Lady Blanche's Secret.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 2176, 20 June 1890, Page 6

Lady Blanche's Secret.

Lady Blanche Dulcimer was one of the best dressed women in London.

ddly enough, her love of display aud tasteful extravaganoe did not manifest themselves until she became a widow. The late Colonel Dulcimer had -lost a fortune at cards, and the only provision he had been able to make for her was by insuring his life for a few thousand ounds. And yet Lady Blanche had no ooner cast off her widow's weeds than he blossomed into a leader of fashion, and excited the envy and admiration of her friends by her costly toilets. How Bhe did it, nobody could imagine, for her father w&s a bankrupt Peer, and none of her relatives 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 were 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 off Park-lane cannot be kept up on nothing, and she certainly went a good deal into Society. Lady Blanche waß not given to speaking of her private affairs, but she had been known to say to an inquisitive friend . — 4 My dear, it is Lebceuf 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 if it were not for Leboeuf. 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 good deal, I have got her no end of customers. But she is a good, grateful soul, and, strictly entre notes, I owe her more money at this moment than I can ever hope to pay. It is her way, my dear, of returning my former kindness.'

But this explanation was not considered satisfactory. Madame Leboeuf was a fashionable dressmaker, who, during the last few years, had obtained some celebrity. Those who had dealings with her unanimously Jagreed that she was the laßt person in the world to 8 how consideration to anybody. She was shrewd and grasping, her prioes were enormous, 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 increasing Hient6le, and as money-lending at usurious iuterest 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 commissions on the purchases made by customers she introduced, she must have been a very good manager indeed 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 she was not in debt — at least to tradespeople ; and it was easy to calculate that she musb be spending two thousand a year, if a penny. " * Where the deuce does she get it from?' inquired the old women of the male sex, talking confidentially among themselves at their clubs. ' Perhaps Leytonstone 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 aB a olever woman with whom it was wise to keep on good terms. Lord Leytonstone, too, w*s not the sort of 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 look-out fora rioh wife, his own fortune being in a very impoverished state.

The real truth was that his lordship ■was quite as much mystified as the rest of the world. His matrimonal 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 thf alleged benevolence of Madame Lebceuf. He was, therefore, even more puzzled than other people to aooount for Lady Blanche's apparent affluence. When he called at her house he noticed with a watchful eye 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 perceive 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 very 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 his attentions, but, on her part, she was hardly less oautious. Not a word or a hint did she let drop which might give a clue to the secret he wished to fathom, and enable him to deoide whether it would be prudent to make her an offer of merriage.

One morning he called upon her unexpectedly with the offer of a friend's box at the opera. 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 was 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 be had discharged his mission. * Waß she small and dark? It must have been Madame Lebceuf,' answered the hostess.

' Oh, the Madame lobceuf, I suppose,' he remarked, pleasantly, as he took up hit oat. -V

4 Yob ; the great Madame L^bceif. She oame to oonsult ma about my dress for the drawing-room. I am especially favoured, you see, for Lebceuf always calls upon me, wheras other people hayo to dance attendance upon her,' said Lviy Blanche, with conscious pride. 1 Remarkably condeßoendiag of hor,' observed L >rd L'ytonstone, looking the widow straight in the face. 'I've heard she generally gives herself the airs of a wealthy dowager.' 4 Oh, but it's gratitude, you know,' said Lady Blanche, rather quickly, as she turned aside from his lordship's scrutinising gazo. ' She used to be my maid, and those foreigners are always so devoted aud warm-hearted.'

• Yes, very. Particularly middle-aged Frenchwomen,' said his lordship drily.

L*dy Blanche, who was quick tempered, soemed vexed at her visitor's tone ; but before Bhe could speak, Lord Loytonstone had suddenly seized her hand, and was lifting it gravely to his lips. 4 I will not be behind the Lib oeuf in paying especial homage to Lady Blanche Dulcimer,' he said jocosely, as he bowed himself out of the room.

It was evident that Lord L^ytonstone was in an unusually good humour. His stiff and pompous manner relaxed as he descended the stairs, and when he reached the street he began to twirl his dyed moustaohe and to hum a fragment of a lively French chansonette in an under tone.

' Gad ! ' he muttered to himself, breaking off in the midst of the refrain, 1 it mikes 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 unoonsciously to shape his thoughts into words. I will oall 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 good spirits for the rest of the day, and it was observed at tne 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 said he should probably look in at the opera later on, but soon after eight he started off in hansom to an address in Bond-street, and was set down at the door of Madame LebcDuf's atelier.

