Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-02-04
CHAPTER k.
AN opportunity gladly seized
The right chord touched---a dear one
pleased"

All opportunity blhuIy sclIsu--
The right chord touchod--a dear one
pleased"
How beautiful the day ls, said
the countess; at Is "A pity that all
Englishmen cannot see such n sky and
such a gun for once in their lives.
Now, confess the truth, Lady Selwyn;
did you ever see sunshine like this?"
But there was little brightness in
the face looking into hers.
you did not want to talk to me
about the Italian sun am sure" said
Lady Violante, with a smile. What
Is the subject Of our conversation to
be2"
81 will tell YOU" replied the
countess, smile ripping over her
lovely face. 1T seems to me that
you, Lady Sewyn Miss Leigh and
myself are the three prettIest women
In Florence. You see ! am not deficient
In vanity, am !? Do not look 40
Mortified at me"
u am not Mortified" replied Lady
Violante; but | did not know that
people ever spoke In that way OF
themselves"
Il do" said the countess. gayly.
Since ! was dreadful little nlrt of
seven have always considered my.
self one of the prettiest of women, II
you had a magnificent voice for OK.
ample, could you help knowing that
YOU sang wel?'
No said Lady Sewyn; but that
Is different thing"
1T Is a gift, beauty, talent genius,
grace all arc gifts. We are proud to
own that wo have genius; why should
we pretend to ignore the fact that we
have beauty? | do not, | openly ro
Jolco In the fact that Heaven has
given me n pleasing face, and nm
proud of It,, are not your"
u never thought of II IN that light, "
said Indy Selwyn, Il have never
thought much Of myself mt all. Am
really beautiful, countcsg-~b beautiful
as Miss Leigh"
"Yor style Is so different, was the
laughing reply, Miss Le!gh Is the
very queen Of brunettes, you tho queen
of blondes, NV conntrymen all think
YOU thousand times more fair"
And then Countess Sltanl laughe,. Il
silvery, musical laugh Mt the wistful
expression of Lady Violantes face.
I'VE will take the fact for granted,
she said. II heard yesterday the
Prince Cesure called us the Three
Gracos. My Idea, the matter ON
which | came to speak to you, IN this
could we not get up some Charadcs
or tableaux wants. In which we could
all three appear? | have mentioned
II to some people, and they are charm
ed with the idea"
II do not know. am not clever, 81"
replied Lady selwyn and the wistlul
look deepened on her fair face. You
are SO kind countess, ! can speak to
YOU of myself All my youth, AT least
the greater part of Il, was spent IN a
quiet country home, where there was
no gayety OF any kind. and | am I'm,
accustomed to it--almost afraid of IT,"
"Ah, then" thought the heautifm
countess, what people say Is true.
Lord Selwyn, with his dark, handsome,
patrician face, and chivarous high,
bred manner has married beneath
MIN after all.
But to Lady Violanto she turned n
bright, laughing face,
You need never fear" she said
mo matter how quiet your youth was,
you have beauty and grace, and, what
is even better, tact All, how much
lies In that little word, You Brighten
Yourself without cause Promise me
to join our tahleaux will bring YOU
through safely, You have but to look
pretty, and that will rome natural to
you. Lord Selwyn would be so
pleased"
She had touched the right chord AT
last The hardest heart might have
been softened at the wistful pleading
of Lady Sewyns face
DO you really think. she said,
that | might do well?"
81 am sure. Give me your promise
that you will shake on that foolish
timidity, and shine as you were meant
to do: leave the rest to me-
Il do promise, said Lady Selwyn.
III | fail as | generally do In matters
Of that kind, you will not he very
angry with me-"
II never was angry in all my life,
said Countess Sitani: 1T spells ones
face besides. | never had cause,
have only said half of what | want To
say Lady Selwyn. lf'your mind is as
full Of poetry ms your face, you must
be able to invent some grand tahleaux,