The Dolores star., 1923-07-13
CHAPTER XVII
Complications.

Speetihs her nephew through her
lorgnette. as they rose from the
luncheon table. "or the burglary has
been a greater shock to your nerves
than 1 should have suspected. do
not like to see you wearing that pal
lid and constrained expression. Your
sister will be quite concerned about
you. She arrives. you remember, by
the evening train"
"Dianal" said Mr.. Lambe. IT had
quite forgotten that she was due here"
Georgina started slightly, and looked
perturbed.
"She is coming" said Lady Erythea,
TO investigate the Jervaulx ghost
Certainly, she might have done 1t be-
fore. But believe she has only re-
Gently become member of the Psy-
chical Research society. She Is quite
enthusiastic about it-so far as Diana
can be enthusiastic about anything
Indeed. her letter Is so technical as to
be unintelligible to me-"
Il did not know there was n ghost
here" said Georglna, wide-eyed.
Il should not like to say that there
Is. But 1t is tradition in the family,
and has been well vouched for. I
have never seen It, Diana seems to
imply" added Lady Erythea little
acidly. that only those who are ad-
vanced, and in tune with the Infinite,
see such things. If she thinks she Is
more spiritual than I, she is welcome
to try. She will discover nothing
whatever" Lady Erythea turned to
her nephew. Bertrand de Jussac Is
coming also"
''De JussacT cried Alexander, star
Ing at her.
"Yes. You know him, think"
Il have met him, Of course" said
Mr.. Lambe dryly. 81 should have
thought this was the last house that
so frivolous person would wish to
visit. Why Is he coming? Surely he
Is not interested in the ghost?"
"In the ghost-no," said Lady Ery-
thea. with n faint yet serene smile.
'but possibly his interest may arise.
I approve him. A young man Of excel
lent standing and irreproachable de-
scent"
Descent Is the word," said Mr.
Lambe rather curtly, and left the
room.
"How long is-Diana going to stay
here?" Georgina asked anxiously.
1.-Two days-but it is possible she
may be persuaded to prolong her
visit" said her ladyship placidly.
"What is the Vicomte de Jussac
liker'
"D'Artagnan-in the flesh. With a
touch, perhaps, Of Porthos. The type
which 1t Is good woman's mission to
reform. But this is outside your prov
ince, Aimee" she said abruptly, and
laid a hand on the girls shoulder.
go. my dear child, and get your
cousin away from his books. Take
him for drive and some fresh air."
Georgina left the room obediently.
But instead Of seeking Alexander, she
hunted, with an agltated face, for
Aimee.
"Hullo! What's the trouble now7"
exclaimed Aimee. II say. Georgie,
dear. I'm beastly sorry about being
in the arbor. couldn't help"
"Oh, never mind that now!" broke
In Georgina distractedly. "a much
worse things happened. / knew how
1t would be. Lady Diana Lambe Is
coming; she'll be here in an hour or
two"
Rapidly she repeated the news con-
cerning the two expected guests.
t. ,,,tt ~,
"Cold Lambe!" she exclaimed.
Coming here? AS If 1 hadn't enough
to bear without that It's the worst
news yet"
"Wh-what did you call herr"
ITS what everybody calls her In
London-Cold Lambe. 1t fits her like
glove. A beautiful, frigid beast!"
Aimee! She knows you, doesn't
she?'
"Of course. She lives in town.
She's the only one of the Lambes do
know. And Diana hates me, and
well, I've never pretended to like her
either She's perfectly pitiless; she'll
give me away like shot. and flatten
me out. She'll be all over It'll"
Let us hope" said Georgina breath
lessly, "that Monsieur de Jussac will
-er-dIstract her attention; keep her
occupied. Lady Erythea says"
Aimee sat on the bed and exploded
with laughter.
"That aunt of mine is incorrigible"
she gasped II tell you it's perfect
rot You might as well try to melt
an iceberg fresh from the Pole. This
French vlcomte won't stand the slight
est chance"
.Do you know him, too"
"I've heard of him. They say he's
rather "a rip. l expect that means
he's a good sort. But Diana-heaven
preserve us Well, she probably
won't know me in this rig, but she'll