CHAPTER XII
MAUD REFUSES TO BE RESCUED
When the "Automobile Girls" chaperoned by Miss Sallie, descended to thehotel ball room that evening, where a hop was in progress, the orchestrawas playing the "Blue Danube" and Maud and the Count de Sonde werewaltzing together. The spectators seated along the wall smiled in spiteof themselves for the count's style of dancing was far from graceful.His idea of waltzing consisted in whirling his partner round and round,and as Maud was at least four inches taller than the count and verythin, the effect was indescribably ridiculous.
"How absurd the count looks!" Bab exclaimed to Ruth. "Just look at thosehigh heels and that strutting walk! Do you suppose Maud Warren canreally care for him?"
"No; I don't think she cares for him at all," Ruth returned. "It is thelure of his title that has fascinated Maud. The title, 'Count de Sonde'is like music in her ears."
"Do you think Mr. Warren would disinherit Maud, if she married thecount?" asked Bab.
Ruth shook her head. "Mr. Warren gave Maud half a million dollars in herown name a year ago," Ruth explained. "So, you see, she is an heiressalready. Besides, Mr. Warren would never forsake Maud. He simply adoresher. I think he went off on that fishing trip with father just to keepfrom seeing Maud carry on. He thinks Aunt Sallie may be able toinfluence her while he is gone. But do look at Miss Sarah Stuart, Bab!"
Miss Sallie swept down the ball-room floor in a handsome black satin andjet evening gown, with Mrs. De Lancey Smythe in her wake.
There was the fire of battle in Miss Stuart's eye. On the widow's cheeksburned two flaming signals of wrath.
"Maud Warren was left in my care by her father, Mrs. Smythe," declaredMiss Sallie. "In Mr. Warren's absence I forbid Maud's going aboutunchaperoned with the Count de Sonde."
"Miss Warren is not a child, Miss Stuart," replied Mrs. De Lancey Smytheangrily. "If she chooses to go about with the count I hardly see how youcan prevent it. The Count de Sonde is a noble, trustworthy young man."
"Miss Warren shall not go with him against my wishes," replied MissStuart quietly, "and I fail to see how the matter can possibly interestyou."
Mrs. De Lancey Smythe's voice trembled with rage. "You appear to beexcessively strict with Miss Warren, Miss Stuart," she returned, "yetyou allow your niece and her friends to associate, every day, with awoman who is entirely unknown to you, a woman about whom this entirehotel is talking."
"Whom do you mean?" Miss Sallie demanded. She was exceedingly angry.
"Mean?" Mrs. De Lancey Smythe laughed mockingly. "I mean this so calledCountess Sophia von Stolberg. She is no more a countess than I am. Sheis a fugitive and a swindler. She will be arrested as soon as there issufficient evidence against her."
The "Automobile Girls" had moved up close to Miss Sallie. They waited tohear what she would say in regard to the countess.
"I do not believe the countess to be an impostor. She is our friend,"replied Miss Stuart. "I think we need have no further conversation. MissWarren will do as I request." Without answering the other woman movedaway with flashing eyes and set lips, leaving Miss Sallie in triumphantpossession of the situation.
In a few moments Maud Warren came over to where Miss Sallie and the"Automobile Girls" were still standing.
"Maud, won't you come up to our room to-night after the dance?" Ruthurged. "We thought it would be jolly to make some fudge in a chafingdish."
"Can you cook?" laughed Maud. "How funny! It is awfully good of you toask me to join you, but I have another engagement for this evening."
"Maud," said Miss Sallie firmly, "your father left you in my charge. Icannot permit you to keep an engagement with the Count de Sonde."
Maud was speechless with astonishment. No one had ever forbidden her todo anything in her life. Her father had always tried persuasion andargument. Ruth's eyes twinkled as she saw the effect Miss Sallie'sfirmness had upon Maud. Greatly to her surprise Maud Warren answeredquite meekly: "Very well, Miss Stuart. I will not see him if you do notwish it."
The "Automobile Girls" breathed a sigh of relief. They had fearedanother battle between Miss Sallie and Maud.
"This is jolly!" exclaimed Maud Warren, an hour later. The five girlswere in Ruth's sitting-room. They were eating delicious squares of warmchocolate fudge.
"I am glad you are enjoying yourself," replied Ruth. "We would be gladto see you often, but you always seem to be busy."
Maud tried to look unconscious. "It's the count's fault. The poor fellowhas a dreadful crush on me," she sighed.
"Do you care for him?" asked Barbara bluntly.
Maud simpered. "I really don't know," she replied. "I think the Count deSonde has a beautiful soul. He tells me I have a remarkable mind--suchsympathy, such understanding!"
Ruth choked over a piece of fudge. The other girls seemed to regard heraccident as a tremendous joke. Maud was entirely unconscious that shehad anything to do with their merriment.
"Then you really like the count very much!" exclaimed Mollie, openingher pretty blue eyes so wide that Maud was amused.
