‘In about two or three weeks,’ answered
Vandeloup, carelessly, ’but not till you find
another clerk; besides, Madame, do not think you have
lost sight of me for ever; I will go down to Melbourne,
settle all my affairs, and come up and see you again.’
‘So you say,’ replied Mrs Villiers, sceptically
smiling.
‘Well,’ replied M. Vandeloup, with a shrug,
’we will see—at all events, gratitude
is such a rare virtue that there is decided novelty
in possessing it.’
‘M. Vandeloup,’ said Madame, suddenly,
after they had been chatting for a few moments, ‘one
thing you must do for me in Melbourne.’
‘I will do anything you wish,’ said Vandeloup,
gravely.
‘Then,’ said Madame, earnestly, rising
and looking him in the face, ‘you must find
Kitty, and send her back to me.’
‘Madame,’ said Vandeloup, solemnly, ’it
will be the purpose of my life to restore her to your
arms.’
THE DEVIL’S LEAD
There was great dismay at the Pactolus Mine when it
became known that Vandeloup was going to leave.
During his short stay he had made himself extremely
popular with the men, as he always had a bright smile
and a kind word for everyone, so they all felt like
losing a personal friend. The only two who were
unfeigningly glad at Vandeloup’s departure were
Selina and McIntosh, for these two faithful hearts
had seen with dismay the influence the Frenchman was
gradually gaining over Madame Midas. As long as
Villiers lived they felt safe, but now that he had
so mysteriously disappeared, and was to all appearances
dead, they dreaded lest their mistress, in a moment
of infatuation, should marry her clerk. They need
not, however, have been afraid, for much as Mrs Villiers
liked the young Frenchman, such an idea had never
entered her head, and she was far too clever a woman
ever to tempt matrimony a second time, seeing how
dearly it had cost her.
Madame Midas had made great efforts to find Kitty,
but without success; and, in spite of all inquiries
and advertisements in the papers, nothing could be
discovered regarding the missing girl.
At last the time drew near for Vandeloup’s departure,
when all the sensation of Kitty’s escapade and
Villiers’ disappearance was swallowed up in
a new event, which filled Ballarat with wonder.
It began in a whisper, and grew into such a roar of
astonishment that not only Ballarat, but all Victoria,
knew that the far-famed Devil’s Lead had been
discovered in the Pactolus claim. Yes, after years
of weary waiting, after money had been swallowed up
in apparently useless work, after sceptics had sneered
and friends laughed, Madame Midas obtained her reward.
The Devil’s Lead was discovered, and she was
now a millionaire.
