Part 26 (2/2)

She fetched her embroidered blotting-book.

”It reminds one of bazaars,” said Miss Conway.

57 Boulevard Montparna.s.se.

My dear Father:

This is our new address. Madame Gautier's tenant wanted to keep on her flat in the Rue de Vaugirard, so she has taken this one which is larger and very convenient, as it is close to many of the best studios. I think I shall like it very much. It is not decided yet where I am to study, but there is an Atelier in the House for ladies only, and I think it will be there, so that I shall not have to go out to my lessons. I will write again as soon as we are more settled. We only moved in late this afternoon, so there is a lot to do. I hope you are quite well, and that everything is going on well in the Parish. I will certainly send some sketches for the Christmas sale. Madame Gautier does not wish me to go home for Christmas; she thinks it would interrupt my work too much. There is a new girl, a Miss Conway. I like her very much. With love,

Yours affectionately,

E. Desmond.

She was glad when that letter was written. It is harder to lie in writing than in speech, and the use of the dead woman's name made her s.h.i.+ver.

”But I won't do things by halves,” she said.

”What's this?” Paula asked sharply. She had stopped in front of one of Betty's water colours.

”That? Oh, I did it ages ago--before I learned anything. Don't look at it.”

”But _what_ is it?”

”Oh, only our house at home.”

”I wonder,” said Paula, ”why all English Vicarages are exactly alike.”

”It's a Rectory,” said Betty absently.

”That ought to make a difference, but it doesn't. I haven't seen an English garden for four years.”

”Four years is a long time,” said Betty.

”You don't know how long,” said the other. ”And the garden's been going on just the same all the time. It seems odd, doesn't it? Those hollyhocks--the ones at the Vicarage at home are just like them. Come, let's go to dinner!”

CHAPTER XII.

THE RESCUE.

When Vernon had read Betty's letter--and holding it up to the light he was able to read the scratched-out words almost as easily as the others--he decided that he might as well know where she worked, and one day, after he had called on Lady St. Craye, he found himself walking along the Rue de Vaugirard. Lady St. Craye was charming. And she had been quite right when she had said that he would find a special charm in the companions.h.i.+p of one in whose heart his past love-making seemed to have planted no thorns. Yet her charm, by its very nature--its finished elegance, its conscious authority--made him think with the more interest of the unformed, immature grace of the other woman--Betty, in whose heart he had not had the chance to plant either thorns or roses.

How could he find out? Concierges are venal, but Vernon disliked base instruments. He would act boldly. It was always the best way. He would ask to see this Madame Gautier--if Betty were present he must take his chance. It would be interesting to see whether she would commit herself to his plot by not recognizing him. If she did that--Yet he hoped she wouldn't. If she did recognize him he would say that it was through Miss Desmond's relatives that he had heard of Madame Gautier.

Betty could not contradict him. He would invent a niece whose parents wished to place her with Madame. Then he could ask as many questions as he liked, about hours and studios, and all the details of the life Betty led.

<script>