Page:Alice Stuyvesant - The Vanity Box.djvu/226

 latest arrival, Terry spoke with him in English. "Has Miss Verney registered her name and mine yet, monsieur?" she inquired, with the intention of quietly letting Major Smedley know, without delay, that she had just come to St. Pierre de Chartreuse. (He would soon find out that Sir Ian had been several days in the hotel.)

The landlord replied that the young lady had already signed the necessary papers, for herself and her friend; and as Miss Ricardo had apparently no more questions to ask, he was free to give his attention to the new guest.

Then when Terry had been answered, she began talking to Sir Ian as if nothing had happened; but her heart was beating fast, and she had not longer any joy in the thought of her well-loved St. Pierre de Chartreuse. It might have been pleasant to meet and associate with Ian Hereward as a friend, if there could indeed be any joy in life for either, after the ordeal through which they had passed, and had still to pass; but of course, everything was spoiled now. She hardly knew what she said to Sir Ian, after Major Smedley had gone into the hotel with the landlord, and she was glad though surprised to see Nora Verney appear at the door.

"Oh, Miss Ricardo!" exclaimed the girl. "If you won't think me rude, may I beg you to come inside for a few minutes?"