The Stolen Singer

that was waiting for Mr. Van Camp was delivered in the most correct manner. "Mr. Hambleton sends word to Mr. Van Camp that he has

n personal affairs to speculate much about it. His thoughts went back to the events of the evening, recalled the picture of his Diana and her teasing ways, and dwelt especially upon the honest, friendly, wholly bewitching look that

ely and affectionately desired Mélanie Reynier for a wife, yet on the whole he was a very cool Romeo. He was manly, but he was calculating; he was honorably disposed

A note was despatched to his Diana by a private messenger, an

twelve, i

IE REY

e night before. That was like her good, frank way of meeting a situation, and it augured well for the unknown emergencies of their future life. He had littl

at their breakfast, the austerity of which had been mitigated by a center decoration of orchids and fern, fresh-touched with dew; or so Madame Reynier had

ng she did this, telling Mélanie, for the tenth time in as many days, that in her opinion they ought to be going home. Madame considered this her duty,

Auntie, or is it that y

ns his indignation against you. I don't like to discuss these things, Mélanie, but I suspect that your action deprives him of a very necessary revenue; and I understand, better than you do, to what lengths your cousin is capable of going when he is displeased. You are, by

hould decide not

it an easy thing to break away from the ties of blood and birth; but believe me, it isn't easy. You, with your nature, could never do it. The call of the land is stro

h rose and spread over Mélanie's cheeks and forehead and neck, and when she looked up into Madame Reynier's face, she was

the prospect of home and Count Lorenzo together-ah, well!" she smiled reassuringly an

ids in her two hands, fearful lest the fragile vase should fall. Mélanie regarded

ittle garden pink quite

d Madame Reynier. She had a faculty of commenting pleasantly wit

then, Auntie, you remember how eloquent he was about the hills and

sentiments have been cult

chievement,"

and Madame Reynier cut the leaves of a French journal. She did not read, however, and pres

intimate of all gifts, and should only be exchanged between sweethearts. At l

been looking. Nothing further was said until Mél

ould do, Auntie, in pl

. "He is a sterling man; but your

uld not consu

many embarrassing consequences; and

a sudden anxious look that came upon her aunt's countenance, "I've not said 'yes' to him. But he's coming to see me at twelve. If I don't give him a

ertainly I think you know best,"

e of twelve, an expression of hap

n hasn't turned up-or rather he turned up only to disappear instantly. Otherwise he would

sin, then, s

a masterful m

appear instantly?' I

he can. The message said he had sailed on the Jeanne D'Arc, whatever

sure? But, of course-there must be many boats by that name, are there not?

hat. Why? Do you know of a

st be another vessel, surely. Meanwhile, what

window and thrust his hands into his pockets for a contemplative moment, then he turned and

aid slowly, "upon whether you

pends upon whether you

above all, his dominating will, forced her to look up. There he was, smiling, strong, big, kindly. M

like that," she said at last softly,

you to 'talk to' me about it; al

'yes;' at least, I don't

straight for t

too big for that chair. Besides, it'

enormous leather-bottomed chair made apparently of lead, and placed i

said. "Now tell me why you think yo

that she had something yet to struggle for, some deep personal right to be acknowledged. It was with a dignity, an aloofness, that was quite real, yet very sweet, that

ho I am, and all that sort of thing. I am, in one sense, not at all wha

ou are the Princess Auguste Stephanie of Krolvetz, cousin of the present Duke Stephen, called King of Krolvetz. You are even in line for the thro

exile," Mélan

er exile to absolute submission to the duk

laid it back beside its fellow on Mélanie's lap. Then he rose and lifted both hands before he

m to do you homage! Only smile on

as this, was as much fun as a dancing bear, and in five minutes more he had won peals of laughter from Mélanie. It was w

d not to care so very much about it; and perhaps that made me think it was possible for us both to forget it, or at least to ignore it. I haven

my rank and without the consent of Duke

ow, haven't millions, but there's a decent income, even for two. And then I can always go to work and earn something," he smiled at her

atching. Presently she returned to her chair, pushed him gently back into his seat and dropped down beside him. Before she spoke, she touched her fingers

"There is much yet to say to you, and I have been wondering how to say it, but I shall do it now.

dy for chapter one. But your

ait; and you'll have to wait, too, poor man!" She looked scrutinizingly at Aleck. "

e heard chapter thir

she became s

ces of language and climate; they are ingrained in our habits of thought, our education, our judgments of life and of people. My childhood and youth were wholly

t, put aside, declared impossible, because he was of a rank inferior to my own. My lover disappeared, I know not where or how. Then affairs changed. My father died, and it transpired that I had been officially betrothed since childhood to Duke Stephen's brother, the Count Lorenzo. The duke was my guardian, and there was no one else to whom I could appeal; but the very week set for the wedding I faced the duke and declared I would never

do not want you to recall painful matters of the past now," s

ed in Mélanie's fa

ith their regard. But ever since those early days I have had a dream of a home-a place different from Duke Stephen's home, different from the homes of many people of my rank. My dream has a husband in it who is a companion, a friend, my equal in love, my superior in stre

ave, his forehead resting on his hand. He looked up, fin

d me more than I thoug

th yours. And this, I think, you do not do. You calculate, you remain cool, you plan your life like a campaign, and I am part of your equipment. You are a t

fairness, there was infinite gentleness and patience and love in his eyes. He bent over, lifted Mélanie's two hands, and drew her bodily out of her seat. She was impassive. Her quick alertness, her v

, either. You and Madame Reynier are going on a cruise with me; will you? Get your maid to pack yo

s all times of the day!" He rang the bell, begged the maid to fetch bread and butter and tea and to ask Madame

And I shall be endlessly grateful if you and Miss Reynier will be my guests on the Sea Gull for as long a time as you find it divertin

ways. It was soon settled. Aleck swung off down the street, re-reading Jim's letter, intent only on the Sea Gull and th