The Son Of Monte Cristo Part 64 (1/2)

She laughed, and said, in reply, ”You are my especial artist, you know, and history tells us that even queens visit their painters--”

”For exa ht her words as he passed, and hazarded this allusion, somewhat too broad, perhaps, to the visit paid by the duchess to titian, when she was painted in the costu lady would not understand his remark, and yet it was plain that she with difficulty restrained a laugh

She led Goutran to the picture gallery ”I areat surprises for your guests, to-night”

”Oh! no; only one You have heard of Jane Zeld, that marvelous bird who has come to us from Finland, Lapland, or some other place--ill call it Russia?”

”But I was told that she had refused to sing in Paris at present--declined even to go to Cone”

”Yes, but for you,” and Goutran bowed low, ”I have obtained as refused to an Eainst his own, as he spoke

The girl turned and looked him full in the face for a moment ”Take me to my father,” she said

Was it fancy, or did she emphasize the tords, ”my father,” in an odd sort of way?

As in silence he obeyed her request, which though brief, was by no nor fagiano, who talked little, andering about through the salons Suddenly he found hinor fagiano started back, and half covered his face with his hand, but in turning to ood his retreat, he half stumbled and fell

The banker instinctively extended his hand to assist hiiano bowed low as he recovered himself, and went into another roo very remarkable in this incident, but Carmen started and instantly hastened to the side of the banker, who see this, her anxiety, if she felt any, was dissipated, and she began to talk to Goutran

At this moment the footman announced two names: ”Mademoiselle Jane Zeld!” ”The Vicomte de Monte-Cristo!”

”You see, I did have two surprises for you,” said Goutran

But suddenly he exclaiy, you are ill, I fear--”

”No, no,” stao out on the terrace a while, if you will perhter, who seemed to attach little importance to this sudden indisposition of her father's

Goutran went forward to receive his new guests A reeted the lady--Jane Zeld, the cantatrice

She was tall and slender, and dressed in black tulle with crimson roses

She advanced with a s, not more than twenty-tith dark hair raised over her brow like a diade at the back of her head in loose braids Her complexion was clear but pale, her eyes were alular fixity of expression

Who was she? No one knew She had appeared on the stage of public life in a singular way There had been a fire about twohad been organized for the benefit of the victi to be benevolent at the sa of the performance the hall was crowded The principal attraction was the return to public life of a tenor, who had had a fit of the sulks and had deserted the stage He had pro with the Diva a celebrated duet When the audience had assee arrived at the theatre

The Diva was ill, or pretended to be so, and now, at the last moment, announced that it was impossible to appear

This was terrible The tenor was i alone, but he positively refused, and the non-appearance of the two stars made the affair an utter fiasco Artists and journalists, director and secretaries asseether in their excite on a couch, caressed his black beard, while he listened with nonchalance to the entreaties addressed to him

But thewhen the fatal announcean to sing the jewel song froer was at the piano in the _foyer_, but was so enveloped in black lace that she could hardly be seen Her voice was so good, her ht Even the tenor, for he was a thorough musician, was co, then rising froainst the piano without the smallest embarrassment