The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1891-10-14
CHAPTER x.

VII uluuCT bilic.
CHAPTER X. .G
At dinner Lapotm's char was again
empty, and Countess Degenfeld ap-
peared with Ellen only.
As the ladies were about to take their
seats Miss Rennert drew her favorite
carressingly into the chair next her.
The lovely girl was thus opposite me,
and / noticed with delight that her
manner toward me was not quite SO
constrained as formerly. The color In
her cheeks came and went; at the
same time she smiled SO brightly and
looked SO wonderfully pretty that I
could scarcely keep my eyes from her.
Mrs. Clifford, without any diversion,
and, as It seemed, in highly disa-
greeable mood, watched US closely.
At times her eyes rested upon Ellen
with such contempt that Miss Rennert
perceived II and looked at her earnest
" In order TO bring her TO her senses.
That only served to aggravate the
passionate woman more. saw how
she nervously picked 10 pieces beauti-
full bunch of violets while listening TO
our conversation, In which the countess
also joined The latter was lamsnting
that valuable lace handkerchief had
been soiled, and she did not know how
70 remedy IL. ttfs4f tf
Miss Rennert told Ellen pleasantly TO
bring her the handkerchief and she
would show her how TO wash IT.
whersupon Mrs. Clifford smiled mock
ingly and said, abruptly, in French:
"Myl how much you inowl It II
very handy. lPeShaps you might teach
the young lady hairdressing at the
same time. That Is always expected,
tool''
The thrust was 30 immeasurably
coarse and impertinent that none Of US
could find retort at once.
Ellen, who scarcely understood the
allusion, but noticed the hostile,
malicious tone In which IL was made,
stared at the woman with large, fright
ened eyes. ffl
Then the voice Of Miss Rennert rang
out calmly and composedly in very best
French: Et aA
''If this insult was meant TO recall
the time when practised those arts, l
do not understand It's object; probably
II was foolishly intended to annoy Miss
Ellen. As far as know, It could injurc
no lady to have a knowledge Of such
things, especially II she, like Miss Ellen,
be so.intellectual that she need not fear
being lowered by knowing them. But
for ladies who have fewer sources Of
knowledge, It would be very advisable
II they would busy themselves with
feminine work; for fashionable sloth
often leads to dangerous paths"
So spoke Miss Rennert without tho
least excitement, her eyes fastened
upon Mrs. Clifford; who, deathly pale,
with heaying bosom, sat there, while
her husband, all attention, but unable
TO follow the French conversation,
stared at us all in helpless astonish-
ment. nc HfII fH
just at that moment Count Degenfeld
entered, his face red, his eyes dull. evil
IDENTIFY fresh from dinner party. His
first glance was for Mrs. Clifford, whose
emotion must have struck him, for he
flew towards me overwhelmingly.
"What has happenedpr he asked HIS
wife, in suppressed tone Of voice, at
the same time questioning Mrs Clifford
with his eyes.
Moved by the most conflicting emo
tions, incapable Of any longer control
lingher feelings, the angry woman burst
into tears.
CouAt Degenfeld hastened 10 her at
once, and with her husbands help, led
her out Of the room.
We rose also Miss Rennert bade us
good night. Countess Degenfeld lay
down on sofa In dark corner OF the
salon, and sent Ellen, who was very
nervous, upstairs, TO gain her COM
posure, and TO bring back some work
with her. t
1 sat at the fireplace and tried to read
paper. In few moments Count
Degenfeld entered He glanced hastily
around, and only seeing present a few
Frenchmen, deep In ecarte, he stepped
up TO me and asked quite excitedly;
May ] be allowed 10 ask you, Baron
Aschen, for en explanation Of the In
comprehensfble sccne at table a hote?
You, ] believe, class yourself amongst
the intiItate friends Of that old Miss