They always treated each other in public, and indeed whenever they chanced to meet, with the greatest courtesy, and might easily have been mistaken by a casual observer for an unusually happy and united pair.Mme.la Marquise occupied a sumptuous suite of apartments in the chateau, which her husband never thought of entering without first sending to ascertain whether it would be convenient for madame to receive him, like a formal visitor.

But we will avail ourselves of the time-honoured privilege of authors, and make our way into the noble chatelaine's bed-chamber, without any form or ceremony--feeling sure of not disturbing its fair occupant, since the writer of a romance wears upon his finger the wonder-working ring of Gyges, which renders him invisible.
It was a large, lofty room, hung with superb tapestry representing the adventures of Apollo, and exhibiting every luxury that wealth could procure.