The Washington herald., 1907-10-17
CHAPTER X.


that Lady CarlyOn showed the slightest
haughdness or restraint on meeting Mrs
March; on the contrary. her pOise was
perfect, and her dignity and grace could
not have been surpassed, Lady Carlyon
was by no means the Lucy Armytage
whom Mrs. March, as Alicia Vernon. had
cross-exarhined so easily four years be-
fore. But there is psychic understand
ing between women, a glance Of the eye.
a note Of the voice. which tells the story
TO which the words may give a fiat con-
tradiction.
It cannot be said, however, that Sir
Percy Carlyon's demeanOr was perfect, in
spite of his sixteen years training in di-
plomacy. The deep resentment which
burned within him against Mrs March
was kindled into new life when he saw
her shaking hands with his wife. and his
greeting showed a certain restraint; nor
was he overcordial TO Senator March,
but this passed unobserved. There were
other visitors present, and nothing in the
lease awkward occurred. Alicia had one
moment of that revenge which is the
sweetest draUght a woman can quaf,
when. as the visit drew 20 a close, she
said. smiling TO Lady CaTlyon and Sir
Percy:
Senator March tells me that YOU have
promised TO give US the pleasure Of dining
with us before long. Can you fix the date
nowg'
Sir Percy remained silent. but Lady
Carlyon replied readily:
I shall have to look at our book Of en-
gagements, and I will write. You are
most kind 10 ask US"
Thank you" answered Alicia, with a
peculiar infection of pleasure IN her voice.
Tt would be one of the most triumphant
moments of her Hfe when she forced Sir
Percy Carlyon to bring his wife to dine
with her Senator March. standing by,
expressed a frank and cordial pleasure at
the prospect Of seeing the Carlyons under
his own roof. Manlike, he had observed
nothing In the attitude of Sir Percy and
Lady Carly0n. either toward himself or
his wife, and Alicia was the last person
on earth 20 enlighten hlm.
Within a day or two a pretty note came
from Lady Carlyon that she and Sir Percy
would have the pleasure OF dining with
Senator and Mrs. March on the 30th OF
January, if that date would be convenient
to their hostess. Alicia passed the note
over to her husband. across the tea table
in her bOudoir. smiling when she tried to
realize the effort it had caused the wife
OF the British Ambassador 70 write that
note
Every incident connected with the din
ner was an added triumph 10 Mrs. March.
She collected a brilliant company. even
lg, v.Ia rF hill "a ela-
ington-and Colegrove was among the
invited guests. She had engaged great
singer 10 lend the magic Of his voice TO
the evening afterward. In every detail
she had the kindest interest of her hus-
band. She was an EnglishwOman enter
taining, for the first time, the Ambassa-
dor from her own country. and Senator
March determined that she should do it
we'll He even gave his attention TO his
wife's gown and jewels, which were con-
sequently superb.
On the evening Of the dinner Alicia
March was dressed and in her splendid
drawingrOOm half an hour before the
guests were due. She was conscious OF
looking her best; splendOr became her
mature beauty. Like most Englishwomen
Of her class. she knew how 10 wear jew
els; her hair gllttered with diamonds
which fell IN a glorious riviere upon her
bosom and sparkled on her arms. Sena-
tor March, coming down later, paid her
q sincere compliment in saying that he
had never seen her look so handsome
They went into the dining-rOom, q superb
apartment in Pompeian red, and glanced
into the ballroom, where the music was
10 take place after dinner. All was sat
isfactory to Senator March and more
than satisfactory to his wife With the
nj of 10 frs - N or
rive were the Carlyons
Lady CarlyRl seemed, as Senator
March had said. TO have grown taller |
certainly her air and figure had gained !
great beauty in the four years Of her |
married life She wore an eXquisitely !
fitting, but perfectly simple, white gown |
wi,h q bouquet Of violets on her breast; |
not jewel Of any description shone upon |
her She had jewels, Of course, as every
woman of position would have, and Mrs /
March happened 70 know that there were
some very nice family jewels which Sir
Percy's wife must have, but not one of |
them did Lady Carlyon wear on this oc-
casion. She was a good diplOmatist, as
Lord Baudesert predicted she would be-
come. but, like all women. there was a |
point where diplomacy gave way TO feel |
ing. Lady Carlyon had schOOled herself to |
meet Alicia March, had fought and out |
wardly conquered the deep repugnance |
and disdain she felt for the woman who |
had made a blot upon her husbands life, |
but when she had the chance Lady Car |
lyon, Ike Achilles. could not fOrbeaF |
dragging her dead enemy at her chariot |
wheels. She knew that Alicia March |
would blaze with splendor, and. there |
fore elected to dress with marked sim |
plicity She was as simply gOWned as on /
that memorable night in her girlhOod |
when she attended her first embassy ball. |
and met her fate.
When the two women stood contrasted, |
Alicia March knew at once what Lady /
Carlyon's studied simplicity meant, and /
felt herself overdresSed and bedizened.
but she gave no hint of her chagrin. As /
each guest arrived Alicia March felt as /
il she were paying of the score between
the CarlyOns and herself Her position
and prestige as Senator March's wife
must be obvious 10 the CarlyOns The
last person to arrive was Colegrove He
was certainly the handsomest man pres
ent. but by no means the most distin-
guished, and could not have the place Of
honor OF Alicia's left hand.
When Mrs. March took Sir Percy Car
lyons arm TO go into dinner 1t was the
first time she had so touched him since
tllooC ud+s tAl AlLC Aiptlt4cA Va A4BudNlS~ I
tan, sixteen years before. She gave him !
q look, half mirthful, half menaeing, but
wholly triumphant, which Sir Percy un-
derstood. His manner 70 her was rather
an Indifferent piece Of acting but this
was not observed by anyone except Mrs. |
March and Lady CaTlyon.
The dinner was splendid-rather too
splendid Alicia realized; her tendency
was somewhat 20 excess, The conversa-
ton was agreeable and sparkling. Alicia
was an accomplished hostess; without
great brilliance and esprit herself, she
knew how 10 bring out this in others