of your presence at Mornaye for luncheon on Thursday, the twenty-sixth. La Comtesse de Caux informs me that you became acquainted with my son Paul when he visited America with Le Maréchal Foch in 1922, and that a warm friendship grew up between you at that time. I have often heard my son speak of his American tour, and of the dear friendships he made there, and I know how keen will be his regret when he hears that you were here and that he missed you. He is at present, I regret to say, at Paris, but I have written informing him of your presence here.
At any rate, it will give me great pleasure to welcome one of my son’s American friends to Mornaye, and I am looking forward to your visit with the most eager anticipation. La Comtesse de Caux has already informed me of your acceptance, and my motor will be waiting for you at the village station, Thursday, the twenty-sixth, at noon.
Until then, ever sincerely yours,
MATHILDE, MARQUISE DE MORNAYE.
He read the letter a second time, anger swelling in a hot flood as its full significance was revealed to him. When he at length found the Countess, he was so choked with exasperation that for a moment he could not speak, but stood glaring at her with infuriated eyes, holding the crumpled letter in one clenched fist.
“Now, you look here,” he said at length in a smothered tone, “you look here—” he held the letter out and shook it furiously under her nose. “What do you mean by a thing like this?”
She returned his furious gaze with a glance of bright inquiry, took the letter from his hand, and immediately, after looking at it, said cheerfully:
“Oh, yes! La Marquise has written to you, as she said she would. Did I not tell you I had great things in store for you?” she said triumphantly. “Ah, my boy, how fortunate you were in finding me the way you did! Do you realize how few Americans ever have the opportunity you are getting? Here you are, a boy of twenty-four, being received with open arms into one of the greatest families in France. Why, there are American millionaires who would pay a fortune for the privilege!”
“Now, you see here,” he said again in a choking tone. “What do you mean by doing a thing like this behind my back?”
She raised puzzled eyebrows inquiringly.
“Behind your back? What do you mean, my boy?”
