saying that Madame F——­’s adjutant was waiting for an answer.  M. D——­ R——­ read the note, tore it to pieces, and in his excitement stamped with his foot upon the fragments.  He walked up and down the room for a little time, then wrote an answer and rang for the adjutant, to whom he delivered it.  He then recovered his usual composure, concluded the perusal of the dispatch sent by M. de Condulmer, and told me to write a letter.  He was looking it over when the valet came in, telling me that Madame F——­ desired to see me.  M. D——­ R——­ told me that he did not require my services any more for the present, and that I might go.  I left the room, but I had not gone ten yards when he called me back to remind me that my duty was to know nothing; I begged to assure him that I was well aware of that.  I ran to Madame F-----’s house, very eager to know what she wanted with me.  I was introduced immediately, and I was greatly surprised to find her sitting up in bed, her countenance flushed and excited, and her eyes red from the tears she had evidently just been shedding.  My heart was beating quickly, yet I did not know why.

“Pray be seated,” she said, “I wish to speak with you.”

“Madam,” I answered, “I am not worthy of so great a favour, and I have not yet done anything to deserve it; allow me to remain standing.”

She very likely recollected that she had never been so polite before, and dared not press me any further.  She collected her thoughts for an instant or two, and said to me: 

“Last evening my husband lost two hundred sequins upon trust at your faro bank; he believed that amount to be in my hands, and I must therefore give it to him immediately, as he is bound in honour to pay his losses to-day.  Unfortunately I have disposed of the money, and I am in great trouble.  I thought you might tell Maroli that I have paid you the amount lost by my husband.  Here is a ring of some value; keep it until the 1st of January, when I will return the two hundred sequins for which I am ready to give you my note of hand.”

“I accept the note of hand, madam, but I cannot consent to deprive you of your ring.  I must also tell you that M. F——­ must go himself to the bank, or send some one there, to redeem his debt.  Within ten minutes you shall have the amount you require.”

I left her without waiting for an answer, and I returned within a few minutes with the two hundred ducats, which I handed to her, and putting in my pocket her note of hand which she had just written, I bowed to take my leave, but she addressed to me these precious words: 

“I believe, sir, that if I had known that you were so well disposed to oblige me, I could not have made up my mind to beg that service from you.”

“Well, madam, for the future be quite certain that there is not a man in the world capable of refusing you such an insignificant service whenever you will condescend to ask for it in person.”