The end of her honeymoon

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Title:TheEndofHerHoneymoon
Author:MarieBellocLowndes
PostingDate:November19,2011[EBook#9635]ReleaseDate:January,2006
FirstPosted:October11,2003
Language:English
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TheEndofHerHoneymoon
By


Mrs.BellocLowndes
Authorof"TheUttermostFarthing,""TheChinkintheArmour,"etc.,etc.
1913


CHAPTERI
"Cocher?l'HôtelSaintAnge,RueSaintAnge!"
ThevoiceofJohnDampier,Nancy'sthree-weeksbridegroom,rangoutstrongly,
joyously,onthisthelasteveningoftheirhoneymoon.Andbeforethelightly
hungopencarriagehadtimetomove,Dampieraddedsomethingquickly,at

whichbothheandthedriverlaughedinunison.
Nancycreptnearertoherhusband.Itwastiresomethatsheknewsolittle
French.
"I'mtellingthemanwe'renotinanyhurry,andthathecantakeusroundbythe
Boulevards.Iwon'thaveyouseeingParisfromanuglyanglethefirsttime—
darling!"
"ButJack?It'snearlymidnight!Surelythere'llbenothingtoseeonthe
Boulevardsnow?"
"Won'tthere?Youwaitandsee—Parisnevergoestosleep!"
Andthen—Nancyremembereditlong,longafterwards—somethingveryodd
anddisconcertinghappenedinthebigstationyardoftheGaredeLyon.The
horsestopped—stoppeddead.Ifithadn'tbeenthatthebridegroom'sarm
enclosedherslender,roundedwaist,thebridemighthavebeenthrownout.
Thecabmanstoodupinhisseatandgavehishorseaviciousblowacrossthe
back.


"Oh,Jack!"Nancyshrankandhidherfaceinherhusband'sarm."Don'tlethim
dothat!Ican'tbearit!"
Dampiershoutedoutsomethingroughly,angrily,andthemanjumpedoffthe
box,andtakingholdofthereingaveitasharppull.Heledhisunwillinghorse
throughthebigirongates,andthenthelittleopencarriagerolledonsmoothly.
Howenchantingtobedrivingunderthestarsinthecitywhichhailsinevery
artist—JackDampierwasanartist—abelovedson!
IntheclearJuneatmosphere,underthegreatarc-lampswhichseemedsuspended
inthemildlambentair,thebranchesofthetreesliningtheBoulevardsshowed
brightly,delicatelygreen;andthetintsofthedresseswornbythewomen
walkingupanddownoutsidethecafésandstillbrilliantlylightedshopsmingled
luminously,asonamagicpalette.
Nancywithdrewherselfgentlyfromherhusband'sarm.Itseemedtoherthat

everyoneinthatmerry,slowlymovingcrowdoneithersidemustseethathe
washoldinghertohim.Shewasashy,sensitivelittlecreature,thisthree-weeksoldbride,whosehoneymoonwasnowabouttomergeintohappyevery-daylife.
Dampierdivinedsomethingofwhatshewasfeeling.Heputouthishandand
claspedhers."Sillysweetheart,"hewhispered."Allthesemerry,chattering
peoplearefartoofullofthemselvestobethinkingofus!"
Asshemadenoanswer,bewildered,alittleoppressedbythebrilliance,the
strangenessofeverythingaboutthem,headdedalittleanxiously,"Darling,are
youtired?Wouldyourathergostraighttothehotel?"
Butpressingclosertohim,Nancyshookherhead."No,no,Jack!I'mnotabit
tired.Itwasyouwhoweretiredto-day,notI!"
"Ididn'tfeelwellinthetrain,'tistrue.ButnowthatI'minParisIcouldstayout
allnight!Isupposeyou'veneverreadGeorgeMoore'sdescriptionofthisvery
drivewe'retaking,littlegirl?"
AndagainNancyshookherhead,andsmiledinthedarkness.Intheworldwhere
shehadlivedhershortlife,inthecomfortable,unimaginativeworldinwhich
NancyTremain,thedelightfullypretty,fairlywell-dowered,orphan,haddrifted
aboutsinceshehadbeen"grown-up,"noonehadeverheardofGeorgeMoore.


Strange,eveninsomewaysamazing,theirmarriage—hersandJackDampier's
—hadbeen!He,theclever,devil-may-careartist,unconventionalinallhisways,
verymuchaBohemian,knowinglittleofhisnativecountry,England,forhehad
livedallhisyouthandworkinglifeinFrance—andshe,ineverything,savean
instinctiveloveofbeauty,which,oddlyyetnaturallyenough,onlybetrayeditself
inherdress,theexactopposite!
AcommissionfromanEnglishcountrygentlemanwhohadfanciedaportrait
shownbyDampierintheSalon,hadbroughttheartist,ratherreluctantly,across
theChannel,andanaccident—sometimesitmadethembothshivertorealise
howslightanaccident—hadledtotheirfirstanddecisivemeeting.
NancyTremainhadbeenbroughtovertotea,onecold,snowyafternoon,atthe

housewhereDampierwaspainting.Shehadbeendressedallingrey,andthe
gracefulvelvetgownandfurrycap-liketoquehadmadeherlook,inhiseyes,
likeanexquisiteEighteenthCenturypastel.
Oneglance—soDampierhadoftensinceassuredherandshenevergrewtiredof
hearingit—hadbeenenough.Theyhadscarcelyspokentheonetotheother,but
hehadfoundouthername,and,writing,cajoledherintoseeinghimagain.Very
soonhehadcapturedherinthegoodoldway,aswomen—orsomenliketo
think—prefertobewooed,byrightofconquest.
Therehadbeennoonetosaythemnay,noonetocommentunkindlyoverso
strangeandsuddenabetrothal.Onthecontrary,Nancy'sconsiderablecircleof
acquaintanceshadsmilinglyapproved.
Alltheworldlovesamasterfullover,andNancyTremainwasfartoopretty,far
toosingularandcharming,tobecomeengagedinthecourseofnaturetosome
commonplaceyoungman.Thisbig,ugly,clever,amusingartistwasjustthe
contrastwhichwasneededforromance.
Andheseemedbyhisownaccounttobemakingaverygoodincome,too!Yet,
artistsbeingsucheccentric,extravagantfellows,doubtlessNancy'smodestlittle
fortunewouldcomeinuseful—sothoseaboutthemarguedcarelessly.
Thenoneofheracquaintances,athoughtmoregood-naturedthantherest,
arrangedthatlovely,happyNancyshouldbemarriedfromapleasantcountry
house,inadearlittlecountrychurch.Bravingsuperstition,theweddingtook
placeinthelastweekofMay,andbrideandbridegroomhadgonetoItaly—


