be controlled by a pin probably is still en voyage is visiting friends as is madame herself a sudden distrust the black dress was too mature that it constituted an admission of departing youth invaded the reflection in the oval mirror once more caused her discomfort tell charles that i am no longer acquainted with m if he to call he is to be refused set her but whether in anger towards her discarded lover or the black dress she would have found it difficult to declare again uncertainty held her suspicion of circumstance and in a degree of herself the lad s maid just impertinent in manner had risen to her feet there she said it will be secure for to night if madame will exercise a moderate degree of caution and avoid abrupt movements charles says that inquired very after madame he appeared dejected and in weak health he was agitated on meeting charles he trembled a little more and he would have wept it would be well perhaps that madame should give charles her orders regarding herself s progress you should not have made me wear this gown broke out it is it is hideous i want to change it impossible madame is already a little late and there is nothing wrong with the costume madame looks magnificent also her wardrobe is at present limited the evening dresses barely suffice for a stay of a week and it is not possible for me to a new one under ten days thereupon an opening of doors and voice from the announcing � dinner is served my lady sir richard is in the and swept forward somewhat stormy and in her dusky garments passing out through the high narrow doorway she turned her head charles under no circumstance � none understand � am i at home to very good my lady and as he closed the double doors the man servant looked at the lady s maid his tongue in his cheek but on the journey through the noble of rooms s spirits revived somewhat her fair head her warm glancing jewels her graceful and measured movements as given back by many tall renewed her self confidence she too must be fond of her own image by the way that unknown rival to the dream of whose approval richard had consecrated these splendid � witness the of looking glasses � and then the prospect of this d dinner the interest of her host s powerful and personality provoked her interest to the point not only of remembrance of the ill timed advent of her ex lover but of something as closely akin to self forgetfulness as was possible to her self nature she grew hotly anxious to obtain to charm � if it might be to the whole field of richard s attention and imagination a small round table showed as an island of tender light in the of the vast room and richard sitting at it awaiting her coming appeared more nearly related to the richard of and of five years ago than he had done during the interview of the morning in any case she took him more for granted while he if still inscrutable and proved an eminently agreeable companion ready of conversation very much at his ease very much a cultivated man of the world � a little excessively so she thought � in his of the personal note and this at once sir richard and her to intellectual if this was what he wanted well he should have it if he elected to talk of travel of ancient and alien of modem literature and art she could meet him more than half way her intelligence ran from subject to subject from point to point she struck out daring indulged in ingenious her mind charmed by her own eloquence her body comforted by costly and delicate nor did she fail to listen also knowing how very dear to every man is the sound of his own voice or omit to offer refined flattery of quick agreement and laughter it was late when she rose from the table at last i have had a delightful dinner she said absolutely delightful and now i will no longer on your time or good nature richard you have your own occupations no doubt so with thanks for shelter and generous entertainment we part for to night she held out her hand smiling but with an admirable effect of discretion all all intimacy kept in check by self respect and well bred dignity madame de was enchanted with the reserve of her own let it be understood that she was the least the least the most of guests richard took her outstretched hand for the p with courtesy and a momentary � so she fancied � contracted his face you are very welcome he said if it is warm let us breakfast in the to morrow twelve � does that suit you good night upon the writing table in the found a long and impassioned from paul perusal of it did not minister to peaceful sleep in the small hours she left her bed threw a silk dressing gown about her drew aside the heavy blue purple window curtain and looked out the sky was clear and and its lines of innumerable lights lay outstretched below in the south east between the two a blood red fire marked the summit of while in the dimly seen garden immediately beneath � the paved of which showed curiously pale asserting themselves against the darkness of the flower and otherwise impenetrable shadows of the and grove � a living creature moved black slow of pace strange of at first took it for some strayed animal it alarmed her exciting her to wildest conjectures as to iti and purpose wandering in the grounds of the villa s progress thus then as it passed beyond the dusky shade of the trees she recognised it richard 