Beyond The Rocks

f her spring frocks. She did not know why she was so happy. There had been no word of any one else being of the party, only

d she hoped it would not tire him. Theodora should be well looked after. They might be late and even dine at Versailles, she said, and Mr. Brown was not to be anxious-she would be responsible for the safe

many, he had no time to feel Theodora was going to dine out wit

reached Suresnes before th

how you wanted to go to Versailles, and how your husband is not strong enough to take these excursions

of you!" sa

a and passionately in love with her first husband-the defunct McBride was a second venture-she had not met a man who could quicken her pulse like Captain Fitzgerald. It was a curious coinciden

I think I shall clinch matter

odora's m

all about its history, and be able to tell me interesting things;

merits of Callot and Doucet and Jeanne Valez. And the widow said some bright Am

ir two cavaliers in the court-yard awaiting them a

e scent in the air, every line of his figure and turn of his head, every look in his eyes-and they were many and varied-and also and alas! every growin

show creatures of their age, and both were of the same class and knowledge of savoir-vivre. Every one said such polite and gracious things,

k was time enough to

r announced, choosing a different path to the other

e happy," sa

seat and admire the view. See, we are quite alone and

at this stage to be reasonable, something of the i

re was something so absolutely pure white about that skin, it seemed g

e were her tender eyes, dewy and shadowed with dark lashes, and so intensely blue. His glance wandered farther afield. Such a figure! slender and graceful and fine. There was something almost childish about it all; the innocent look of a very young girl, with the polish of the wom

ion was surging

g. There was no moon now and he had not even breakfas

yond the chapel. "Its histories and its meanings. I used to read about it all after Sarah brough

you did when Sarah brought yo

at time, you know, and we were rather poor, so we came as cheaply as we could, Sarah, Clementine, and I, and I remember

te!" sai

was about

y beautiful, I expect,"

nly had sandwiches, you see, that we brought with us, and some funny little drinks at a café down there," and she pointed vaguely towards the lake, "because we found we had only one franc fifty between us all. But we were so

agreed Hector, with

said, and there was a cloud in the

er-while his deep voice too

as only smiling to think that six years ago you were a baby child, and I was t

ances which, sitting there beside her, he wou

p all low or vicious things. It was not that she filled people with ascetic thoughts of saints and an

every moment he discovered fresh qualities

on things, she took them for granted just as they were, and Jean

e with her in the country, at old Bracondale, to see her honored and adored, surrounded by little children-his children-would be a dream of bliss far, far beyond any dream he had ever known. A domestic,

ith a hideous pang of pain and bi

already seated when they joined them in the restaurant. Most

if she had had a happy and exciting hour too. Papa looked complacent and handsomer than ever, she t

er nerves needed calming! And Captain Fitzgerald had agreed to accompany her. Their destination was unknown, and they might not be back for tea, so Lord Bracondale

urs it will take to get there and back, she pointed out. And n

afternoon in blissful surroundings undisturbed by any one. As it was, who knows if the goddess settled it with a smile on her l