though,tobesure,itwasratherlateforItaly—forthreehappyweeks.
NowtheywereabouttosettledowninDampier'sParisstudio.
UnluckilyitwasanExhibitionYear,oneofthoseyears,thatis,which,hatefulas
theymaybetoyourtrueParisian,poursteadystreamsofgoldintothepocketsof
fortunatehotelandshopkeepers,andwhichbringagreatmanyforeignersto
Pariswhootherwisemightneverhavecome.Quiteanumberofsuch

comfortableEnglishfolkwerenowlookingforwardtogoingandseeingNancy
Dampierinhernewhome—ofwhichtheveryaddresswasquaintandunusual,
forDampier'sstudiowassituatedImpassedesNonnes.
Theywerenowspeedingunderandacrossthevastembracingshadowofthe
OperaHouse.AndagainDampierslippedhisarmroundhisyoungwife.It
seemedtothishappymanasifParisto-nighthadputonhergaladressto
welcomehim,devoutloverandmakerofbeauty,backtoherbosom.
"Isn'titpleasanttothink,"hewhispered,"thatParisisthemorebeautiful
becauseyounowareinitandofit,Nancy?"
AndNancysmiled,wellpleasedatthefantasticcompliment.
Shepressedmorecloselytohim.
"Iwish—Iwish—"andthenshestopped,forshewasunselfish,shyof
expressingherwishes,butthatmadeDampiereverthemoreeagertohear,and,
ifpossible,togratifythem.
"Whatisitthatyouwish,dearheart?"heasked.
"Iwish,Jack,thatweweregoingstraighthometothestudionow—insteadofto
anhotel."
"We'llgetinverysoon,"heansweredquickly."Believeme,darling,you
wouldn'tlikegoinginbeforeeverythingisreadyforyou.MèreBideauhasher
goodpoints,butshecouldnevermaketheplacelookasIwantittolookwhen
youfirstseeit.I'llgetupearlyto-morrowmorningandgoandseetoitall.I
wouldn'tfortheworldyousawourhomeasitmustlooknow—thepoorlittle
livingroomsdustyandshabby,andourboxessittingsadlyinthemiddleofthe
studioitself!"


TheyhadsenttheirheavyluggageonfromEngland,andforthehoneymoon
Nancyhadcontentedherselfwithonemodestlittletrunk,whileDampierhad
takenthelargeportmanteauwhichhadbeentheusefulweddingpresentofthe
newfriendandpatroninwhosehousehehadfirstseenhiswife.

SwiftlytheyshotthroughthetriplearchwhichleadsfromtheRuedeRivolito
theCarousel.Howsplendidandsolitarywasthevastdimly-litspace."Ilike
this,"whisperedNancydreamily,gazingupatthedark,star-powderedsky.
AndthenDampierturnedandcaughther,thistimeunresisting,yieldingjoyfully,
tohisbreast."Nancy?"hemurmuredthickly."Nancy?I'mafraid!"
"Afraid?"sherepeatedwonderingly.
"Yes,horriblyafraid!Pray,mypureangel,praythatthegodsmayindulgetheir
cruelsportelsewhere.Ihaven'talwaysbeenhappy,Nancy."
Andsheclungtohim,fullofvague,unsubstantialfears."Don'ttalklikethat,"
shemurmured."It—itisn'trighttomakefunofsuchthings."
"Makefun?GoodGod!"wasallhesaid.
Andthenhismoodchanged.Theywerenowbeingshakenacrossthehuge,
unevenpavingstonesofthequays,andsoontoabridge."Ineverreallyfeelat
homeinParistillI'vecrossedtheSeine,"hecriedjoyously."Cheerup,darling,
weshallsoonbeattheHôtelSaintAnge!"
"HaveyoueverstayedintheHôtelSaintAnge?"shesaid,withatouchof
curiosityinhervoice.
"Iusedtoknowafellowwholivedthere,"hesaidcarelessly."Butwhatmade
mepickitoutwasthefactthatit'ssuchaqueer,beautifuloldhouse,andwitha
delightfulgarden.AlsoweshallmeetnoEnglishthere."
"Don'tyoulikeEnglishpeople?"sheasked,alittleprotestingly.
AndDampierlaughed."IlikethemeverywherebutinParis,"hesaid:andthen,
"Butyouwon'tbequitelonely,littlelady,foragoodmanyAmericansgotothe
HôtelSaintAnge.Andforsuchafunnyreason—"


"Whatreason?"
"ItwastherethatEdgarAllanPoestayedwhenhewasinParis."
Theircarriagewasnowengagedinthreadingnarrow,shadowedthoroughfares
whichwoundthroughwhatmighthavebeenacityofthedead.Frommidnight