"You dear little innocent thing!" returned Miss Warren. "Of course Ithink the count a very interesting man. I don't deny he has taken myfancy. But as for being in love with him--well, that is another thing."
"Do you really know anything about the count, Maud?" asked Ruth. "Yourfather doesn't approve of him, and don't you think he knows best?"
"Oh, father never approves of any of my friends," complained Maud Warrenimpatiently. "But Mrs. De Lancey Smythe is on my side. She likes thecount."
"But do you know much about Mrs. De Lancey Smythe?" Ruth went on.
Maud was nettled. "Mrs. De Lancey Smythe is a Virginian, and belongs toan old southern family," she returned.
The "Automobile Girls" looked uncomfortable. It was Ruth who finallyspoke.
"I hope you won't be angry, Maud. It is only because we like you that Iam going to tell you something you ought to know. Some one told me towarn you to be careful."
"Careful about what?" cried Maud, though her flushed face betrayed theanswer she expected.
"The Count de Sonde," replied Ruth.
"But what have you heard against him?" demanded Maud indignantly.
It was Ruth's turn to flush. What had she heard? If only the countesshad been a little less vague in her accusations against the count.
"I am afraid I don't know anything very definite to tell you," Ruthconfessed, in an embarrassed tone. "Yet we have heard rumors about thecount. Foreign noblemen are often fortune-hunters, you know."
"My dear Ruth, the Count de Sonde is not in need of money," protestedMaud. "He is very wealthy. Only the other day he showed me a letter fromhis lawyer. It spoke of two hundred thousand francs. It is true theletter was written in French. But the count translated it for me. Andthen, of course, I know a little French myself."
"Oh, well," sighed Ruth, "perhaps we have no right to suspect him. But,Maud, I beg of you to go slowly. You may be mistaken in the count. Thinkhow you would regret it if you were to marry him and find afterwardsthat he had deceived you."
"Marry the count!" Maud's tones expressed great astonishment, then shegave a satisfied laugh. "Don't worry about my affairs. The count is areal nobleman," she declared.
A knock sounded at the door, and a bellboy handed Ruth a note. It wasaddressed to Miss Warren. Ruth gave it to her. Maud opened it. Agratified smile overspread her face, then turning to the "AutomobileGirls" she said: "Will you please excuse me, girls, I want to go up tomy room for a little while. I will be back in a few minutes."
The girls ate their fudge in silence for a time. Maud did not return.
"I wonder if Maud is coming back?" remarked Barbara, after a little."Somehow, I am sorry for Maud. It must be dangerous to be so rich and sosilly at the same time."
"I am afraid Maud is hopeless," Ruth contended. "I don't believe it isgoing to do the slightest good for us to warn her against the count. Iwonder if we could manage to save her in any other way?"
Miss Sallie came into the room. "Where is Maud Warren?" she demandedimmediately.
The "Automobile Girls" could only explain Maud had gone to her room.
Miss Sallie rang the bell, and sent a maid to inquire for Maud.
The answer came back a few moments later. "Miss Warren had left thehotel for the evening with several friends."
Miss Stuart said nothing. But the "Automobile Girls" knew Miss Salliewould never forgive Maud Warren for her disobedience.
The four girls were almost ready to say good night, when another lighttap sounded at their door.
The girls lowered their voices. Perhaps Maud had lost heart, and hadreturned to them after all.
Barbara went to the door. It was Marian De Lancey Smythe who hadknocked. She wished to speak with Bab for a moment.
Five minutes later Barbara returned to her friends, looking considerablymystified.
"Now, Barbara Thurston, what did Marian Smythe have to say to you?"demanded Mollie. "It is not fair, your having secrets with her from therest of us."
"Oh, Marian asked me if we were going to the countess's to dinnerto-morrow night," Bab replied.
"What a strange question!" exclaimed Grace Carter. "I don't see why sheshould care where we go to dinner."
"Perhaps she had some plan or other on hand herself that she wanted usto take part in," suggested Mollie.
Bab was silent.
"By the way," exclaimed Ruth, "did you know I received a letter to-dayfrom darling Olive Prescott? She and Jack have arrived in Paris, andhave set up housekeeping in the dearest little flat in the Rue deVarennes. They live on the top floor, and Jack has the front room forhis studio. Of course Olive declares Jack is the best husband in theworld. He is painting Olive's portrait for the Paris Salon, and workingdesperately hard so as to have it finished by April. Come, let's go tobed."
Just as Barbara was dropping off to sleep Ruth gave her a little shake.
"Tell me Barbara Thurston, what Marian De Lancey Smythe said to you inthe hall!"
"I told you, child," murmured Bab hesitatingly.
"Honor bright, did you tell us everything, Bab Thurston?"
"No-o-o, not everything," admitted Bab. "This is exactly what Mariansaid: 'Barbara are you going to dine with the countess to-morrow night?''Yes,' I replied. Then she said: 'You had better not go. But if you dogo, come home early, and don't ask me the reason, why."
"We'll go, sure as fate!" exclaimed Ruth. "No matter what Marian says."