Part 4 (1/2)
”Ze suits will be delivered in half hour.”
”Very well. When they come, you will know which trunk to put them in.”
”Oui, monsieur.”
”And then, when my trunks are ready you had better hustle with your own packing. There's no time to be lost. The steamer sails at 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.”
”Oui, monsieur.”
Quietly, stealthily, the valet retraced his cat-like steps and opening the door retired as noiselessly as he had come.
CHAPTER III
When the valet had disappeared, Kenneth turned to his wife with a chuckle.
”Who was right? You made me scold him for nothing.”
Helen shook her head.
”I detest the man. There is something crawly and repulsive about him.
I can read evil in his face. Don't trust him, Kenneth. Remember, if anything goes wrong, don't blame me. I warned you. My instinct seldom fails.”
Her husband laughed and, advancing, put his arm tenderly around his wife.
”I guess I'm able to take care of myself, dear. Don't let's discuss Francois any longer. Tell me about yourself. How are you going to amuse yourself while I'm away?”
Her head drooped on his breast and once more her eyes filled with tears. With affected carelessness which cost her a great effort, she replied:
”Oh, the time won't hang so heavy on my hands. It never does when one has resources within oneself. I'll read and ride and sew. I suppose I'll have plenty to do.”
”Mr. Parker said he would drop in and look after you.”
”Yes--tell him to come and see me very often. He's rather tiresome with his prosy talk, but he's a dear old soul.”
With a mischievous twinkle in his eye her husband went on:
”It's not unlikely that Keralio will call, also.”
”I hope not,” she said quickly. ”I'll soon show him he's not wanted.”
Kenneth laughed. It amused him to see how set she was against the Italian. He did not know the man any too well. He had met him in a business way and the fellow had been of service, but he had not the slightest idea of making a friend of him. He rather suspected he was an adventurer although, a stranger in New York, no one knew anything against him. Protestingly he said:
”It's hardly fair to attack a man because he admires you.”
”He shows his admiration in a most offensive way. If you could see the way he looks at me sometimes you'd be the first to resent it.”
Kenneth laughed.
”Oh, you mustn't mind that. It's a way all foreigners have. They ogle women more from force of habit than any desire to effect a conquest.