His sneer gave the duchess a moment's time. I felt her regarding me, and I looked up cautiously. The duke still stood half a pace in front of me, and the message of my glance sped past him unperceived. Then came what I had looked for--the gradual dawning of the position on the duchess, and the reflection of that dawning light in those wonderful eyes of hers. She clasped her hands, and drew in her breath in a long "Oh!" It spoke utter amusement and delight. What would the duke make of it? He did not know what to make of it, and glared at her in angry bewilderment. Her quick wit saw the blunder she had been betrayed into. She said "Oh!" again, but this time it expressed nothing except a sense of insult and indignation. "What's that man here for?" she asked. "Because I have engaged him to assist my household." "I had dismissed him," she said haughtily. "I must beg you to postpone the execution of your decree," said he. "I have need of a servant, and I have no time to find another." "What need is there of another? Is not Lafleur here?" (She was playing her part well now.) "Lafleur comes to-morrow; but he will not be enough." "Not enough--for you and me?" "Our party will be larger to-morrow." "More surprises?" she asked, sinking back into her chair. "If it be a surprise that I should invite my friends to my house," he retorted. "And that you should not consult your wife," she said, with a smile. He turned to me, bethinking himself, I suppose, that the conversation was not best suited for the ears of the groom. "Go and join your fellow-servants; and see that you behave yourself this time." I bowed and was about to withdraw, when the duchess motioned me to stop. For an instant her eyes rested on mine. Then she said, in gentle tones: "I am glad, Sampson, that the duke thinks it safe to give you an opportunity of retrieving your character." "That for his character!" said the duke, snapping his fingers. "I want him to help when Mme. and Mlle. Delhasse are here." On the words the duchess went red in the face, and then white, and sprang up, declaring aloud in resolute, angry tones, that witnessed the depth of her feelings in the matter: "I will not receive Mlle. Delhasse!" I was glad I had not missed that: it was a new aspect of my little friend the duchess. Alas, my pleasure was short-lived! for the duke, his face full of passion, pointed to the door, saying "Go!" and, cursing his regard for the dignity of the family, I went. In the hall I paused. At first I saw nobody. Presently a rosy, beaming face peered at me over the baluster halfway up the stairs, and Suzanne stole cautiously down, her finger on her lips. "But what does it mean, sir?" she whispered. "It means," said I, "that the duke takes me for the dismissed groom--and has re-engaged me." "And you've come?" she cried softly, clasping her hands in amazement. "Doesn't it appear so?" "And you're going to stay, sir?" "Ah, that's another matter. But--for the moment, yes."