Part 26 (2/2)
The stranger bowed and left the room.
”I believe I have seen that face before,” said Scott to himself. ”If not, I have seen one very much like it.”
”Who is he?” Paul asked, stepping into the room.
”A gentleman lately from Paris--a Mr. Le Moyne.”
”He is a good English scholar, I judge, from what I heard of his conversation.”
”As good as you or I.”
”The correspondence is all finished,” said Paul, ”and if you have no further use for me I will go home.”
Scott replied that he no longer needed him, and Paul took his leave.
He did not hear all the conversation which pa.s.sed between Scott and the stranger, but he had heard some remarks which set him to thinking deeply. He reached home, and sitting down before the grate, fell into a deep reverie.
”It is strange, very strange,” he said. ”Good heavens! But pshaw, what a simpleton I am! How I dread the time when it comes. But I must be brave, like--Scott. How very brave he is--a very G.o.d in heroism. The woman who cast him off for that hollow headed villain is a fit subject for the lunatic asylum, and her companion a knave of the deepest dye.”
Paul sat for some time in deep thought; then he went to seek June. She was in the parlor entertaining a lady who had called.
CHAPTER XXI.
PAUL AND SCOTT.
The week pa.s.sed away, and it had been decided that Carrie Horton should spend the remainder of the winter with June.
A light tap was heard at Paul's door, and Scott entered the room. He seated himself at Paul's side, and leaning back in his chair, his eyes rested for a moment on Paul's face. Then he said:
”Paul, what a handsome boy you are getting to be.”
Paul blushed like a schoolgirl.
”Am I?”
”Yes; but you need not blush like a woman. Had you been one I never would have told you so.”
It was the first time Paul had ever heard him flatter anyone, and he hardly knew how to accept it.
”What was it you wished to speak with me about? Is there anything I can do for you?” Scott asked.
”No, sir; thank you. But I have decided to make new arrangements, and I wanted to tell you that you will be compelled to look for another valet.”
”Why, Paul, what do you mean?” Scott asked in surprise.
<script>