The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-07-04

kl0UnESS
all he did.
Should she marry again-and she put
IL to herself quite hypOthetically-she
would look for no romance in such a
second marriage. She would be content
to sit down in a quiet home, to the tame,
dull realities Of life, satisfied with the
cOmpanionship of the man who would
be kind and gentle to her. and whom
she could respect and esteem. Where
could she find companion with whom
this could be more safely anticipated
than with Nj. BacOrdaire?
And so she argued the question within
her own breast in a manner not un-
| friendly to that gentleman. That there
was as yet one great hindrance she at
once saw; but then that might be RENE
died by a word. She did not know what
was his income or his profession The
chambermaid whom she had interrogat-
ed, told her that he was a 'marchand."
To merchants, generally. she felt that
she had no objection. The Earrings and
the Rothschilds were merchants. as was
also that wonderful man at Bombay
Sir Hommajee Bommajee, who was
worth she did not know many thousand
of rupees.
Mrs. Thompson always dressed herself
with care, though not in especially fine
clothes, before she went down to dinner
at the table d'hote; but on this occa-
sion she was more than usually particu-
lar. She hardly explained to herself
why she did this; but nevertheless. as
she stood before the glass, she did in a
certain manner feel that the circum-
stances of her future life might perhaps
depend on what might be said and done
that evening. She had not absolutely
decided whether or no she would go TO
the princes chateau; but if she did go
-. Well, if she did: what then? She
had sense enough, as she assured her
self more than once. TO regulate her own
conduct with propriety in any such emer-
gency.
During the dinner, NJ Lacordaire con-
versed in his usual manner, but said
nothing whatever about the visit to
Polignac. He was very kind to AIimmy
and very courteous to her mother. but
did not appear to be al all more partic-
ular than usual. Indeed, it might be a
question whether he was not less so.
As she had entered the room Mrs
Thompson had said to herself that per
haps, after all. it would be better that
there should be nothing more thought
about it; but before the four or five
courses were over she was beginning to
feel a little disappointed.
And now the fruit was on the table
after the consumption of which it was
her practice TO retire. 1t was certainly
open to her to ask NJ Laeordaire to
take tea with her that evening, as she
had done on former occasions: but she
felt that she must not do this now, con-
sideTing the immediate circumstances of
the case. If any further steps were to
be taken. they must be taken by him.
and not by her: or else by Mimmy, who
just as her mother was slowly consum-
ing her last grapes ran round to the
back Of NJ LacOTdaire's chair and wills
pered something into his ear. 1t may
be presumed that Mrs Thompson did
not see the intention Of the movement
in time to arrest it. for she did nothing
till the whispering had been whispered
and then she rebuked the child. bade
her not to he troublesome. and with
more than usual austerity in her voice
desired her to get herself ready to go
up stairs to their chamber.
As she spoke she herself rose from her
chair and made ner final little bow TO
the table, and her other final little bow
and smile to NJ. Lacordaire; but this was
certain to all who saw it, that the smile
was not as gracious as usual.
As she walked forth. NJ. LacOrdaire
rose from his chair-suCh being his con
slant practice when she left the table
but on this occasion h accompanied her
to the door
And has madame decided" he asked
whether she will permit me to accom-
pany her to the chateau?"
well, I really don't know" said Mrs
Thompson.
"NIees Meemy." continued NJ. Lacor-
daire. lis very anxious to see the rock
Ian would be pleased with such a little
excursion. As for myself" and then
NJ. LacOrdaire put his hand upon his
heart i'm a manner that seemed to speak
more plainly than he had ever spoken.
well. if the children would really like
it, and-as you are so very kind" said
Mrs. Thompson; and 50 the matter was
conceded.
Tomorrow afternoon" suggested NJ
LacOrdIre. But Mrs. Thompson fixed
on Saturday. thereby showing that she
herself was in no hurry for the expedi-
ton.
As she went up to the school the next
afternoon she walked through more of
the streets of lie Puy than was neces-
sary, and in every street she looked I'll
the names which she saw over the doors
of the more respectable houses of bust
ness. But she looked in vain. 1t might
be that NJ. Lacordaire was marchand
of so specially high quality as To be
under no necessity to put up his name
at all. Sir Hommajee Bommajee's name
did not appear over any door in Bonn
bay-at least, she thought not.
And then came the Saturday morning.
I'VE shall be ready at ," she said, as
she left the breakfast table; and per
haps you would not mind calling for
Lillian on the way"
NJ Lacordaire would be delighted to
call anywhere for anybody on behalf of
Mrs. Thompson; and then, as he got to
the door OF the salon, he offered her
his hand. He did so with much
French courtesy that she could not
fuse it, and then she felt that his pur-
pose was more tender than ever it had
been And why not. if this the des-
tiny which fate had prepared for her?
Mrs Thompson would rather have got
into the carriage at any other spot in
LIE Puy than at that at which she was
forced to do sO-the chief entrance,
namely Of the Hotel des Ambassadors.
And what made it worse this, that
an appearance of a special fete was
given to the occasion. NJ Lacordaire
was dressed in more than his Sunday
best. He had on new yellow kid gloves.
His coat, If not new, was newer than
any Mrs. Thompson had yet observed,
and was lined with silk up to the very
collar. He had on patent leather boots,
which glittered, as Mrs. Thompson
thought much too conspicuously. And
as for his hat it was quite evident that
it was fresh that morning from the max
er's block
In this costume with his hat in his
hand, he stood under the great gate
way of the hotel, ready to hand Mrs.
Thompson into the carriage. This would
have been nothing if the landlord and
landlady had not been there also, as well
as the man cook and the four walters,
and the file de chambre. Two or three
other pair of eyes Mrs. Thompson also
saw as she glanced round, and then
Mimmy walked across the yard in her
! best clothes with a fete-day air about
| her for which her mother would have
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