tillcock-crowold-worldParissleeps,andthewindowsofthehighhouseson
eithersideofthedesertedstreetsthroughwhichtheywerenowdrivingwereall
closelyshuttered.
"Herewehavetheceremonious,thewell-bred,thetactfulParisofotherdays,"
exclaimedDampierwhimsically."ThisParisunderstandswithoutanywordsthat
whatwenowwantistobequiet,andbyourselves,littlegirl!"
Agaslamp,burningfeeblyinacornerwineshop,lituphisexultantfacefora
flashingmoment.
"Youdon'tlookwell,Jack,"Nancysaidsuddenly."Itwasawfullyhotin
Lyonsthismorning—"
"Westayedjustathoughttoolonginthatcarpetwarehouse,"hesaidgaily,
—"Andthen—andthenthatprayercarpet,whichmighthavebelongedtoAli
BabaofIspahan,hasmademefeelillwithenvyeversince!Butjoy!Herewe
areatlast!"
AfteremergingintoasquareofwhichonesidewasformedbyanoldGothic
church,theyhadengagedinadarkandnarrowstreetthefurtherendofwhich
wasbastionedbyoneoftheflyingbuttressesofthechurchtheyhadjustpassed.
Thecabdrewupwithajerk."C'estici,monsieur."
Themanhaddrawnupbeforeabroadoakportecochèrewhich,sunkfarback
intoathickwall,wasnowinhospitablyshut.
"Theygotobedbetimesthissideoftheriver!"exclaimedDampierruefully.
Nancyfeltalittletroubled.Thehotelpeopleknewtheywerecoming,for
JackhadwrittenfromMarseilles:itwasoddnoonehadsatupforthem.
Buttheirdrivergavethewrought-ironbell-handleamightypull,andafterwhat


seemedtothetwotravellersaverylongpausethegreatdoorsswungslowly
backontheirhinges,whileaheartyvoicecalledout,"C'estvous,Monsieur
Gerald?C'estvous,mademoiselle?"
AndDampiershoutedbackinFrench,"It'sMr.andMrs.Dampier.Surelyyou

expectus?IwrotefromMarseillesthreedaysago!"
Hehelpedhiswifeoutofthecab,andtheypassedthroughintothebroad,
vaultedpassagewhichconnectedthestreetwiththecourtyardofthehotel.By
thedimlightaffordedbyanold-fashionedhanginglampNancyDampiersaw
thatthreepeoplehadansweredthebell;theywereamiddle-agedman(evidently
minehost),hisstoutbetterhalf,andayouthwhorubbedhiseyesasifsleepy,
andwhostaredatthenewcomerswithadull,ruminatingstare.
AsisgenerallythecaseinaFrenchhotel,itwasMadamewhotookcommand.
Shepouredforthatorrentofeager,excitedwords,andatlastDampierturnedto
hiswife:—"Theygotmyletter,butofcoursehadnoaddresstowhichtheycould
answer,and—andit'sratherabore,darling—buttheydon'tseemtohaveany
roomsvacant."
Butevenashespokethefat,cheerful-lookingFrenchwomanputherhandonthe
youngEnglishman'sarm.Shehadseenthesmart-lookingboxofthebride,the
handsomecrocodileskinbagofthebridegroom,andagainsheburstforth,
utteringagainandagaintheword"arranger."
Dampierturnedoncemore,thistimemuchrelieved,tohiswife:"Madame
Poulain(that'shername,itseems)thinksshecanmanagetoputusupallright
to-night,ifwedon'tmindtwoverysmallrooms—unluckilynotonthesame
floor.Butsomepeoplearegoingawayto-morrowandthenshe'llhavefreesome
charmingroomsoverlookingthegarden."
Hetookaten-francpieceoutofhispocketashespoke,andhandedittothe
gratifiedcabman:—"Itdoesn'tseemtoomuchforadrivethroughfairyland"—he
saidasidetohiswife.
AndNancynoddedcontentedly.ItpleasedherthatherJackshouldbegenerous
—themorethatshehadfoundoutinthelastthreeweeksthatifgenerous,he
wasbynomeansaspendthrift.HehadlongedtobuyacoupleofPersianprayer
carpetsinthatqueerlittlewarehousewhereaFrenchfriendofhishadtaken
theminLyons,buthehadresistedthetemptation—nobly.

MeanwhileMadamePoulainwastalking,talking,talking—emphasisingallshe
saidwithquick,eagergestures.
"Theyaregoingtoputyouintheirowndaughter'sroom,darling.She'sluckily
awayjustnow.SoIthinkyouwillbeallright.I,itseems,mustputupwitha
garret!"
"Oh,mustyoubefarawayfromme?"sheaskedalittleplaintively.
"Onlyforto-night,onlytillto-morrow,sweetheart."
Andthentheyallbegangoingupawindingstaircasewhichstartedflushfrom
thewalltotheleft.
FirstcameMadamePoulain,carryingacandle,thenMonsieurPoulainwithhis
newEnglishclients,and,lastofall,theloutishladcarryingNancy'strunk.They
hadbutalittlewaytogouptheshallowslipperystairs,forwhentheyreached
thefirsttinylandingMadamePoulainopenedacurious,narrowslitofadoor
whichseemed,whenshut,tobeactuallypartofthefinelypanelledwalls.
"Here'smydaughter'sroom,"saidthelandladyproudly."Itisverycomfortable
andcharming."
"Whatanextraordinarylittleroom!"whisperedNancy.
AndDampier,lookingroundhimwithagooddealofcuriosity,agreed.
InthedayswhentheHôtelSaintAngebelongedtothegreatsoldierwhosename
itstillbears,thisstrangelittleapartmenthadsurelybeen,sotheEnglishartist
toldhimself,apowderingcloset.Evennowtheonlyoutsidelightandaircame
fromasmallsquarewindowwhichhadevidentlyonlyrecentlybeencutthrough
thethickwall.Infrontofthisapertureflutteredabrightpinkcurtain.
Coveringthreeofthewallsaswellasthelowceiling,wasapapersimulating
whitesatinpowderedwithrose-buds,andthebed,drapedwithvirginalmuslin
curtains,wasachild'sratherthanawoman'sbed.
"What'sthat?"askedDampiersuddenly."Acupboard?"
Hehadnoticedthatwidedoubledoors,paintedinthepalebrownishgreycalled

