Man and Maid

I'll make Burton find out if Coralie is really staying here, and get her

to dine with me to-night--Coralie always pretended to have a béguin

for me--even when most engaged elsewhere.

* * * * *

Monday: Sunday was a memorable day--.

I went through the Bois de Marne on that bad road because the trees

were so lovely--and then through the parc de St. Cloud. Even in war

time this wonderful people can enjoy the open air life!

-I think of Henriette d' Angleterre looking from the terrace of her

Château over the tree tops--The poor Château! not a stone of which is

standing to-day--Did she feel sentimental with her friend the Comte de

Guiche--as I would like to feel now?--If I had someone to be sentimental

with. Alas! There was an ominous hot stillness in the air, and the sky

beyond the Eiffel tower had a heavy, lurid tone in it.

When we got across the river into the Bois de Boulogne it seemed as if

all Paris was enjoying a holiday. I told the chauffeur to go down a side

allée and to go slowly, and presently I made him draw up at the side

of the road. It was so hot, and I wanted to rest for a little, the

motion was jarring my leg.

I think I must have been half asleep, when my attention was caught by

three figures coming up another by-path obliquely--the tallest of them

was undoubtedly Miss Sharp--but Miss Sharp as I had never seen her

before!-And a boy of thirteen, and a girl of eleven were at either side of her,

the boy clinging on to her arm, he was lame and seemed to be a

dreadfully delicate, rickety person. The little girl was very small and

sickly looking too--but Miss Sharp--my secretary!--appeared blooming and

young and lovely in her inexpensive foulard frock--No glasses hid her

blue eyes. Her hair was not torn back and screwed into a knot, but might

have been dressed by Alice's maid--and her hat, the simplest thing

possible, was most becoming, with the proper modish "look."

-Refinement and perfect taste proclaimed themselves from every inch of

her, even if everything had only cost a small sum.

So that dowdy get-up is for my benefit, and is not habitual to her!--Or

is it, that she has only one costume and keeps it for Sundays and days

of fête?-In spite of my determination to put all thought of her from me--a wild

emotion arose--a passionate longing to spring from the car and join

her--to talk to her, and tell her how lovely I thought she was looking.