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But but Mere Bideau had been very much surprised to hear "Monsieur" was going to be married and to an Englishwoman, too! She, Mere Bideau, had always supposed he preferred Frenchwomen; in fact, he had told her so time and again. But bah! again; what won't a pretty face do with a man? So Mere Bideau had exclaimed 'twixt smile and sigh.
It was circular in shape, lighted by a skylight, and contained a few pieces of fine old furniture, now incongruously allied to a number of unopened packing-cases and trunks. Mere Bideau went on talking volubly. She was evidently both fond and proud of her master.
Senator Burton eagerly acknowledged to himself that here was confirmation as much confirmation as any reasonable man could expect of Mrs. Dampier's story. This respectable old woman was evidently expecting her master and his bride to-day of that there could now be no doubt. "I beg of you to enter," said Mere Bideau again. "Monsieur and madame may like to visit the studio?
"Monsieur" could be very cross, very disagreeable sometimes. But bah! were not all gentlemen like that? so Mere Bideau had added with an easy laugh. On the whole, however so much must be admitted she had given Dampier a very good character. If quick-tempered, he was generous, considerate, and, above all, hard-working.
"Yes, monsieur, there are three beautiful bedrooms, also a bath-room, and a room which was not used by us, but which my master is going to turn into a little salon for his lady. As for their meals " she shrugged her shoulders "they will have to be served as heretofore in the studio." Then, "Does monsieur know the new Madame Dampier?" enquired Mere Bideau a trifle anxiously.
Stephens was not bound to answer indiscreet questions, and that when a young man asks an older man whether or no he dislikes someone, and that someone is a client, the question is certainly indiscreet. In a small way the painful mystery was further complicated by the attitude of Mere Bideau. Bribes and threats were alike unavailing to make the old Breton woman open her mouth.
Before the Senator had time to speak, Mere Bideau, shaking her head, observed respectfully, "Mr. Dampier is not yet arrived. But if you, monsieur, and you, madame, will give yourselves the trouble of coming back this afternoon he will certainly be here, for I am expecting him any moment " "Do you mean that Mr. Dampier has not been here at all this morning?" enquired the Senator.
Then, making an effort over herself, she said in a more composed voice, "But I should like you to go in and just see some of Jack's pictures." With a smiling face Mere Bideau preceded the Senator down a sunny corridor into the large studio.
"Believe me, darling, you wouldn't like going in before everything is ready for you. Mere Bideau has her good points, but she could never make the place look as I want it to look when you first see it. I'll get up early to-morrow morning and go and see to it all.
And the lawyer felt a moment of sharp impatience, as business men are so often apt to feel in their dealings with women, when, in answer to his remark that Mere Bideau would be brought to her knees when she found her supplies cut off, Nancy, with tears running down her cheeks, cried out in protest: "Oh, Mr. Stephens, don't say that!
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