The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-11-24

sumed the attitude Of an engaged man,
in spite OF her studied coIdness.
She had been prevailed upon by her
aunt that morning not only TO receive
him, but TO treat him civily. and when
she protested that he already took TOO
much upon himself and behaved as il
she had promised 70 marry him. Madame
Leblanc assured her that this was only
her fancy. and that he was. Ike St
Quintin, waiting for the final acceptance
or rejection OF his oner.
To Capt. DarnaIl on the other hand.
Madame Leblanc said, in confidence. on
his arrival that he was accepted as
Marie's future husband, but that he
must consider French prejudices. and
not presume in any way 10 force him
self too much upon the young lady. who
was Of an extremely modest and retiring
disposition.
The result OF her maneuveTs, though
not wholly satisfactory 10 either party.
was 70 keep up some sort Of appearance
Of courteous reserve on the girls part,
and Of reticence Of a patrOnizing and an
noying sort on the mans
Capt. Darnal was not too well pleased
at being kept at a distance by Marie
Densley's coolneSs. and he shortened his
visit in a hun when, after the receipt Of
the penciled note. Miss Densley's forced
courtesy grew more forced and less
courteous, until she scarcely answered his
questions at ALL
/ With sudden change 10 an abrupt and
offended manner, Capt DarnaIl rose from
/ the chair in which he was sitting in a
/ lounging attitude. when they had all re-
turned to the drawing room after lunch
con Crossing the room to Madame Le-
blanc. he said, coldly;
Tn really afraid. madame. that my
! presence Is rather distasteful than other
wise to Miss DenSley. and 1 need scarcely
say that IL it is SO, 1 shall be most happy
/ to withdraw my pretensions."
/ "Oh. surely. Capt Darnall, you are mis-
| taken" said madame. rising with a smil-
/ ing face. but not with the air Of distress
/ he had expected. and at once walking
/ with >him toward the door Marie may
be little distract to-day. She had a
| headache this morning. know. But come
again. and you will find her everything
you can desire. I'm sure"
By this time Capt. Darnan, much 10
his discontinue. found himself outside
the drawing room and on the way TO the
! front door. He was beside himself with
modification.
In that case, madame, 7 shall have
! something to say 70 Monsieur Leblanc. %
said he, angrily. In view Of my en-
| gagement 10 your niece, l made certain
! advances"
"Oh, you are not going 10 try 90 talk
| business to me. woman. are your" said
madame. still as smiling and as amiable
as ever I know nothing whatever about
/ rllOuCfnffr'e ARA NTH Won Trrr
/ If you viii not come again and see US.
you have only to wait till he comes back.
which will be in a fortnight or perhaps
! sooner. and then you can talk this over,
and he viii satisfy youth any way you
prefer of course"
That remains to be seen. madame. 8"
said Capt Darnall in a high voice. L
may tell you I have been warned that I
was imprudent in making the advance
] did
I really must refer you to Monsieur
/ Leblanc said madame, interrupdng him
with a large and imperiOUs gesture OF
! disgust at his discourtesy as she opened
/ the door for him 10 go out II am not
! accustomed to handy words with gentle
men who forget themselves and try TO
talk me down. Write TO monsieur. and
he win get his lawyer to write 10 you.
If you are not pleased with what we can
do, I and my niece
THANK you for the hint" said Capt.
! Darnall loudly. as he bounced out Of
the house and went quickly down the
drive. He was leaving the house an hour
sooner than he had meant 70 do, so his
car was not there.
! Not far from the gate he came face
TO face with James Ince. who was hang
ing about in the hope that Marie Dens-
ley would come out and see him for "A
few moments. as In his note he had
begged her to do. The two men uttered
explanations Of surprise at the meeting.
II came suddenly into Capt. Darnali's
mind that the quiet young man with the
clever face might be able TO help him
| to understand things.
''HaIlo,' said they both at the same
moment
What's going on in there?" asked
Capt. Darnall, abruptly.