Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-02-28
CHAPTER x.


 Troy's office to Newbury's hotel.
 Lady Montbarry was at home, and alone But the authorities of the hotel hesitated to disturb her when they found that the visitor declined to mention her name Her lady ships new maid happened to cross the hall while the matter was still in debate. She was Frenchwoman, and, on being appealed to, settled the question in the swift, easy, ration al French way. "Madame's appearance was perfectly respectable Madame might have reasons for not mentioning her name which miladi might approve. In any case there be ing no orders forbidding tho introduction of a strange lady, the matter clearly rested be- tween madame and miladi. Would madame, therefore, be good enough to follow miladis maid upstairs?"
 In spite of her resolution, Mrs. Ferrari's heart beat as if it would burst out of her bosom, when her conductress led her into an anteroom, and knocked at door opening in- to room beyond But it is remarkable that persons of sensitively nervous organization are the very persons who are capable of fore ing themselves (apparently by the exercise of a spasmodic effort of wilD into the perform ance of acts of the most audacious courage. low, grave voice from the inner room said, "Come in." The maid, opening the door, an- nounced, "A person to see you, miladi, on business" and immediately retired. In the one instant, while these events passed, timid little Mrs. Ferrari mastered her own throb- ping heart; stepped over the threshold, con- scious of her clammy hands, dry lips, and burning head; and stood in the presence of Lord Montbarry's widow, to all outward ap- pearance as supremely self possessed as her ladyship herself.
 It was still early in the afternoon but the light in the room was dim. The blinds were drawn down. Lady Montbarry sat with her back to the windows, as if even the subdued daylight were disagreeable to her. She had altered sadly for the worse in her personal appearance, since the memorable day when Dr. Wybrow had seen her in his consulting room. Her beauty was gone-her face had fallen away to mere skin and bone; the con- trast between her ghastly complexion and her steely glittering black eyes was more startling than ever. Robed ill dismal black, relieved only by the brilliant whiteness of her widows cap-reclining ill a panther like suppleness of attitude on little green sofa she looked at the stranger who had intruded on her, with moments languid curiosity, then dropped her eyes again to the hand screen which she held between her face and the fire Il don't know you," she said. "What do you want with mel"
 Mrs. Ferrari tried to answer, Her first burst of courage had already worn itself out. The bold words she had determined to speak were living words still in her mind, but they died on her lips
 Lady Montbarry looked round for the third time. The fatal words passed Mrs. Ferrari's lips.
 q come, my lady, to acknowledge the re- ceipt of the money sent to Ferrari's widow. J Lady Montbarry's glittering black eyes rested with steady attention on the woman who had addressed her in those terms. Not the faintest expression of confusion or alarm, not even momentary flutter of interest stirred the deadly stiffness of her face. She reposed as quietly, she held the screen as composedly as ever. The test had been tried, and had irretrievably, utterly failed.
 There was another silence Lady Mont barry considered with herself. The smile that came slowly and went away suddenly the smile at once so sad and so cruel-showed itself on her thin lips. She lifted her screen and pointed with it to a seat at the further end of the room. "Be so good as to take that chair,' she said.
 Helpless under her first bewildering sense of failure-not knowing what to say or what to do next-Mrs. Ferrari mechanically obeyed Lady Montbarry, rising on the sofs for the first time, watched her with undis guised scrutiny as she crossed the room-thel sunk back into reclining position once more "No," she said to herself quietly, "the woman walks steadily: she is not intoxicated-ths only other possibility is that she may be mad.
 She had spoken loud enough to be heard Stung by the insult, Mrs. Ferrari instantly answered her: "I am no more drunk or mac than you are!"