Eugene de Veron had only one flight of stairs to ascend in order to obtain this conference, Edouard le Blanc, the brother of Adeline, being a principal clerk in the establishment. Edouard le Blanc readily and sincerely condoled with his friend upon the sudden obscuration of his and Adeline's hopes, adding that he had always felt a strong misgiving upon the subject; and after a lugubrious dialogue, during which the clerk hinted nervously at a circumstance which, looking at the unpleasant turn matters were taking, might prove of terrible import--a nervousness but very partially relieved by Eugene's assurance, that, come what may, he would take the responsibility in that particular entirely upon himself, as, indeed, he was bound to do--the friends left the office, and wended their way to Madame le Blanc's, Ingouville. There the lover forgot, in Adeline's gay exhilarating presence and conversation, the recent ominous and exasperating communication from his father; while Edouard proceeded to take immediate counsel with his mother upon the altered aspect of affairs, not only as regarded Adeline and Eugene de Veron, but more particularly himself, Edouard le Blanc. Ten minutes had hardly passed by ordinary reckoning--barely one by Eugene de Veron's--when his interview with the charming Adeline was rudely broken in upon by Madame le Blanc, a shrewd, prudent woman of the world, albeit that in this affair she had somewhat lost her balance, tempted by the glittering prize offered for her daughter's acceptance, and for a time apparently within her reach. The mother's tone and manner were stern and peremptory. 'Have the kindness, Monsieur Eugene de Veron, to bid Adeline adieu at once. I have a serious matter to talk over with you alone. Come!' Adeline was extremely startled at hearing her rich lover thus addressed, and the carnation of her glowing cheeks faded at once to lily paleness, whilst Eugene's features flushed as quickly to deepest crimson. He stammered out his willingness to attend madame immediately, and hastily kissing Adeline's hand, followed the unwelcome intruder to another room. 'So, Monsieur Eugene,' began Madame le Blanc, 'this ridiculous wooing--of which, as you know, I never heartily approved--is at an end. You are, I hear, to marry Mademoiselle de Merode in the early part of next week.' 'Madame le Blanc,' exclaimed the young man, 'what is it you are saying? _I_ marry Mademoiselle de Merode next or any other week! I swear to you, by all that is true and sacred, that I will be torn in pieces by wild horses before I break faith with'----