grisaille,formedthefurthersideofthetinyapartment.
MadamePoulain,turningakey,revealedalargeroomyspacenowfittedupasa
cupboard."It'sawaythroughintoourbedroom,monsieur,"shesaidsmiling.
"Wecouldnotofcourseallowourdaughtertobefarfromourselves."
AndDampiernodded.HeknewthewaysofFrenchpeopleandsympathised
withthoseways.
Hesteppedupintothecupboard,curioustoseeifthistoohadbeenapowdering
closet,andifthatweresoiftheoldpanellingandornamentationhadremainedin
theiroriginalcondition.
ThusforamomentwasDampierconcealedfromthoseintheroom.Andduring
thatmomenttherecamethesoundoffootstepsonthestaircase,followedbythe
suddenappearanceonthelandingoutsidetheopendoorofthecuriouslittle
apartmentoftwotallfigures—agirlinalaceoperacloak,andayoungmanin
eveningdress.
NancyDampier,gazingatthem,alittlesurprisedattheabruptapparition,told
herselfthattheymustbebrotherandsister,sostrikingwastheirresemblanceto
oneanother.
"Wefoundtheportecochèreopen,MadamePoulain,sowejustcamestraightin.
Goodnight!"
TheyoungladyspokeexcellentFrench,butasshesweptonupthestaircaseout
ofsighttherecameaquicklowinterchangeofEnglishwordsbetweenherself
andthemanwithher.
"Daisy?Didyounoticethatbeautifulyoungwoman?Aregularstunner!She
mustbethatdaughterthePoulainsarealwaystalkingabout."
Andthen"Daisy's"answerfloateddown."Yes,Inoticedher—sheiscertainly
verypretty.Butdobecareful,Gerald,IexpectsheknowsalittleEnglish—"
Dampiersteppeddownoutofthecupboard.
"ThatAmericancuboughttobeputinhisplace!"hemutteredheatedly.

Nancyturnedherfaceawaytohidealittlesmile.Jackwassofunny!He
delightedinherbeauty—hewasalwaystellingherso,andyetitannoyedhimif
otherpeoplethoughtherprettytoo.ThisyoungAmericanhadlookedather
quitepleasantly,quiterespectfully;hehadn'tmeanttobeoffensive—ofthat
Nancyfeltsure.
"IsupposeyouhaveagoodmanyAmericansthisyear?"wentonDampierin
French,turningtoMonsieurPoulain.
"No,monsieur,no.OurclientèleismostlyFrench.Wehaveonlythisyounglady,
herbrother,andtheirfather,monsieur.ThefatherisaSenatorinhisowncountry
—SenatorBurton.Theyareverycharmingpeople,andhavestayedwithusoften
before.AllourotherguestsareFrench.Wehaveneverhadsuchasplendid
season:andallbecauseoftheExhibition!"
"I'mgladyouaredoingwell,"saidDampiercourteously."Butformypart"—he
shruggedhisshoulders—"I'mtoomuchofaParisiantoliketheExhibition."
ThenheturnedtoNancy:"Well,you'llbequitesafe,mydarling.Monsieurand
MadamePoulainareonlyjustthroughhere,soyouneedn'tfeellonely."
Andthentherecameachorusofbonsoirsfromhost,fromhostess,andfromthe
ladwhonowstoodwaitingwiththeEnglishman'slargeportmanteauhitchedup
onhisshoulder.
Dampierbentandkissedhiswifeverytenderly:thenhefollowedMonsieur
Poulainandthelatter'snephewupthestairs,whileMadamePoulainstayed
behindandhelpedMrs.Dampiertounpackthefewthingssherequiredforthe
night.
AndNancy,thoughshefeltjustalittlebewilderedtofindherselfaloneinthis
strangehouse,wasyetamusedandcheeredbytheolderwoman'slivelychatter,
andthatalthoughsheonlyunderstoodonewordinten.
MadamePoulaintalkedofherdaughter,Virginie,nowinthecountrywellaway
fromtheholidaycrowdsbroughtbytheExhibition,andalsoofhernephew,
Jules,theladwhohadcarrieduptheluggage,andwhoknew—soMadame

PoulainwenttosomepainstomakeNancyunderstand—alittleEnglish.
Latethoughitwas,theworthywomandidnotseeminanyhurrytogoaway,but


atlastcamethekindlywordswhichevenNancy,slightaswasherknowledgeof
French,understood:"Bonsoir,madame.Dormezbien."

CHAPTERII
NancyDampiersatupinbed.
Throughthecurtaincoveringthesquareapertureinthewallwhichdiddutyfora
windowthestrongmorninglightstreamedin,castingapinkglowoverthe
peculiarlittleroom.
Shedrewthepearl-circledwatch,whichhadbeenoneofJack'sfirstgiftstoher,
fromunderthebig,squarepillow.
Itwasalreadyhalf-pastnine.Howverytiresomeandstrangethatsheshould
haveoversleptherselfonthis,herfirstmorninginParis!Andyet—andyetnot
soverystrangeafterall,forhernighthadbeencuriouslyanddisagreeably
disturbed.
Atfirstshehadsleptthedeep,dreamlesssleepofhappyyouth,andthen,ina
moment,shehadsuddenlysatup,wideawake.
Themurmuroftalkinghadrousedher—ofeager,lowtalkingintheroomwhich
laytheothersideofthedeepcupboard.Whenthemurmurhadatlastceasedshe
haddozedoff,onlytobewakedagainbythesoundoftheportecochère
swingingbackonitshugehinges.
Itwasevidentlyquitetrue—asJackhadsaid—thatParisnevergoestosleep.
Jackhaddeclaredhewouldgetupandgoovertothestudioearly,sotherewas
nothingforitbuttogetup,andwaitpatientlytillhecameback.Nancyknew
thatherhusbandwouldn'tlikehertoventureoutintothestreetsalone.Hewas
extraordinarilycarefulofher—carefulandthoughtfulforhercomfort.
Whatanangelhewas—hergreatstrong,cleverJack!

