However important these communications were for Daniel, he was for some time already listening but very inattentively to the count’s recital, for he had heard a strange, faint noise, which he could not by any means explain to himself.  At last, looking all around, he discovered the cause.

The door to his bedroom, which he was sure he had closed himself, was now standing partly open.  No doubt M. de Brevan, weary of his confinement and excited by curiosity, had chosen this way to see and to listen.  Of all this, however, Count Ville-Handry saw nothing, and suspected nothing.

“Thus,” he continued, “I was at last to see Miss Sarah again.  Upon my word, I was less excited, I think, the day I made my first speech.  But you know I have some power over myself; and I had recovered my calmness, when Sir Thorn confessed to me that he would have invited me long since, but for the fear of offending his young relative, who had declared she would never meet me again.  I was grieved, and asked how I had offended her.  And then Sir Thorn, with that marvellous composure which never leaves him, said, ’It is not you she blames, but herself, on account of that ridiculous scene the other day.’

“Do you hear, Daniel, he called that adorable scene which I have just described to you, ridiculous!  It is only Americans who can commit such absurdities.

“I have since found out that they had almost to force Miss Brandon to receive me; but she had tact enough not to let me see it, when I was formally presented to her, just before going to dinner.  It is true, she blushed deeply; but she took my hand with the utmost cordiality, and cut me short when I was trying to pay her some compliment, saying,—­

“‘You are Thorn’s friend; I am sure we shall be friends also.’

“Ah, Daniel! you admired Miss Brandon at the theatre; but you ought to see her at her house.  Abroad she sacrifices herself in order to pay proper regard to the world; but at home she can venture to be herself.

“We soon became friends, as she had foretold, so soon, in fact, that I was quite surprised when I found her addressing me like an old acquaintance.  I soon discovered how that came about.

“Our young girls here in France, my dear Daniel, are charming, no doubt, but generally ill taught, frivolous, and caring for nothing but balls, novels, or dress.  The Americans are very different.  Their serious minds are occupied with the same subjects which fill their parents’ minds,—­with politics, industry, discussions in the assembly, discoveries in science, &c.  A man like myself, known abroad and at home during a long political career of some distinction, could not be a stranger to Miss Brandon.  My earnestness in defending those causes which I considered just had often filled her with enthusiasm.  Deeply moved by my speeches, which she was in the habit of reading, she had often thought of the speaker.  I think I can hear her now say with that beautiful voice of hers, which has the clear ring of pure crystal,—­