Page 11 (1/1)

Hugh made no remark as to the reason of his visit to the Riviera, for, indeed, he had arrived only the day previously, and she had welcomed him joyously Little did she dream that her lover had come out from London to see that woman as declared to be so notorious

"I noticed her playing this afternoon," Hugh said a ossips really say about her, Dorise? All this is interesting But there are sopeople here"

"Well, thewith me outside the Cafe de Paris when she passed across the Place to the Casino That caused him to make the remarks He said that her past was obscure Soer, others declare that she was the daughter of a humble tobacconist in Marseilles, and others assert that she is English But all agree that she is a clever and very dangerous woh in surprise

"Ah! That I don't know The man who told me merely hinted at her past career, and added that she was quite a respectable person nowadays in her affluence But--well----" added the girl with a laugh, "I suppose people gossip about everyone in this place"

"Who was your informant?" asked her lover, much interested

"His name is Courtin I believe he is an official of one of the departments of the Ministry of Justice in Paris At least somebody said so yesterday"

"Ah! Then he probably knew more about her than he told you, I expect"

"No doubt, for he warnedher acquaintance," said the girl "He said she was a most undesirable person"

At that moment Lady Ranscomb and Walter Brock joined thehter: "Did you see that wo--the woainst whom Monsieur Courtin warned us?"

"Yes, h about her"

"A h ell-affected indifference "But one never knoho's who in Monte Carlo"

"Well, Made of a mystery," remarked Brock "I've seen her here before several tio, I heard that she was mixed up in a very celebrated criminal case, but exactly what it was the man who told me could not recollect She is, however, one of the handsomest women in the Rooms"

"And one of the wealthiest--if report be true," said Lady Ranscomb

"She fascinates me," Dorise declared "If Monsieur Courtin had not warned us I should most probably have spoken to her"