United States or Iraq ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"But you came as the guest of Mademoiselle Celaire," she reminded him, doubtfully, with a faint regretful sigh and a provocative gleam in her eyes. "I saw Mademoiselle Celaire to-night for the first time for years," Peter replied. "I called to see her in her dressing-room and she claimed me for an escort this evening. I am, alas! a very occasional wanderer in the pleasant paths of Bohemia."
"Lucky for him that he's in St. Petersburg! Let us forget this unpleasant matter, mademoiselle. The evening has been too delightful for such memories." Mademoiselle Celaire turned to her escort as soon as they were alone in the car. "As an escort, let me tell you, my dear Baron," she exclaimed, with some pique, "that you are a miserable failure! For the rest "
It began to occur to her that it was not so much the dance as the dancer in whom her husband was interested. "You have seen her before this Mademoiselle Celaire?" she whispered. "Yes," said Peter, nodding, "I have seen her before." The dance proceeded. It was like many others of its sort, only a little more daring, a little more finished.
It was out of season, and, though his popularity was as great as ever, neither he nor his wife had any social engagements; hence this evening at a music hall, which Peter, for his part, was finding thoroughly amusing. The place was packed some said owing to the engagement of Andrea Korust and his brother, others to the presence of Mademoiselle Sophie Celaire in her wonderful danse des apaches.
Mademoiselle Celaire, who was present most evenings, although with other escorts, was puzzled. She could see nothing whatever to account for the warning which she had received, and had at once passed on, as was her duty, to the Baron de Grost. She failed, also, to understand the faint but perceptible enlightenment to which Peter himself had admittedly attained after that first evening.
Besides, Mademoiselle Celaire will not spare you to me for long." "There is a whole language," he replied, "which was made for whispers. And as for Mademoiselle Celaire " "Well?" He laughed softly. "Mademoiselle Celaire is, I think, more your brother's friend than mine," he murmured. "At least, I will be generous. He has given me a delightful evening. I resign my claims upon Mademoiselle Celaire."
Mademoiselle Celaire, in her tight-fitting, shabby black frock, with her wild mass of hair, her flashing eyes, her seductive gestures, was, without doubt, a marvelous person. Peter, Baron de Grost, watched her every movement with absorbed attention. When the curtain went down he forgot to clap. His eyes followed her off the stage. Violet shrugged her shoulders.
At the moment of parting, the beautiful eyes of Mademoiselle Korust had been raised to his very earnestly. "You will come again very soon to-morrow night?" she had whispered. "Is it necessary that you bring Mademoiselle Celaire?" "It is altogether unnecessary," Peter replied. "Let me try and entertain you instead, then." It was precisely at that instant that Andrea had sent for his sister.
He sat between Mademoiselle Celaire and his hostess, both of whom demanded much from him in the way of attention. But he still found time to tell stories which were listened to by everyone, and exchanged sallies with the gayest.
"It is too vague to put into words," she declared, shaking her head. "We must both watch. Afterwards we will, if you like, compare notes." The car drew up before the doors of a handsome house in Hamilton Place. A footman received Peter, and relieved him of his hat and overcoat. A trim maid performed the same office for Mademoiselle Celaire.
Word Of The Day