AgirlwhogoesaboutbyherselfasmuchasNancyTremainhadgoneabout
aloneduringthethreeyearswhichhadelapsedbetwixtherleavingschooland


hermarriage,obtainsaconsiderableknowledgeofmen,andnotofthenicest
kindofmen.ButJackwasanangel—sherepeatedtheratherabsurdly
incongruouswordtoherselfwithaverytenderfeelinginherheart.Healways
treatedhernotonlyasifsheweresomethingbeautifulandrare,butsomething
fragile,toberespectedaswellasadored….
Hehadlefthersolittleduringthelastthreeweeksthatshehadneverhadtimeto
thinkabouthimasshewasthinkingofhimnow;"countinguphermercies,"as
anold-fashionedladyshehadknownasachildwaswonttoadvisethoseabout
hertodo.
Atlastshelookedroundherforabell.No,therewasnothingofthesortinthe
tinyroom.ButNancyDampierhadalreadylearnedtodowithoutallsortsof
thingswhichshehadregardedasabsolutenecessitiesoflifewhenshewas
NancyTremain.InsomeofthehumblerItalianinnsinwhichsheandJackhad
beensohappy,thepeoplehadneverevenheardofabell!
Shejumpedoutofbed,putonherpretty,palebluedressing-gown—itwasa
fancyofJack'sthatsheshouldwearagreatdealofpaleblueandwhite—and
thensheopenedthedooralittleway.
"Madame!"shecalledoutgaily."MadamePoulain?"andwonderedwhetherher
Frenchwouldruntothewords"hotwater"—yes,shethoughtitwould."Eau
chaude"—thatwashotwater.
Buttherecamenoansweringcry,andagain,thistimeratherimpatiently,she
calledout,"MadamePoulain?"
AndthentheshufflingsoundsofheavyfootstepsmadeNancyshootbackfrom
theopendoor.
"Yuss?"mutteredahoarsevoice.
Thissurelymustbetheloutish-lookingyouthwho,soNancysuddenly

remembered,knewalittleEnglish.
"Iwantsomehotwater,"shecalledoutthroughthedoor."Andwillyouplease
askyouraunttocomehereforamoment?"
"Yuss,"hesaid,inthatqueerhoarsevoice,andshuffleddownstairsagain.And


therefollowed,floatingupfrombelow,oneofthosequick,gabbling
interchangesofFrenchwordswhichNancy,tryasshemight,couldnot
understand.
Shegotintobedagain.Perhapsafterallitwouldbebettertoallowthemtobring
upher"littlebreakfast"intheforeignfashion.Shewouldstillbeinplentyof
timeforJack.Onceinthestudiohewouldbeinnohurry,orsoshefeared,to
comeback—especiallyifonhiswayouthehadopenedherdoorandseenhow
soundlyshewassleeping.
Shewaitedsometime,andthen,asnoonecame,grewwhatshesoseldomwas,
impatientandannoyed.Whatanoddhotel,andwhatdilatory,disagreeable
ways!Butjustasshewasthinkingofgettingupagainsheheardahesitating
knock.
ItwasMadamePoulain,andsuddenlyNancy—thoughunobservantasisyouth,
andespeciallyhappyyouth—noticedthatminehostesslookedfarlesswellin
thedaytimethanbycandle-light.
MadamePoulain'sstout,sallowfacewaspale,hercheekspuffy;therewererings
roundtheblackeyeswhichhadsparkledsobrightlythenightbefore.Butthen
shetoomusthavehadadisturbednight.
InherhaltingFrenchMrs.Dampierexplainedthatshewouldlikecoffeeand
rolls,andthensomehotwater.
"C'estbien,mademoiselle!"
AndNancyblushedrosy-red."Mademoiselle?"Howoddtohearherselfso
addressed!ButMadamePoulaindidnotgivehertimetosayanything,evenif
shehadwishedtodoso,for,beforeMrs.Dampiercouldspeakagain,thehotelkeeperhadshutthedoorandgonedownstairs.

Andthen,afteralong,longwait,farlongerthanNancyhadeverbeenmadeto
waitinanyoftheforeignhotelsinwhichsheandherhusbandhadstayedduring
thelastthreeweeks,MadamePoulainreappeared,bearingatrayinherlarge,
powerfulhands.
Sheputthetraydownonthebed,andshewasalreadymakingherwayquickly,
silentlytothedoor,whenNancycalledouturgently,"Madame?Madame


Poulain!Hasmyhusbandgoneout!"
Andthenshecheckedherself,andtriedtoconveythesamequestioninher
difficultFrench—"Monmari?"shesaidhaltingly."Monmari?"
ButMadamePoulainonlyshookherhead,andhurriedoutoftheroom,leaving
theyoungEnglishwomanoddlydiscomfitedandsurprised.
ItwasevidentlytruewhatJackhadsaid—thattiresomeExhibitionhadturned
everythinginParis,especiallythehotels,topsy-turvy.MadamePoulainwas
crossandtired,runoffherfeet,maybe;hermanner,too,quitedifferentnow
fromwhatithadbeenthenightbefore.
NancyDampiergotupanddressed.Sheputonapalebluelinengownwhich
Jackadmired,andabluestrawhattrimmedwithgreywingswhichJacksaid
madeherlooklikeMercury.
Shetoldherselfthattherecouldbenoreasonwhysheshouldn'tventureoutof
herroomandgodownstairs,wheretheremustsurelybesomekindofpublic
sitting-room.
SuddenlyrememberingtheyoungAmerican'sinterchangeofwordswithhis
sister,shewondered,smilingtoherself,ifshewouldeverseethemagain.How
crosstheyoungman'sidlewordshadmadeJack!Dear,jealousJack,whohated
itsowhenpeoplestaredatherasforeignershaveatrickofstaring.Itmade
Nancyhappytoknowthatpeoplethoughtherpretty,naybeautiful,foritwould
havebeendreadfulforJack,anartist,tomarryanuglywoman….
Lockingherboxshewentoutontotheshallowstaircase,downthefewsteps

whichledstraightunderthebigarchoftheportecochère.Itwasthrown
hospitablyopenontothenarrowstreetnowfullofmovement,colour,and
sound.Butinvividcontrasttothemovingpanoramapresentedbythebusy,lanelikethoroughfareoutside,wasthespacious,stone-pavedcourtyardofthehotel,
madegaywithorangetreesinhugegreentubs.Almostoppositetheporte
cochèrewasanotherarchthroughwhichshecouldseeaglimpseofthecool,
shadygardenJackremembered.
Yes,itwasastrangelypicturesqueandcharmingoldhouse,thisHôtelSaint
Ange;butevensoNancyfeltalittlelost,alittlestrange,standingthereunderthe
portecochère.Thenshesawthatpainteduponaglassdoorjustoppositethe


