It was now early springtime, the horse chestnut trees were beginning to show green spars on their gray branches, a few of the early shrubs were about ready to blossom.
The President of the United States had again returned to France and once more the peace sessions were holding daily meetings in Paris.
The great Palace of Versailles was still closed. Indoors, however, a spring cleaning was undoubtedly taking place, since the world was at present hopeful that the peace terms would soon be announced and the German envoys invited to France for the signing of the treaty.
At this hour of the afternoon the park was open to the public and a number of persons of varied nationalities were walking about, probably representatives to the Conference and their friends who had come out to Versailles because of the beauty of the spring afternoon.
As the three girls and David Hale entered the park near the Baths of Apollo, Bettina Graham slipped her arm through Julie’s, dropping a little behind in order that Marguerite and David should be able to walk together.
She had been talking to David Hale during their ride on the car and for a few moments while they were awaiting the other girls.
It had struck her that he had watched Marguerite Arnot with a good deal of interest and must therefore wish to be with her.
“Are you so familiar with the park here at Versailles that you have grown tired of it, Julie?” Bettina Graham asked. “I sometimes wonder if it interests French people as much as it does Americans. You have such wonderful parks in Paris as well! But come, let us stop here a moment and look at the view.”
A little distrustfully the young French girl regarded Bettina, having not the least understanding or appreciation of the American girl’s character, her generosity and straightforwardness.
Julie wished Marguerite to have the opportunity to talk with David Hale alone, since it fostered a certain idea she had been cherishing of late. Yet she did not wish altogether to lose sight of them.