The Chevalier de Monpres had been commissioned to engage apartments for the lady.
Strange to say, he took a suite of rooms in the house occupied by Mrs. Bourne.
The last-named had long before this furnished her house in Somerset-street in the best possible style, and, as it was a much larger one than she required, she had deputed an agent to procure her a lodger.
The courteous old Frenchman applied to the aforesaid agent who recommended Mrs. Bourne.
De Monpres waited upon the doctor’s widow, with whom he was greatly pleased, and at once engaged the suite of rooms on the first floor.
He was at no loss to divine that Mrs. Bourne was precisely the sort of person Theresa Trieste would, in all probability, get on with; consequently he struck a bargain and engaged the rooms for the young French lady, who was about to arrive from the Continent.
The earl and chevalier met Theresa at the London station, and accompanied her to the widow’s house in Somerset-street.
She was greatly pleased with her new quarters, and her countenance became irradiated with a smile as she gazed on the handsome features of her lover.
She hoped for the best, and had not at this time any misgivings for the future, for the earl demonstrated the strongest affection for her, and was profuse in promises. Nevertheless, deep down in his heart was the canker-worm of remorse.
However, he strove as best he could to assume an air of cheerfulness, and after remaining for the best part of the evening with his mistress he took his departure in company with the Chevalier de Monpres.