Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-06-06
CHAPTER II,

My first night at Nice was one long,
bitter combat with the mosquitoes, from
which I emerged victorious covered
with stings! No northerner can form
any idea of how bloodthirsty, untiring
and poisonous those insects are. The
stings swell at once and burn almost
unbearably. I asked the chamber1naid
for mosquito net, and made my COM
plants to her.
Eyes, can believe it, said she,
laughing and examining my face; 1.-The
gentleman is so fair and rosy, that is
what our mosquitoes here like"
But you, my child, with your milk
and blood complexion, do not seem to
suffer from them"
'Ah, you know, they have already
made my acquaintance. 1t will only be
SO with you at first; after awhile they
will leave you IN peace"
That was some consolation!
The sun was shining warmly, SO 1
took book and went into the garden
to seek out place for myself.
The lower ones were all occupied. In
the grape arbor sat two charming ladies
conversing earnestly.
saw Mr.. White there, too, sur
rounded by whole regiment of English
children, with whom he was playing.
In the most sheltered place, whence one
could get good view of the sea, sat the
Russians pale table-neighbor, Count
ess Degenfeld, as I learnt from him.
She was reclining YEARLY in her chair,
propped up and surrounded by cushions
and plaids. Before her sat youthful
form, simply attired and with flaxcn
hair. She was reading aloud in q we'll
modulated voice; English poetry, be-
lieve.
mounted few steps higher, and
found myself before my old friend of
yesterday. She smiled SO kindly on me
as 1 wished her good morning that l
asked permission to keep her company
for q little while. Certainly" said she,
and cleared some books from the seat
next her; 81 was just going to ask you;
you know that old folks like to talk,
and am all alone here. You came from
Berlin, and can doubtless tell me how
our dear emperor is-the newspapers
speak of his illness, and an old French
man, that jaundiced creature who sits
at our table, declares that he has been
given up. I did not believe him, but
would like to hear more from YOU
1 satisfied the old lady as we'll as
could, and we conversed awhile about
our common fatherland.
eyes," said she at last, 81 should like
to visit my old home once again; but
should not like to live there, that !
know. Travelling has become q neces-
| sity to me, the winters are SO miserable
there, and have no family ties to at
tract me-"
care you quite alone. dear madame?''
I asked.
"Do not call me 'madame;' it is not at
all fitting. I have never been married;
I am old Miss Rennert;' as such the
Hotel Suisse has known me for years.
I saw your name in the visitors list;
once met a Baron Won Aschen at Ma
pies"
"That was without doubt my uncle,
the interchangeable traveller; two years
ago he made his last long journey into
eternity"
'What! is he, too, dead? One by one
our friends leave us, and at last we re-
main alone with new generation. But
like young people and sympathize
| with them; one does not then feel SO
| solitary. just a few steps below us sits
a darling girl, who is now my favoritei
| she is an orphan, q niece of Count
Degenfeld, and his sick wife's nurse
and companion. Hers is not an easy
place, and she comes at times to old
Miss Rennert and pours out her heart,
And then there is my neighbor at table,
the young Russian, who seems so blase
but who feels so warmly; he is splen
did person at bottom, but very unhappy
to all appearances. If he has cause,
know not. Youth likes occasionally tc
adorn itself with melancholy, and if il
has no good cause it seeks one. Shall
you remain here through the winter
baron?'
eyes; 1 came here like an obedient
son, and promised my mother not to re
turn on any account before March; il
you will kindly place me amongst YOU
host Of proteges-"