ere?
Whence came that transforming dignity and sense of power that enveloped
them both as by magic? What was it about that massive woman that made
her appear instantly regal, and set her on a throne in some dark and
dreadful scenery, wielding a sceptre over the red glare of some
tempestuous orgy? And why did this slender stripling of a girl, graceful
as a willow, lithe as a young leopard, assume suddenly an air of
sinister majesty, and move with flame and smoke about her head, and the
darkness of night beneath her feet?

Vezin caught his breath and sat there transfixed. Then, almost
simultaneously with its appearance, the queer notion vanished again, and
the sunlight of day caught them both, and he heard her laughing to her
mother about the _soupe a l'onion_, and saw her glancing back at him
over her dear little shoulder with a smile that made him think of a
dew-kissed rose bending lightly before summer airs.

And, indeed, the onion soup was particularly excellent that day, because
he saw another cover laid at his small table, and, with fluttering
heart, heard the waiter murmur by way of explanation that "Ma'mselle
Ilse would honour M'sieur to-day at _dejeuner_, as her custom sometimes
is with her mother's guests."

So actually she sat by him all through that delirious meal, talking
quietly to him in easy French, seeing that he was well looked after,
mixing the salad-dressing, and even helping him with her own hand. And,
later in the afternoon, while he was smoking in the courtyard, longing
for a sight of her as soon as her duties were done, she came again to
his side, and when he rose to meet her, she stood facing him a moment,
full of a perplexing sweet shyness before she spoke--

"My mother thinks you ought to know more of the beauties of our little
town, and _I_ think so too! Would M'sieur like me to be his guide,
perhaps? I can show him everything, for our family has lived here for
many generations."

She had him by the hand, indeed, before he could find a single word to
express his pleasure, and led him, all unresisting, out into the street,
yet in such a way that it seemed perfectly natural she should do so, and
without the faintest suggestion of boldness or immodesty. Her face
glowed with the pleasure and interest of it, and with her short dress
and tumbled hair she looked every bit the charming child of seventeen
that she was, innocent and playful, proud of her native town, and alive
beyond her years to t