The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-07-06

in which she sat 4" take care, Miss Kitty, or
shall be jealous"
As both Margaret and / had spoken in
English with Philippe we usually did,
though was very proud of my French, and
as for my cousin, she spoke it like born
Parisiene, as she was = la Marquise had
understood nothing of our words, but the
look of cold displeasure that had crossed
her face at Saint Armand's evident evasion
of her question softened visibly as, bending
suddenly, he took Margaret's hand In his,
and, with such look Of alteration in his
dark eyes as one sees rarely, save before
some shrine in the dim light of some grand
old cathedral, raised it gently and reverently
TO his lips.
From that day a complete change came
over our lives at the chateau. In the first
place, la Marquise would not hear of Saint
Armand's remaining longer at the hotel in
Tours, but said he must come at once to
Flavelles whence he could much better su-
perintend the restoration of his home, about
which she insisted upon his Immediately
commencing.
Then, too, mother returned about that
time, having travelled from Paris in COM
pany with Madame de Villeneuve, who was
TO spend a month at the chateau. Several
other guests had also arrived, so that we
were very gay and merry party, riding,
driving, or playing croquet the day, and in
the evening either dancing or acting char
ades, which were greatly in vogue Just
then. Through it all no one seemed to no
tice Eugene de Fiavelles's dark looks, or the
elabOrately polite manner in which he in
variably addressed Philippe, whose thoughts
were so engrossed by Margaret that / doubt
If he even heard the others words, or, if he
did, he certainly paid them no attention.
Some strange whim led de Flavelles in those
days to follow me about great deal, so
that many people-and even la Marouise
herself-thought he was paying me serious
attention, and as it kept him away from
Philippe / encouraged his SO doing, though
drew upon myself many black look by
the derisory manner in which / treated all
of his bitter speeches.
Two weeks had gone by since Philippe's
arrival, but despite ali my entreaties. and
Margarets rather piqued wonderment, we
had not yet visited the Hermitage. In
obedience to la Marquise's almost authOrita-
tive demands, Saint Armand had indeed
written TO his agent in Paris, and workmen
were already busy about the house and
place; but had it not been for his intendent.
who reported each morning what advance
the work was making, Philippe would have
been in total ignorance of what was passing
there.
Finally, however, unable longer to with
stand the united opportunities of the en-
tire household-save and excepting those Of
Margaret, who maintained cold silence on
Che subject, and Eugene de Flavelies, who
had invariably some sarcastic speech ready
whenever the Hermitage was mentioned-he
had consented, though with very visible re-
luetance, TO our taking picGic-breakfast
there. The very next morning we were rid
ing-all, except Philippe, in the highest o.
spirits-toward the place which had longed
so ardently TO see. My escort that day wal
. Mr.. de Trevor a newly-arriyed guest o.
Madame de Flavelles's, a most delightful and
amusing companion whenever he could b,
persuaded to cease his attempt TO thrust hi
aiheisiical doctrine upon one; and as b,
had been friend and frequent guest of tn,
old Count Saint Armands, had soon be