Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-12
CHAPTER VIII.
A Declaration of Independence.

Lady Anne came gayly down to the
street a few minutes later. She was still
wearing the plain black gown and the
simplest of hats. Nevertheless, she looked
charming Her fresh complexion with it's
slight touch of sunburn, her wealth of
brown hair and the distinction of her car
riage made her everywhere an object of
admiration in city where the prevailing
type of beauty was so different.
Poor mother. she exclaimed, as they
crossed the Place de rOpera. Tell me.
was she very theatrical this morning
Julien?'
Julien smiled.
II am afraid l must admit that she
was, he declared. II found her very in
teresting."
Il hate to talk about her." Anne con-
tinued 1T makes one feel go unfilial. but
really she is the most wonderful marion
cite that ever lived the perfect life. You
see, | have been behind the scenes SO
long. Every now and then a little OF the
woman's nature crops up. Her cut to
Mrs. Carraby, for instance, was quite one
of the events of the season 1t was SO
perfectly administered SO utterly scath-
ing. / hear that the poor creature went
to bed for fortnight afterward. Ora
cious. | hope | am not distressing you,
JULIEN she added. hastily.
Not in the least" Julien assured her.
grimly. II have no interest in Mrs. Car
raby."
Lady Anne sighed.
That's how you men talk when your
you're selfish crowd. You make the
world very difficult place for a woman. =
Il think" he said. that your sex
avenges itself.
II am not sure she replied. Men SO
often place the burden of their own
follies upon a woman's shoulders.
You rebuke me rightly Julien de-
clared, bitterly.
II was not thinking of YOU" she told
him, reproachfully. II am sorry, Julien.
should not have said that"
1T was the truth" he confessed, "ab-
solutely the truth. Still, / have never
blamed Mrs. Carraby for my disasters
1t was my own asinine simplicity. Tell
me. when shall l see you again? l think
I ought to leave you here"
She laughed.
You want to know about my interview
with mother? Well, you shall know all
about that. / promise you. because I have
changed my mind. ! intend to make you
an auditor. Don't desert me, Julien, please.
Remember this is really a trying moment
for me. 1 have to face an irate and OBJ
stinate parent. If friendship is worth
anything. come and help me-
Il can't help thinking he objected
that your mother would rather talk to
you alone"
Then you will please to consider me
and not my mother Anne insisted, as
they drew up before the door of the hotel
II wish you to remain
The duchess received them perfectly.
She did not attempt anything emotional.
She simply held out both her hands a lit
tie apart.
"You dear. sensible people," she cried
Anne. how dared you give us such a
shockf'
Anne leaned over and kissed her mother.
Mother" she announced, II am not 60
ing to marry Julien"
The duchess started The expression
which flashed from her eyes was unmis-
takably genuine.
Don't talk nonsense, Anne!' she ex-
claimed, sharply.
mo nonsense about it," Anne retorted
II can't bear to talk when any one is
standing up. Sit down, and in few SEN
fences I'll let you know how hopeless it
all is
There was real fear in the duchess
eyes.
Anne" she gasped. SIS there a man,
them"
You idiotic person. Of course there
should all talk about a man directly a
girl breaks away for a time, / can't i'm
agine. Now. sit down there and listen.
brought Julien along because il you bully
me too much / shall make him take me
away. We are excellent friends, Julien
and I, and he has been very kind to me
since l came here; but l met him entirely
by accident, and II I hadn't am quite
sure that we might have lived here for
years and never come across one an
other"
But have told every one in London!'
the duchess protested. Il have explained
everything. I have told them how you
always loved Julien, what a terrible blow
his troubles were, and how you suddenly
found that it was impossible for you to
marry any other man, and, like a dear
romantic child that you are, you ran
away to him."
YES" Lady Anne said. dryly. that's
a very pretty story! That's just what 1
imagined you would tell everybody when
you knew that I'd come here. That is
just" she continued, slowly, what you
have been rubbing into poor Julien this
morning before he came to see me. Very
well, mother, up to a certain point 1t
came off, you see. Julien called most
dutifully, found me sitting in an attic
attic is the correct word isn't it?-and
made his declaration. No. don't think
he declared anything, on second thoughts!
He effectually concealed any feelings he
might have had. 1t was a suggestion
which he mad0
MY manner Of expressing myself" Ju-
lien began, a little stifhy-
your manner of expressing yourself
was perfect" Anne interrupted. 1T was