abstract：`Mynephew,'saidtheMarquis,glancingatthesupperpreparation;`theysaidhewasnotarrived.'Norwashe;but,heha

`My nephew,' said the Marquis, glancing at the supper preparation; `they said he was not arrived.'

Nor was he; but, he had been expected with Monseigneur.

`Ah! It is not probable he will arrive to-night; nevertheless,

leave the table as it is. I shall be ready in a quarter of an hour.' In a quarter of an hour Monseigneur was ready, and sat down alone to his sumptuous and choice supper. His chair was opposite to the window, and he had taken his soup, and was raising his glass of Bordeaux to his lips, when he put it down.

`What is that?' he calmly asked, looking with attention at the horizontal lines of black and stone colour'.

`Outside the blinds. Open the blinds.'

`Monseigneur, it is nothing. The trees and the night are all that are here.'

The servant who spoke, had thrown the blinds wide, had looked out into the vacant darkness, and stood, with that blank behind him, looking round for instructions.