Marie Gourdon / A Romance of the Lower St. Lawrence

ra gioventù

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caught sight of some pedestrian acquaintances and nodded their greetings. Stately old dowagers were enjoying to the full the bright sunshine, as they lay comfortably back in their well-padded broughams. Here were brilliantly apparelled men and women, the very butterflies of London society, talking of the events of yesterday,

hin, white hands they stretched out their offerings of flowers to sell the passer-by-bright spring flowers-crocuses, daffodils and violets, whose freshness and purity served only to enhance the

est, the busy throng about them. From time to time he lifted his hat in a mechanical manner as he recognized some acquaintance, but there was nothing enthusiastic in his greetin

are you? Why are you star-gazing

r he it was, turning round sharply. "I'm gla

g tour through the Pyrenees, where no English is spoken. The consequence was that we were nearly starved-couldn't make the p

y Severn and

he is out morning, noon and night. I declare she tires me out, and I can't begin to keep pace with her. One ball

tary to Miss Elsie,

at is the matter with you? Oh! ah! I beg your pardon, I-I--Wha

She was determined to break them in, and, when she decided on a thing, she always carried her point. That morning, sh

to me. She used to scold me occasionally, but I expect I deserved it. No, no, don't talk about it any more. You

selle La

r her? She was up at Mo

go to the opera, much as I should like it. You see it w

hat we can do. I have tickets for a conversazione at the Academy to-morrow-there can be no h

d, I have not b

a man called Lacroix; they say it's the best

lled Eugène Lacroix? Does

wn way in London this year. Whether it is this Colonial Exhibiti

McAllister. "I used to know him a long ti

people speak well of him, strange to say, for he is a foreigner, and they are prejudiced against outsiders, as a rule. He has had several things hung at the Salon in Paris, and a head he painted of Mademoiselle Laurentia made a great hit last spr

n you give me Mademoisel

u going to see her? It always struck me that you and s

rike you i

r you came in one door she seemed to go out of the othe

e y

sie thought

rvant, Jack. I did not credit you

see through a stone wall as well as any one e

but I'm going to call on Mademoiselle Laurent

oiselle Laurentia, the only time to catch her in is between five and six. Goo

ch, hailed a passing hansom, jumped in, and called out to the driver, "Go t

d, "I'll try my best, sir, but I'm afraid I

spitals, buildings innumerable, the mansions of the rich and the wretched dwellings of the poor, the squalid habitations of outcast London, on! on! on! Up the great hill of Highgate, where th

cemetery, which contains the ashes of hundreds of illustrious dead, past the little church, perched on the summit

the road. A long porch of lattice-work led up to the front door, and tall elm trees shaded the little garden. It w

the cabman, breathless, but triumphan

well-earned sovereign. Now take your horse

over such unwonted generosity, and musi

, and presently it was opened by a neat maid-

rentia will not be able to see you.

h me; but I have come on a matter of the utm

is way," and the maid led the way

er. On the walls hung numerous water-colors and engrav

hmere, embroidered in dull gold silk with a quaint conventional pattern. Her gown was slightly open at the throat, round which was a necklace of dull gold be

etched out in welcome, but at the sight o

indeed an unexpected pleasure. Pray pardon my theatrical dress, but

is very becoming; in fact, y

ll you that once before I have had to remind you that onl

end? I have known

I seem rude, but it is now past six o'clock, and I must leave here in twent

y important to say to

very sorry to hear that. She was alwa

Marie, what her

McAllister. You say your wife is de

No?l irritably, "but it means

hat do y

thought of you has ever been with me. The memories of Father Point, of the happy days spent there, haunt me always. And now,

for a moment she did not answer; then she rose from her chair, and, looking straight a

he same person I was ten years ago? Do you think I am the same little country g

was you who

inst your newly-found fortune. I saw you waver, hesitate. I did not hesitate. And now I am rich, I am famous, you come to me. You offer me that worthless thing,-your love. When I

listen;

things, but there are others I value infinitely more. Dear me! is that half-past six striking? I believe I hear the carriage at the