Telegram-herald., 1891-07-31
CHAPTER w.

headache; we had been very merry.
The company was composed Of all ma
tionalities, Roumanians, Bulgarians end
Frcnchmen predoninating. Amongst
them, seemingly very much at home,a
sat the man with the dark blue spec
tacles; whose name was Marquis dc
Vile Boisnet.
1t seemed to me a. II ut that CHEEKY
board he represented living "mcmcnto
mori." His deaths head face seemed to
call out to the frivolous youths: Ere
strain yourselves while there IL yet
time, or you will become like mol"
Count Degenfeld, tho master Of all
foreign tongues, was tho life OF the
party; his anecdotes wcre very inter
esting. -
They played very little, only baccarat,
which /. for tho first time, tried my
hand at
Champagne flowed. and conversation
became very unoonstrained.
I had a faint recollection that Count
Degenfeld had spoken quite freely of
my little affair with the Irish lady,
whose striking appearance was familiar
to almost all. thought uncasily that
had promised to escort her to the con-
cert where, of course. all these young
people would be present. blamed her
for having so little delicacy as to ask
me, and, free from the charm of her
eyes, began to plan how could escape
playing the role of . cicisbeo.
At that moment some one Knocked
and La2otin entered: Last evening did
not agree with you," said he. mo
wonder. IL was 50 with me. bat some
thing else worries you; did you play?"
mot much. and ! won Il 10 some
thing else; perhaps you can advise me,
Lapotin. Mrs. Clifford asked me TO cs-
cort her to the concert to-day. Yester-
day Count Degenfsld let fall some care
less remarks, which make Il desirable
that do not appear In public with the
lady"
Here" said Lapotin. 'that can be
easily arranged. Como to dinner and
make yourself quite comfortable. Now
you must rest, In order to get rid OF
your headache"
At dinner Mrs. Clifford had on o be-
witching concert toilette; her light blue
silk clung 70 her shapcly form; dclicate,
yellow lscc encircled her round. half
bare arms aad neck. and opened at
every breath letting her dazzlinSly white
throat gleam through II. In her dark
curly hair were fresh yellow roses She
was wonderfully beautiful and pleasant
70 look upon ScrSius Lapotin fro.
oueptlv glanced NJ hs-. thing which
lie was never in tho habit Of doing He
was dressed very elegantly and IL struck
me for the first time that he was . re-
markabiy handsome man. lie usually
neglected himself.
Mrs. Clifford enjoyed the triumph OF
her beauty. kept very quiet. and only
convcrsed with her husband.
Suddenly Lspoiin said across The
table: rs madame going 10 the concert
to-day9"
Certainly. she wished TO hear Rubin
stein.
"lfay I. a. oldest guest here. beg the
honor ~ escortins madame TO the con
cert Of my celebrated coantrymsa, fost
know that Mr.. Giherd aoes net Ike
masie7'
Madame wss embarrassed. hiashed
and finally stammered'
baron v Ascheu promised 10 be 90
kind
Yes said I. madame accorded ms
the honor T"
MATS taat msaaa." said Lapotse. WIN
his usual eslmnsxs
Then .asiaxas vii have two escorts
instead 81 ans. Eafon Asehsa saa l.
Bsas nous eatesaeHs meFseslis
Madame yislsisA sAsiias s~ssss5' s~s
perceived that the delicate esfsa
tssn la her cheeks deep<aea, tast Der
sx.aau testh BE ksS sDiey ID satss sssy