“Oh, do take me to her at once!” begged his cousin. “I should like of all things to see her again. Where is she?”
“At the Hôtel Avon. Listen to what I want you to do.”
He told her his plan; she nodded her approval, and straightway dragged him off to the card-room where Mme. de Charbonne was playing at euchre. “Tante, here is Vidal!” she announced.
Madame gave him her hand and a preoccupied smile. “ Cher Dominique!” she murmured. “One told me that you were here. Come and visit me tomorrow.”
“Tante, only fancy! — Vidal tells me one of my dearest friends is in Paris. Tante, pray listen to me! I am going to see her at this very moment, for Vidal says she leaves tomorrow for England with her aunt.”
“But how can you go this moment?” objected madame.
“Vidal says he will escort me. You know mamma will let me go anywhere with Vidal. And he will bring me safe home when I’ve seen Mary. So do not wait for me, will you, Tante Elisabeth? Not here, I mean.”
“It’s all very irregular,” complained madame, “and you interrupt the game, my dear. Take her away, Dominique, and do not be late.”
Half an hour later Miss Challoner, dozing before the fire, was roused by an opening door, and looked up to see her friend Juliana come quickly into the room. “Juliana!” she cried joyfully.
“Mary!” squeaked Juliana, and flung herself into Miss Challoner’s arms.