The Idol of Paris

eat plains rolling interminably out of sight pleased her; the light mist rising from the earth seemed to her the breath of the shivering tall grasses, offering the sun the drops of dew which

s a painter, he dreamed as an artist! Jean Perliez looked at the sketch, then at the model, and was left dazzled and dolorous. Finally magnetized by the looks fixed upon her, Esperance turned her head away with a little cry of surprise

he cried. "I thank you in advance

st what was to be expected at their happy age. Soon

of luggage. Just as Esperance was getting out to help her old companion, she had a feeling of reaction, her face grew pale with fright at an impression she could not define: two

oung girl closed her eyes. She felt herself lifted, and set down upon the ground. Although the movement had been one of perfect respect, she felt angry with this man for

take my mother's

little distant, fell on th

quickly, "I have enga

d Ho

he guided the old lady and the young one towards a perf

he authority, of this tall, young man of distinction, but of no beauty, of no magnetism, depressed her. She did not wish to have him take it upon himse

w the Count very slightly, and regarded him with some curiosity. Although but t

he girl. Mlle. Frahender was received on the Count's arm. At the same instant Esperance had bounde

t card she drew out said Jean Perliez. She looked for him to thank him, but he had slipped away to hide his confusion. For he had taken such pains to order that bouquet through the hotel manager, never foreseeing that others might have had the same idea! A pretty basket of azaleas came from the Director of the Monnaie. In the middle of the

she whispered, pressing

tens you,

t Sty

young man, who i

"That is not the way that others look at me

knocked discreetl

so that we shall not lose a

ong ramble, zigzagging extravagantly about the city. The adorable little artist appreciated the beauty of the lovely capital, and the church of Saint Gudule delighted her. They too

the Minister Prince de Bernecourt and the Count Albert Styvens, Secretary of the Legation. Feeling that she would not see the Co

at, we will go to bed very early, to have our best looks ready for to-morrow, will we not, my little lady?" she said, plac

a game of trente-et-un, but after consulting the cloc