These Old Shades (Alastair-Audley Tetralogy 1)

‘Never think of it, child.’ Lady Fanny wished that she had not allowed her tongue to run away with her. ‘Come, let me tie your ribands!’ She bustled about Léonie, and presently whispered in her ear: ‘My sweet, do you not love him?’

‘Oh, madame, madame, I have always loved him, but I did not think – until you made me see –’

‘There, child, there! Do not cry, I implore you! You will make your eyes red.’

‘I do not care about my eyes!’ said Léonie, but she dried her tears, and permitted Lady Fanny to powder her face again.

When they went downstairs together Avon stood in the hall, and the sight of him brought the colour to Léonie’s cheeks. He looked at her closely.

‘What ails you, infant?’

‘Nothing, Monseigneur.’

He pinched her chin caressingly.

‘It is the thought of your princely admirer that makes you blush, ma fille ?’

Léonie recovered herself at this.

‘Ah bah!’ she said scornfully.

Condé was not present at Madame de Vauvallon’s rout that night, but there were many others who had come to see Léonie, and not a few who had come early in the hope of securing her hand for a dance. Avon arrived late, as ever, and Madame de Vauvallon, who had no daughters of marriageable age, greeted him with a laugh, and a gesture of despair.

‘My friend, I have a score of young beaux who give me no peace until I promise to present them to la petite ! Fanny, Marchérand is back! Let me find – oh, la la! I should say choose – a gallant for Léonie, and I’ll tell you the scandal! Come, little one!’ She took Léonie’s hand, and led her into the room. ‘How you have set Paris by the ears! Were my daughters older I should be so jealous! Now child, who will you have to lead you out?’

Léonie looked round the room.

‘I do not mind, madame. I will have – Oh, oh, oh!’ She let go Madame’s hand, and ran forward. ‘Milor’ Merivale, Milor’ Merivale!’ she cried joyfully.

Merivale turned quickly.

‘Léonie! Well, child, and how do you go on?’ He kissed her hand. She was radiant. ‘I hoped I might see you here to-night.’

Madame de Vauvallon bore down upon them.

‘Fie, what behaviour!’ she said indulgently. ‘Is this your cavalier? Very well, petite. You need no introduction, it seems.’ She smiled benignantly upon them, and went back to Fanny’s side.

Léonie tucked her hand in Merivale’s.

‘M’sieur, I am very pleased to see you. Is Madame here too?’

‘No, child, I am on one of my periodical visits. Alone. I won’t deny that I was drawn hither by certain rumours that reached us in London.’

She put her head on one side.

‘What rumours, m’sieur?’

His smile grew.

‘Faith, rumours of the succès fou that has been achieved by –’

‘Me!’ she cried, and clapped her hands. ‘Milor’, I am le dernier cri ! Vraiment, it is so! Lady Fanny says it is. C’est ridicule, n’est-ce pas? ’ She saw Avon coming towards them, and beckoned with pretty imperiousness. ‘Monseigneur, see whom I have found!’

‘Merivale?’ His Grace made a leg. ‘Now why?’

‘We have heard things in London,’ said Merivale. ‘Egad, I could not but come!’

‘Oh, and we are very glad!’ Léonie said enthusiastically.