ad
been so filled with matters of serious moment, I made no inquiries
beyond the scant stray bits of information he had himself volunteered.
However that might be, his welcome at Sceaux was sincere. Nor did I
wonder at his being a favorite, from the jovial jests and flings he
cast at those who crowded round, which set them all a-laughing. His
familiarity with the doings of the day, and the quick repartee he used
to men of different parties, astonished me greatly.

Having disposed of our horses, and given quiet orders to the groom,
Jerome made me acquainted with his friends. Some part of their
good-fellowship fell to my lot as a friend of Jerome's, and put me upon
my mettle to return it.

As good luck would have it, Jerome's friend, the Chevalier Charles de
la Mora, was then at Sceaux, and came up early on learning of our
arrival.

He was a splendid fellow of thirty-five, stalwart and unusually
graceful for a man of his inches. His frank and cordial manner was his
greatest charm to me, though a woman would doubtless have raved more
over those dark, dreamy eyes, which while mild enough, betimes gave
promise of fire and to spare.

He spoke most affectionately to Jerome, and bade us both be sure his
wife would receive us with sincerest pleasure. Several of the
gentlemen had seen service, and with them I was immediately on easy
terms.

Before entering the Villa I paused in a doorway at the head of a short
flight of steps, bowing and posturing through my new catalogue of
behavior, anxiously watching for Jerome's approval, or a cue. The
rascal, I could not for the life of me tell from his expression whether
he applauded my fine manners or laughed secretly at the folly of it
all. But I went on as I was taught, bending myself pretty well double,
half backing into the door which led to an inner hall. Holding this
position, which however elegant it might have appeared to those in
front, was certainly neither graceful or attractive viewed from within,
I felt a sudden jar from the rear, and being thus struck at a point of
vantage, came near to plunging forward upon my face. Before I could
recover my equilibrium and turn about, I heard the jingle of a tray of
glasses and a cool shower of spray flew about my ears. Then the dazed
and bewildered eyes of a timid girl looked full into mine; she
courageously paused and essayed to stammer out an apology. Her gaze,
though, wandered past me, and one sight of the drawn featur