Page:Henry rideout--The siamese cat.djvu/172

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THE SIAMESE CAT

Dear Mr. Scarlett:

I have a favour to ask of you. Will you kindly take charge once more of this wretched pet of Laura's? It seems foolish to ask, but recent events make me think it really unwise for us to keep it.

We are spending the day with Mrs. Fargueil, who will give you this note, and who joins us in begging that if possible you will come to tiffin with us. Laura and I have much to say to you, especially in explaining the apparent absurdity of our request.

Yours sincerely,

Julia Holborrow.

Flamboyer Villa,
Thursday Morning.


"You vill come to ze tiffin?" begged Mrs. Fargueil, smiling radiantly. "Ah, zat is so naice! I send zees carriage for you, a little after noon." Her parting glance was so lustrous as to border on coquetry.

"That is a gay bird for Aunt Julia to flock with," thought Owen. "Glad she's getting reasonable, at last, about Chao Phya. I wonder what has happened?" The more he studied the letter, the more plainly he saw that Aunt Julia had had a fright.

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