Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-03-21
CHAPTER XIV.

as the TuleTieS balls OF the Third
Empire are remembered and spoken
of through Europe at the present day.
1t was q magnificent scene, the long
room with it's rich carvings and sub
dued gildings shining in soft wax
lights, the handsome dresses of the
ladies' and the patrician bearing Of
the men
The liveries of the servants, moving
noiselessly to and fro, seemed to give
the scene almost the gayety OF a mill
tary spectacle. and in the midst of it
shone out the dark, lovely face OF
the mistress of Lorme with the red
rose in her black hair. and the blue
bells on her bosom.
Many a curious glance was direct
ed to the young girl TO ascertain
how she bore herself in her trying
part, but as she sat beside the eouu-
tess and talked to one and the other
ever ready with her gentle smile. no'
the keenest could detect embarrass-
ment or discompOsure.
1t is wonderful" murmured Leri
EIQH III 10 klLE lteAlNA ~ +AhAztt e'Al-
You know her romantic history e.
The bishop smiled.
And she is bur girl Yes, il is
wonderful. but We must remember
that she is Lorme'"
The dinner was very elaborate. al
most elaborate enough for a state
banquet but at last it came 70 an
end. and the ladies' rose.
Philip Dyce was nearest the door.
and he rose to open it for them in
his quiet way As Lady Vaux passed
him. he bent his head and said in
voice almost inaudi5le.
Remember
Then he returned to his seat Mr.
Ford. by virtue Of his position as ST
Godfrey's executor. and in manne-
LeoIa's trustee. took the head OF The
table, the butler brought in the choie
est claret. ami some Of the far-tamed
Abbey port, and the talk grew. is ig
always does when The ladies have
gone a little louder and brisker
Philip Dyce. who had been silent
until now joined in conversation
with the earl and the bishop He
talked well--as even Lord Beaumont
who disliked him. was compelled 20
admit, as he sat silently listening.
1t was a wonderful thing 70 lind
Lord Beaumont al a dInner-party, It
being well-kuown that he held such
festivities in adherence. and no one
could tell how delighted the countess
had been when he declared his I1ten-
tfon Of coming He had sc-. almost
Speechless. his fair. intellectual face
set in cold reserve, but once it had lii
up with a sudden vivacity and good
humor and that was when Leola bent
forward and asked him how the pie
tura was progressing.
Opposite him at the fable had sat
CiceIy Stauhope. and It was remark.
able that while most of the eyes
we're bent upon Leola, hers sought
and seemed satisfied with but one
face, aad that the one opposite her
She had seen the sudden light OF
pleasure break upon it as Le0la spoke
20 him, and Cicely's pretty face had
grown suduenly pale
As the ladies' entered the large
draw ing-room the countess looked
round with an exclamation Of admir-.
alton
My dear. sinking on to a lounge
and making room for Leola. K is 2
pity that this room should ever be
closed, This and the diningroom
are the handsomest in the county
wha. pity to think that they should
have been wasted so long. don
think have ever seen this room he
fore. fancy that, and I have lived at
Howth SO long.
It was shut up during Sir God
frey's-my uncle's lifee" asked
Lseola. euriously, Ier voice grave. q.
it always was when she spoke Of the
dead Sir Godfrey.
Yes, said the countess. Your
uncle was peculiar man, my dear
He lived in about three rooms Of this
vast place, and dare say mad not
himself seen this room for years. In
deed, / suspect Mr.. Dyce is the only
one who has seen it Of ~ of us who
are here tonight"
You are q very wonderful little
girl" said the countess. you have
succeeded where We have all failed
Do you know that this Is the frst
time Beaumont has dIned cut for
am afraid TO say how many years p
1T is very kind Of him 10 come to
night. If he so much disukes it," said
Leola, simply.
Il don't think he dIsIikes coming
here" said tie countess, with quiet
significance
Lecla looked aside. with q heighren
ed color and a faint embarrass men+.
to meet the brown eyes Of Cicely Stan
hope xed on hers modify,
AL this moment Lady Vaux came
across the room, with her tea cup
in her hand She was magnincenuy
dressed in a silk that was almost too
faint a blue to be called of that color.
and wore a superb suit OF pearls. As
the countess rose to speak 70 some
one at the other side Of the room.
Lady vaux took her place,
Il have been looking over the port
folios," she said; there are some ex-
ouisite gems amongst the drawings. BE-
yes" said Leola; Il think my
uncle had good collection"
-aF1 y,yy-4gy-