"I was about to come to you," said the Count, "but you have anticipated me. I desire to speak with you on the subject of your nephew, the Chevalier de Vaudrey, and to ask you to prepare him for the marriage which the King--" "Wishes to impose on him," interrupted the Countess bitterly. "Impose on him?" repeated de Linieres. "It is a magnificent alliance, which will complete the measure of the distinguished honors with which His Majesty deigns to favor us." "Have you spoken to the Chevalier yet?" "No, but I am expecting him every moment, and I wished to talk with him in your presence." As if this conversation had some influence over him, de Vaudrey entered at this moment. "Ah, Chevalier!" exclaimed the Count. "I am glad to see you. The Countess and myself have an important communication to make to you." De Vaudrey looked at his uncle in surprise. The latter was positively beaming. Big with the prospective grandeur of his house, he hesitated momentarily over the manner of delivering it. "My dear Maurice," said the Count finally, "the King did me the honor to receive me yesterday, and he spoke of you." "Of me?" asked de Vaudrey in surprise. "He takes a great interest in you," continued de Linieres, now speaking quickly. "He wishes you to accept a position at court, and desires at the same time that you should marry." "Marry?" asked de Vaudrey, as though he could not believe his uncle really meant what he said. The Countess waited as anxiously for de Vaudrey's answer as did her husband, though for a different reason. She loved the young man before her, and his happiness and well-being were very dear to her. "My dear nephew," she said kindly, "I see that this news surprises you. Yet there is no fear that the King's choice will do violence to your feelings. The lady whom His Majesty has chosen, has youth, beauty and fortune." "In proof of which I have only to tell you that his choice is Princesse--" the Count attempted to say, but was interrupted by the Chevalier. "Do not name her," he said excitedly. "Why not?" asked his uncle in astonishment. "Because I refuse to marry!" The effect of these momentous words was quite diverse upon the uncle and the aunt of the young man. For the moment the haughty nobleman could not understand why his nephew-by-marriage should reject the flattering proposal, such an easy and agreeable road to place and fortune. Soon rising anger got the better of his surprise, and minding Picard's reports on the Chevalier's conduct, his thought was: "Ah, that's the secret--he prefers his libertine courses to assured fortune!" But the Aunt, with a woman's ready wit, understood there could be but one reason to such a decided refusal, and knew that he must be already in love. Countess de Linieres loved the Chevalier as if he were her own son. Quickly she shot the youth a warning look to prevent if possible a verbal passage of arms. But it was already too late.