Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-03
CHAPTER w.
Lady Gramont.


In another minute we were at the
house. Lady Mallory came out into the
well-lighted hall to welcome me. and
led me straight away to her own pref
ty boudoir. Her brother went round to
the stable meanwhile to look after the
horse.
81 suppose Harold has told you the
news?' she said holding me by both
hands and laughing gaily. had known
her ever since she wore short frocks
and pinafores. and we had always been
famous friends.
Yes, was surprised. Is she really
so very charming?"
"She is indeed. am almost as much
In love with her as Harold is; and SO
Will you be when you see her. She has
been staying here quite @ long time,
/ now, and like her more and more ey-
cry day. She is the most exquisitely
gifted creature, as well as perfectly
beautiful. But now you must so away
and dress. or you will be late for din
ner; and then, you know, Sir Thomas
will be sure TO scold"
/ 1 dressed very expeditiously-so ex-
peditiously that, when I entered the
drawing room, I found no one there; I
was the first to come downstairs
knew the house well enough to find my
way to any part of it, so walked on to
I the library, half hoping I might find
Gwynne there.
The door was slightly ajar; pushed
1t open very quietly, and at once saw
there was somebody there, and that
, somebody not Gwynne. A young girl
little more than child took her to be
as she stood with her back towards me
was at one of the bookshelves, reach
fnn in In
touch the book she wanted. She was
I dressed all In white, a soft muslin
which reached only to her ankles, and
her hair fell over her cheeks and about
her shoulders. 1 stepped up behind her
and reached down the book.
ALLOW me-" said with a smile.
She turned and looked at me, a little
startled, and then saw that, in spite
of the childish simplicity OF her dress,
she was, in truth, almost woman.
She was very, very lovely. Her face
was a pure oval in shape, and was ex-
quisitely tinted-the skin remarkably
fair, with color in the cheeks like that
in the heart OF a blush rose.
| Her eyes were large and lustrous; I
could not at the moment determine
their color. but have since discovered
they were of n greyish hazel, fringed
by long sill1en lashes. She had a sweet,
sensitive mouth, perfectly moulded
nose and chin, and the hair which
waved about her face, slightly curling
and very silky, was of the richest
shade OF light chestnut brown.
In moment II struck rne that this
Twas probably the daughter of the Com
Jesse de Gramont. Gwynne had said
she was barely sixteen, and this girls
dress testified to her being about that
age. There was a look OF thoughtful
gravity on her face which might have
made me fancy she was nearer eight
zen than sixteen If 1t had not been for
the testimony OF the dress.
! Perhaps" 1 said to myself, 1.-The
marriageable widow has discreetiy put
back her daughters age year or two"
81 don't know whether 1 may be per-
Coitted to introduce myself" observed
when She had thanked me for my as
sistance. 'I am very old friend @
Lady Mallory and OF her brother. M
name is Douglas"
Her face instantly lighted up wit
recognition, and 1 fiattered mysel
with pleasure also.
"Mr. John Douglas?" she cried. "Ol
1 am so glad to know you! Sir Harol
is always talking about you to US
mean to mamma and me-"
"And may L know who mamma an
! you are?" 1 questioned, laughing
though, OF course, now scarcely need
a ed to be told.
. my name is Vera-Vera Gramon
l Mamma is Madame lie Comtesse
! Gramont," she added, archly.
IT thought so. Well, Miss Vera,
hope our acquaintance will quickly r
pen into friendship"
{ "Oh, and so do I. 1t VIII be so nice [
r know you-indeed, I seem to know yo
d already with hearing so much OF yo
from Sir Harold"
I There was gentle girlish franIne:
In her manner, and in her look as we
q which was altogether winning.
: In my heart / said that, If the mott
er were only half as charming,
: Harold had chosen well.
Perhaps Lady Mallory viii allow n
q to take you in TO dinner" I said. smi