Man and Maid

Burton gave forth some information this evening, as he was dressing me

for dinner. He had now discovered from Pierre how Suzette had behaved

when she intruded upon Alathea. She had entered the room--"Passing

Pierre without so much as asking his leave, and he with his wooden leg

not so nimble as might be!" She had gone to the writing table and

demanded my address. "An affair of business which must be attended to at

once," she had announced. Pierre standing at the door had heard all

this. Burton added "He said that Mam'zelle was that scented and that got

up, of course Miss Sharp must have known what she was."

Alathea apparently had answered with dignity, that she had received no

orders to give any address, but that letters would be forwarded.

"She took no more notice of Mam'zelle than if she was a chair," Pierre

had told him--who, having his own troubles with women, was prepared to

see a conflict! Suzette became nonplussed, and losing her temper a

little told Alathea that she hoped she would get as much out of the

situation as she herself had done! Alathea continued writing as though

she had not heard, and then told her quite politely in French, that if

she would kindly leave whatever letters were to be sent on, she would

see that they went that night, and had added: "Now, I need not detain you longer." Suzette became furious, and

stamping, said she was "Mademoiselle la Blonde," and had more right

there than Alathea!

Pierre had here interfered, and catching hold of Suzette's arm, had

dragged her from the room.

I tingled with shame and wrath. That the person I respect most in the

world should have been exposed to such a scene--! Burton too was

horrified--.

I had the most awful sensation of discomfort--the very fact of having to

hear of all this through servants was sufficiently disgusting, without

the events themselves being so degrading.

What must Alathea think of me! And I cannot even allude to the subject.

How wonderful her dignity has been that she has allowed no extra

contempt to come into her manner.

How shall I have the pluck to ask her to marry me? I mean to do so

to-morrow when she comes.

* * * * *

Saturday: I am going to write the events of these last days down without any

comment.

I came in to the sitting-room after Alathea had arrived. She was writing

at her desk in the little salon. I looked in and asked her if she would

come in and speak to me. Then I got to my chair. She entered obediently

with the block in her hand, ready to begin work.