The Sunday morning news., 1891-12-27
u shan let her do just as she pteases.4

II shall let her do just as she ptenses.r
Nine. LIE Forts look of amazed IN
credulity was truly comical. What ought
/ to do? queried. On the whole, I de-
cided to do the easiest thing
The next day was honored with
call from N. vergniaud. He believed
that Nine. LIE Fort had spoken to me Of
his profound attachment to the lovely
Miss st. Clair-the most passionate, the
most devoted. Might he hope for my
influence with her father and mother
The matter of dowry was Indifferent to
him: his income was sufficiently large,
and, alas! he had no parents to consult.
Would favor him with MIR. St. Glars
address and few words of Introduction
to him? He should be under everlasting
obligations to me, and if there was any
thing he could do to show his gratitude,
his Appreciation
I interrupted these protestations: Il
doubt if Mr.. st. Clair would consent to
any marriage which would separate him
from his daughter, however advantage
Gus it might be in other respects
"My dear madame, who asks it? /
nave no business or profession; we could
easily spend part of every year in Amer
ica if it were desirable"
THAT would certainly make it easier,
but it will be better to defer writing till
we have some intimation of Miss St.
Clairs sentiments. Her father will be
guided chiefly by her inclination"
st is nice country for young girls,
America, said he with a smile. 81 shall
do all that is possible to win Miss st.
Clair's favor, for life would be worthless
without her. And he bowed himself
gracefully out.
Is it possible that Helen will be indif-
ferent to this young Antinous? thought
/. Poor Mr.. Denham would have small
chance with me if were in her place.
An hour later the concierge sent up to
me an exquisite bouquet of yiolets and
white camellias, with the card of Rene
Vergniaud and folded note: ssH Nine.
Fleming does not think it improper, will
she be SO kind as to give these flowers to
my beautiful queen?"
NJ. vergniaud had asked Nine. Ls
Forts permission to call on Miss St.
Clair. Certainly not" she replied. II
am astounded at such presumption But
you may call to see me. Tomorrow even
| ing we go to the opera, and Wednesday
to Nine. Perier's, and Thursday is my
| reception, and Friday we have tickets to
''Phedre" at the Francois. Saturday,
then; it is the first evening we have
| free"
We were all assembled in the salon as
usual after dinner, when NJ. Vergniaud
was announced. The little princess was
radiant. She had never been merrier in
a school girl frolic or more ready with
gibe and jest and laughter. She sang
her best songs, putting her whole soul
into them-"Si tu savais CONNIE je
faime" Rene Vergniaud was SO dazed
that he came near bidding farewell to
his senses forever. He evidently thought
that all this brilliancy was for him, and
was in such rapture of delight that he
never noticed Mime. LIE Forts repeated
glances at the clock, and was only reused
by the polite invitation to come again.
He was not too disconnected to make a
charming apology, like true Partisan,
and tore himself away.
Late as it was, as soon as we We're IN
our own little parlor could not forbear
saying: "Iwas surprised at you tonight.
Helen How could you run on SO!
Nine LIE Turc there, too! and you know
the young French girls never open their
lips to say more than 'Oui, monsieur.
Non, monsieur, to gentleman. What
will NJ Vergniaud Think
81 don't care what he thinks, fiinging
herself down on an ottoman with her
head in my lap; "but I do care what
you think, Nine. Fleming. Did be
have so very badly? l didn't mean to,
but was resolved he should not get a
chance to talk any nonsense tonight
and he did, after all. | hate being made
love to before a whole roonful. had
20 laugh or else cry" And the little
fairy dissolved in shower of tears, like
another Undine.
Another week went by. On Saturday
afternoon Helen asked: ''Will you be ss
kind as to take me to the little Protest