Jacqueline -- Volume 2

be flattering: "Ah! Fred, how much you have improved! But what a change! What an extraordi

his journeys round the globe, but he gave her a glance

g to you. You have broadened at the shoulders, and are now a man- so

augh would have shown little wrinkles under her eye

n the shelf," as Raoul Wermant elegantly said of her. She stood up, leaning over a table covered with toys, which it was h

He had found a great glazed card, bidding him to attend this fair, in a fashionable quarter,

lf be supposed to be stingy." So with these thoughts he went to the bazaar,

found a superb placard, the work of Cheret, a pathetic scene in a mine, banners streaming in the air, with the words 'Bazar de Charite' in gold letters on a red ground, and the courtyard of the mansion where the fair was held filled with more carriages than one sees at a fashionable wedding. In the vestibule many footmen were in attendance, the chasseurs of an Austrian ambassador, the great hulking fellows of the English embassy, the gray-

n the corner where she presided, supple and frail, not handsome, but far more dangerous than if she had been, with her unfathomable way of looking at you with her light eyes set deep under her eyebrows, eyes that she kept half closed, but which were yet so keen, and the cruel smile that showed her little sharp teeth. Her dress was of black grenadine embroidered with silver. She wore half mourning as a sort of announcement that she was a widow, in hopes that this might put a stop to any wicked gossip which should assert that Count Strahlberg was still living, having got a divorce and been very glad to get it. Yet people talked about her, but hardly knew what to bring against her, because, though anything might be suspected, nothing was known. She was received and even sought after in the best society, on account of her wonderful talents, which she employed in a manner as perverse as everything else about her,

smiles and her glances, but yet he had seen nothing so attractive among the black, y

re

ys; but she was selling with that decorum and graceful reserve which custom prescribes for young girls. "Fred, I do hope you will wear no roses but mine. Those you have are fr

showing her beautiful neck, and he could see little rebellious hairs curling at their own will over her pure, soft skin, while she, bending forward, was engaged in his service. He admired, too, her slender waist, only recently subjected to the restraint of a corset. He forgave her on the spot.

gry has sent me to beg you to help her at the buffet. She can

amiliar assurance which great

mit me,

he chosen to interpret it, "I give you permission

umbly on her table. But Jacqueline had not waited for her stepmother's permission; she let herself be borne off radiant on the arm of the important personage who had

he had been walking the deck of a vessel. At last he reached a recess decorated with palms, where, in a robe worthy of 'Peau d'Ane' in the story, and absolutely a novelty in the world of fashions robe all embroidered with gold and rubies, which glittered with every movement made by the wearer-Madame de Villegry was pouring out Russian tea and Spanish chocolate and Turkish coffee, while all kinds of deceitful promises of favor shone in her eyes, which wore a certain tenderness expressive of her interest

n every separate hair would be paid for if you chose. Just one little curl-for the sak

hat I shall not do it," said Jacqueline, still laughing. "I ha

said M. de Cymier, pre

rown back in a burst of i

nfined to her sofa by much suffering, which, it might be hoped, would soon come to an end; and the certainty that he should find her if he called at once decided him. Since he had been in Paris he had done nothing but leave cards. This time, however, he was sure that the lady upon whom he called would be at home. He was taken at once into the young wife's boudoir, where he found her very feeble, lying back upon her cushions, alone, and working at some little bits of baby-clothes. He was not slow to perceive that she was very glad to see him. She flushed with pleasure as he came into the room, and, dropping her sewing, held out to him two

e plenty to occupy me, and I venture to be proud

on her closed hand a cap tha

ou expect him to be sma

ll smaller. Look!" and she lifted up a pile of things trimmed with ribbons and embroidery. "See; these are the first! Ah! I lie here and fancy how he will look when he has

should say, judging by the dimensions o

at kind are apt to stick to a boy for fifty years, and then they seem ridiculous. Now a pretty abbreviation like Fred is another matter. But

. I have just come from a cert

tion there on your return, for I am told that the gentlemen who are expected to spend the most

en round certain person

ry's table was li

hat make you despise my poor chocolate," said Giselle, rising on her elbow, to

to enter on his grievances. "If you wish to know t

igna

me and artificial, such things as make up life in Paris, one becomes a little like Alceste, Moliere's

there be that is unwholesome

ntess Strahlberg made all those disreputable grimaces? I have seen kermesses

of them," said Giselle, with that air of knowing everything assumed by a young w

likely to be as bad as

been so badly brought u

a sudden outburst, and already feeling

e?" cried Giselle, clasping her hands with an air of astonishme

line had acted under his very eyes. As he went on, watching as he spoke the effect his words produced upon Giselle, who listened as if slightly amused by his indignation, the case

sable to a woman, if she wishes to sell anything. Good Heavens! I don't approve any more than you do of all these worldly forms of charity, but this kind of thing is considered right; it has come into fashion. Jacqueline had the permission of her parents, and I really can

ny that would bring her greatly into view. But she felt that she was made to be a confidant, one of those perfect confidants who never attempt to interfere rashly with the course of events, but who wait upon the ways of Providence, removing stones, and briers and thorns, and making everything turn out for the best in the end. Jacqueline, she said, was so young! A little wild, perhaps, but what a treasure! She was all heart! She would need a husband worthy of her, such a man as Fred. Madame d'Argy, she knew, had

t do I care for her do

if she would only be sat

roll

her head, "but who would like to marry a midshipm

instinct that would lead her in the future to promise Enguerrand a sugar-plum if he said his lesson. "Nobody will steal

only had your kind he

people? In what way? I have done as so many other girls d

ight have said too much, and ind

regret it

d on him to have a sick wife, who knows little of what is passing outside of her own chamber

ask you to stay and see Monsieur de Talbrun, but he won't be in, he dines at his c

eave you alone a

ement. Just think how long it is that I