Page:Elizabeth's Pretenders.djvu/235

222 six; but 'l'homme propose'—you know the rest. Still, I do not despair of being able to return in the winter. Will you be my friend, madame? Will you do me a favour?"

"Comment! But certainly! You so amiable young man! What is there I would not do for you?"

"It is simply this. Inform me if Miss Shaw leaves your pension; and if you can, let me know where she goes."

Madame's black eyes twinkled, as she wagged her head.

"Ah! quant à ça—she is fixed for the winter. She so great friends with Mademoiselle Baring, who never go away."

"Still, promise to let me know if she does leave you; but do not name my request to any one."

She gave the promise he asked, and received from him an address where, under his assumed name, any letter would reach him. And then the boarders, by ones and twos, came dropping in. Elizabeth was one of the last. She gave her customary little sweeping bow to the table, as she took her place beside Alaric Baring, and said—

"Hatty, I hope, is a little better this morning."

"I hope so; but she will not leave her room."

"Have you heard the sad news?" said madame, in her native tongue. "Monsieur George is leaving us to-day."

There was a universal chorus of "Quel dommage!" Elizabeth leant forward, and caught his eye, a little further down the table.

"So you have been recalled, as you feared, Mr. George?"