I'll make Burton find out if Coralie is really staying here, and get her
to dine with me to-night--Coralie always pretended to have a béguin
for me--even when most engaged elsewhere.
* * * * *
Monday: Sunday was a memorable day--.
I went through the Bois de Marne on that bad road because the trees
were so lovely--and then through the parc de St. Cloud. Even in war
time this wonderful people can enjoy the open air life!
-I think of Henriette d' Angleterre looking from the terrace of her
Château over the tree tops--The poor Château! not a stone of which is
standing to-day--Did she feel sentimental with her friend the Comte de
Guiche--as I would like to feel now?--If I had someone to be sentimental
with. Alas! There was an ominous hot stillness in the air, and the sky
beyond the Eiffel tower had a heavy, lurid tone in it.
When we got across the river into the Bois de Boulogne it seemed as if
all Paris was enjoying a holiday. I told the chauffeur to go down a side
allée and to go slowly, and presently I made him draw up at the side
of the road. It was so hot, and I wanted to rest for a little, the
motion was jarring my leg.
I think I must have been half asleep, when my attention was caught by
three figures coming up another by-path obliquely--the tallest of them
was undoubtedly Miss Sharp--but Miss Sharp as I had never seen her
before!-And a boy of thirteen, and a girl of eleven were at either side of her,
the boy clinging on to her arm, he was lame and seemed to be a
dreadfully delicate, rickety person. The little girl was very small and
sickly looking too--but Miss Sharp--my secretary!--appeared blooming and
young and lovely in her inexpensive foulard frock--No glasses hid her
blue eyes. Her hair was not torn back and screwed into a knot, but might
have been dressed by Alice's maid--and her hat, the simplest thing
possible, was most becoming, with the proper modish "look."
-Refinement and perfect taste proclaimed themselves from every inch of
her, even if everything had only cost a small sum.
So that dowdy get-up is for my benefit, and is not habitual to her!--Or
is it, that she has only one costume and keeps it for Sundays and days
of fête?-In spite of my determination to put all thought of her from me--a wild
emotion arose--a passionate longing to spring from the car and join
her--to talk to her, and tell her how lovely I thought she was looking.