The Duc and Duchess de Bligny arrived at La Varenne.  La Varenne became the scene of numerous fetes, but Claire excused herself from attending on the ground that she was not yet well enough to sit up late.  Athenais’ anticipated pleasure was all lost, since she could not crush her rival with her magnificence.  In her jealous rage she began to devote particular attention to Monsieur Derblay.  At last, Claire judged the cup was full, and on her fete day, encouraged for the first time by her husband’s glances, called Athenais aside and entreated her to stay away from their home for a time, at least.  Athenais, pale with rage, replied insultingly, and Claire summoned the duke to take his wife away if he did not wish her to be turned out in presence of everyone.

With perfect composure Bligny asked Philippe if he approved of what Madame Derblay had done.  In a grave voice, the ironmaster answered, “Monsieur le Duc, whatever Madame Derblay may do, whatever reason she may have for doing it, I consider everything she does as well done.”

* * * * *

Claire saw two pistols lowered.  With a shriek, she bounded forward and clapped her hand on the muzzle of Bligny’s pistol!

* * * * *

An hour had elapsed without her regaining consciousness.  The ironmaster was leaning over her.  Suddenly her eyes opened, and she threw her arms round his neck.  An acute pain passed through her hand, and she remembered everything—­her despair, her anguish, and her sacrifice.

“One word?” she asked.  “Tell me, do you love me?”

Philippe showed her a radiant face.

“Yes, I love you,” he replied.

A cry escaped Claire.  She clung frantically to Philippe; their eyes met, and in inexpressible ecstasy they exchanged their first kiss of love.

* * * * *

OUIDA (LOUISE DE LA RAMEE)

Under Two Flags

There are few women writers who have created more stir by their works than Louise de la Ramee, the lady who wrote under the pen name of Ouida.  Born of English and French parentage at Bury St. Edmund, England, in 1840, she began to turn to account her undoubted literary talents at the age of twenty, when she contributed to the “New Monthly” and “Bentley’s Magazine.”  In the same year appeared her first long story, “Granville de Vigne,” which was afterwards renamed and republished as “Held in Bondage.”  From that time an amazing output of romances fell in rapid succession from her pen, the most picturesque of them, perhaps, being “Under Two Flags” (1867) and “Moths.”  With respect to the former, although on occasions it exhibits a tendency towards inaccurate observation, the story is told with rare dramatic force and descriptive power.  From 1874, Mlle. Ramee made her home in Italy, where, at Lucca, in spite of her reputation as a novelist, she died in straightened circumstances Jan. 25, 1908.

I.—­An Officer of the Guards