stairsleadingtoherroomwastheword"Bureau":itwasdoubtlesstherethat
Jackhadleftwordwhenhewouldbeback.
Shewentacrossandopenedthedoor,buttohersurprisetherewasnooneinthe
littleoffice;shehadn't,however,longtowait,forMadamePoulain'snephew
suddenlyappearedfromthecourtyard.
Hehadonanapron;therewasabroominhishand,andashecametowardsher,
walkingvery,veryslowly,therecameoverNancyDampier,shecouldnothave
toldyouwhy,atouchofrepulsionfromtheslovenlyyouth.
"Iwishtoknow,"shesaid,"whethermyhusbandleftanymessageforme?"
Buttheyoungmanshookhishead.Heshuffledfirstononefootandthenonthe
other,lookingmiserablyawkward.Itwasplainthathedidnotknowmorethana
wordortwoofEnglish.
"Iamsure,"shesaid,speakingslowlyandverydistinctly,"thatmyhusbandleft
somekindofmessagewithyouruncleoraunt.Willyoupleaseaskoneofthem
tospeaktome?"
Henodded."Si,mademoiselle"andwalkedquicklyaway,backintothe
courtyard.
"Mademoiselle"again!Whatanextraordinaryhotel,andwhatbadmannersthese
peoplehad!AndyetagainandagainJackhadcomparedEnglishandFrench

hotels—alwaystothedisadvantageoftheformer.
Longminuteswentby,andNancybegantofeelvexedandangry.Thentherefell
onherlisteningearsaphraseutteredveryclearlyinMadamePoulain'sresonant
voice:"C'esttontourmaintenant!Vas-y,monami!"
Andbeforeshehadtimetotryandpuzzleoutthesenseofthewords,shesaw
MonsieurPoulain'sportlyfigureemergefromtheleftsideofthecourtyard,and
then—whenhecaughtsightoftheslim,blue-cladfigurestandingunderhisporte
cochère—beatahastyretreat.
Nancy'ssenseofdiscomfortandindignationgrew.Whatdidthesepeoplemean
bytreatingherlikethis?Shelongedwithapainful,almostasicklongingforher
husband'sreturn.Itmustbeverynearlyeleveno'clock.Whydidhestayawayso


long?
Apainful,chokingfeeling—oneshehadvery,veryseldomexperiencedduring
thecourseofhershort,prosperouslife,cameintoherthroat.
Angrilyshedashedawaytwotearsfromhereyes.
Thiswasahorridhotel!ThePoulainswerehatefulpeople!Jackhadmadea
mistake—howcouldhehavebroughthertosuchaplace?Shewouldtellhim
whenhecamebackthathemusttakeherawaynow,atonce,tosomeordinary,
nicehotel,wherethepeopleknewEnglish,andwheretheytreatedtheirguests
withordinarycivility.
AndthenthereshotthroughNancyDampierafeelingofquickrelief,for,
walkingacrossthecourtyard,evidentlyontheirwayout,cameapleasantlookingelderlygentleman,accompaniedbythegirlwhomNancyhadseenfora
briefmomentstandingonthelandingclosetoherbedroomdoorthenight
before.
ThesewereEnglishpeople?No,Americanofcourse!Butthatwasquiteas
good,forthey,thankheaven!spokeEnglish.Shecouldaskthemtobeher
interpreterswiththoseextraordinaryPoulains.Jackwouldn'tmindherdoing
that.Why,hemighthaveleftquiteanimportantmessageforher!

Shetookastepforward,andthestrangersstopped.Theoldgentleman—Nancy
calledhiminherownmindanoldgentleman,thoughSenatorBurtonwasbyno
meansoldinhisownestimationorinthatofhiscontemporaries—smiledavery
pleasant,genialsmile.
NancyDampiermadeacharmingvisionasshestoodunderthearchoftheporte
cochère,herslender,blue-cladfiguresilhouettedagainstthedarkbackgroundby
thestreetoutside,andthecolourcomingandgoinginherface.
"MayIspeaktoyouamoment?"shesaidshyly.
"Whycertainly."
TheAmericantookoffhishat,andstoodlookingdownatherkindly."Myname
isBurton,SenatorBurton,atyourservice!WhatcanIdoforyou?".


ThesimplelittlequestionbroughtbackallNancy'susualhappyconfidence.
Howsillyshehadbeenjustnowtofeelsodistressed.
"I'mMrs.Dampier,andIcan'tmakethehotelpeopleunderstandwhatIsay,"she
explained."ImeanMonsieurandMadamePoulain—andthenephew—Ithink
hisnameisJules—thoughheissupposedtospeakEnglish,issoverystupid."
"Yes,indeedheis!"chimedinthegirlwhomherbrotherhadcalled"Daisy."
"I'velongagogivenuptryingtomakethatboyunderstandanything,evenin
French.Buttheydoworkhimmostawfullyhard,youknow;theyhavewomen
ineachdaytohelpwiththecleaning,butthatpoorladdoeseverythingelse—
everything,thatis,thatthePoulainsdon'tdothemselves."
"Whatisitthatyoucan'tmakethemunderstand?"askedSenatorBurton
indulgently."Telluswhatitisyouwanttoaskthem?"
"Ionlywishtoknowatwhattimemyhusbandwentout,andwhetherheleftany
messageforme,"answeredNancyrathershamefacedly."Youseethehotelisso
fullthattheyputusondifferentfloors,andIhaven'tseenhimthismorning."
"I'llfindthatoutforyouatonce.IexpectMadamePoulainisinherkitchenjust
now."

