LADY BLANCHE'S SECRET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 4310, 15 March 1884, Page 7 (Supplement)

LADY BLANCHE'S SECRET.

Lady Blanche <Ddlcim£r was one of the best-dressed women in London. Oddly enough, her love of display and tasteful extravagance did not manifest themselves until she became a widow. The late Colonel Dulcimer had lost a fortune at cards, and the only provision he was able to make for her was by insuring his life for a few thousand pounds. And yet Lady Blanche had no sooner cast off her widow's weeds than she blossomed into a leader of fashion, and excited the envy and admiration of her friends by her costly toilets. How she did it nobody could imagine, for her tather was a bankrupt peer, and none of her rolatives were in a position to assist her. Her gowns alone must have absorbed the whole of her modest income, at the most moderate estimate, and these wore not the only expensive items of personal adornment which she indulged in. It is true that she lived quietly, and did not attempt to entertain ; but even a little pill-box of a house in Park street cannot bo kept up on nothing, and she certainly went a good deal into society. Lady Blanche was not given to speaking of her private affairs, but she had been known to say to an inquisitive friend : " My dear, it is Lebcuuf who does it all. It is astonishing how little a woman, residing alone, can live upon with the exercise of judicious economy. I am an excellent manager, though perhaps I ought not to say so. But I could not make both ends meet were it not for Lebceuf. She was my maid years ago, you know, and she lets me have my dresses at half-price. Of course, it is a very good advertisement for her, for as I go about a great deal. I have got her no etid of customers, and, strictly entre nous, I:.-we her more money at this moment than I*1 a ever hope to pay. It is her way, my dear, of returning my former kindness." But this explanation wa3 not considered satisfactory. Madame Leba-uf was a fashionable dressmaker, who during the last few . years had attained some celebrity. Tho3e who had dealings with her unanimously agreed that she was the last person in the world to show consideration to anybody. She was shrewd and grasping, her prices were enoimous, and she had too keen an eye for business to be capable of magnanimity in the direction indicated by Lady Blanche. Her professional skill, however, ensured her a numerous and ir.crea.~ing clientelle, and as money-lending at usurious interest formed an important branch of her business, she was generally supposed to be making a fortune. But even assuming Lady Blanche had got her gowns for nothing, together with thu commissions on the purchases made- by customers she introduced, she must have been a very good manager to keep up the appearance she did. Of course people will talk, and the income of one's neighbours is a fruitful topic for idle gossip. It was pretty well known that nhe was not in debt —at least to tradespeople ; and it was easy to calculate that she must bo spending two thousand a year, if a penny.

" Where the deuce does she get it from ?" inquired the old women ef the maie sex, talking confidentially among themselves at their clubs. " Perhaps Leytonstono could tell us something if he liked." It was certainly the fact that Lord Leytonstone was paying the widow a good deal of attention in a cautious way, but no one seriously believed the implied scandal. To begin with, Lady Blanche had an unblemished reputation, and was by no means addicted to flirtation. She confessed to forty—a very damaging admission —and, though decidedly handsome, she could hardly be called fascinating. Her manner was much too brusque to be agreeable, and she was generally regarded as a clever woman whom it was wise to keep on good terms with. Lord Leytonstone, too, was not the man to compromise himself with the opposite sex. He was an elderly peer who had been fast in his youth, but had sobered down into a model of propriety. It was generally supposed that he was on the lookout for a rich wife, his own fortune being in .1 very impoverished state. The real truth was that hU lordship was Suite a? much mystified a« the rest of the world [is matrimonial aspirations had induced him to make careful inquiries regarding the circumstances of Lady Blanche. He soon ascertained the extent of the income she derived from her late husband, and satisfied himself that she had no other visible means of subsistence. His experience caused him to disbelieve utterly in the alleged benevolence of Madame Lebrauf. He was therefore even more puzzled than other people to account for Lady Blanche's apparent affluence. When he called at her house he noted with a watchful eyo the signs of comfort and luxury by which she was surrounded. A man who is nursing a heavily mortgaged estate by practising the most rigid economy can quickly pei'ceive and appreciate lavish expenditure. As he sat sipping tea in the widow's cosy drawingroom he came to the conclusion that her prosperity was real and substantial, and resolved that it might be worth while to cultivate her acquaintance. In accordance with this determination, Lord Leytonstone became a pretty frequent visitor at Park-street, keeping his eyes and ears open, but taking good care not to commit himself. The widow was evidently flattered by hi 3 attentions, but on her part she was hardly less cautious. Not a word or a hint did she let drop which might give him a clue to the secret he wished to fathom, and enable him to decide whether it would be prudent to make her an offer of marriage. One morning he called upon her unexpectedly with the offer of a friend's box at the ODera. As he entered he met a small, plump, brisk little person, at whom he cast an inquisitive glance as she passed him in the hall. Her veil waa down, but Lord Leytonstone caught a glimpse of a pair of very dark eyes which seemed familiar. " May I ask who the lady was I met in the hall as I came in ?" inquired his lordship -casually of Lady Blanche, when he had dis- - charged his mission. "Was she small and dark? Itmusthave been Madame Leboeuf," answered the hostess. " Oh, the Madame Leboeuf, I suppose," ho remarked pleasantly, as he took up his hat.

