Lady Evelyn — page 263: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

256 Conquering the Conqueress. and was leaping down the stairs five at a time. Chance had done for him at last what labor and search so long had failed to do. An elderly French woman stood on the curbstone wait- ing for a chance to cross the street. Wuith a dozen long strides he was beside her. “Madame Michaud!” The little old woman wheeled around and recognized her handsome accoster at once with sparkling eyes. “Mon Dieu! Monsieur Trevannance! Who would have thought to see you here?r”’ “I have been searching for you—Mignonnette, these months. Is she here?—lIs she well?” “Both, monsieur.”’ “And with your” “Always with me, monsieur. Could the child live alone?’ : “Thank Heaven! Is she on the stage?” “No, monsieur. She has never been on the stage since that time.” “Thank Heaven again! What, then, does she do?” “Monsieur, I don’t know that I ought to tell you. _Mam’selle will not like it.” “Why not, pray—if it be honorable? Tell me, Madame Michaud.” “Well, then, she teaches singing and the piano. But it is hard work, monsieur, and poor pay. The other was sO much easier, so much pleasanter. Still, she toils on — and works for us both. Ah! it is a noble heart.” “Why did she leave the stage?’ Trevannance asked, more moved than-he cared to show. | : La Michaud glanced at him askance. She was old, but she had not forgotten her youth. She understood perfectly why, but she was by far too womanly to tell. ‘ ie she shrugged her shoulders and trotted on by his side. “Ah, why, indeed? Ask her that when you see her, monsieur; she never told me. Where are you going now?” “Home with you, madame,” Trevannance answered, with quiet resolution. “Don’t be inhospitable ; I insist upon it. Is Mignonnette there?” “Miononnette is out—at her lessons. She will be very com icbooks Cc angry when she returns and finds eke Bs don’t receive - Mh 2s Nag mats ap is Beat A ORE Sat ee