The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-05-06
CHAPTER XVII.
"RUprns, RMERAtDs AND sApPHrRgsm

The connt ulu not press the question,
and Valentine gladly talked Of the all-im-
portant presentation. The count evident
ly considered it matter Of great conse-
quence that he should be introduced to
the prime minister, and be duly recog.
nized by him as the Count de Mornasse.
"You will, no doubt, meet many Of your
old friends and associates said valen-
tine, carelessly. II wonder II they will
recognize youi Have you changed very
much in all these yearsi"
The count darted rapid glance At Val.
entine's face, but hers was perfectly
frank in its expression.
N have altered very much several Of
my former acquaintance met me in Paris.
and they all declared that they should
not have recognized me-
us il possible" Her voice was quite
sympathetic. "You must have bad much
trouble In your exile'"
~Yesj but that 10 over. We will think
only OF the future. My old friends in this
neighborhood went into exile with me.
Many OF them are dead. I carr nothing
for society; I always did lead rather .
solitary life. III care for change. can
interes. myself in public affairs"
Like the duke. SUPPOSE .eo
"Yes; he finds pleasure and occupation
in a public service. lis better than TO
rust out in private existence, surround
ed by luxuries. Besides, II would veap
my thoughts from Tho past" Q 80
This allusion sent Valentine into long
reverie, and she found II . difficult thing
TO give all her attention 70 the count and
his affairs. Whatever reasons he nigh,
have for forgetting the past, she, on the
contrary, loved TO recall il. Adrienne and
the chauoinesse filed It with happy mem.
cries. lNlf ..lr.rf-.I,o
Fort remainder Of that day; and the
whole ofthe next one, nothing was thought
Of but the preparations for the reception.
Valentine became o mere lay figure, on
which were hung garments In MI stages
Of manufacture. The count took far more
interest in her appearance than she did
herself vanity being. As yet, an unde-
veloped passion.
He discussed tho arrangement Of her
hair; suggested rouge and little black
patches on the face. as he had noticed
them On the most beautiful ladies Of the
court. Valentine, aided by Henri de
Calonne-who was present st this import
ant counsel--decidedly rejected the rouge
and patches The count had to b. con-
tent with her natural color, and Henri dc.
clared that no amount Of patches could
make her eyes any more brilliant. ,,
On the all-important dAy---which was
Is lovely, any one could wish for--val-
entine rose, with. smile on her face, and
| Joy in her heart. ...,l s-o. h.'Hu
The hours would hy until afternoon, and
then she would see Adrienos. The hour
appointed fof the reception was two
O'clock in the afternoon, but II would con.
time for hours probably until late In tho
evening, o. go"--%i'1hN
/ For certain reasons, which the couu,
did not explain, he told Valentine that he
| would prefer arriving at the Hotel do Vile
as soon, after two o'clock "a possible. The
duke would present him and Valentine 10
the prime minister. and Valentine could
easily imagine that X |. were done before
the rooms were very full, the Duke do
Choiseul would have an opportunity Of
exchanging few words With her father
She commenced her toilet very soon AZ.
ter breakfast, her maid being In . state Of
delight that bordcred ON distraction. Val.
en,ine listened kindly 10 tho bursts Of ad-
miration, and now and then glanced At her
own reflection In tho mirrors. she was
principally occupied With the idea that
Adrienne was Al that moment In tho hands
of her maid. and she begah 10 long for q
sight Of Adrienno, she wanted 10 see her
fair face, and decide for herself what had
been the effect OF the counts denunciatiou
of the convict. H.f
She was dressed ana vas standing b.
fore the mirror. surprised and wondering
at her own brilliant appearance, when the
bell rang In the crimson pa,lcr. This was
n summons from the count, who strictly
observed the stiquet,o In vogue, and
never entered his daughters suite Of
rooms ~ ''l"iF iun' a.,H1
e For moment, thinking Of his criti-
cisms, Valentine fingered and examined
herself from The Top cf her masses Of
powdered hair 10 the tips Of her little
4 white satin sliprers u, M ~ ta. ri
The result was very satisfactory. Her
eyes were certainly briRht, her oheekr