The Argosy — page 241: what you’re looking at

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

222 Madame Laroche. ** My aunt Laroche has suddenly become very considerate,” thought Maurice, as he excused himself to Louise, and hurried away. “ Joseph was all right two hours ago.” It was but a stone’s throw to the post-office, and madame took advantage of Louise’s first remark as they turned from the gate. “Yes, my dear,” she answered brightly, “it is a charming place, and I am proud of it. But I assure you I shall be doubly so when Maurice’s lovely bride is installed here as mistress. She is a magnificent creature, Louise, and, Maurice says, the loveliest on the face of the earth—or has he made you the confidant of his rapturous admiration of Marie?” ‘“‘ No, madame,” answered Louise, a little faintly, as she bent over the fragrant bloom of a jasmine. “He has not? Well, I am surprised, I admit. But dear me, how ghastly pale you are!” she abruptly cried as Louise reluctantly turned from the friendly jasmine. “ You should not inhale that heavy perfume ; it is very injurious to persons of your fine organization. Here, my dear, let me give you a bit of the more delicate mignonette.” And madame stooped and culled with elaborate care a few sprigs, resuming, as she placed them in Louise’s hand— ‘“T was about to say that I often tell Maurice he should, under the circumstances, be more careful in his deportment towards the ladies. But, dear fellow, he whispers soft nothings and looks unutterable things without a thought beyond the delight of the moment. But here he is, and furious he’d be if he knew I’d been telling tales. So you must _ “Telling tales,” laughingly echoed Maurice Amot as he joined them. ‘“‘ Tf they are pleasant ones, I’d like to be a listener, too, Aunt Laroche. Did you find them entertaining, Mademoiselle Deville?” he asked, his love-soft eyes trying to scan her face in the deepening twilight. ‘“‘ Undoubtedly,” she answered, lightly and pleasantly, “‘ since Madame Laroche was the narrator.” . “Thank you, my dear,” bowed madame, sweetly, and then, more to change the subject than anything else, she said, turning to Maurice, “ I see you have letters. Are there any for me?” “Three for you, as many for me, and one for Mademoiselle Deville.” ‘‘ We will go into the house, then,” returned madame. “I shall not depend upon your eyesight in this failing light.” Once in the house, Louise gracefully yielded to Madame’s pressing invitation and remained. And so finely did she deport herself, that before the evening was half over, madame was querying within her own bosom whether, after all, the lips and cheeks had not whitened under the jasmine’s perfume. ‘< But it doesn’t matter,” she thought, as at a later hour Louise bade her a gay good-night, ‘ Maurice is safe. She’s sure to give him the cold shoulder, let him make love ever so finely. I must, however, send her a little nate to-morrow when he 1s out of the way, and enjoin the strictest GEomichbooks.co