The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-03-21

you SlOuld know more OF the LamDe
armor than I do. Why not show 1t
to Monsieur de Jussac. SO that he may
| commence his studies. You will find
most of it in the hall"
81 think Monsieur de Jussac had
better pursue his own investigations,
for l shall be fully occupied with
mine" said Diana, "and for the pres
ent 1 Will retire to my room, If you
Will excuse me, Aunt"
She glided majestically through the
doorway.
The yicomte's eyes followed Dia-
mas departure.
adorable blonde!" he unused. 1.-THE
i~nvincible phlegme ~brittaniqne. But
1t is the ley, inaccessible peak that
spurs the courage of the mountain
eer |"
He sat down and made himself par
ticularly pleasant to Lady Erythea.
When the party of four assembled
for dinner, Lady Erythea was amiable
and r~esplendent in purple. Diana
frigid and ethereal In pale yellow,
while Alexander at 1rst wore the air
of the Jackdaw of Rheims molting
under the abbot's curse. But Ber-
trand de Jussac, looking Ike a re-
viyed D,Artagnan in evening dress,
| contrived to chase h~eaviness away.
His merry, infectious laugh and
quick sallies uplifted the spirits of
the others. He made a deeper i'm
preston than eve on Diana Lambe,
and with the usual perversity that
seized her when in mixed company,
she felt it due to herself to become
the more openly hostile.
81 do not understand how you can
defend the spirit of the age" she said
coldly, in answer IL a sally that made
even Alexander smile. 1.-The days of
| chivalry are dead. What romance can
one attach to the modern young man?
But in the days o. heraldry, when
men we're splendid in helm and gor-
get and camail-ah, then" she ex-
| claimed, with a rare touch Of enthu-
siasm, romance fourished indeed
Talking of mail" said Lady Fry
thea blandly, "the ghost always ap-
pears in q complete suit of 1t, though
his coming is noiseless as a breath of
mist. l regret to tell you, Vicomte,
that he came to- a bad end through a
romantic passion"
"Why regret?" protested Bertrand.
81 will wager twas worth It."
Because he was reputed-or disre-
puted-to be an ancestor of yours; a
De Jussac taken as hostage by Sill
Piers Lambe-after a most gallant re
s~istance," said Lady Erythea smiling
while here he engaged the affections
discovered, was permitted to don his
armor and debate the matter with
| Sir Piers. His end was-tragic."
"No end can be wholly tragic, Il
reached by the path of a great pas
sion. To every rose its thorn. / ap
plaud hint" Bertrand raised his
glass. ITO you, nameless ancestor 7
He replaced the glass approximately
AMI Mr.. Tarbeaux reflled 1t. Touch
ing this ancestor, Lady Diana"
But his hostess had given the sig
nal, the ladies rose. and the two mer
were left alone-a custom that still
fingered at Jervaulx. De Jussac die
not find Mr.. Lambe a very exhila
rating companion, but Alexander
though drinking only water, kept hin
at the table an unconscionable time
When eventually they reached the
drawing room Alexander departed a
once to his library, and Bertrand
found that Diana had retired.
81 must apologize for my niece, vi
comte, but she has gone to her room
to achieve the proper psychic attitude
or whatever she calls it, for her In
quiries as to this absurd ghost" SAID
Lady Erythea. "She can, of course
do nothing tonight. And as 1t Is late
and you will not wish to sit up talk
ing to an old woman"
"Most spirituelle Of ~hostesses," pro.
tested the Vicomte, 81 should like tc
sit and talk to you all night, If you
will allow me-"
Diana put her head inside the door
81 told you, Aunt" she said, "that
my stupid maid lost herself at the
terminus, and l cannot retire unat.
tended. May I have yours?"
my own lncumbrance has beer
away for two days." said her aunt