576 THE WATCH-TOWER OF KOAT-VEN. 



witty sallies of the count. Henry appeared to avoid entering into 

 conversation with her; and, as she had determined to revenge herself 

 for his coldness the previous evening, she was still more mortified 

 by not finding occasion in rebuffing his advances. 



Nearly opposite to Henry sat an English officer, of noble figure 

 and fine expression of feature. He appeared absent and melancholy, 

 and did not seem aware that he was a guest at the dinner-table of a 

 powerful minister, where all was gaiety and happiness. " Do you 

 know," said Cecile, addressing the counsellor, "who that officer is?" 

 " Yes, Madam. He is Sir George Gordon, lieutenant in the English 

 army, a prisoner of war. His warrant of freedom has just been signed ; 

 and he may now return to his native country as early as he please." 

 " It is extraordinary to see a prisoner at the moment of being pre- 

 sented with his liberty so sorrowful." " Sorrowful, indeed," answered 

 the counsellor, " one would think he was oppressed by some dreadful 

 misfortune." " Cannot you guess, counsellor, you so well versed in 

 the affairs of men ?" " Alas ! Madam, one had needs be a sorcerer, 

 a magician " "Sorcerer ! what would I not give to be a sorceress, 

 a fairy, to read the inmost pages of the heart," cried Cecile, looking 

 mechanically towards Henry ; " to know, for instance, the secret 

 misery which seems to overwhelm this poor Englishman. Indeed I 

 feel most curious to know his history, I would give much to discover 

 his tale of woe." 



Henry did not permit a single syllable of this conversation to 

 escape him, and easily succeeded in leading the curiosity of Madame 

 de la Vaille to the same expression of desire. " When I was young, 

 ladies," said he, addressing himself to Madame de la Vaille and Cecile, 

 " I would have sworn to possess myself of the secret which you are 

 curious to know. In hearing a lady express such a wish nothing 

 should have prevented my discovery either by talent, confidence, or 

 force. But at my age, turning to Cecile, one loses the romance of 

 early days, and we leave such matters to youthful scions who have 

 yet to establish their credit." 



Further conversation was interrupted by the entrance of the mar- 

 shall's secretary, who presented despatches detailing a battle which 

 had ensued between the Iphigenia and a part of the fleet of Admiral 

 Rodney, in which the Iphigenia had proved victorious. The mar- 

 shall's delight upon such news had induced him to read the intelli- 



fence to the company, forgetting at the moment the presence of 

 ir George, to whom he most politely apologized. Sir George 

 appeared confused, and replied hesitatingly, for he had been so much 

 engaged with his own sorrow that he had not heard a syllable of the 

 communication. 'Tis strange, thought Henry to himself; so melan- 

 choly, so pale, his brow furrowed with care, I begin to feel with the 

 ladies ; I must learn the cause of all this wretchedness. 



They all arose from the table ; the marshall proceeded to the king 

 to make him acquainted with the joyful news, and Henry, presenting 

 his hand to the marchioness, led her to the drawing-rooms. " Do 

 you know this English officer?" enquired Henry of his friend the 

 Duke de Saint- Ouen. " Very well," answered Saint-Ouen, " I met 

 him at Genlis's, where he was a frequent visitor an excellent card- 



