The Red Rat’s Daughter

e rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent t

nxiety that was almost ludicrous, “how ar

your own gardener has arranged ze flowers. You have ze best men-servants in London to wait upon you. I have procured you four kinds of fruit that has onl

I am exceedingly obliged to you for th

onsieur,” replied Lallemand politely. “It

rance, clad in immaculate evening-dress. He greeted Browne with a somewhat sheepish air, as

e I am, you see; up to time, I

ieur Foote,” replied Lallemand,

Foote replied, with a smile. “Human nature is w

n the two ladies for whom he was waiting so eagerly. When at last they did arrive he hastened to the door to greet them. Madame Bernstein was the first to alight, and Katherine Petro

were to take off their wraps, Browne went in s

nced at him; “you are all on the jump. What on earth is

aid Browne, with righteous indignation.

ase which was an eighth of an inch from the centre

while her bodice was supported by the most slender of shoulder-straps, it was cut considerably lower than most people would have considered compatible with either her age or her somewhat portly appearance. Round her neck and studded in her hair were many diamonds, all so palpably false as to create no suspicion of the means by which she had obtained them. Her companion’s costume, on the other hand,

d that was that the person he was most anxious to please scarcely touched anything. But if she did not, Madame Bernstein made ample amends for her. She allowed no dish to pass her untasted; the connoisseur was apparent in her appreciation of the wines, while her praise of the cooking was volubility itself. From what he had seen of her, Browne had been prepared to dislike her intensely; to his s

Covent Garden. The box was on the prompt side of the house, and was the best that influence and money could secure. Madame Bernstein and Katherine Petrovitch took th

estra took their places. He felt as he said it that he need n

playing with the handle of her fan. “Music

Browne that she had not very much pleasure in her life

ainly have been so, for the evening seemed scarcely to have begun ere it was over and the National Anthem was being played. When the curtain descended the two young men escorted the ladies to the entrance hall, where they waited while the carriage was being called. It was at this juncture that Jimmy pr

may venture to see you again?” Browne ask

ttempt at a smile. “I do not know what

ctions?” he asked, I fear a little angrily; for he did n

plied; “but I always have so much to do for her that I do not feel

hop in the High Street, or walk in the Park or Kensington Gardens on

shaking her head. “If it i

e realised that she was purposely placing obstacles in the way of their meeting

eisure than before; for in that case I have letters to write for M

resence upon the girl when he saw she was not anxious for it. It was plain to him that there was something behind it all — some reason

e door. Madame Bernstein and Foote accordingly approached t

kindness to-night,” said Kather

ed. “It is I who should thank you.

ould see Lohengrin a hundred times wit

em good-night. He gave the footman his instructions, and presently the carriage rolled away, leaving the two young

ke a cab, or shall

replied. “I feel as if I could enjoy a ten-mile

n to bed. Browne, old man, I have been through a good deal for you to-night. I like the young

he satisfaction of knowing that your martyrdom is appreciated; the time may come when y

rs before I come to you with such a request. When I remember that, but for my folly in showing you that picture in Waterloo Place, we should by this time b

ffered n

oote as they reached the do

d Browne. “I think, if you wi

Foote; “I shall probabl

ood-night, Browne p

ith an equally futile result. Regardless of the time he was wasting, and of everything else, he passed on in the direction of Addison Road. As disappointment still pursued him, he made up his mind to attempt a forlorn hope. Turning into t

o see Miss Petro

replied. “She has not been here this

wanted to see her personally; but you

. “Very good, sir. You may

t of the garden, he made his way back to the High Street. He had not proceeded more than a hundred yards down

dozen paces apart whe

y. “I have just called at your studio in the hope that I might see you. The woman told m

e, but the only one he cou

me?” she said in

ou would be; but if you are I will go away again. By this time

he had spoken so plainly

ous to see me,” she said, “or I would

een standing on the spot

a little way with you?” said Brown

pleased,” she a

ed back in the dire

as she did so she held out her hand; it was plain that

it Browne noticed that her voice trembled and her

but I feel sure that you are not happy. Will you not trust

med by the suddenness of her exit, and hoping she might come out again; then, realising that she did not intend doing so, he turned on his heel and made his way back to the High Street, and so to Park Lane. His afternoon w

ighted from his hansom and approached the door of the studio. He rang the

. Reaching the house, the number of which Katherine had given him, he ascended the steps and

rprised. “She is not here, sir. She and Madame Bern