Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1923-04-13
XVIII
"cold Lambe!"

Lady Diana might have been the
original of that tedious young woman
who was described by the poet as
"divinely tall and most divinely fair"
She was without doubt strikingly
beautiful, a type of the large and very
pale blonde. But an atmosphere Of
frigidity surrounded her, which many
people found repellent.
"My dear aunt" she said calmly,
entering the drawing room and kiss
ing Lady Erythea, $50 good of you
to have me for this flying visit. Alex
ander, how are your" She touched
her brothers cheek with her lips.
"You will have a clear field for your
investigations, my DEAR" said Lady
Erythea, "and 1 hope the advances
you have made in psychic science
withdrawing you to terms with the
ghost. But 1 doubt it. By the way,
your cousin Aimee Is here, as l told
you. But she is unwell and is keep
ing her room. 1 am rather anxious
about her. Incidentally, we shall have
another guest; 1 expect Monsieur de
Jussac today"
Alexander left the room.
Monsieur de Jussac!" exclaimed
Diana. She paused. Lady Erythea
watched her somewhat keenly. "What
brings him here?" said Diana.
"He is very anxious said Lady Fry
thea glibIy, "to examine the Lambe
collection of armor. We have a suit
Of mail which is believed to have been
captured at Crecy; there is a tradition
that it belonged to one of the De JUS
sac family"
Lady Diana looked incredulous.
"And l understand he Is interested
in psychic matters, and anxious to i'm
prove his knowledge"
'That is something in his favor"
said Diana with suspicion.
"T expect that is his car" said Lady
Erythea.
A rakish automobile of semi-racing
type was observed sweeping along the
park drive. The Vicomte de Jussac
had motored direct from town.
A minute later he presented himself.
Bertrand de Jussac was tall, and for
his age, rather full-bodied. His com
plexion was healthily rudy, he had a
little black mustache and a jolly, row.
ing dark eye. In spite Of his very
material appearance, he had undoubt'
edly the bel air. He raised Lady Fry
rhea's skinny fingers to his lips.
Enchanted, dear lady, to pay HON.
900 - 70, -. VOC hnr.nc How very
amiable of you to invite mel"
Lady Erythea bestowed on him he
smile she reserved for elder sons.
charmed to have you. You know my
niece, ~surely?"
Bertrand's little start of surprise
was admirably done. He bent low
over Diana's hand, but refrained from
kissing it.
But this is delightful" exclaimed
Bertrand. "You told me in town, Lady
Diana, that you were interested in the
gnost. Happy ghost 1, too, am de-
veloping rapidly. an interest in the
psychic. / hope"
Il thought it was armor that at
rracted you here" said Diana frig-
ialy.
.Helas, mademoiseIle," said Ber-
trand, allowing his dark eyes to meet
her pale blue ones, there are weap-
ous against which armor Is of no
avail"
with YOU bent for ancient his
rory, DIANA" interrupted her aunt,
you should know more of the m
armor han l do. Why not show 1t
10 Monsieur de Jussac. so that he may
his studies. You will find
most of it in the hail.
II think Monsieur de Jussac had
better pursue his own investigations,
Tor | shall be fully occupied with
mine" said Diana, "a1d for the pres
ent / will retire to my room, If you
will excuse me, Aunt"
She glided majestically through he
doorway.
The vicomte's eyes followed Dia-
mas departure.
adorable blonde !" he unused. 1.-THE
invincible phlegme ~brittanique. But
it is the icy, inaccessible peak that
spurs the courage of the mountain
eer! 7"
He sat down and made himself par
ticuIarly pleasant to Lady Erythea.
When the party of four assembled
for dinner, Lady Erythea was amiable
and resplendent in purple, Diana
frigid and ethereal in pale yellow,
while Alexander at first wore the air
of the Jackdaw of Rheims melting
under the abbot's curse. But Ber-