Madame Midas

ate his meals, and after a talk with Madame Midas in the evening went to bed at ten o’clock. Such Arcadian simplicity as this was not likely to suit the highly cultivated tastes he had acquir

vividly of the reality of his trouble. Often and often did he wish that Pierre would break his neck, or that the mine would fall in and crush him to death; but nothing of the sort happened, and Pierre continued to vex his eyes and to follow him about with a dog-like fidelity which arose — not from any love of the young man, but — from the fact that he found himself a

as a talker was considerable, so that he frequently held Madame, Selina, and McIntosh spell-bound by his fairy-like descriptions and eloquent conversation. Of course, he only talked of the most general subjects to Mrs Villiers, and never by any chance let slip that he knew the seamy side of life — a side with which this versatile young gentleman was pretty well acquainted. As a worker, Gaston was decidedly a success. Being quick at figures and easily taught anything, he soon mastered all the details of the busines

and carefully, and soon became quite indispensable to the work of the mine. In addition to this he had made himsel

leave him in the lurch; but no one would have guessed that the two men, so different in appearance, were bound

Devil’s Lead had not been found. Madame, however, was strong in her belief that it would soon b

olumns of figures, and Madame, dressed in her underground garments,

they spoke French, ‘I am expecting a young lady this morning, so you can tell her

up, looking up with his bright sm

of the Rev. Mark Marchurst, a minister at Ballarat. I think you will like her, M. Vandeloup,’ she

ned Gaston, gaily; ‘I never could r

n my favourite’s head with any of your idle compliments; she has been v

o look penitent,

bowing, ‘I will speak of nothing to Mademoiselle Ki

aughed p

e said, as she turned to go. ‘However, d

fice door after her, Gaston was silent for

n my word of honour. Madame,’ with an ironical bow in the direction of the closed door, ‘since you trust me I will not speak of love to this bread-and-butter m

to add up his figures. At the second column, however, he p

etty; their mirrors must lie most obligingly if they do. There was Adele, she was decidedly plain, not to say ugly, and yet so brilliant in her talk. I was sorry she died; yes, even though she was the cause of my exile to New Caledonia. Bah! it is always a woman one ha

t was a bird, but no bird could execute such trills and shakes, so by the time the voice arrived at the office door M.

eremony. The latter course was the one adopted by Miss Marchurst, for she threw open the door a

gh Gaston’s young blood, as he arose to his feet. Then she looked up, and catching his dark eyes fixed on her with a good dea

only chair in the office at the disposal of his visitor, and leaned up against the mantelpiece in an attitude of unstudied grace. Miss Marchurst accepted his offer, and depositing her small person in the big cane chai

ng all over her head in crisp golden curls. Child-like enough her face looked in repose, but with the smile came the woman — such a smile, a laughing merry expression such as the Greeks gave to Hebe. Dressed in a rough white dress trimmed with pale blue ribbons, and her golden head surmounted by a sailor hat, with a scarf of the same azure hue tied around it, Kitty looked really charming, and Vandeloup could hardly restrain

a hurried voice, raising her eyes; then afra

t remembering Madame’s injunction he rather mischievou

e said, gravely. Kitty loo

d coolly, producing an apple from her pocket. ‘If that

eyed her critically as she took a bit out of t

e asked, very much a

fruit in a disparaging manner; ‘peaches are nicer;

re,’ rejoined G

a,’ decided Kitty, taking an

tone. ‘I always stay to tea when I’m on a visit here, and then Brown —

ed Vandeloup, who rea

ghed, and

t you,’ she said, co

isadvantage, I h

Miss Marchurst, gaily. ‘They said you were goo

spoke, for he was used to being flattered by women, tho

tered sarcastically, ‘I can see that. Ev

r eyes,’ said Mis

with them?’ with

look w

’ returned Vandeloup, seriously. ‘I a

den head. ‘Pa’s a minister, you know, and nothing but good young me

t this that Kitty rose to h

ple out of the door; ‘but I don’t believe you’re a good young man. You look a

my reformation?’ sugges

ouldn’t be right; but

ston, hastily, who by no means relished t

ame Midas entered, and Kitty fl

, ‘I am so glad to see you, my dear; but

retreating to a safe distance; ‘

f her underground dress; ‘I hope M. Va

ed Mrs Villiers to doff her muddy garments, ‘we h

flush on Kitty’s cheek, and by no means approv

Gaston, going b

her clerk, and taking Kitty’s arm within her own, ‘let

aid Kitty, gluttonously, as she danc

’ said Vandeloup to himself, as he went back to those dreary colu

been running about. Even Madame Midas felt weary and worn out by the heat of the day, and was sitting tranquilly by the window; but Kitty, with bright eyes

ythmic movement of the waves. Then to please old Archie she played ‘Auld Lang Syne’— that tender caressing air which is one of the most pathetic and heart-stirring melodies in the world. Archie leaned forward with bowed head as the sad melody floated on the air, and his thoughts went back to the heather-clad Scottish hills. And what w

a cynical tone; ‘why, I should have

uited her high clear voice to perfection. Vandeloup was rather astonished at hearing this innocent little maiden execute the difficult valse with such ease, and her shake was as rapid and true as if she had been trained in the best schools of Europe. He

e said, with a bow, ‘and I assure you I have heard a

at Miss Marchurst, who now stood by the table, blushing at Vandeloup’s praises, ‘but

age?’ asked

ame, enigmatically, ‘but now, M. Va

sing?’ said K

her seat at the piano and put her arm round Kitty, ‘s

ok his

ning his fingers lightly over the keys;

he heart of Madame Midas with a vague longing for love and affection, while in Kitty’s breast there was a feeling she had never felt before. Her joyousn

ad heard many a time in midnight Paris, and finally ended with singing Alfred de

s, Es-tu toujours la plus jolie,

d votage

Madame wrapped her up well and put her in the buggy, but was rather startled to see her flushed cheeks, br

istake,’ she said to hers

had fallen in love

Ga

, thinking of Kitty, and humming the gay

maison Ouvre ta po

f love at first sight on