The Washington herald., 1907-09-29
CHAPTER ".

once more seated beside the lovely girl
of whom be had never ceased 20 think
since he first saw her al the hotel AZ
C0wes. ST Quintin speedily lost every
trace Of caution which had suddenly
seized upon him at his entrance. II he
had liked music before. he loved il now,
FOR even long sonatas and symphonies
which be would have looked upon as in
tolerably tedious in the old days became
sweet and enhancing when he heard
them in such society.
He was surprised TO find how much
prettier she was than be had supposed.
And while apparently giving his whole
attention 20 a somewhat IoEg-wiuded
composition by one Of the new "mas-
ters. he asked himself whether il was
/ because he was falling more deeply in
/ love, or because the white lace hat trim
med with huge rosettes of palest lemon
color suited her better than anything
I he had ever seen her wear before.
When the concert was over. he asked
whether he might take the ladies 10 tea
and when they consented, they all went
| into the coffee room Of stately and
somber hotel in the neighborhood. where
| they had 10 wait a long time-a delight
| fully long time. St Quintin thought it
L anu LifA Af4k ElIttt lI.fA WtAF ttlAlE ttttlt-
ed with cOndesCension in obtaining some
weak tea and bread ard bukter and an
! Indifferent tea-calle from a weary waiter
But there was a greater pleasure %
come. Miss Stanley was tired and rather
cross and Miss Densley suggested that
/ she should rest a little in an easy-chair
Taking the hint, the governess was soon
/ in doze, giving the young people an op-
gov a. Ia1ferI4ffgrT
| dences IN the world.
For st. Quintin had made up his mind
to seize the first chance he had of ask
/ ing her some questions about her rela-
tiOns, guarded and careful questions, OF
course. but still 10 the point
He wanted to know something about
/ the relation in which Miss Denslcy stood
/ TO Monsieur and Nine Leblanc The
mere fact>of her being their niece was
/ not enough for him; he wanted TO know
/ he almost fe,' that his admiration for
/ her and the encouragement given him en-
| dOwed him with a right 10 know-how il
came about that a purely English girl
was the niece Of two French people,
while various other questions. arising out
Of the somewhat singular circumstances
/ in which she appeared to live. came into
/ his mind. pressing for an answer.
! So. as they sat together over the little
table, at some distance from Miss Stan
| ley doing in her armchair. ST Quintin
said:
'Win you think ne too inquisitive II
! 7 want to know how you. an English
/ girl, come 10 have French uncle and
aunt?"
Miss Densley shook her head
! IN tell you all about it," she said
| and then 7 think you'll say it is the
most wonderful history you ever heard
To begin with. 1 hadn't the least idea
! SIX or seven months ago. that L had
any near relations in the world!'
Really"
She nodded. and after a little pause
/ went on musingly, claspng her hands
! together and leaning her chin on them
1t was like a fairy tale-the change
| 20 me from the dull life of poor orphan
girl to the luxury and delight of life as
an heiress to a large estate and some
/ thousands a year! What do you think
of that for a transformation %
ST. Quintin looked astonished, almost
! Incredulous. She smiled astutely and
nodded gaily
"Ah, You looked as looked when they
/ first told me. Il WIS wonderful: it took
3 /
! it was all a dream. and that 1 shall wake
| up and find myself in my little back
room in the small semi-detached desir-
| able villa-residence at Finchley-fancy-
| Finchley!'-and she made a delightful
| little grimace-"or reading to dear cid
| Mrs. Mortimer, or picking up the dropped
! stitches of her knitting
You're puzzling me more and more
/ All that means nothing without key,
/ suggested st. Qmntin. humbly
She laughed merrily.
"Of course 1t doesn't But / have to
say it all over 70 myself like that some
! times, and to pinch myself, to be quite
| sure that it's all real-the great change
l mean, that came into my life with my
/ Uncle .Alphonse and my Aunt Sophie.
! Now tell me about 1t connectedly.
please. Remember how interested I am, -
pleaded St Quintin
I'm try to begin at the beginning
the beautiful. amazing beginning, said