ODETTE'S MARRIAGE; A Novel, FROM THE FRENCH OF ALBERT DELPIT. TRANSLATED FROM THE "RÉVUE DES DEUX MONDES," BY EMILY PRESCOTT. FIFTH EDITION. CHICAGO: HENRY A. SUMNER AND COMPANY. 1882 * * * * * COPYRIGHT, HENRY A. SUMNER AND COMPANY, 1880. DONNELLEY, GASSETTE & LOYD, PRINTERS. * * * * * CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. ODETTE, 9 CHAPTER II. M. LAVIGUERIE, 20 CHAPTER III. PAUL FRAGER, 32 CHAPTER IV. COMPLICATIONS, 46 CHAPTER V. "MY ADMIRABLE SON," 63 CHAPTER VI. GERMAINE, 82 CHAPTER VII. ODETTE'S MARRIAGE, 92 CHAPTER VIII. THE WEDDING JOURNEY, 108 CHAPTER IX. CLAUDE'S PASSION, 122 CHAPTER X. SCANDAL, 143 CHAPTER XI. THE DISCOVERY, 166 CHAPTER XII. A MOTHER'S TEARS, 177 CHAPTER XIII. THE HOME SECRET, 191 CHAPTER XIV. THE LETTER, 208 CHAPTER XV. EXPOSURE, 235 * * * * * ODETTE'S MARRIAGE. * * * * * _Odette's Marriage._ CHAPTER I. She rode slowly up the sandy avenue of the country house, and drew rein before the broad steps. "Good morning, Odette!" Mme. Descoutures called to her, leaning over the balustrade. "Come up here before you go into the house. I wish to have a little talk with you." "Is my father at home?" "No; he has gone out for a walk, with my husband." Odette called her groom and dismounted. Gathering the long black train of her riding habit in her hand, she quietly ascended the steps leading to the terrace facing the sea. Mme. Descoutures met her with an embrace and the exclamation: "Heavens! how lovely you are!" Odette was wonderfully beautiful this morning. Her habit showed her exquisite form to the best advantage, graceful and flexible as a young willow tree. The transparent complexion was slightly flushed from her ride; the forehead, crossed by a delicate line between the eye-brows, was gilded by the warm reflection from her glorious golden hair. A strange contrast--her eyes were dark. Large, black eyes, beaming with intelligence and cultivation, but shadowed by an expression of pride and sadness. She stood before her friend, straight and slender; her lips parted in a slight smile, and the rich splendor of her hair shining in the sunbeams. Mme. Descoutures continued: