The morning call., 1891-02-21

to speak to Victoire; she stood STILL too
much surprised 10 move forward. NJ. Henri
! was IN the room, facing her; he looked as
| bright and happy as possible. lie took both
i her hands in his and drew her to a chair !:
| in her intense surprise it did not occur to
| Madelaine that there was anything unusual
in his doing so.
3" But how?-what?" Size hesitates; she
saw he was dressed for dinner; he was evil
| IDENTIFY an invited guest
| You are surprised to see me here; have
| the pleasure OF knowing your father" he
| said, and then Nine. LerouX came in and
| greeted her visitor as if he were very wei
| come. She soon left him to Madelaine and
went away to the window of the inner
| room.
| why did you not tell me you knew
| them ~ Made!aine said reproachfuIly.
" Why this mystery"
He smiled at her.
" had several reasons for my silence
| For one thug, YOU never asked me-indeed
l may say that at the beginning of our ac-
| quaintance you so completely ignored me
that l was obliged to talk only to Mile
| Chaumelle." Mfdelaine blushed with shame
| N. Henri went on: when we really began
| to talk, there was so much else 10 be said :;
but now, before the other guests arrive,
have something 10 say. May L say it?"
Madelaine felt strangely agitated; she did
| not know what was the matter with her, it
! seemed to her that she must laugh and cry
| both at once.
"What is it?" she said family. She was
sure now that he did not care for her; he
| vas so calm and sell-pussesSed, while size
| was quivering from head to foot with the
| JOY OF seeing him again.
- have found out your secret" he said.
| IN too low voice to reach Nine. Ieruux.
| who, good industrious woman that she was,
| had taken bit of embroidery from her
| pocket ard was sewing busly. Madelaine
| longed to run away. She fixed her eyes on
| her hands, which lay, clasped in her lap.
| She thought that, unless she looked up at
| him, he could not read her feelings in her
| face. Yes" he repeated, have found
out what you refused to tell Inc on the way
| to Tancarvilie. The 'horrid something is
| a husband"
Well?" She still kept her eyes fixed on
| her fingers.
May | ask one question:" Madelaine
nodded Tell me, is your objection to
band?"
she looked up at last
be was not laughing at her.. and he
seemed very much III earnest For in
| stance" he bent over her, if a friend you
could trust-if were to put myself in the
place of NJ: Devrient, would you think me
| 'n0rrid, Madelaine@
| Madelaine's tongue seemed stiffened. She
| could not get out word.
Nj. Henri apparently read an answer in
her eyes. He took her hand in his just as
the door opened and M. Leroux came in.
|
| down and kissed Madeaine and shook
hands with NJ. Henri.
| "Ah, l see it is all settled, he said. ="
| own frankly that your plan was a much
| better one than mine, Devrient, with such
! difficult young woman"
| Madelaine started she looked with fright
ened eyes from her father to NJ Henri; her
father was smiling, but her lover was very
| serious.
| Pardon me, my friend" he said to M.
| Henri. but had not come to that" Then
he turned TO Madelaine and once more took
| her hand in his.
You think you have been cheated" he
| said, land treated like child, but it is not
really so; you must not think it. l had
| seen you, but you had not seen me, and |
told your father 1 wished you to form your
own opinion and to choose for yourself, as
| girls do in England, but could not ask
| you to be my wife until you knew the whole
| truth"
Come here, Leroux," his wife said, "your
tic is crooked; let me straighten it," Then
she whispered: They will never get right
while you stand glaring at them both"
"Am forgiven" Henri Devrient whis-
| pered.
| Madelaine tried to frown, and then pour:
| but NJ Devrent did not seem alarmed
| by these efforts, and as he drew her to him
very tenderly, she hid her face on his shout
! der,-Ataianta.