Evening star., 1921-01-23
Translated from the French By
William l.. McPhersOn.

LIE
TT was one Of those ancient cha
teaux which, still erect ana
massive, standing in a country
side equally unchanged. recall
the days when medieval legends were
still honored in our venerable land
of France.
Nevertheless. automobiles buzzed
and footed around it and the large
British family which occupied II
every summer and autumn led life
in 1t which was eminently modern.
Tennis, canoeing, motor cycling ana
similar sports occupied the young
people. and had it not been for the
distinction and elegance Of the older
girls and the married women no
trace Of fairyland would have been
left in that country of the past.
It is q fact that women's clothes-
even those Of today-add a marvel
GUS touch to any background Ihe
expanded wings of sashes. the com.
inRs and koines Of many-colored
sweaters and white skirts filled the
park and its romantic river with a
very gracious movement ana coior:
in default Of more picturesque and
mysterious attire.
But the most beautiful spectacle for
which the old castle grounds fur
nished the setting was the Thursday
dansant which the English lessees
gave to the nctabilities Of the neigh
borhood. The latter came each week
from the nearby manors and villas
and even from the more distant town.
It was a reunion Of poor country
squires and rich industrials. to the
latter OF whom an invitation from
Lady Ellivan represented almost a
patent of nobility.
ADY Ellivan, the grandmot other Of
- the family, understood. in spite
Of the rigid Professionalism OF her race
and family, that youth must be
amused, and also that the best place
to amuse it is at home.
Nothing was so gay as the Thurs
day entertainment at the chateau, yet
nothing was in better form.
On this particular Thursday - the
first of the autumn-the guests were
just seating themselves about the
to see the Larvois family enter
father and mother, two daughters and
q son.
For weeks they had been absent.
and every one within five miles knew
the reason. Marguerite de Larvois.
Of leaving home to enter a convent,
having been destined from early
youth to be q Carmelite nun.
The appearance Of this beautiful
young girl, vowed to the church. In
terrupted all conversation.
Can she have renounced the con-
vent?" they all thought.
poise, shook hands all around, and
smiled at everybody. Her melancholy
eyes seemed more beautiful than
ever. The luxuriousness of her white
gown astonished the company.
After q few minutes the fete re-
sumed its usual animation. The guests
presently left the tables and the mu-
Marguerite de Larvois took a seat
beside her mother. Her sister and
brother Joined the dancers. but she
held aloof.
It goes without saying that the
tango was ,a Wesz IN and lazy age
were still modern enough for her.
The piano and the violin blared forth.
The waltsers, in blue. rose. mauve,
pale yellow and white. with black
splotches made by the mems smoking
Jackets. fitted past Marguerite de
LarvOlS. But Bic TeHuoIHeu enl8-
mntfc and calm.
Then she saw some one approach
ana stretch out his hand as II inviting
her to dance. 1t was the blond Pat
rick Ellivan. a dreamy looking young
man whom women thought beautiful,
and who was 70, in fact. in the sense
in which certain types OF Englishmen
are.
s"rhey are going to Dance" many of
the onlookers whispered to ore an
other. And ~ onca the conclusion
was drawn: ut will hA q match !"
Then. naturally, rame the criticism !:
s'To talk from childhood about he
coming r. nun and to end bv marrying e
a Protestart-thati is going it a little
too strong"
DUT they didn't dance. Side by side
- they mounted some steps which
led to a sort Of terrace. from which
there was a clear view across the
country to the western horizon. They
could be seen leaning shoulder to
shoulder on the balustrade, talking
together, while their gaze was lost in
the infinite spaces above the park.
now golden in the sunset.
But who among the curious throng
below could have suspected what
they were talking about?
II believe understand why you
came today" said Patrick. in his per-
feet French. with just q charming
tinpA OF ACCENT "This last glimpse