He was ustured into a handsomelyfurnished apartment on the first-floor, where he amused himself by studying with complacency 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 Leyfconetone ? ' she said, inquiringly, glancing at the card she held in tier hand, and stumbling over each syllable in the name. 1 Ernestine ! ' said hie lordship with a transparent attempt at sentiment. ' Comment ! O'est vous, Monsieur Barringham ? ' exclaimed Madam Lebceuf, quite calmly. ' Yes. We used to tu-toi one anothei once upon a time, Madame, bat that was when we were both younger,' remarked his lordship, pressing the plump hand which was extended to him.

• Were you not at Lady Blanohe 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 Leboeuf, frankly.

• How's Lebceuf ? ' inquired his lordBhip, with a grin, as he polished his eyeglass with his dainty silk handkerchief.

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

'On ! Indeed. Left you a fortune, I suppose ? ' remarked his lordship, in an offhand way, as he continued his oooupation.

• That is my affair. It is no concern of yours,' said Madame Lebceuf, with startling direotness.

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

Pas mal,' responded Madame with an angry shrug. ♦ Well, well. That is oapital ! capital !' said hiß lordship, in a more genial tone, as heglanoed approvingly round the room. ' I am delighted to hear so good an aooount.'

• You did not come here to pay oompliments, Milor,' said Madame Lebcouf, evidently mollified.

' No, Madame. Frankly, I didn't,' said his lordship, leaning back "in his chair, and regarding her with a very 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 any one else, certain little inoidents in your oareer which are within my knowledge.'

' My customers have no oonoern with my private affairs,' said Madame Leboeuf, 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, uothiog i 8 further from my intention. To tell the trutu, I called to ask a favour.'

' What favour ? ' inquired Madame Lebceuf, looking slightly relieved, though sue feigned supreme indifference.

• A very trifling one. The fact is, I am very much interested in Lady Blanche Dulcimer," said his lordship. ♦Ob 1 Is that so ? " observed Madame Lebcouf, glancing at him sharply. 1 Yes, that is so," 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 myslere ? " 'Come, you know what I mean, Ernestine ! Where does the money come from ? She pretends you supply her with fine dresses out of gratitude ; but that I p&tly decline to believe, having the honour

of your acquaintance,' said his lordship, becoming suddenly brisk and matter-of-fact.

" That is my secret. There is nothing to tell," said Madame, rather enigmatically . " Well, thore isu't muoh, because I'm pretty sure I've guessed it ; but I want to make quite oortain," said his lordship. » Way — what does it matter to you, Milor?" demanded Madame Loboß'if, sinking her voice. 'You were always curious, Ernestine. Supposing I wero to whisporin confidence that I contemplate marriage?" said his lordship, stroking his moustaohe. " With Lady Blanche Dulcimer ? " 44 That depends," returned his lordship, meaningly. ' In that case, everything explains itself,' said Madame Lebcoaf. 'H >w much will you give me if I tell you ? " " Pdhaw ! you see I have already guessed." " You may suspect, but that is nothing. You want to know more. You want figures," said Madame Lebanf with oonviotion.

" Well — yes. It comes to that, after all," Baid his lordship, after a thoughtful pause. ' You are quite right, Ernestiue. lam m your hands. Name your pro 3.' 4 A thousand pounds.' 4 It is extravagant, but I won't haggle with you, Ernestine,' said his lordship. •I will say a thousand, payable six months after my marriage with Lady Blanche, if it takes place. Will that suit you ? " • That will do."

• Very wel!, then. It is a bargain.' • One moment, Milor. I will take your note of hand," said Madame Lebarif, unlocking a drawer in the table and producing a stamped slip of blue paper in a very business-like manner. • Hullo ! 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 to believe that ladies only oome to me for dresses," said Madame Lebcotwf, contemptuously. His lordship was tiokled 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 over his shoulder approvingly.

' Well ? ' he said, presently, after oarefally blotting the document and handing it to Madame Leboeuf.

The same evening Lord Leytonstone proposed to Indy Blanohe Dulcimer, and they were married three months latter. Everyone waa 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 Blanohe had invested the money she 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 Madame Leboeuf was simply Lady Blanche's agent. The little Frenchwoman had the reputation of being the hardest woman of business and the most relentless creditor that could be imagined, while her moneylending transactions were marked by rapacity and unsorupulouaness. Fortunately for Lady Blanohe, no one but her husband had any idea of the truth, and as Madame Lebcoufs business brought in £5,000 a year, he was more than reoonoiled to his wife's enterprise.