Page 2 (2/2)

"Yes," said Madelaine, taking refuge in a familiar face "I met Mr Sherman on my second day in the city"

"At the bank, I suppose," said the ner, with a Russian accent He beamed at Madelaine and continued in French "It is an honor toso far froers on these shores, are we not?"

Sherman looked from one to the other "Madame, let me present Baron deStoeckl Baron, Madahted, Baron," said Madelaine, and went on, "I had thought that everyone in California except for the Indians were here as strangers, and far from home"

"Touche, Madame" As the Baron kissed her hand, he said, still in French, "I hope you will excusehih-accented French, "he understands what you say" With that, he gave Madelaine a polite nod and passed on to greet General Hitchcock, who had just entered the ballroom

"He misses the army, or so it seems to my eyes," said the Baron to Madelaine "If you will excuse estured her consent, and a moment later had her attention claimed by her hostess, ished her to meet Joseph Folsom "He is one of the most influential lad to know him"

Madelaine allowed herself to be led away; she saw Mrs Mullinton deep in conversation with an elderly lady in lavish half-ht it best not to interrupt her

It was aluiled them with Mozart and a medley of transcribed theain found herself in Sherman’s company He had just cole cup when he saw her standing by the , looking out into the fading day He strolled to her side, and rehout the summer"

She turned to him, a bit startled, and said, "So Mrs Mullinton has warned me, and advised that I carry a wrap no matter hoarm the day" She went on, "What do you think of these musicians?"

"More to the point, Madame, what do you think of thes than I do" He sipped from his cup and then said, before she could answer his first question "I would fetch you so With ossip that would distress her"

"Certainly not," said Madelaine, regarding Sherman with soivecats who have nothing better to do with their conversation than to blacken the reputations of those around thehtly and was about to turn ahen he looked down at her "You le as you are If you were not so beautiful a young woman, Madame, and so vivacious, there would be little to fear, but--" And with that, he was gone

As Madelaine and Mrs Mullinton were taking their leave of the Kents at the end of the concert, Fanny Kent drew Madelaine aside, with signs of apprehension about her She made herself come to the point at once "I could not but notice that you and Mr Sherh "Yes, son certain papers at the bank Mr Sherman wished to knohen I would be available to tend to theather they will be ready earlier than I had been told"

Fanny looked reassured, her rosy cheeks fla with embarrassment "Oh, Madame I am so sorry I have mistaken the… But as you have just come here, and have not yet learned… I was afraid you anting to fix your interest… oh, good gracious"

"Dear Mrs Kent," Madelaine said pleasantly enough but with grim purpose, "I am aware that Mr Sherman is a married man"

"Yes, he is," said Fanny Kent flatly "With three hopeful children"

"I have no intention of oose I should be to do such a foolish thing Great Heaven, Mrs Kent, he is my banker I rely upon him to look after my financial welfare while I am in San Francisco" She smiled easily "And because he is, I will have to speak with him upon occasion, and call at his office to take care of transactions that married women leave to their husbands to perform, but which I must attend to for myself I hope that people understand the reasons are those of business; I have no motives beyond that"

"Of course, of course," said Fanny hastily

"It would be most inconvenient to have to contend with malicious speculation over such minor but necessary encounters" This time her smile had purpose to it