>From what I have said you may imagine how hard it is for me to take my flight. I shall always keep for you the most distinguished sentiments. With the expression of my full regard for you and your good family, and of a gratitude as sincere as it is badly worded, Believe me, dear Madame, Your devoted LOUIS FERRAND.
Shelton's first impulse was to tear the letter up, but this he reflected he had no right to do. Remembering, too, that Mrs.
Dennant's French was orthodox, he felt sure she would never understand the young foreigner's subtle innuendoes. He closed the envelope and went to bed, haunted still by Ferrand's parting look.
It was with no small feeling of embarrassment, however, that, having sent the letter to its destination by an early footman, he made his appearance at the breakfast-table. Behind the Austrian coffee-urn, filled with French coffee, Mrs. Dennant, who had placed four eggs in a German egg-boiler, said "Good-morning," with a kindly smile.
"Dick, an egg?" she asked him, holding up a fifth.
"No, thank you," replied Shelton, greeting the table and fitting down.
He was a little late; the buzz of conversation rose hilariously around.
"My dear," continued Mr. Dennant, who was talking to his youngest daughter, "you'll have no chance whatever--not the least little bit of chance.""Father, what nonsense! You know we shall beat your heads off!""Before it 's too late, then, I will eat a muffin. Shelton, pass the muffins! "But in making this request, Mr. Dennant avoided looking in his face.
Antonia, too, seemed to keep her eyes away from him. She was talking to a Connoisseur on Art of supernatural appearances, and seemed in the highest spirits. Shelton rose, and, going to the sideboard, helped himself to grouse.
"Who was the young man I saw yesterday on the lawn?" he heard the Connoisseur remark. "Struck me as having an--er--quite intelligent physiog."His own intelligent physiog, raised at a slight slant so that he might look the better through his nose-nippers, was the very pattern of approval. "It's curious how one's always meeting with intelligence;" it seemed to say. Mrs. Dennant paused in the act of adding cream, and Shelton scrutinised her face; it was hare-like, and superior as ever. Thank goodness she had smelt no rat! He felt strangely disappointed.
"You mean Monsieur Ferrand, teachin' Toddles French? Dobson, the Professor's cup.""I hope I shall see him again," cooed the Connoisseur; "he was quite interesting on the subject of young German working men. It seems they tramp from place to place to learn their trades. What nationality was he, may I ask?"Mr. Dennant, of whom he asked this question, lifted his brows, and said, "Ask Shelton.""Half Dutch, half French."
"Very interesting breed; I hope I shall see him again.""Well, you won't," said Thea suddenly; "he's gone."Shelton saw that their good breeding alone prevented all from adding, "And thank goodness, too!""Gone? Dear me, it's very--"
"Yes," said Mr. Dennant, "very sudden."
"Now, Algie," murmured Mrs. Dennant, "it 's quite a charmin' letter.
Must have taken the poor young man an hour to write.""Oh, mother!" cried Antonia.
And Shelton felt his face go crimson. He had suddenly remembered that her French was better than her mother's.
"He seems to have had a singular experience," said the Connoisseur.
"Yes," echoed Mr. Dennant; "he 's had some singular experience. If you want to know the details, ask friend Shelton; it's quite romantic. In the meantime, my dear; another cup?"The Connoisseur, never quite devoid of absent-minded malice, spurred his curiosity to a further effort; and, turning his well-defended eyes on Shelton, murmured, "Well, Mr. Shelton, you are the historian, it seems.""There is no history," said Shelton, without looking up.
"Ah, that's very dull," remarked the Connoisseur.
"My dear Dick," said Mrs. Dennant, "that was really a most touchin' story about his goin' without food in Paris."Shelton shot another look at Antonia; her face was frigid. "I hate your d---d superiority!" he thought, staring at the Connoisseur.
"There's nothing," said that gentleman, "more enthralling than starvation. Come, Mr Shelton.""I can't tell stories," said Shelton; "never could."He cared not a straw for Ferrand, his coming, going, or his history;for, looking at Antonia, his heart was heavy.
