The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1891-09-23
CHAPTER III.


day.
CHAPTER III.
The pattering of the rain awolke me
the sky was overcast | could not
think of trip to Monte Carlo. I re-
mained in bed as long as possible, and
sauntered into the drawing-room later,
very much bored.
That large family, my neighbors at
table, had installed themselves there.
The portly mother sat there in her
morning dress, knitted and beat time to
new duet which her eldest daughter
and the lean miss were practicing,
under various physical and mental diff
culties.
At the same time mamma kept strict
watch of her two youngest offspring,
who were studying half-aloud at table
near by, and quarreled between times
for amusement held the lady in the
highest esteem as a mater familias, and
only wished that her circumstances
were such that she could have private
room.
On a small sofa at the window lay
Count Degenfeld, reading the Figaro"
had been introduced to him, and as
greeted him In passing, he threw down
his paper and asked:
"Shall we play game of piquet,
baron?" ~
l did not care much about II, but one
glance at the pouring rain decided me
to say "yes!" f
"Goodl Come upstairs with me, that
strumming here is unbearabler'
We went up TO his room, one Of the
finest on the first floor, with @ lovely
balcony. Itscarcely looked like hotel
room, 1t was so full Of elegant things,
which the count took about with him,
and seemed TO consider indispensable.
Count Degenfeld played an excellent
game. Il held poor hands. After we
had played awhile I had lost quite q
round sum.
The count was in. high good humor
and talked very interestingly Of his
travels round the worldly the world
meaning Of course Paris, Baden-Baden
and Vienna gf2 Wfkfk 81
The past winter, on account Of his
wife's ill-health, he had spsnt In Egypt,
and there found his ideal. The mingling
of great luxury and refinement with
barbarism and vulgarity seemed TO
please him beyond measure. "a
He had not lacked adventures Of the
most piquant nature, and he related
them with great freedom. He also
showed me his treasures In pictures
collected during his travels, some Of
which could not be exhibited In salons.
His haggard face with the infamed
lids and innumerable wrinkles about
the eyes, and those eyes themselves
with their cold, phosphorescent lights,
corresponded well with all the rest
altogether very revolving picture.
Finally he proposed TO introduce me
at the International club, in which, he
said, one could be sure of losing ones
money only TO ones equals
was not very much inclined TO ac-
cept his offer, but did so anyway, as l
was doubtful how to word my refusal.
As was about to leave him he de-
tanned me to criticise the rest Of the
guests.
Zone might almost envy you your
neighbor at your right" said he. "a
charming little woman; there is fire in
her More than is agreeable to the
clergyman. Seldom have seen more
enticing glance Of eye than hers. Itwas
delightful pastime for me TO dodge her
behind the large vase! Tempt passatil
For few days now ! have been mo-
wherel Naturally, when such young
opposing forces put In appearance, the
, old guard must yield Well, ! bear
, no malice, my young friend, and bonne
, chancel" he concluded laughing. There
: are other flowers blooming here In this
paradise!"
, He escorted me out
In the corridor we met his young rela.
tive coming from the countess room.
She tried tohurry by with bow, butthe
, count seized her and drew her 10 him.
1 She laughed and disengaged herself
! In her childlilxe innocence she looked
upon 1t as harmless jest; but itseemed
) 10 me, who saw the expression Of his
. face, as II an ugly caterpillar were tc
: creep over delicate white lily.
1 "a pretty child, is she not?" asked
r the count, looking after the youthful
form, which hurried gracefully on
1 zone good thing in the suffering condi
4 ton OF my wife is, that she cannot dc
! without the girl, SO one always ha'
: something pretty In the house"
Q II believe the young lady Is niecs
/ Of yours, count9' said /, gravely.
0 swell, yes; a far-removed niece
|. Daughter Of second cousin. I am no
/ In the least fatherly."
/ 80 much the worse, y thought !, ans
a took my leave. ki,4,a44 t.tAsAsA
N Count Degenfeld was not at dinner, Il
I his place sat Miss Ellen, as had hear,
a her called On that account l coul.
! easily SEQ her, whereas formerly III
d large vase had hidden her from me
4 She was truly bcwitchingly fresh nn'
d youthful, and was more strikingly q
I. next the fnded, yellow face Of th