The Devil on Horseback Read Online Free PDF Page B

to expose me. He was going to tell Joel how I had peeped into his bedchamber when I was supposed to be upstairs and imply how unwise it was to bring people of my station into a higher sphere. What a moment to choose! And typical of him, I was sure.
    He was regarding me sardonically, reading my thoughts.
    “Is that so?” said Joel, surprised.
    “By the schoolhouse,” said the Comte.
    “I was passing and I saw Mademoiselle Maddox. I thought: That is the excellent Mademoiselle who has done so much good to my daughter. I am glad to have an opportunity of expressing my gratitude.”
    He was smiling at me, noting, of course, my flush and he would know that I was thinking of those kisses and my undignified exit.
    “My father is constantly singing the praises of Mrs. Maddox’s school,” said kind Joel.
    “It has saved our employing governesses
    “Governesses can be tiresome,” said the Comte, sitting down beside me.
    “They are not of us and yet they do not belong with ;
    the servants. It is irksome to have people floating in limbo. Not for us. For them. They become so conscious of their status. ; Class is something to be ignored. Do you agree, Joel? Miss | Maddox? When our late King Louis XV was reminded by;;
    one of his friends, a duke, that his mistress was the daughter ;
    of a cook, he replied: “Is that so? I did not notice. The 1 fact is that you are all so far beneath me that I cannot tell the difference between a duke and a cook.” Joel laughed and I could not stop myself retorting: “Is that so with you. Monsieur Ie Comte? Could you not tell the ;
    difference between a cook and a duke? “
    “I am not so high as the King, Mademoiselle, but I am high nevertheless and I could not tell the difference between the daughters of Sir John and those of the schoolmistress.”
    “Then it seems that I am not entirely unacceptable.”
    His eyes seemed to burn into mine.
    “Mademoiselle, you are very acceptable, I do assure you.” Joel looked uncomfortable. He found this conversation in bad taste, I was sure, but I could see that the Comte, like myself, could not resist the temptation to indulge in it.
    “I think,” said Joel, ‘that the interval is almost over and that we should return to our seats. “
    The girls were coming back. Margot looked amused; Maria a little sour and Sybil noncommittal.
    “You are attracting attention, Minelle,” whispered Margot.
    “Two of the most handsome men in attendance at the same time. You are a siren.”
    “I did not ask them.”
    “Sirens never do. They just send out their subtle fascination.”
    During the rest of the concert I thought of the Comte. I attracted him in some way. I knew which way. He liked women, and although I was immature, I was fast becoming one. That his intentions were strictly dishonourable could be nothing but obvious. But what was so horrifying was that instead of being angry I was fascinated.
    As we were about to descend into the dining hall where cold supper had been laid out, one of the footmen-splendid in the Derringham livery-came into the dining-room, sought the eye of Sir John and discreetly went to him. I saw him whisper a few words.
    Sir John nodded and went to the Comte who, I noticed, not without a little chagrin, was talking animatedly to Lady Eggleston, the flighty young wife of a gouty, more-than middle-aged husband. She was simpering a little and I could imagine the course of their conversation.
    Sir John spoke to the Comte and after a while they went out of the room together.
    Joel was at my side.
    “Come to the buffet,” he said. There you can choose what you would like. After that we’ll find a small table. “
    I was grateful to him. There was such kindliness in him. He believed that I, who knew no one here, might need a protector.
    There was fish of all description and a variety of cold meats. I took little. I was not in the least hungry.
    We found a table somewhat sheltered by plants, and Joel said to me: T dare say you found