Pretty Cecile Touraugeau had caught a glimpse of the handwriting as
she sat by the side of Le Gardeur, and guessed correctly whence it
had come and why her partner so suddenly left the table.
She was out of humor; the red mark upon her forehead grew redder as
she pouted in visible discontent. But the great world moves on,
carrying alternate storms and sunshine upon its surface. The
company rose from the table--some to the ball-room, some to the park
and conservatories. Cecile's was a happy disposition, easily
consoled for her sorrows. Every trace of her displeasure was
banished and almost forgotten from the moment the gay, handsome
Jumonville de Villiers invited her out to the grand balcony, where,
he said, the rarest pastime was going on.
And rare pastime it was! A group of laughing but half-serious girls
were gathered round Doctor Gauthier, urging him to tell their
fortunes by consulting the stars, which to-night shone out with
unusual brilliancy.
At that period, as at the present, and in every age of the world,
the female sex, like the Jews of old, asks signs, while the Greeks--
that is, the men--seek wisdom.
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