" Yes ; the great Madame Leboeuf. She

■ came to consult me about my dress for the drawing-room. I am especially favoured, ;you see, for Leboeuf always calls upon me, whereas other people have to dance attend-

ance upon her," said Lady Blanche, with conscious pride. "Remarkably condescending of her," observed Lord Leytonßtone, looking the widow straight in the face. "I've heard -she generally gives herself the airs of a ■wealthy dowager." " Oh, but it's gratitude, you know," said Lady Blanche rather quickly, as she turned aside from hia lordship's scrutinising gaze. "She used to be my maid, and those foreigners are always so dovotcd and warmhearted."

"Yes, very. Particularly middle-aged Frenchwomen," said his lordship dryilyLady Blanche, who.was quick-tempered, seemed vexed at her visitor's tone; but before she could speak Lord Leytonstone had suddenly seized her hand, and was lifting it gravely to his lips.

" I will not be behind the Lebceuf in paying especial homage.' to Lady Blanche Dulcimer," he said jocosely, as "he bowed himself out of the room.

It was evident that Lord Leytonstone was in an unusually good humour. His stiff and pompous manner relaxed as he descended the stairs, and -wb/m he reached the street he began to twirl hie dyedl moustache and to hum a fragment of a French chansonette in an undertone.

"Gad !" he muttered to himself, breaking off in the midst of the refrain, " it makes one feel quite young again, and yet it must be twenty years ago at least. She wears well, la petite Ernestine." After another short burst of melody his lordship again commenced unconsciously to shape his thoughts into words. "I will call and pay my respects to Madame. I begin to suspect. that Lady Blanche is even a cleverer woman than I imagined, and, by gad! if my suspicions are correct, I will propose before I'm a day older." ..;'.-.

Lord Leytonstone's reflections kept him in pood spirits for the rest of the day, and it was observed at the club that- he was uncommonly sprightly and lively. He did not take his customary hand at whist, lest it should make him late for dinner, as he had a particular engagement in the evening. He Baid he should probably look in at the opera later on, but soon after eight he started off in a hansom to an address in Bond-street, and was set down at the door of Madame Lebcuuf's atelier.

He was ushered into a handsomelyfurnishsd apartment on the first floor, where he amused himself by studying with complacence the reflection of his well-preserved face and figure in the numerous mirrors, until the door opened and a swarthy little lady, with a moustache and very dark eyes, bustled into the room.

"Milor Leytonstone?" she said inquiringly, glancing-at the card she held in her hand, and stumbling over each syllable in the name.

" Ernestine !•" said his lordship, with a transparent attempt at sentiment. "Comment! Cest vous, Monsieur Barringham?" exclaimed Madame Lebceuf, quite calmly.

" I'es. We used to tu-toi one another upon a time, Madame, but that was when we were both younger," remarked his lordship, pressing the plump hand which was extended to him.

" Were you not at Lady Blanche Dulcimer's to-day ?" inquired Madame Lebceuf, glancing at him curiously.

" Yes. I passed you in the hall as I entered," said his lordship. "I knew you again at once. That is more than you can say of me."

"I did not recognise you, Milor ; but I had forgotten that you were no longer young even when I knew you," returned Madame Leba-uf somewhat frankly.

" How's Lebceuf ?" inquired his lordship, with a grin, as he polished his eye-glass with his dainty silk handkerchief.

" He is dead," said Madame, pursing her lips.

'' Oh ! Indeed. Left you a fortune, I suppose? " remarked his lordship in an offhand way, as he continued his occupation. "That is my affair. It is no concern of yours," said Madame Leba'uf with startling directness.

"Of course not; but I may be permitted to congratulate you, Ernestine, said his lordship, setting his glass in his eye, and flushing up. " You seem to be in clover here. Lebceuf's luck must have changed indeed if he left you in a position to start & business like this. You are making a fortune, I hear? "

" Pas mal," responded Madame, with an angry shrug.