TheSenatorturnedandwentbackintothecourtyard,leavinghisdaughterand
theyoungEnglishwomanalonetogether.
"ThePoulainsseemsuchodd,queerpeople,"saidNancyhesitatingly.
"D'youthinkso?We'vealwaysfoundthemallright,"saidthegirl,smiling."Of
coursethey'redreadfullybusyjustnowbecauseoftheExhibition.Thehotelis
fullofFrenchpeople,andtheygiveMadamePoulainagreatdealoftrouble.But
shedoesn'tgrudgeit,forsheandherhusbandaresimplycoiningmoney!
They'redeterminedthattheirdaughtershallhaveasplendiddowry!"Shewaited
amoment,andthenrepeated,"Oh,yes,thePoulainsareverygoodsortof
people.They'reverykindlyandgood-natured."
TothisremarkNancymadenoanswer.ShethoughtthePoulainsbothrudeand
disagreeable,butshehadnowishtospeakillofthemtothisnicegirl.How
luckyitwasthatthesekindAmericanshadcometoherrescue!Thoughstill
feelingindignantanduncomfortablewithregardtothewayinwhichshehad


beentreatedbythehotel-keeperandhiswife,shefeltquitehappyagainnow.
SenatorBurtonwasawayforwhatseemed,notonlytoMrs.Dampier,butalsoto
hisdaughter,aconsiderabletime.Butatlasttheysawhimcomingslowly
towardsthem.Hiseyeswerebentontheground;heseemedtobethinking,
deeply.
NancyDampiertookastepforward."Well?"shesaideagerly,andthenalittle
shylysheutteredhisname,"Well,Mr.Burton?Whatdotheysay?Didmy
husbandleaveanymessage?"
"No,hedoesn'tseemtohavedonethat."AndthentheSenatorlookeddown
searchinglyintotheyoungEnglishwoman'sface.Itwasaverylovelyface,and
justnowthelookofappeal,ofsurprise,intheblueeyesaddedatouchof
patheticcharm.Hethoughtoftheoldexpression,"Beautyindistress."
Hisdaughterbrokein:"Why,Mrs.Dampier,docomeupstairsandwaitinour
sitting-room,"shesaidcordially."I'llcomewithyou,forwewereonlygoingout

foralittlestroll,weren'twe,father?"
NancyDampierhesitated.ShedidnotnoticethattheAmericanSenatoromitted
toendorsehisdaughter'sinvitation;shehesitatedforaverydifferentreason:
"You'reverykind;butifIdothatIshallhavetotellMadamePoulain,forit
wouldgivemyhusbandadreadfulfrightifhecameinandfoundIhadleftmy
roomanddisappeared"—sheblushedandsmiledveryprettily.
AndagainSenatorBurtonlookedsearchinglydownintothelovely,flushedlittle
face;butthedeep-blue,guileless-lookingeyesmethisquestioninggazevery
frankly.Hesaidslowly,"Verywell,IwillgoandtellMadamePoulainthatyou
willbewaitingupinoursitting-room,Mrs.—ah—Dampier."
Hewentoutacrossthecourtyardagain,andoncemoreheseemed,atanyrateto
hisdaughter,tostayawaylongerthanwasneededforthedeliveryofsosimplea
message.
Growingimpatient,MissBurtontookNancyDampieracrossthesunlitcourtyard
tothewideoldoakstaircase,theescalierd'honneur,asitwasstillcalledinthe
hotel,downwhichtheMarquisdeSaintAngehadclatteredwhenstartingfor
Fontenoy.


Whentheywerehalf-wayuptheSenatorjoinedthem,andafewmomentslater
whentheyhadreachedthesecondlanding,heputakeyinthelockofafinely
carveddoor,thenhestoodback,courteously,toallowhisdaughter'sguestto
walkthroughintothesmalllobbywhichledtothedelightfulsuiteofrooms
whichtheBurtonsalwaysoccupiedduringtheirfrequentvisitstoParis.
Nancyutteredanexclamationofdelightasshepassedthroughintothehighpitched,statelysalon,whosewindowsoverlookedoneofthoseleafygardens
whicharestilltheprideofoldParis."Thisisdelightful!"sheexclaimed."Who
wouldeverhavethoughtthattheyhadsuchroomsasthisintheHôtelSaint
Ange!"
"Thereareseveralofthesesuites,"saidDaisyBurtonpleasantly."Infact,agood
manyFrenchprovincialpeoplecomeuphere,yearafteryear,forthewinter."

WhileMrs.Dampierandhisdaughterwereexchangingthesefewwordsthe
Senatorremainedsilent.Then—"Isyourbrothergoneout?"hesaidabruptly.
"Yes,father.Hewentoutabouthalfanhourago.Buthesaidhe'dbebackin
ampletimetotakeusouttoluncheon.HethoughtwemightliketogotoFoyot's
to-day."
"Sowewill.Daisy,mydear—?"Hestoppedshort,andhisdaughterlookedat
him,surprised.
"Yes,father?"
"I'mafraidImustaskyoutoleavemewiththisyoungladyforafewmoments.I
havesomethingtosaytoherwhichIthinkitwouldbeaswellthatIshouldsay
alone."
Nancygotupfromthechaironwhichshehadalreadyseatedherself,andfear
flashedintoherface."Whatisit?"shecriedapprehensively."You'renotgoingto
tellmethatanything'shappenedtoJack!"
"No,no,"saidtheSenatorquickly,butevenasheutteredthetwoshort,
reassuringlittlewordsheavertedhiseyesfromMrs.Dampier'squestioning
anxiouseyes.
Hisdaughterlefttheroom.


"Whatisit?"saidNancyagain,tryingtosmile."Whatisit,Mr.Burton?"
AndthentheSenator,motioninghertoachair,satdowntoo.
"ThePoulains,"hesaidgravely—hewastellinghimselfthathehadnevercome
acrosssoaccomplishedanactressasthisyoungEnglishwomanwasproving
herselftobe—"thePoulains,"herepeatedverydistinctly,"declarethatyou
arrivedherelastnightalone.Theysaythattheydidnotknow,asamatteroffact,
thatyouweremarried.Youdonotseemtohaveevengiventhemyourname."
Nancystaredathimforamoment.Then,"Theremustbesomeextraordinary
mistake,"shesaidquietly."ThePoulainsmusthavethoughtyoumeantsomeone
else.MyhusbandandIarrived,ofcoursetogether,latelastnight.Atfirst

