As we said, the name of the baroness had no especial significance for Lilith, for when Tudor Hereward, in the first weeks of their married life, had told Lilith the history of his first love adventure, he had in delicate consideration abstained from mentioning the name of the lady or of the gentleman who afterwards became her husband. And although the gossips she had heard talking of the matter in the parlor of the hotel had just once let fall the name of Mr. Bruyin, it had made no impression on her memory, and there was nothing to connect the personality of the baroness with that of the beauty who had been the object of Tudor Hereward’s first passion.
When Lilith reached the hotel and made inquiries she found the polite old Frenchman waiting in the parlor to conduct her to the apartment of the baroness.
The lady received Lilith with a kiss, saying, as she placed her in a comfortable chair and resumed her own seat:
“My dear, I have been thinking of you ever since I saw you last. I feel that I shall grow very fond of you.”
“You are very good, madame,” replied the girl.
“Child, I hope that in going abroad with me you are not leaving any one whom you will suffer in parting from?” said the baroness, in the gentlest tone.
“I am not leaving any one in the world who loves me, except my landlady, and she has only known me for a little while,” said Lilith, with a slight tone of sorrow in her voice that she could not quite repress.
“‘Only known you for a little while!’ And I for a less. But it does not take long to learn to love you, my dear. Will you tell me something about yourself? I am very much interested in you. Indeed, I am filled with wonder and speculation concerning you. When I advertised for a companion, young, agreeable and accomplished, as I desired her to be, Monsieur le Professeur plainly told me that rara avis was not to be found in the ranks of women who were seeking situations; that such an education as I required in my companion was the privilege only of wealth and genius. And the answers to my call proved that he was right. In about two hundred applications yours was the only one that suited me. And you, my dear, have really excelled my most unreasonable expectations. Your extreme youth, which at first view seemed an objection, is really an additional charm. Your having been married, too, seems to draw us nearer together. Two young and recently bereaved widows may surely sympathize with each other. I hope, dear, that you will consider me as a friend.”
“You are very kind to me, madame. I have no words to thank you, but I will try to make my actions speak,” said Lilith.
“And some time, dear, not now, but some time when you feel that you can do so, I hope that you will tell me something about yourself, something about the circumstances that have forced you, a young, beautiful and accomplished girl—you are little more than a child, although you have been married—to take the situation of lady’s companion,” said the baroness, gently.