Boldly meeting the glance of the woman
of the amber eyes, he pushed Annesley forward, not troubling to
disguise his anxiety to be presented to the tiger-lady. She
turned her head languidly, with that wild-animal grace of hers,
and unsmiling now, regarded Annesley.
"So you forget me so soon, Mr. Annesley," she murmured, "or is it
that you play the good shepherd?"
"My dear Madame," said Annesley, recovering with an effort his
wonted sang-froid, "I was merely endeavouring to calm the
rhapsodies of my friend, who seemed disposed to throw himself at
your feet in knight-errant fashion."
"He is a very handsome boy," murmured Madame; and as the great
eyes were turned upon Deacon the carmine lips curved again in the
Cleopatrian smile.
She was indeed wonderful, for while she spoke as the woman of the
world to the boy, there was nothing maternal in her patronage,
and her eyes were twin flambeaux, luring--luring, and her sweet
voice was a siren's song.
"May I beg leave to present my friend, Mr. Rene Deacon, Madame de
Medici?" said Annesley; and as the two exchanged glances--the
boy's a glance of undisguised passionate admiration, the woman's
a glance unfathomable--he slightly shrugged his shoulders and
stood aside.
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