you,” was his soft reply. “I suppose it is what anybody else would have done in the circumstances. Do I remember those days, you ask? Why, of course I do. Those picnics in the forest with you, your mother, and your sister Julie were delightful days—days never to return, alas! [Pg 34]And so you are really married! Well, you must tell me all about it later. Let’s lunch together at the London House.” Then he added reflectively, “Well, this really is a discovery—my little Gabrielle actually married! I had no idea of it.” [Pg 34] She laughed, blushing again. “No; I don’t suppose you had. I was very, very foolish to take off my glove, yet if I had kept up the deception any longer I might perhaps have compromised myself.” “Was it not—well, a little risky of you to go to Beaulieu with me yesterday?” “Yes. I was foolish—very foolish, Bindo. I ought not to have met you to-day. I ought to have told you the truth from the very first.” “Not at all. Even if your husband is away, there is surely no reason why you should not speak to an old friend like myself, is there?” “Yes; I’m known in Nice, as you are well aware.” “Known as the prettiest woman who comes on the Riviera,” he declared, taking her hand and examining the wedding ring and the fine circle of diamonds above it. Bindo di Ferraris was an expert in gems. “Don’t be a flatterer,” she protested, with a light laugh. “You’ve said that, you know, hundreds of times before.” “I’ve said only what’s the truth, and I’m sure Ewart will bear me out.” [Pg 35] [Pg 35] “I do, most certainly. Madame is most charming,” I asserted; and it was undoubtedly my honest opinion. I was, however, disappointed equally with the Count to discover that my dainty divinity in black was married. She was certainly not more than nineteen, and had none of the self-possessed air of the matron about her. Twice during that conversation I had risen to go, but the Count bade me stay, saying with a laugh— “There is nothing in this that you may not hear. Madame has deceived us both.” He
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