After greeting Mme.

de Lorcy, he drew near Antoinette, and asked how she was, in a grave, almost ceremonious tone.
"Your visit distresses me, my dear count," said Mme.

de Lorcy to him; "I fear it is the last.

Have you come to bid us farewell ?" "Alas! yes, madame," he replied.

"The letter for which I have been waiting has not yet arrived; but this delay will not alter my plans: in three days I shall leave Paris." "Without a desire to return, without regret ?" she asked.
"I shall only regret Maisons, and the kind reception I have received there.