The Argosy — page 83: what you’re looking at

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The Missing Rubies. 73 wafting her soul away to a world of peaceful dreams and tranquil remembrance. So she slept, soundly and sweetly, and did not wake till there was a light knock at her door. But it was only Mary, the neat house- maid, bringing up the four o’clock tea that she had ordered. Madame Valerot sat up sleepily on the couch, and passed two plump, white hands, loaded with rings, over her auburn head. The sparkle of the gems almost dazzled Mary ; and Madame’s soft round face and short-cut hair gave her such a sweet look of childish innocence, that the maid was quite fascinated. As a rule, Mrs. Milton’s servants objected to being questioned, but when this lovely French lady made a few simple enquiries, they were most willingly and readily answered. “ Was it Mr. Milton who went out with Miss Ward about an hour ago?” she said, artlessly. “Oh, no, madame; that was Mr. Earle,” replied Mary, stealing another glance at the flashing rings. ‘Ah, Mr. Earle.” Pauline’s hand went up to her brow for an instant. “Is he living here?” ‘No, madame ; he is a friend who visits Miss Ward, and my master and mistress.” Madame Valerot breathed more freely. This man whom she feared was not under the same roof with her ; he was only a caller. ‘There was music, beautiful music, upstairs,” she said, smiling sweetly at Mary. ‘‘ Who is it that plays so well?” Mr. Vordenberg, madame. The gentleman who lives on the second-floor.” Pauline smiled again, and was silent. She knew all about her fellow-lodgers now, she said to herself. The elderly lady who occupied the dining-room was an acquaintance of Mrs. Wyville’s, and a person of no importance as far as Madame was concerned. For a moment or two, she had thought that it would be wise to seek new quarters, but a little reflection decided her to stay. ‘“T am not expected to be friendly with the pretty governess,” she mused. ‘And if I don’t begin any intimacy with her, I shall, of. course, see nothing of her lover. He was an ill-starred man, that poor Earle ; but it seems that better days have come to him. The girl Beatrice is reserved and proud ; she does not want to know more of me. That is well. We two will keep apart. And now I will fling off all my fears and think only of the work I have to do.” Days passed away, and Christmas came; the first Christmas that Beatrice had ever spent in London. Mr. Corder had invited the Miltons and the lovers to dine with him on Christmas evening. But happy as she was, Beatrice could not help thinking a great deal about Mr. Vordenberg, and her heart often ached for his sake. ‘He is so lonely,” she said to Godwin; ‘and lately he has looked sadder than ever. It would be only a mockery to wish him a merry F* comicbooks.com