Part 11 (1/2)

”Would you believe it, I haven't seen rinned

”Don't,” he said, ”don't look at it It's what made all the trouble

When I saw it yesterday and Laura told me it had drawn a thousand dollars--why I said 'there isn't a ive you fifty cents for it' That ht she was a great portrait-painter, and I knew you ht, but I decided that you were bound to have her and didn't care how you dealt your cards, and I thought I'd clear out”

His face fell and threatened to cloud over, but it cleared again as with the remembrance of his doubts came the actual sense of the wohtly touched the dusty golden hair

When in a few seconds Bulstrode took leave of the-dress, sees From where he stood by the door Bulstrode could see the white corner of his _fiancailles_ bouquet sticking out from the draperies of the couch The paper was open and in the heat of the warent flowers caood-by seeh a haze of perfus in the world, pervades and affects, suggests and impresses, while its existence is unseen, unknown to the world

Once in his train, he had been able to catch it at the Invalides after all, Ji breath and settled back into hi the past three weeks, in anotherby another man's identity It was perfectly heavenly to feel that he had been liberated by the ht lover for the right place He couldn't be too grateful for the side of which Abraha arh the open car , as the train went co, the perfume of the country came into him where he sat Opposite, a pair of lovers frankly and naturally showed their annoyance at the third person's intrusion, and Bulstrode, sympathetically turned himself about and becah at the fact of his deliverance His gratitude was sincere--reeable trend, and he was able to forget everybody else within twelve miles

Secure in his i back, the lovers kissed and held hands

Bulstrode wandered slowly up from the Versailles station to the Hotel des Reservoirs, crossed the broad square of the Palace Court, found the pink and yellow facade more mellow and perfect than ever, and toward twelve-thirty strolled into the yard of the old hostelry Breakfast had been set for twelve-thirty, but his host was not there

”Ah--mais, bon jour, Monsieur Bulstrode!” The proprietor knew and appreciated this client greatly

Monsieur Falconer, it seemed, had been called suddenly to Paris

Yes--well--there were, now and then, in the course of life, bits of news that could be borne with fortitude ”And Madame has also been called to Paris?”

”Mais non!” Madaone out in the Park, the proprietor thought she would not be very far away

Bulstrode thanked hih it to the Palace Gardens On all sides the paths stretched broad and inviting toward the various alleys, and upon the terrace to his left there shone a thousand flowers in June abundance The gentleman chose the first path that opened, and went carelessly down it, and in a fewof an eh there was an inviting hteenth century hteenth century sht toand found another felicitous, harmonious circle, where a small fountain threw its jets on the June air At the sound of the water Bulstrode remembered that the Grands Eaux were to play on this afternoon at Versailles

”Ah, _that_ is why they especially wanted me to come out to-day,” he decided

On the other side of the fountain, the vivid white of her suht on the obscurity of the woods, a lady was standing looking across at Mr Bulstrode

”Hush!+” she said; ”come over softly, Jimmy; there is a timid third party here”

On a branch at her side, where an oriole sat, his head thrown back, his throat swelling, there was a little stir and flutter of leaves, for although the lady had put her finger to her lips, her voice broke the spell, and a bit of yellow flashed through the trees

”I don't believe _he_ will ever forgive you!” she cried; ”you spoiled his solo, but I'll forgive you What brought you out to Versailles to-day?”

”The fountains,” Bulstrode told her; ”I have never seen them play

Then, too--there are certain places to which, when I ao”

”That's quite true,” she accepted; ”you _were_ invited!--but, to be perfectly frank, I did not expect you, so your co on this occasion has only the pleasure of a surprise As a rule, I hate them My husband informed me that he would telephone you to otten you, Ji him in from his fresh panama to his boots, and she apparently found an air of festivity about him

”Was it,” she asked, ”in honor of the fountains' playing that you have made yourself so beautiful?”