He had convinced
himself; he felt that he could, in a larger sphere, gather thousands
about him where he now gathered scores--with a good cause. Well, was his
cause not good, he asked himself?
There were others to whom this growing reality was painful. The young
Seigneur was serious enough about it, and more than once, irritated and
perturbed, he sought Madame Chalice; but she gave him no encouragement,
remarking coldly that Monsieur Valmond probably knew very well what he
was doing, and was weighing all consequences.
She had become interested in a passing drama, and De la Riviere's
attentions produced no impression on her, and gave her no pleasure. They
were, however, not obtrusive. She had seen much of him two years before;
he had been a good friend of her husband. She was amused at his
attentions then; she had little to occupy her, and she felt herself
superior to any man's emotions: not such as this young Seigneur could win
her away from her passive but certain fealty. She had played with fire,
from the very spirit of adventure in her, but she had not been burnt.
"You say he is an impostor, dear monsieur," she said languidly: "do pray
exert yourself, and prove him one.
Pages:
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157