Four days afterward they left London for Paris. The day before, Frank made his way again to Hurst Court, meaning to leave a little more money with Mrs. Craven, questioning her at the same time about her husband, whom he could not help connecting in some way with his step-father. But his visit was made in vain. Mrs. Craven had disappeared, and not one of the tenants could say where she had gone: but all agreed that she had been taken away in a cab by a tall gentleman. It seemed mysterious, but no suspicion as to the identity of the gentleman entered Frank's mind.
"I hope she has found a friend able to help her," he said to himself, and then dismissed the subject from his mind.
"So this is Paris," said Frank to himself, as he rode into the court-yard of the Hotel de Rivoli, situated on the fine street of the same name.
He had already, from the carriage window, obtained a good view of the palace of the Tuileries, occupied at that time by Louis Napoleon, in the plentitude of his power, and of the large garden which it faces. The sun was shining brightly, and as he glanced at the signs on either side of the streets through which he passed, he realized, even more clearly than on English soil, that he was in a foreign country.
"What a beautiful city!" he exclaimed, turning to his companion.
"Humph! so, so," said Sharpley, in a tone quite devoid of enthusiasm.
"I suppose you have been here before, Colonel Sharpley?"
"But it is new to me; so I suppose it strikes me more."
"It is always enjoyed best the first time. Can you speak French?"
"A little. I can read the language pretty well. Shall we stay here long?"
The exhibition was open, and the city was full to overflowing. They were compelled to take rooms high up, the most desirable being already occupied. But for this Frank cared little. He was in Paris; he was going to see its wonders, and this thought filled him with happiness.
The next day they went to the exhibition together, but Colonel Sharpley soon tired of it. After an hour, he turned to Frank, saying:
"Yes; I have scarcely seen anything yet."
"I suppose you can find your way back to the hotel?"
"Then I will go out. I don't care much for this sort of thing."
So Frank wandered on alone--alone, but surrounded by a crowd of all nationalities, visitors like himself to the great exhibition. On all sides he was surrounded by triumphs of art and skill gathered from all parts of the world.