'
'I will do anything you wish,' said Vandeloup, gravely.
'Then,' said Madame, earnestly, rising and looking him in the face,
'you must find Kitty, and send her back to me.'
'Madame,' said Vandeloup, solemnly, 'it will be the purpose of my
life to restore her to your arms.'
CHAPTER XIX
THE DEVIL'S LEAD
There was great dismay at the Pactolus Mine when it became known
that Vandeloup was going to leave. During his short stay he had made
himself extremely popular with the men, as he always had a bright
smile and a kind word for everyone, so they all felt like losing a
personal friend. The only two who were unfeigningly glad at
Vandeloup's departure were Selina and McIntosh, for these two
faithful hearts had seen with dismay the influence the Frenchman was
gradually gaining over Madame Midas. As long as Villiers lived they
felt safe, but now that he had so mysteriously disappeared, and was
to all appearances dead, they dreaded lest their mistress, in a
moment of infatuation, should marry her clerk. They need not,
however, have been afraid, for much as Mrs Villiers liked the young
Frenchman, such an idea had never entered her head, and she was far
too clever a woman ever to tempt matrimony a second time, seeing how
dearly it had cost her.
Madame Midas had made great efforts to find Kitty, but without
success; and, in spite of all inquiries and advertisements in the
papers, nothing could be discovered regarding the missing girl.
Pages:
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219