De Blenau gazed on her for a moment in silent astonishment; for, young, and ardent, and strongly tinged with that romantic spirit of gallantry which Anne of Austria had introduced from Spain into the court of France, the whole enthusiasm of his heart had been turned towards Pauline de Beaumont; and he had thought of her the more, perhaps, because forbid to think of her. Nor had the romance he had worked up in his own mind admitted a particle of the cold ceremonies of courtly etiquette; he had loved to figure it as something apart from the world. A life with her he loved, of ardour, and passion, and sunshiny hours, unclouded by a regret, unchilled by a reserve, but all boundless confidence, and unrestrained affection--Such had been the purport of his letters to Pauline de Beaumont, and such had been the colouring of her replies to him. And who is there that has not dreamed so once? De Blenau gazed on her for a moment in silence. "Do you not speak to me, Pauline?" said he at length. "Or is it that you do not know me? True, true! years work a great change at our time of life. But I had fancied--perhaps foolishly fancied--that Pauline de Beaumont would know Claude de Blenau wheresoever they met, as well as De Blenau would know her." While he spoke, Pauline knew not well what to do with her eyes; so she turned them towards the terrace, and they fell upon Mademoiselle de Hauteford, who was walking slowly along before the Palace. Less things than that have caused greater events in this world than a renewal of all Pauline's doubts. Doubts did I call them? Before Mademoiselle de Hauteford, with all the graceful dignity for which she was conspicuous, had taken three steps along the terrace, Pauline's doubts had become almost certainties; and turning round, with what she fancied to be great composure, she replied, "I have the pleasure of knowing you perfectly, Monsieur de Blenau; I hope you have recovered entirely from your late wounds." "Monsieur de Blenau!--The pleasure of knowing me!" exclaimed the Count. "Good God, is this my reception? Not three months have gone, since your letters flattered me with the title of 'Dear Claude.'--My wounds are better, Mademoiselle de Beaumont, but you seem inclined to inflict others of a more painful nature." Pauline strove to be composed, and strove to reply, but it was all in vain; Nature would have way, and she burst into tears and sobbed aloud. "Pauline, dearest Pauline!" cried De Blenau, catching her to his bosom unrepulsed: "This must be some mistake--calm yourself, dear girl, and, in the name of Heaven, tell me, what means this conduct to one who loves you as I do?"