You have divined truly in supposing that she will shortly be united to M.de Pavannes." I suppose--for I saw the giant's colour change and his lip quiver as I spoke--that his previous words had been only a guess.

For a moment the devil seemed to be glaring through his eyes; and he looked at Marie and me as a wild animal at its keepers.

Yet he maintained his cynical politeness in part.

"Mademoiselle desires my congratulations ?" he said, slowly, labouring with each word it seemed.

"She shall have them on the happy day.