“We are simply wanderers, Marie-Jeanne and I,” Mrs. LeRoy-Jones was saying to an interested audience of four girls. Marie-Jeanne was not present. “Simply tramps. We prefer Europe because of our aristocratic connections there, you know. We visit among the aristocracy.”
“My friend, the Baroness Varitzy, has a cawstle in Austria and moves in the most exclusive society. I always attend receptions at her home and am often the only untitled person present.”
Nancy rolled her blue eyes back until only the whites were visible, a trick she had when she wanted to laugh and didn’t dare. Billie looked stern, Elinor disgusted, and little Mary rather sorrowful.
“We are not rich, you know,” continued the strange woman. “Oh, dear no. We have so little, Marie-Jeanne and I. But we enjoy life. We shall visit on the estate of the Countess di Lanza this summer. She is a friend, you know, of the Archduchess Leopold Salvata, who married a nephew of the Emperor Franz Josef. The arch-duchess has just erected a new palace in Vienna which has sixty salons in it,—think of it. Entertaining in Austrian society is done on a grand scale. And I am always received everywhere because of my aristocratic connections.”
“Then you have traveled a great deal, Mrs. Le Roy-Jones?” asked Billie, trying to draw the poor woman away from her obsessions.
“Everywhere, my dear. All the fashionable resorts of Europe are familiar to us. We should be delighted to take you under our wing. Now, if there is any room in your motor for two——”
“What place do you consider the most beautiful you ever saw?” here interrupted Mary with quick tact.
“Porto Fino in Italy, dear. Queen Margharita calls it ‘il Paradiso.’”
Even scenery must have an aristocratic sanction before it could be considered beautiful by Mrs. Jones.
“But, dear, as I was remarking, if your motor will hold——”
“Kechew! Kechew!” Nancy was seized with a sneezing fit.
“It’s time for shuffleboard,” cried Billie. “I do wonder where the others are.”
It was a brilliant spring day and all the passengers were on deck. Miss Helen was taking a stroll with some friends. Mr. Kalisch could be seen in the distance reading a book. The other passengers were stretched in their steamer chairs or talking in groups.