The National tribune., 1893-07-20
A PERFECT JEWEL.
And How a Trusting Young Duke
Discovered II.
BY RICHARD BURR MARCH.
IN THE BALLROOM.

Jacques is dancing with Mile. Blaudine de
Lauterre. She is tall, svelte, and dignifed;
she has a regular profile, serious face,
downcast eyes, and brown hair brushed
straight off her forehead. Her white frock
is almost severe in it's extreme simplicity.
Jacques, as they stop:
''You are fond of dancing, mademoiselle? !"
"No, monsieur"
Jacques, in surprise:
'Ah! How very singular. In the first
place you dance divinely, and one always
likes the things one does well; and then all
young girls love to dance"
Il have been brought up so quietly. / go
out so very little''
And you would like to 60 out more than
you do?"
"Oh, no. I've no desire to go about Soci-
ETY. bores me-"
"Really?"
Yes like best to stay at home with
my books and my painting materials" !"
Jacques (aside.) "Rather pretentious,
painting materials" (Aloud) care you
fond of outdoor sports, mademoiselle? :?
Doubtless you skate, and swim, and ride as
well as you dance?"
II don't skate monsieur, though I do
swim and ride; but, as rule, 1 find such
things rather too exciting, The quiet, re-
tired life | lead in my own home is best
suited to me, think"
"And you never find it dull?'
'Oh no, monsieur (smiling softly, I am
very happy. Do you think it strange that
one should be happy without going to balls
and dances?"
''No, indeed, mademoiselle. / am quite
sure one could be happy without such frivol-
tiles" Aside. "This dear little girl is a
perfect jewell! And probably there are any
quantity of angels just like her, and one
ignores their very existence" ALOUD, con-
tinuing to size her up.) "Then you never
ride?''
''Oh yes monsieur, in the Summer, when
we are at our country place 1t is so nice TO
ride there"
eyes, exactly; l never ride save when
am in the country Riding in Paris is
wretched." (Radiantly.) And you spend
your entire Summers in the country?"
Eyes, monsieur"
"And you are never bored?"
"Oh, no. / read, paint, do fancy work;
indeed, the days never seem long enough for
me-"
Charming. Charming" aside "This
is too much. / hardly know what am say
ing. She viii make an ideal wife. And, be-
sides, she is really beautiful! She loves the
country. She hates society-the sweet child
is absolutely made for me. What glorious
eyes, Even though they are fastened on the
ground, they have great effect on me,
their wonderful 1ashes sweeping those rosy
cheeks"
(Aloud.) "You must have great many
girl friends?"
II am very sorry to say | have not. l
don't make friends very easily. L have a
cousin whom ! see once in while"
'And has your cousin any brothers?"
Yes, but seldom see them, their time is
always~so occupied. But my dear little neph-
ews, / see them every day. They are lovely.
! simply adore children!"
"Y You have good taste, mademoiselle."
Yes, and aren't they interesting, and
graceful, and amusing? There is nothing
more fascinating. One of my greatest pleas
ures is to take care of my sisters children ~
"And your sister has several children"
"Oh, yes, six of the loyeliest babies you can
possibly imagine. Sometimes she sends them
to US for few days when she and her hus-
band are off on visit; then l am, oh, SO
happy with the babies?"
Delightful. Delightful Shall we dance
again?"
Jacgnes, holding his partner very tenderIy
Ito himself f." What frankness, what candori
No girl friends, never sees her cousins; de-
cidedly grandmamma was right, she is per-
feet jewell"