MadamePoulainsaidshecouldn'ttakeusinasthehotelwasfull.Butatlastshe
saidthattheycouldgiveustwosmallrooms.Theyknewournamewas
Dampier,forJackwrotetothemfromMarseilles.HeandIwereonlymarried
threeweeksago:thisistheendofourhoneymoon.Myhusband,whoisanartist,
isnowathisstudio.We'regoingtomovethereinadayortwo."
Shespokequitesimplyandstraightforwardly,andtheSenatorfeltoddlyrelieved
byherwords.
Hetriedtorememberexactlywhathadhappened,whatexactlythePoulainshad
said,whenhehadgoneintothebigroomykitchenwhichlaytotheleftofthe
courtyard.
Hehadcertainlybeenquiteclear.Thatis,hehadexplained,inhisverygood
French,toMadamePoulain,thathecametoinquire,onbehalfofayoung
Englishlady,whetherherhusband,agentlemannamedDampier,hadleftany
messageforher.AndMadamePoulain,comingacrosstohiminarather
mysteriousmanner,hadsaidinalowvoicethatshefearedtheyoungladywas
toquée—i.e.,notquiteallrightinherhead—as,savingMonsieurleSénateur's
presence,Englishladiessooftenwere!Atgreatlengthshehadgoneonto
explainthattheyoungladyinquestionhadarrivedverylatethenightbefore,
andthatseeingthatshewassoyoungandpretty,andalsothatsheknewsovery
littleFrench,theyhadallowedher,ratherthanturnherout,tooccupytheirown
daughter'sroom,aroomtheyhadnever,never,underanycircumstances,
allowedaclienttosleepinbefore.
ThenMadamePoulainhadgoneoutandcalledMonsieurPoulain;andthe


worthymanhadconfirmed,ineveryparticular,whathiswifehadjustsaid—that
is,hehadexplainedhowtheyhadbeenknockeduplatelastnightbyaloud
ringingattheportecochère;howtheyhadgoneouttothedoor,andthere,seized
withpityforthisprettyyoungEnglishlady,whoapparentlyknewsovery,very
littleFrench,theyhadallowedhertooccupytheirdaughter'sroom….

Finally,thegoodPoulains,separatelyandinunison,hadbeggedtheSenatorto
tryandfindoutsomethingabouttheircuriousguest,assheapparentlyknewtoo
littleFrenchtomakeherselfintelligible.
NowthatheheardNancy'squietassertion,theSenatorfeltsuretherehadbeena
mistake.ThePoulainshadevidentlyconfusedprettyMrs.Dampierwithsome
wanderingBritishspinster.
"Letmegodownwithyounow,"shesaideagerly."Thetruthis—Iknowyou'll
thinkmefoolish—butI'mafraidofthePoulains!They'vebehavedsooddlyand
sorudelytomethismorning.Ilikedthemverymuchlastnight."
"Yes,"hesaidcordially."We'llgorightdownnow;andmygirl,Daisy,cancome
too."
Whenhisdaughtercameintotheroom,"There'sbeensomemistake,"said
SenatorBurtonbriefly."It'smyfault,Iexpect.Ican'thavemadeitclearto
MadamePoulainwhomImeant.ShehasconfusedMrs.Dampierwithsome
Englishladywhoturnedupherealonelatelastnight."
"Butweturneduplatelastnight,"saidNancyquickly."Very,verylate;long
aftermidnight."
"Still,mybrotherandIcameinafteryou,"saidDaisyBurtonsuddenly.And
thenshesmiledandreddened.Mrs.Dampiermustcertainlyhaveoverheard
Gerald'sremark.
"Itwasanawfuljobgettingacabafterthatplay,father,anditmusthavebeen
nearlyoneo'clockwhenwegotin.Aswefeltsurethissideofthehousewas
shutupwewentupthatqueerlittlebackstaircase,andsopasttheopendoorof
Mrs.Dampier'sroom,"sheexplained.
TotheSenator'ssurprise,Mrs.Dampieralsogrewred;indeed,sheblushed
crimsonfromforeheadtochin.


"MybrotherthoughtyouwereFrench,"wentonDaisy,alittleawkwardly."In
fact,weboththoughtyoumustbeMadamePoulain'sdaughter.Weknewthat

wasVirginie'sroom,andwe'vealwaysbeenhearingofthatgirleversincewe
firstcametostayinParis.Sheusedtobeataconventschool,andshe'swithher
grandmotherinthecountryjustnow,tobeoutoftheExhibitionrush.The
Poulainssimplyworshipher."
TheSenatorlookedverythoughtfulashewalkeddownstairsbehindthetwo
girls.Themysterywasthickeninginaverydisagreeableway.Bothhotel-keepers
hadstatedpositivelythatthe"demoiselleanglaise,"astheycalledher,hadslept
intheirdaughter'sroom….
ButwhatwasthistheladywhocalledherselfMrs.Dampiersaying?
"MyhusbandandIrealisedyouthoughtIwasMademoisellePoulain,"said
Nancy,andshealsospokewithatouchofawkwardness.
SenatorBurtonputouthisrighthandandlaidit,ratherheavily,onhisdaughter's
shoulder.
Shestoppedandturnedround."Yes,father?"
"ThenIsupposeyoualsosawMr.Dampier,Daisy?"
Eagerlyhehopedforconfirmationofthecharmingstranger'sstory.But—
"No,"shesaidreluctantly."WeonlysawMrs.DampierandthePoulains,father
—theywereallintheroomtogether.Yousee,wewereoutsideonthedark
staircase,andjuststoppedforaminuteonthelandingtosaygood-nighttothe
Poulains,andtotellthemthatwehadcomein."
"Isuppose,Mrs.Dampier,thatbythenyourhusbandhadalreadygonetohis
room?"ButinspiteofhiseffortstomakehisvoicecordialtheSenatorfailedto
doso.
"No,hehadn'tgoneupstairsthen."Nancywaitedamoment,puzzled,thenshe
exclaimed,"Iremembernow!Jackhadjuststeppedupintoabigcupboard
whichformsonesideofthelittleroom.HecameoutagainjustasMissBurton
and—andyoursonhadgoneonupstairs."Againshereddeneduncomfortably,
wonderingifthisnice,kindgirlhadheardJack'sunflatteringepithetsconcerning