In all they evinced the greatest interest. To both uncle and niece it presented fresh scenes such as neither had before seen, and I realized that old Mr. Lloyd had become brighter and far more cheerful than when with us at Overstow.
I had been at the Hôtel de la Paix for about ten days, when on returning late one night from visiting with Miss Andrews the celebrated Verbena de la Paloma—the famous fair held in the Calle de la Paloma—I found, to my surprise, Duperré awaiting me.
I explained the situation, but when I mentioned the presence of old Lloyd’s niece his countenance instantly fell.
“Why in the name of Fate did the old fool bring her here?” he exclaimed. “I thought he would come alone!”
“She’s quite a nice girl,” I remarked. “Full of high spirits and vitality.”
But Duperré only grunted, and I saw by the expression of his face that he was far from pleased that the old man was not alone.
“I don’t want to be introduced yet,” he said. “At present, though we can meet here in the hotel, we must be strangers outside.”
“And what is the game?” I demanded boldly, for we were together in my bedroom overlooking the great square and the door was locked.
“Nothing that concerns you, Hargreave,” was his hard reply. “I know you’re foolishly squeamish about some things. Well, in this affair just act as Rudolph orders and don’t trouble about the consequences.”