The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-12-10
CHAPTER XII.


six or seven months afterwards.
Mrs. Saville had spent very 'ian-
quill winter. She had rarely been lleo
from irritation for so long perloo:
For a week or two at Christmas sue
had been a good deal tried by d s,sl'
from her son, who, to her SURPRISE
brought his cousin, George Lumiey'
with him. That over, she settled GOWN
again to her books, her fancy-WorK' Oh
which she was rather proud, her game
of whist with some old Gratis and Bar
ons attached to the little court, SONIC
of whom had dabbled in diplomacy
and even spent few years in London
and frequent visits to the opera, 1or
almost her only real pleasure was mu-
sic.
If, six months before, Mrs. Savllle
had missed her companion when sne
was absent for a couple Of days, the
idea of parting with her now would
have struck her with dismay. She had
softened gradually but considerably
80 gradually that Hope Desmond mad
to look back and recall her first I'M
pressions to measure the change.
The weather was fine, the sky blue,
and sunshine beautified all things. 1t
seemed impossible not to partake OF
the general exhilaration which pervad-
ed the atmosphere. Yet Mrs. Savllle's
if less hard, was Infinitely
sadder than formerly, and, though
Miss Desmond's eyes were calm, and
her air composed, there were shadows
beneath the former and somewhat
worn look in her expressive face. she
was thinner. too. as if she had borne
some mental strain.
It was afternoon. and the Champs
Elysees were crowded with streams of
equipages pouring out to the Bots.
this current, Mrs. Saville
and Hope returned from their earlier
drive. and on arriving at the hotel
found another open carriage drawn up
at the entrance, from which gor-
geously-dressedl lady was leaning while
gesture towards the new arrival,
the lady looked round and
displayed the well-known features of
Miss Dacre.
How fortunate" she cried. Here,
open the door; let me Quit" And she
sprang upon the ground.
"My dear Mrs. Saville, only Just
heard by the merest accident that you
we're in Paris. We have been at Pau
for two months, and are on our way
home"
ooh, indeed" returned Mrs. Saville.
rather dryly, as she descended very de-
liberately and submitted to be kissed
by her young friend. 81 am sorry for
your poor father. Why could you not
let him rest in peace among his tur
nips and mangelwurzels?"
why, 1 must thinl, of myself, you
know. How do you do, Hope? I am
30 glad to see you! 1 can't say you
are looking very fourishing I sup
pose you are coming in, SO l can pay
you a nice visit, though l have a hun
dred and one things to do 1 suppose
you have your old rooms, Mrs Saville.
We are at the Bristol 1 wonder you
stay here, it is so SLOW"
Quite fast enough for me; but come
upstairs"
"She Is as cross as ever" whispered
Miss Dacre to Hope as they assembled
to Mrs. Saville's apartments. II don't
wonder at your looking worn out"
Hope laughed and shook her head.
you are comfortable enough here,
I must say" resumed Miss Dacre, look
ing round the Observation-Disclosures
room, which was sweet with flowers
and flooded with soft light, the strong
sunshine filtering through the outer
blinds.
well, dear Mrs. Saville, and how
are you after burying yourself alive in
Germany all the winter? 1t is such a
queer place to 60 to-"
II like Germany, and 1 am remark
ably WE'LL"
well, you don't look so. We had a
wild time at Herondyke. 1 was there
for nearly month. Lady Olivia is
quite too good-natured. Then she and
the girls came oyer to Castleton, but
your son persuaded George Lumley to
go with him to Dresden. A great mis-
take! Captain Lumley was quite cross
when he returned-said it was a God
forgotten hole! l met Mr.. Vignolles
at Pau"-etc., etc. And Miss Dacre
turned on rapid flow of gossip. As
soon as she made a pause for breath,
Mrs. Saville said, YEARLY:
Miss Desmond. the tea is ready.
Give me cup"
by all means. The Parisians have
improved immensely, but they have
not arrived at the height Of good at
ternoon tea yet"
Silence on the part of Mrs. Savi1le.
while Miss Dacre slipped her tea.
When do you come back to Lon
don, Mrs. Saville?"
"Not this year. l may 60 to Ingle-
field in the autumn"
II suppose you know Richard Is
bringing out work on The Romans