The existence of this lady was thus made known to me for the first time. I have wondered since why, in this conversation, we with one accord ignored the first question in such affairs--namely, the salary paid by Monsieur to his secretary. "I should require you," he said finally, "to live in the Hotel Clericy while we are in Paris." Some years earlier, during a hunting expedition in Africa, I had stalked a lion all night and far into the following day. On finally obtaining a sight of my prey, I found him old, disease-stricken and half-blind. The feelings of that moment I have never forgotten. A sensation near akin to it--a sort of shame attaching to a pursuit unworthy of a sportsman--came to me again now, when I was told that I might live under the roof that sheltered Mademoiselle de Clericy. "You hesitate," said the Vicomte. "I am afraid it is an essential. I must have you always at hand." Chapter III Madame "En paroles ou en actions, etre discret, c'est s'abstenir." It is to be presumed that the reader knows the usual result of such a tussle with the conscience as that upon which I now entered. At various turning points in a chequered career I have met my conscience thus face to face, and am honest enough to confess that the victory has not always fallen to that ghostly monitor. After favouring me with his ultimatum, the Vicomte looked at me expectantly. I thought of Mademoiselle de Clericy's presence in that old house. Who was I to turn my back on the good things that the gods gave me? I hate your timid man who looks behind him on an unknown road. "As Monsieur wills," I said, and with a sigh, almost of relief I thought, my companion rose. "We will seek the Vicomtesse," he said. "My wife will have pleasure in making your acquaintance. And to-morrow you shall have my answer." "Ah!" thought I; "the Vicomtesse decides it." And I followed Monsieur de Clericy towards the door. "It is half-past eleven," he said, looking at his modest silver watch. "We shall find Madame in her boudoir." This apartment, it appeared, was situated beyond the drawing-room, of which we now passed the door. Below us was the great square hall, dark and gloomy; for its windows had been heavily barred in the old stirring times, and but little light filtered through the ironwork. At the head of the stairs was a gallery completely surrounding the quadrangle, and from this gallery access was gained to all the dwelling rooms. The Vicomte tapped at the door of Madame's room, and without waiting for an answer passed in. I, having purposely lingered, did not hear the few words spoken upon the threshold, and only advanced when bidden to do so by my companion. [Illustration: "MONSIEUR HOWARD NATURALLY WISHED TO BE PRESENTED TO YOU."]