Beyond the Rocks

"It would give me much pleasure to take you to see it again," he said,

with grave politeness. "I must devise some plan--that is, if you wish to

go."

She smiled.

"It is a favorite spot of mine, and there are some alleés in the park

more full of the story of spring than your Bois even."

"I do not see how we can go," said Theodora. "Josiah would find it too

long a day."

"I must discuss it with your father; one can generally arrange what one

wishes," said Lord Bracondale.

At this moment Mrs. McBride leaned over and spoke to Theodora. She had,

she said, quite converted Mr. Brown. He only wanted a little cheering up

to be perfectly well, and she had got him to promise to dine that

evening at Armenonville and listen to the Tziganes. It was going to be a

glorious night, but if they felt cold they could have their table inside

out of the draught. What did Theodora think about it?

Theodora thought it would be a delicious plan. What else could she

think?

"I have a large party coming," Mrs. McBride said, "and among them a

compatriot of mine who saw you last night and is dying to meet you."

"Really," said Theodora, unmoved.

Lord Bracondale experienced a sensation of annoyance.

"I shall not ask you, Bracondale," the widow continued, playfully. "Just

to assert British superiority, you would try to monopolize Mrs. Brown,

and my poor Herryman Hoggenwater would have to come in a long, long

second!"

Josiah felt a rush of pride. This brilliant woman was making much of his

meek little wife.

Lord Bracondale smiled the most genial smile, with rage in his heart.

"I could not have accepted in any case, dear lady," he said, "as I have

some people dining with me, and, oddly enough, they rather suggested

they wanted Armenonville too, so perhaps I shall have the pleasure of

looking at you from the distance."

The conversation then became general, and soon after this coffee

arrived, and eventually the adieux were said.

Mrs. McBride insisted upon Theodora accompanying her in her smart

automobile.

"You leave your wife to me for an hour," she said, imperiously, to

Josiah, "and go and see the world with Captain Fitzgerald. He knows

Paris."

"My dear, you are just the sweetest thing I have come across this side

of the Atlantic," she said, when they were whizzing along in her car.

"But you look as if you wanted cheering too. I expect your husband's

illness has worried you a good deal."