The Marchesa's face flushed. Randal resumed: "'Your fair acquaintance' (I am still quoting Egerton) 'seeks to discover the home of a countryman of hers. She suspects that I know it. She may try to learn it through you. Accident may possibly give you the information she requires. Beware how you betray it. By one such weakness I should judge of your general character. He from whom a woman can extract a secret will never be fit for public life.' Therefore, my dear Marchesa, even supposing I possess this secret, you would be no true friend of mine to ask me to reveal what would emperil all my prospects. For as yet," added Randal, with a gloomy shade on his brow--"as yet I do not stand alone and erect--I _lean_; I am dependent." "There may be a way," replied Madame di Negra, persisting, "to communicate this intelligence, without the possibility of Mr. Egerton's tracing our discovery to yourself; and, though I will not press you further, I add this--You urge me to accept your friend's hand; you seem interested in the success of his suit, and you plead it with a warmth that shows how much you regard what you suppose is his happiness; I will never accept his hand till I can do so without blush for my penury--till my dowry is secured, and that can only be by my brother's union with the exile's daughter. For your friend's sake, therefore, think well how you can aid me in the first step to that alliance. The young lady once discovered, and my brother has no fear for the success of his suit." "And you would marry Frank, if the dower was secured?" "Your arguments in his favor seem irresistible," replied Beatrice, looking down. A flash went from Randal's eyes, and he mused a few moments. Then slowly rising, and drawing on his gloves, he said, "Well, at least you so far reconcile my honor toward aiding your research, that you now inform me you mean no ill to the exile." "Ill!--the restoration to fortune, honors, his native land." "And you so far enlist my heart on your side, that you inspire me with the hope to contribute to the happiness of two friends whom I dearly love. I will, therefore, diligently seek to ascertain if, among the refugees I have met with, lurk those whom you seek; and if so, I will thoughtfully consider how to give you the clew. Meanwhile, not one incautious word to Egerton." "Trust me--I am a woman of the world." Randal now had gained the door. He paused, and renewed carelessly, "This young lady must be heiress to great wealth, to induce a man of your brother's rank to take so much pains to discover her." "Her wealth _will_ be vast," replied the Marchesa; "and if any thing from wealth or influence in a foreign state could be permitted to prove my brother's gratitude--" "Ah, fie," interrupted Randal, and approaching Madame di Negra, he lifted her hand to his lips, and said gallantly, "This is reward enough to your _preux chevalier_." With those words he took his leave. CHAPTER IV.