The San Francisco call., 1904-08-14
CHAPTER TX.

CHAPTER TX.
When Esther awoke in her room
upon the following morning she dis
covered strange maid at her bed
side. The girl said that her name was
Suzanne and that she had been en-
gagged by Madame Julia to accompany
them to the south. Esther liked her
face and did not hesitate to invite her
confidence.
DO you come from Paris, Su-
zanne?"
From Aries, mademoiseIle; but I
was with monsieur at the Chateau st.
Paul, and 1 am to accompany you
there to-day. All your things are
packed and the tickets are taken. We
are going from Charing Cross at IL
o'clock
Esther could scarcely believe her
ears. DR.. Xavier, she remembered,
had often spoken of his chateau on
the borders Of Spain; but that he con-
templated such an early departure
from London was never in her
thoughts. The events of last night un-
doubtedly inspired such a hasty
change Of plans. They quilted London
because OF that unhappy affair in the
garden, and their journey, in some
way, resembled d fight. This ref1ec-
ton troubled her not a little. The
news was so unlocked for that she
could not at once realize It.
Does the doctor accompany us,
Suzanne?" she asked. dressing hastily
and with little care. He did not
speak of this last night. and L had no
idea we were going away so soon. 1
certainly did not think il would be un-
I'll Madame Julia returned"
Suzanne had no time for expana-
tions. She busted herself about the
room as though all the responsibility
Of an anxious days were hers.
We shall find madame at Paris"
she said, stolidly. 1t would be a pity
that she should return when we are
going. Monsieur has left the house
already and will meet us at the cha
teau. He asked me to say that he Is
sorry we must go alone; but we shall
do very well, you and 1. mademoiselle,
for, OF course, it is my own country
and shall not lose myself there. Mon
eieur has left a letter for you in your
own room. We have not any time to
lose, but we need not hurry. All,
mademoiselle, we are lucky TO go to
the Chateau st. Paul-it is the most
beautiful house in all the worldl Such
flowers, such gardens: and Toulouse
so near, when one begins to
want the shops. You know
Toulouse, mademoiselle, noP Then
monsieur will drive you there. and
you Will say that it is Paris at the foot
Of the mountains. / love the South
This England is so cold and sad Whel
summer comes it only leases you and
goes away again before you know it is
here. 1t is always summer at the
Chateau st. Paul"
Suzanne had spoken of a letter from
Doctor Xavier; and this was delivered
60 Esther at the breakfast table She
found it couched in affectionate words,
but brief, as the maids instructions.
The doctor said, shortly, that business
Of the gravest Importance had called
him from London and would detain
him for some days. He was disap-
: pointed that they should not make the
journey to Chateau st. Paul together;
but Esther, he was sure, would excuse
him and would hasten to his sister VINO
awaited her in Paris.
London has nothing left" he wrote,
why should we linger there? We shall
breathe in the mountains, camarade.
The purpose we have set ourselves to
achieve needs Gods fresh air and the
breezes of the hill-lands. We shall find
them at the Chateau ST. Paul. l count
upon your interest and fidelity. To-
night at the Ritz Hotel in Paris you
Will find my sister Julia. She will be
your guide until 1 come For the rest,
the maid has all things necessary. Do
not speak of the little gift am leaving
for you-these things are business and
friendship must not make them i'm
possible. 1 greet my little colleague
fraternally and am her devoted, Xav-
Ter de Mcntalvan."
The gift of which he spoke was al
ivory purse containing English gold
and bank-notes to the value of a hun
dred pounds. Esther did not resent
this gift nor was she unwilling TO
make use of it. She had never hidden
ii from herself that she might be the
instrument of her patrons enduring
fame; and furthermore, the idea of be-
ing alone upon the Continent without
money had at once occurred to her as
something even her courage could not
face. The tenor of the letter indeed,
TO be not unpleasantly agitated at the
thought Of seeing other countries and
other cities. When Suzanne announced
that the carriage was at the door, she
put on her cloak and hat with the ex-
pectations of one who is going upon
some unlooked-for holiday; and from
that time until her arrival in Paris at
half-past o'clock, she confessed that
she had no interest but those Of the
changing pictures about her. The
sunny scene, the lake-like channel.
Calais with its babel Of tongues, the
dreary sand-dunes by Boulogne Amiens
and its tunnels, the hedgeless
monotonous plains of Northern France;
and lastly the grim fortifications, the
towering houses, the busy streets, the
bewildering labyrinths of that Paris
she had imagined so often, carried her
as in a dream to her journeys end.
And now Suzanne chattered-how
France inspired heri Esther said such
a talker she had never listened to: but