"Call up the Villa des Perroquets at Nice. I wish to speak with the Duc de Tremont." She then drew her niece very gently to her side, looking up at her as a mother might have looked. "Darling Julia, Monsieur de Sabron has never told you that he loved you?"
Julia shook her head.
"Not in words, ma tante."
There was a silence, and then Julia Redmond said:
"I only want to assure myself that he is safe, that he lives. I only wish to know his fate."
"But if you go to him like this, ma chère, he will think you love him. He must marry you! You are making a serious declaration."
"Ah," breathed the girl from between trembling lips, "don't go on. I shall be shown the way."
The Marquise d'Esclignac then said, musing:
"I shall telegraph to England for provisions. Food is vile in Algiers. Also, Melanie must get out our summer clothes."
"Ma tante!" said Julia Redmond, "our summer clothes?"