Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18
CHAPTER XVIII.
La Duquesa's Reception.

Here is an invitation from La Du-
Quesl de San Talmo for her reception to-
morrow evening" said Mrs. Tudor, hold.
ing up a card" Mrs. Tudor and party.
You. I presume. are the party. Hester.
Should you like to go?"
Yes very much: but don't know one
word of Spanish
The duchess speaks English. Her
mother was a beautiful American with a
huge fortune. which her daughter has
scattered 70 the four Winds
What kind OF reception will 1t be?"'
Possibly very dull--at least. for me"
said Mrs. Tudor. with sigh; II do not
see much OF the duchess. Her sister-in-
law. whose carriage we hired is my &C
type"
Il suppose my white crepe de chine will
do?" said Hester after long meditation.
Perfectly. What pity you are pledged
have nothing but little gold chain and
4 twopennyha' penny locket. I will lend
you my diamond pendant"
oh. no: can buy something"
Certainly not. What. just for one &C.
casion-all in a hurry.--and borrowed
things are lucky; / know you are super
stitious.
81 am. ID cannot think why"
perhaps because you are born to he q
Spanish duchess"
NO indeed blushing to her hair:
but l hate one nnagpie. and I would not
wear opal. and l never praise a thing
without touching wood-aIl relics Of bar
barism. but wonderful relief TO my
mind which. as you may observe, is
small"
"Oh. no. However. I will not lend you
my peacock brooch. but will send you
over diamond heart" the old lady an
swered. with a nod of significance. 1T
will be time enough If We start at ten"
It was precisely ten minutes after ten
when Mrs. Tudor and Miss Forile drove
up tn the Villa Andalusia. 1t was not
large one In great grounds. like that of
the Du0Eesa Mercedes. but was brilliant
~ illuminated. and there were q number
OF men servants about the hall and vesti-
bule. The two ladies' were conducted into
an anteroom and then into a drawing
room, already full Of guEStS-chiefiy Span
ish and French.
La Dunuesa. seated alone on sofa.
rose slowly. shock hands with Mrs. Tudor
and bowed to her companion.
She was magnificent In white satin and
wore chain az pearls: her face was still
handsome. but her hair was dyed. her
eyebrows darkened and she had distinct
double chin. SHOCKING one swift glance
ut Hester. she began TO talk to Mrs.
Tudor in fluent English.
All but you never come to see ma
row. Oh. you naughty little person; so
You give UP your OLD f-.en1s!
Il an IN cid woman. Duquesa, and
visiting becomes weerIsona to old bones, -
protested the guest.
Visiting only Some. is It not?" re-
joined la Duqueaa, pleasantly. and she
gave her former friend a playful tap with
her fan. Oh. they thoroughly understood
ore another.
Mrs. Tudor disapproved Of la Duouesa
de- Sem Teirc'S gambling and eStrava-
gnnce: but for TIE sake of the English
girl. her protegee. she was prepared to
overlook much While. for her part la
Duuuesn. with the prospect of a wealthy
daught law. was willing to ignore
many seasons of neglect. Then Ia Du-
quesa turned to Hester and asked the
usual questions.
How do You like Biarritz Miss Forde?'
VERY much indeed she answered,
shyly.
Have YOU been here some time?" re-
sumed II Ducuesa. locking, her over with
cold and dominant eyes. and taking in
every item Of her toilet and appearance.
About three months"
shall you stay much longer"
II atn not sure-I-ws-hnve no plans.
We'll. II you do remain, / hope you
will come and see me- I Ike the Eng
lish." and She smiled and turned her at
tention to aro-Le- group.
Mrs. Tudor was already deep in con-
versatiun with an old French marquis a
particular hLt long-inst intimate and
Hester felt an amused conviction that in
former days aer chape-on had been an
accomplished hirt: at the same time she
found herself rather stranded AS she
was standing by the wall, looking at the
fine paintings. the heavy chandeliers, the
galy dressed. chattering crowd. she was
approached by stately lady who seemed
strange and yet familiar.
She vas all. slender. very dark. with
anuiline features and quantities Of wavy
black hair: not young. but still hand
some. and dressed with great 1nagnih-
ce1ce.
Il think we have already met-under a