Volume II Part 50 (1/2)

CHAPTER xxxII

OLD ACQUAINTANCES

Jane Zild lived in a modest room in a small house on the Champs-Elysees

The interior was furnished in the ordinary style of a private house In the base-room

The owner of the house was Madame Vollard, theof an officer One of her principles was, that it was better to have her rooms empty than to let them out to people whose reputation was not of the best

She did not care much either for artists or actresses, but made some exceptions, and when Melosan, Jane Zild's secretary, offered her a considerable sum for a room on the first floor, she immediately accepted

The bells of Notre-Dae, which contained Jane and her companion, stopped in front of Madame Vollard's house

In spite of the late hour, the landlady hurried to the street door to greet the young girl When she saw the latter's disordered toilet, she uttered a cry of horror Jane had thrown off the cloak, and the burned dress with the withered and crushed roses could be seen

”What is the ,” replied Jane; ”I am only tired”

”Then you tellto Melosan

”Later on, later on The young lady is excited and needs rest”

”Oh, I will give her soht, Madaht from the lady's hands, he hurried up the stairs with Jane

The young girl sank back in a chair exhausted Melosan, a e, hite hair and sunburned face, stood with folded hands before his mistress, and his dark eyes looked anxiously at Jane's pale face

”You are suffering?” he said, after a pause

Jane shuddered ”Ah, no,” she said, ”I aht?”

”Oh, that is nothing,” replied Jane, sorrowfully; and, rising up wildly, she passionately added: ”Why am I forced to enter a world which is not my own, and never can be! And it shall not be either,” she sobbingly concluded, ”never--never!”

Melosan held down his head

”A queen would have been proud at the reception you had to-night”

”Why do you tell me this?” she exclaimed ”A queen? I? Oh, what bitter mockery!”

”But your eminent talent--your voice?”

”Would to God I had none! I--but go noant to be alone”