Edgar Rice Burroughs

The Return of Tarzan Edgar Rice Burroughs

Magnifique!" ejaculated the Countess de Coude, beneath her breath."Eh?" questioned the count, turning toward his young wife. "What is it that is magnificent?" andthe count bent his eyes in various directions in quest of the object of her admiration."Oh, nothing at all, my dear," replied the countess, a slight flush momentarily coloring heralready pink cheek. "I was but recalling with admiration those stupendous skyscrapers, as they callthem, of New York," and the fair countess settled herself more comfortably in her steamer chair, and resumed the magazine which "nothing at all" had caused her to let fall upon her lap. Her husband again buried himself in his book, but not without a mild wonderment that threedays out from New York his countess should suddenly have realized an admiration for the verybuildings she had but recently characterized as horrid. Presently the count put down his book. "It is very tiresome, Olga," he said. "I think that I shallhunt up some others who may be equally bored, and see if we cannot find enough for a game ofcards.""You are not very gallant, my husband," replied the young woman, smiling, "but as I am equallybored I can forgive you. Go and play at your tiresome old cards, then, if you will."When he had gone she let her eyes wander slyly to the figure of a tall young man stretched lazilyin a chair not far distant."MAGNIFIQUE!" she breathed once more. The Countess Olga de Coude was twenty. Her husband forty. She was a very faithful and loyalwife, but as she had had nothing whatever to do with the selection of a husband, it is not at allunlikely that she was not wildly and passionately in love with the one that fate and her titled Russianfather had selected for her. However, simply because she was surprised into a tiny exclamation ofapproval at sight of a splendid young stranger it must not be inferred therefrom that her thoughtswere in any way disloyal to her spouse. She merely admired, as she might have admired a particularlyfine specimen of any species. Furthermore, the young man was unquestionably good to look at. As her furtive glance rested upon his profile he rose to leave the deck. The Countess de Coudebeckoned to a passing steward. "Who is that gentleman?" she asked."He is booked, madam, as Monsieur Tarzan, of Africa," replied the steward."Rather a large estate," thought the girl, but now her interest was still further aroused.