Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-25
CHAPTER XXI.
The Luck Of the Sarazins.

"Are you ready?" inquired Mrs. Tudor.
who. in a wonderful amethyst toilet, had
Immediately followed her knock. ''Um.
yes" she muttered, doubtfully, as she
surveyed Hester's slim black figure, "but,
my dear. think you want something to
brighten you up a bit: this is rather
special occasion. If you had an orna-
ment-why, how stupid am! OF course,
there is the necklace-did you bring it
with your
YES" The word had scarcely left
Hester's lips before Marietta was un-
locking a trunk "You know l promised
that would never wear it in France, but
there was not a word about Spain; do
you think I might put 1T on?
why, of course" rejoined Mrs. Tudor,
with some asperity: what else Is 1t for?'
Bys this time the ornament had been
taken out OF it's case and was being
clasped around Miss Forbes throat by
Mariettas firm and eager fingers.
Dear me. what difference 1t makes!"
exclaimed Mrs. Tudor. standing back a
step. NOW you really are en- grande
toilette. 1 never saw anything more
Splendid
yes" agreed Hester, 'it is quite mag
nificent. isn't 1t? Are you sure 1t is not
too much?'
mo. not for a rich young woman" re-
joined the old lady, with emphasis; "the
odd thing is that you were requested not
to wear 1t in France. when any one can
see with half an eye that it Is really
Spanish! / should have thought Spain
was the country to BAN
but perhaps Juan Dominguez never
drea1nt that should come here. never
supposed it either"
"Ah. possibly not; and II you were to be
al 81 &hn nolrl II,
half the countries Of Europe it would not
be much good to you. would it?"
Mrs. Tudor surveyed 1t critically; never
in her long life had she seen such a truly
royal jewel. and on Testers white neck
(Which the pearls matched so admirably
the great deep emeralds shone, and the
flashing diamonds sparkled, as II things
of life conscious Of their own Importance.
"Well. my dear, we cannot waste our
time gaping at your necklace" exclaimed
the old lady; I'VE must be on at once, or
we shall be late"
AS they drove to the Castelar, Palace
Mrs. Tudor remarked:
"This will not be large party-only the
MARQUIS and Marquesa de Castelar,, their
son Don Fernando and his wife; possibly
the old Duquesa de Balenga and one or
two more. None Of them speak word
OF English. SO you must air your French"
"Oh. but I really dare not" said Hes
ter. 1T is altogether too atrocious."
'.All you want is practice-practice,"
said Mrs. Tudor; "if you don't talk, I'm
afraid you will find 1t stupid. However.
can promise you good dinner. and
you will see an historical Spanish family
and a Spanish interior. such a quaint.
rambling old place-miles of rooms and
the stables under the dining room. These
Casteiars are of the bluest of blue blood.
and lead-the women. anyway-such ter
ribly dull. formal lives, for a Castelar,
must live up to a famous past"
THAT at least Is one disagreeable that
is spared me-" said Hester. II am, in a
way. my own ancestor. l know nothing
of my forbears or their past"
your forbears were gentlefolks." said
Mrs. Tudor-"your mother a Boutwell, of
Burnley! Oh, you cannot shuttle off your
ancestors so easily. and pretend to be a
nobody. and anyway, II you did, no one
would believe you"
Especially when I am wearing my
splendid necklace" rejoined Hester, with
a laugh.
There was no courtyard to the Palace
de Castelar,. merely an immense studded
door opening to the street. and above it
an Imposing coat of arms. Within a cir
cular hall the ladies were received by sew
eral men-servants, ushered up a winding
stone staircase. through an impressive
suite Of gloomy apartments. hung with
ancient and ugly blue and green tapestry,
and lined with strange old cabinets. bu-
reaus and high-carved chairs. At last the
family was discovered, in modern cham
Der at the end of the suite-the Castejars,
their son Don Fernando and his wife, ell
dark. stately and Spanish. also several
other guests. including the Duquesa de
Balenga a stout old lady with wonder
full black eyes. said In her day to have
been the most beautiful woman in Spain.
Mrs Tudor the latest arrival. was well
known to most of the party: this was by
no means her first visit to Madrid. Pres
emily she entered, little upright figure.
followed by her companion. a tall. slight
girl. in black, with a wonderful skin-it
looked like white marble-and on her
neck Dios, what a magnificent necklace!
The company stared-they were SO
formal manners and felt, at least the