They went accordingly, and great was the sensation created among their old friends by their reappearance after the lapse of years. Markham, the bachelor, was there, with some crow's-feet about the eyes and gray hairs in his brown locks to attest the flight of time. When questioned about Remond and Mme. Lorraine, he replied, laughing: "Fancy their hardihood in coming here for their wedding-tour. They are married, you know." "No!" "Fact! It was announced in our papers two months ago. Married in Paris, and came here a week ago. I am told that they are staying at madame's house on Esplanade Street, but none of the Jockey Club has called on the wretches." "One there is who will call," Carmontelle said, boldly. "What say you, Van Zandt? Shall we go to Esplanade Street and have it out with that fiendish woman?" Eliot looked rather mystified, but he signified his assent. "I will go, but--when?" he asked, and his friend answered: "Now." "Oh, I say, lads, put it off till to-morrow," cried the gay Markham. "I should like to go and back you up in the row, but I have an engagement for this evening." "Sorry, but can't wait," Carmontelle answered. "Come, Eliot. Markham, adieu. You and the club will call at the Magnolias? Introduce you to my bride and her sister. Handsomest girls in Boston, and both geniuses." "Thank you--only too happy to accept your kind invitation," Mr. Markham said, genially; and then they were out in the street, bound for the presence of the woman who had wrought such woe to Eliot Van Zandt and his lovely bride. "Your object?" Eliot asked his friend, dubiously. "Can you not guess? She shall tell us the tale she told Una that night in Boston, and we shall be the judges as to whether the barrier is great enough to separate you and your wife forever. Who knows but that Una, in her strange commingling of pride and humility, may have exaggerated the trouble?" "I have always thought so--always believed that I could overthrow all her objections, and win her back if only I could have an interview with her again," Eliot said; then, sighing, "But I shall never have the chance. She will never come out of that grim convent again." "Who knows? We will hope so, anyhow;" and then they were silent until their carriage drew up before the front of madame's well-remembered house, once so familiar to the club in the days when she was such a fascinating siren and kept all her wickedness carefully hidden in the background. Lights glimmered brightly in the front of the house. The prim, ugly Mima opened the door to them and frowned darkly. Was Mme. Lorraine at home? She took their cards and said, curtly, that she would see if Mme. Remond was in. In another moment she came back and ushered them into the pretty salon. Remond was present, but retreated with a scowl upon their entrance. The bride, all in silvery white silk cut _décolleté_, with diamonds shimmering on arms and breast, rose smilingly and bowed.