The Argosy — page 243: what you’re looking at

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224 Madame Laroche. Nor did her mind revert to it till the weight of anxiety oppressing her had been relieved by an interview with Martin. Under the rebound lesser cares presented themselves. “Tt is really quite unnecessary to write,” she thought; “ but I will nevertheless do so to-day, and thus make all safe beyond the shadow of doubt. I can’t possibly leave here in less than a week, and it would beawkward for me if she should happen to tax Maurice with this en- gagement of my fanciful creation.” Accordingly the note was written; and also a lengthy epistle to her nephew, detailing minutely the important points of the business claiming her attention. They were sealed and posted in time for the night mail, and duly received the following morning. Maurice, seated before the library table, opened his with eager interest. But he was soon intensely mystified. “‘T know, my dear,” commenced madame, “ that you are to be trusted, else I would not have committed what I did to your keeping. So you must not construe this into an expression of doubt on my part. The truth is, I have been a little fearful that you failed to gather from my last hasty words, that I was about to place a seal upon your lips in regard to the subject which had just engaged us. I therefore concluded to write and impress it upon you, that the conversation was strictly confidential, and on no account to be repeated till the matter becomes public.” “The deuce!” muttered Maurice Arnot, “ does my good aunt La- roche think I have taken leave of my senses? The idea that I would — bruit her business abroad! Trouble must have turned her brain,” he — thought again, as he went on reading. ‘« And now let me assure you, my dear,” continued madame, “ that I consider you the very soul of honour, and know that I have only to ex- press my wish to have it most carefully observed. The secret which I confided to you about my nephew is known only to a few inti——” ‘Her nephew! The secret!” exclaimed Maurice, in angry surprise. “To whom can she be writing?” And he hastily turned to another page. ‘‘ Mademoiselle Louise Deville! By all The sentence remained unfinished. Starting from his chair with a force that sent it whirling to the floor, he dashed out of the house and across the street to the cottage. A ‘Mademoiselle Louise is down in the summer-house, sir,” replied the servant to his impetuous inquiry, and Maurice strode through the hall to the indicated spot. “TI have a letter here, Mademoiselle Deville, which needs some explanation,” he exclaimed, throwing himself into a seat opposite the © one from which Louise had nervously started. “It is from my aunt, and though directed to me, was meant for you, I found, after possessing — myself of a portion of its mystifying contents. Will you be good enough to enlighten me as to its meaning?” | GEomicbooks.con