“Indeed?” eagerly. “I have not heard that.”
“I am surprised that you have not. She is said to be setting her cap for Mr. Armour. He is richer than Captain Macartney, you know. French girls are artful.”
Armour made a step forward, but Vivienne laid a hand on his arm. “There is some one coming,” she said, and putting up her fan to partly conceal the terrible pallor of her face, and seeing that he was unable to speak she said in a clear voice, “Did you fancy, Mr. Armour, that this is my first ball? I have been at one other in Orléans chez les Dalesworthys. Mrs. Dalesworthy permitted her daughters to put on white gowns and sit behind a screen of flowers for ten minutes only to observe the dancing. I accompanied them, and being anxious to see one of the English princes who was passing through Orléans and had honored the Dalesworthys by being present, I stepped aside from the screen and looked steadfastly at him, being, as I thought, unperceived. To my wonder I saw Mrs. Dalesworthy approaching, accompanied by an equerry, who informed me that it was the wish of the prince to dance with me. They were both smiling, and as you may imagine I was exceedingly embarrassed. ‘Do not speak until you are addressed,’ Mrs. Dalesworthy whispered; the prince bowed and offered his arm, murmuring, ‘Mademoiselle has not been dancing.’ I told him about our being behind the screen, and he seemed greatly amused, and later on requested to have Mrs. Dalesworthy’s daughters presented to him. I speak French, as you know, with an English accent, and the prince perceiving it, and finding that I came from Nova Scotia, said a few words about our ‘loyal Canada’ that you may be sure excessively gratified——”
The passers-by were gone, and her voice broke, “That is what I suspected—dreaded,” she said bitterly; “and it is the last humiliation to which I shall be subjected in this unhappy house. Let me go,” to Armour, who had put his arm about her, “I do not wish to hear you speak.”
“Unhappy child,” he said in a low voice, “go then, if you will, and I will come to you as soon as I can.”
Vivienne went swiftly upstairs, till she stopped in the prettily furnished hall outside her rooms, and put her hand confusedly to her forehead. Stargarde lay on a broad divan, her face as white as death, her features contracted in horrible suffering, while Judy, who was the only person with her, hung over the railing intent on the scene below.
“Judy,” cried Vivienne, springing to Stargarde’s side, “what is this?”
“Oh, what a wretch I am!” exclaimed Judy. “Stargarde, dear Stargarde, won’t you speak to me? Come, wake up, or I shall go for Brian.”
“What is it? What is wrong with her?” exclaimed Vivienne.
“The usual thing, one of her attacks. Try to rouse her and I’ll get Brian,” and slipping rapidly downstairs by means of a hand placed on the railing, Judy disappeared.