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 ismagnificent?" and the count bent his eyes in various directions in quest of the object of heradmiration."Oh, nothing at all, my dear," replied the countess, a slight flush momentarily coloringher already pink cheek. "I was but recalling with admiration those stupendous skyscrapers, as they call them, of New York," and the fair countess settled herself more comfortably inher steamer chair, and resumed the magazine which "nothing at all" had caused her to letfall upon her lap. Her husband again buried himself in his book, but not without a mild wonderment thatthree days out from New York his countess should suddenly have realized an admirationfor the very buildings she had but recently characterized as horrid. Presently the count put down his book. "It is very tiresome, Olga," he said. "I think that Ishall hunt up some others who may be equally bored, and see if we cannot find enough fora game of cards.""You are not very gallant, my husband," replied the young woman, smiling, "but as I amequally bored 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 manstretched lazily in 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 andloyal wife, but as she had had nothing whatever to do with the selection of a husband, it isnot at all unlikely that she was not wildly and passionately in love with the one that fateand her titled Russian father had selected for her. However, simply because she wassurprised into a tiny exclamation of approval at sight of a splendid young stranger it mustnot be inferred therefrom that her thoughts were in any way disloyal to her spouse. Shemerely admired, as she might have admired a particularly fine specimen of any species. Furthermore, the young man was unquestionably good to look at