"Well, well. That is capital I rapital!" said his lordship in a more genial tone, as he glanced approvingly round the room. "I am delighted to hear so good an account." " You did not come here to pay compliments, Milor," said Madame Lebceuf, evidently mollified.

"No, Madame. Frankly, I didn't," said his lordship, leaning back in his chair, and regarding her with an odd smile. "On the other hand, I am the very reverse of unfriendly. Nothing is further from my intention, for instance, than to make known to Lady Blanche, or to anyone else, certain little incidents in your career which are within my knowledge." " My customers nave no concern with my private affairs," said Madame Loboeuf, while her dark eyes flashed. " That is quite true. On the other hand, for your sake, I shouldn't like to tell what I know. However," added his lordship pleasantly, "as I said before, nothing is further from my intention. To tell the truth, I called to ask a favour." " What favour ?" inquired Madame Lebceuf, looking slightly relieved, though she feigned supreme indifference. " A very trifling one. The fact is lam very much interested in Lady Blanche Dulcimer," said his lordship. " Oh ! Is that so ? " observed Madame

Lebceuf, glancing at him sharply. " Yes, that is bo," returned Lord Leytonstone, with a shade of embarrassment. " Her—her husband was a friend of mine. To come to the point, I want to know the meaning of the mystery." " Quel mystere ? ". . "Gome, you know what I mean, Ernestine ! Where docs the money come from ? She'pretends you supply~'her with fine dresses out of gratitude,, but that I flatly decline to "believe, having the honour of your acquaintance," said his lordship,, becoming suddenly brisk and matter, of fact. "That ismyaecret. ..There is nothing to tell," said Madame, rather enigmatically. "Well, there isn't much, because I'm protby sure I've guessed it; butl.wantto make quite certain," said his lordship. "Why, what does it matter to you, Milor ?" demanded Madame Lebceuf, sinking her voice. •'You were always curious, Ernestine. Supposing I were to whisper in confidence that I contemplate marriage?" said his lordship, stroking' his moustache.' . "With' Lady Blanche Dulcimer ?" "That depends," returned hia lordship, meaningly. .. " In that cnse everything explains itself," said Madame Lebceuf. "How much will you give me if I tell you?" "Pshawl You 'see I have already : guessed." ■ • :

"Yon may suspect, but that is nothing. You want to know more. You want figures," saUJ Madame Lebceuf, With conviction.' !:■-'■ - ' i

" Well, yes. It comes to that, after alb" said his lordship, after 'a thoughtful pause. " You «re quite rights Ernestine. lam in your hands. • Name your price,"----"A thousand pounds." "It is extravagant, but I won't haggle with you, Ernestine," said his lordship. " I will Bay a thousand, payable six months after my marriage with Lady Blanche, if it takes t>lace. Will that suit you ?" " That will do."

" Very wall then. It's a bargain." " One moment, Milor. I will take your note of hand," said Madame Leboeuf, unlocking a drawer in the table and producing a stamped slip of blue paper in a very busi-ness-like manner.'

" Hullo 1 Is this a sample, of your stock-in-trade, Ernestine?" exclaimed his lordship, laughing, as Madame placed the stamped paper, with a pen and ink, enticingly before him. ..... .

" Bah ! You are not so simple as tobelieve that ladies only come to me for dresses," said Madame Lebceuf contemptuously. His lordship was tickled by the remark and Madame's manner of uttering it, and he paused with the pen in his hand to laugh good-humouredly. Then he squared his elbows and wrote a few lines on the slip of blue paper, to which he affixed his lordly signature, while Madame looked ever his shoulder approvingly.

" VVell ?" he said presently, after carefully blotting the document and handing it to Madame Leboeuf.

The same evening Lord Leytonstone proposed to Lady Blanche Dulcimer, and they were married three month later. Everyone was amazed at so prudent a man choosing a wife with no fortune, and who must have been head over ears in debt to Madame Lebceuf into the bargain ; but then nobody suspected that Lady Blanche had invested the money »he received at her husband's death in starting a fashionable millinery and dressmaking business. It would indeed have caused a sensation had it ever transpired that MadameLebceuf was simply Lady Blanche's agent. The little Frenchwoman had th'i reputation of being the hardest woman of business and the most relentless creditor that could be imagined, while her money-lending transactions were marked by rapacity and unscrupulousness. A nice scandal would have arisen had it become known that Lady Blanche personally directed and supervied all Madame Lebcuuf's operations while acting as tout among her unsuspecting friends. But, fortunately for her, no one but her husband had any idea of the truth, and as Madame Lebreuf's business brought in £10,000 a year, he was more than reconciled to his wife's enterprise.