The Living Age Volume 117 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873 Excerpt: ...all proposals that were not those of marriage. But all I can say for certainty is, that nothing is known to me of her fate since she quitted Aix-la-Chapelle." "In 1849--she had then a child living?" "A child? I never heard that she had any child; and I do not believe she could have had any child in 1849." Graham mused. Somewhat less than five years after 1849 Louise Duval had been seen at Aix-la-Chapelle. Possibly she found some attraction at that place, and might yet be discovered there. "Monsieur Lebeau," said Graham, "you know this lady by sight; you would recognize her in'spite of the lapse of years. Will you go to Aix and find out there what you can? Of course, expenses will be paid, and the reward will be given if you succeed." "I cannot oblige you. My interest in this poor lady is not very strong, though I should be willing to serve her, and glad to know she were alive. I have now business on hand which interests me much more, and which will take me from Paris, but not in the direction of Aix." "If I wrote to my employer, and got him to raise the reward to some higher amount that might make it worth your while?" "I should still answer that my affairs will not permit such a journey. But if there be any chance of tracing Louise Duval at Aix--and there maybe--you would succeed quite as well as I should. You must judge for yourself if it be worth your trouble to attempt such a task; and if yoij do attempt it, and do succeed, pray let me know. A line to my office will reach me for some little time, even if I am absent from Paris. Adieu, M. Lamb." Here M. Lebeau rose and departed. Graham relapsed into thought; but a train of thought much more active, much more concentred than before...