The Glenwood post., 1924-11-27
BOOK TWO
Chapter I


Hyde Park hotel and was on his way
to pay call In Curzon street. Hence
his progress through the sun-baked
and dusty park at o'clock on Sat-
urday afternoon In August. Christie
pher, who had been his fellow guest,
caught him up as he had reached the
shelter of the trees. The two young
men were apparently still on the same
friendly terms No one but them
selves realized the slight cloud which
had never wholly passed away from
between them since the night in Ger
aids sitting-room at the Hotel de
Paris, eighteen months ago.
Christopher took his friends arm
lightly. He had made several at
tempts to break through the slight re-
straint that existed between them, and
Gerald's appearance these days rather
troubled him. He was thinner, his eyes
i were restless. his manner a little
nervous. He had not the appearance
Of being the spoiled child Of fortune
that he certainly was.
II wonder you don't get fed up with
the London crowd" Christopher re-
marked.
IT very nearly am" Gerald con-
fessed. "They were much more anus
ing in the old days, before they took
up marriage as a hobby. Now the most
nagrant little hussy begins to talk
about her people in the country and
st. Georges. Hanover square. If you
hold her fingers. It's all the fault Of
these callow Christopher
great heavensl"
! They had passed the Achilles statue
4 and were making toward Stanhope
y gate. The crowd here seemed more
spiritless than ever. In chairs little
way back and apart from the others,
two women, dressed In plain black,
were seated. One was elderly, the
other young Both were weary. both
sat there with the air Of wishing to
avoid observation. To Christopher
II they were entirely unfamiliar. His
whole attention was absorbed by Ger
AIDS strange demeanor. Gerald's long
y fingers had gripped his arm painfully.
For the first time In months, there was
real feeling in his face.
Its Pauline |" he exclaimed. "Wait
for me, Chris"
Without hesitation, Gerald turned
and threaded his way among the
chairs. The two women watched his
approach, the older one with stolid In
n difference Pauline apparently with
- some faint resentment. Gerald, how
ever, in these last few seconds had be-
come very determined person. He
4 stood before them with his hat In his
Inland His bow was lower than is GUS
tomary among English people. His
manner could scarcely have been more
&espectful If he had been paying his
homage at Buckingham palace.
"May be permitted to recall my
Eelf to the recollection Of Madame de
Poniere7' he begged.
The woman looked at him with un-
Recognizing eyes. The last eighteen
months had dealt hardly with her.
The flesh had sagged little from her
cheek bones, her mouth had become
bitter, her throat was thin. her eyes
rold and CLASSY.
"You do not succeed in doing 10.
monsieur" she said coldly.
Pauline intervened. There was some
AfAlUt uOte OF COuTttby III hcE inohhSi' >
nothing whatever of kindliness.
This young gentleman" she e1-
blamed to her aunt. Lord Dombey. !
believe his name is-wns kind enough
10 be of assistance to US at Monte
Carlo, on the night when Zubin met
with his unfortunate accident"
Madame de Ponlere inclined her
hnad.
81 trust that we rendered our thanks
pn that OCCASION" she observed lcily.
lGerald held his ground. Pauline was
,aler than ever, and thin, but perhaps
he fancied that there was shade OF
Encouragement in those soft. weary
Eyes.
"Mntsdme," he said, there was some
Hight previous acquaintance between
our niece and myself, some trifline
9iervice had been able to render which
have me the right to perform this
hrther one. It gives me great pleas
klre to see you again In my own
(, tosntry."
The older woman laughed hardly.
at is difficult to believe" she
y, 8Aoffed. "that the sight of us could
hive pleasure to any one; apart from
(which Sact." she added rapidly, ut Is
bot our wish to make or renew ac-
bunintances while we are here"
Madame" Gerald replied. "thnt was
: Iy6ur attitude in Monte Carlo, an atti
|tude which ] may say occasioned me
1.-The deepest regret, ! venture to hope
= that may be able to induce you tt
modify It,"
. "And why should II" she asked, al
>nmost insolently