"Mr. Temple will not be there," she said, flashing a glance upon us. "Do
you think he would come to me--?"
Helene laid her hand upon the girl's arm.
"My dear, I think nothing," she said quietly; "but it is best for us to
be prepared against any surprise. Remember that I do not know Mr.
Temple, and that you have not seen him for five years."
"It is not like him, you know it is not like him," exclaimed Antoinette,
looking at me.
"I know it is not like him, Mademoiselle," I replied.
Madame la Vicomtesse, from behind the girl, gave me a significant look.
"This occurred to me," she went on in an undisturbed tone, "that Mr.
Temple might come with Auguste to protest against the proceeding,--or
even to defend himself against the imputation that he was to make use of
this money in any way. I wish you to realize, Antoinette, before you
decide to go, that you may meet Mr. Temple. Would it not be better to
let Mr. Ritchie go alone? I am sure that we could find no better
emissary."
"Auguste is here," said Antoinette. "I must see him." Her voice caught.
"I may never see him again. He may be ill, he may be starving--and I
know that he is in trouble. Whether" (her voice caught) "whether Mr.
Temple is with him or not, I mean to go."
"Then it would be well to start," said the Vicomtesse.
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