"
"Then it ought to be easy enough, for Madame is a widow."
"But it is not your mistress that he loves."
"Ah! who then?"
"Ah! nothing for nothing." And he held out his hands.
"Ah! shocking!"
"Very well," and he started, as if to return to his master.
She stopped him.
"Monsieur, Gustave you know very well that I am promised."
"Nothing for nothing."
Again he held out his hands. She hesitated a moment, looking up and
down, and then let him have her finger tips. With a brutal gesture he
caught her to him and kissed her furiously. The little English maid,
blushing and rumpled, drew back and announced coldly, "You French are
brutes. Now, the information I paid for in advance."
"Very well. He is in love with little Esperance Darbois."
"The actress? But she is engaged to Count Styvens."
"It is the truth I have told you," replied the valet, proud of his own
importance, "and if you will meet me in the grove, during dinner, I
will tell you some more."
"Thanks, I know enough now," said the maid dryly, leaving him.
She disappeared, but Gustave preened himself, certain of success. As
he went downstairs he saw Count Albert, helping the old Mademoiselle
and her charge into the carriage. Instinctively, he looked up to see
his master's silhouette at the window. Albert was asking to be allowed
to go with them, but Esperance had promised herself a quiet and
restful drive.
"No, Albert, we shall be four with my father and mother, and this is a
small carriage.
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