Jeanne of the Marshes

und of her maid's approach. She turned

derstand me? Did I not say that I was on n

brows and hands betrayed alike both her

nd that it was as much as my place was worth to disturb her. What did he answer? Only this. That it would be as much as my place was worth

u talking?" the

dame," Annette declared.

lowly opened them. She stretched out her hand, and f

ghts, Annette,"

rror, and reaching out again took a small powder-puff from its case and gently

t since he is here and his business is urgent I will see him. Turn out the

ssuringly. "That makes nothing. These Englishwome

door. The man who entered was tall, and of the ordinary type of well-born Englishmen. He was carefully dressed, and his somewhat scanty hair was arrange

nt to talk to me," the Princess said. "Wal

ttered, a little ungraciously. "It smells a

, "and it happens to be my room. Bring that

comfortable, he raised her hand, the one which was nearest

"The fact is, everything has been getting on my nerv

owed signs of the wear and tear of life. But she still had fine eyes,

?" she asked. "Have the ca

itated for a momen

it was absolutely obvious. There is a sort of feeling at the club. I can't exactly describe it, but I am conscious of it directly I come into the room. For several days I have scarcely been able to get a rubber. This afterno

looked at

e asked. "No complaint, or scan

the suggesti

is only young Engleton who takes my part, and so far as playing bridge for money is concerned, he would be worth the whole lot

ess was t

" she remarked, "is almost impossible.

t now. It looks like running away. A week or so ago you were talking of takin

ess shook

This house and the servants and carriages are costing me a small fortune

loomily at the shining

ntry, with Engleton and you and myself, and another one or two, and I sh

ore than ordinarily pale, and the hand which rested upon

drink. I hate to see you white to the lips, and trembling as though death itsel

suggestion with s

ed a little peevishly, "to ha

, "that you seem scarcely to need my sympathy

hink I have come begging. I know you've done all you can, and it's a matter with me n

hes, and her figure was still irreproachable. She sat and looked with a sort of calculating interest at the man who for years had come as near touching her heart as any of his sex. Curiously enough she knew that this new aspect in which he now presented himself, this incipient cowardice-the first-fruits of weakening nerves-did not and could not affect her feelings for him. She saw him now almost for the first time with the mask dropped, no l

you. Don't act as though there could be. As to this little house-party you were speaking of,

xcept that Engleton is exp

y not come to anything, but it is worth trying. Ha

shook

ing boy whom you were driving

incess

tland. Jeanne and I are dining with him to-night at the Savoy. You and Engleton must come, too. I can arrange it. It is just possible that we may be able to manage something. He told me y

y. We'll come and dine, if you say that you can arrange it. But I don't see ho

was looking

an idea. Be at the Savoy at a quarte

very much like admiration in his face. For years he had dominated

on will only be too glad to be where Jeanne is

incess

emarked, "is so sh