De Chantonnay folded the letter and looked at the faces surrounding
the dimly lighted table.

Mrs. St. Pierre Lawrence, who must have known the contents of the
letter, and, therefore, came provided, leaned across the table with
a discreet clink of jewellery and laid before Albert de Chantonnay a
note for a thousand francs.

"I am only an Englishwoman," she said, simply, "but I can help."



CHAPTER XII. THE SECRET OF GEMOSAC



There is no sentiment so artificial as international hatred. In
olden days it owed its existence to churchmen, and now an
irresponsible press foments that dormant antagonism. Wherever
French and English individuals are thrown together by a common
endeavour, both are surprised at the mutual esteem which soon
develops into friendship. But as nations we are no nearer than we
were in the great days of Napoleon.

Mrs. St. Pierre Lawrence was only one-quarter French and three-
quarters English. Her grandmother had been a St. Pierre; but it was
not from that lady that she inherited a certain open-handedness
which took her French friends by surprise.

"It is not that she has the cause at heart," commented Madame de