Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-07-06
CHAPTER X

"These are your rooms" Mrs. Herbert
announced little later, as she threw open
a door, leading from the upper hallway,
in a tone which showed that she expected
the newcomer to be overwhelmed with
delight
If Mathilde was overwhelmed it was
not quite in the fashion anticipated, for
dainty as the rooms were in their Louis
Quinze fittings, they consisted only of
large bedroom, a smaller sitting-room and
dressing-room. However, she bethought
herself in time to conceal her dismay that
she had better acquiesce quietly, and leave
the matter in her husbands hands.
Mrs Herbert had her surprise, too, for
waiting in the bedroom was Jeanne, look
ing very placidly in possession.
Dear me, who's thisi" and under the
influence of the surprise her voice became
much more acid did you bring a maid?
i had no idea"
Ibid you think should not need one?"
The question, though smiable did not
increase Mrs. Herbert's amiability.
"Of course not, but l did not think that
YOU would bring one with you. and had
already looked out a nice respectable girl
in the village"
Mathilde smiled. 1t was almost to the
word what Stewart had predicted.
How kind in YOU" she retorted, tbut
think that prefer French maid to an
inexperienI ID village girl
French exclaimed the other. 81
should not have thought that you were so
used to French maids on the prairies"
Wouldn't your the other answered.
with a glance that was a danger signal.
As such her sster-in-aw evidently read
it. for. pulling herself together, she said
sweetly:
'But | really must leave you to rest. -
Hardly had the door closed behind her
when (much to the amazement of Jean
mel Mathilde broke into a wild peal of
laughter; but she soon quieted herself.
and there was no sign of over-strained
nerves. when, presently, Stewart knocked
at the sitting-room door. E
"You seem settled down" he said. $50
they have given you these rooms" and
he strolled to the other door, taking a
comprehensive survey.
"These will do very nicely for you and
there is a big bedroom across the corridor
that shall take. I'll speak to Hutchin-
son about it," he announced coolly.
Mathilde sat silent. apparently busy in
sorting over some bills and memoranda.
the result of her London snopping.N
WELL" he said. strolling back towards
her, 'and how did you get on with the
sister-in-law?"
She laughed. Much as you did. l fan
cy. She told me that as she had never
seen a Canadian she had not known what
to- expect me TO be like, and that she
shouldn't have supposed that l was used
to French maids
Dear creature! hope you stood up
TO her"
"Oh. yes: I did not mind her." she an
swered carelessly. and then, seeing that
he looked somewhat jaded, she asked ::
How did you End your fathery"
Very much changed 1t was rather
a trying interview. He is very anxious
TO see you, but seemed too tired just now,
l suggested that you should so up after
you are dressed for dinner. Would that
dog''
"Oh. yes
"He was very kind about the little
chap" he said in low voice. and there
was silence between them in the fre-lit
room but a silence no. wanting in sym
PATTY.
Ii was with a strange mixture of feel
ings that Mathilde sat. ready dressed
waiting for her husband. She wore the
SAM plain black evening dress as she had
in town, with beautiful spray of creamy
roses across the front made the black less
severe.
Look at my Offering from the head
gardener" she said. pointing to the Aow-
ers as Stewart entered
Poor old Duncan! He was at the
station to meet us. It's queer what 3
weakness old retainers have Tor prodi
gals" Then with an abrupt change OF
subject: Il see that you have on youl
pearl necklace
~Yes, don't you Ike it?' she asked
wondering.
-oh. yes: nothing could suit you bet
ter. But the poor. old father is possessed
with the idea of handing over TO you
without delay, the family jewels. He had