Man and Maid

The first thing I learned when I reached the appartement was that the

Duchesse had returned, and wished to see me. This was good news--and

without even telephoning to Maurice, I got into my one horse Victoria

and repaired to the Hotel de Courville--.

The Duchesse was sitting in her boudoir upstairs when I got in.--She had

a quaint expression upon her face. I was not certain that her greeting

was as cordial as usual--Has gossip reached her ears also?

I sat down near her and she took my crutch from me tenderly, her

instinct for "blessés" never failing her.

I thought I would begin at once before she could say anything which

might make questioning her impossible.

"I have been longing to see you, Duchesse, to ask you if you could help

me to find out who my secretary, Miss Sharp, is?--because I saw her here

in the passage one day, and I thought you might possibly be able to

identify her--."

"Tiens?"

"Her christian name is 'Alathea'--I heard her little sister call her

that once when I saw them and they did not see me, in the Bois--She is

a lady--and I feel Sharp is not her name at all."

The Duchesse put on her eyeglasses--.

"She has not shown a sign that she wishes you to know her history?"

"No--"

"Then, my son, do you think it is very good taste to endeavor to

discover it?"

"Perhaps not--" I was nettled--I hated that the Duchesse should be

displeased with me, then I went on--"I fear that she is very poor and I

know that her little brother died just lately, and I would give anything

in the world to help them in some way."

"Sometimes one helps more by showing discretion."

"You won't assist me then, Duchesse? I feel that you know Miss Sharp."

She frowned--.

"Nicholas--if I did not love you really, I should be angry.--Am I the

character to betray friends--presuming that I have friends--for a young

man's curiosity?"

"Indeed it is not curiosity--it is because I want to help--."

"Camouflage!"

I felt angry now.

"You assume that your secretary is a demoiselle du monde"--she went

on--"if you have reached that far--you should know that there is some

honor, some tenue left in old families,--and so you should treat her

with consideration, and respect her incognito.--All this is not like

you, my son!"