Man and Maid

I suppose I had better not give her my mother's pearls until after the

ceremony. I wonder if there will be a fuss when I suggest her going to

the Rue de la Paix for clothes? I apprehend that there will be a

stubborn resistance to almost everything I would wish to do.

How will the Duchesse take it! Probably philosophically, once it is an

accomplished fact.

At that moment Burton brought me in a note from that very lady! I opened

it eagerly, and its contents made me smile.

The Duchesse wrote to remind me of a request I once made her, that if a

certain family were in trouble that I would assist them to any amount.

Twenty-five thousand francs were now absolutely necessary on the moment,

if I could send them to her by bearer, I would know that I was doing a

good deed!

For the third time that day I reached for my cheque-book and wrote a

cheque, but for only the sum asked on this occasion, and then when

Burton had brought me note paper, I sent a little word with it, to the

Duchesse, and when I was alone again I laughed aloud.

Three people determined upon it must surely save the scapegrace!--I

wonder which of the three will get there first!

I would not go out anywhere to dinner, I wanted to be alone to think

over the whole strange turn of fate. Do strong desires influence events?

Or are all these things settled beforehand? Or is there something in

reincarnation, which Alathea believes in, and the actions of one life

cause that which looks like fate in the next? We shall have many talks

on this subject, I hope.

I wonder, how long it will take for my little love to come voluntarily

into my arms?----?