Polynesian., 1858-05-29

curioUsly, and that hysterical sounds came from
the dark clouds where madame lay reclined.
Madame was weeping, it was plain. Upon which
NJ Polrotts became nervous and fdgety, and was
for many minutes whispering with vehement utter
ance, every now and again stamping his foot impa-
tiently.
"Let us go back-O, let US go back, mon ami"
heard her say there is yet time"
at is too late, 6eLe,'' whispered hoarselY
NJ. Porotte and with something like laugh
0 non, nOn," she continued, leaning forward.
Tell him, monsieur, to stop-to return"
| saw madame drawn back hastily into her dark
corner, and could just hear NJ. Poirotte Kissing
forth some sharp impetuous words. Upon which
she appeared to grow more composed, and to SUBJ
side into weeping and silent affection; Nj. Poi
rotte meanwhile being busy twisting his moustache
and grinding his teeth audibly. | was indebted,
however, to these mysterious motions for hasty
glimpse of madame's face, which seemed of
marbly character, with darkest of eyes and eye
lashes, and strangely sorrowful cast all over it;
very handsome was madame, if | could put faith in
that hurried glance.
From thenceforth NJ. Porotte became moody
and reserved, keeping up ceaseless drumming on
the carrlage-side, and every now and again whis-
pering to his companion. Left thus to myself,
fell into speculation on the two figures before me.
What could they be }? where were they going or
was it some newly-married pair setting forth upon
| their travels? Which last conclusion seemed like
ly enough, since madame by this time had put
down her white handkerchief, and was whispering
softly; monsieur's tattoo dying gradually away.
All this while we had been making 4 species of
mad progress up steep hills, down precipltous de-
clivties, being drawn along as it were by wild hor-
ses. 1t surprising how we bounded across lit
tie gules in the road, over great stones and
mounds Of mud, without immediate breaking-up
and going TO pieces of our vehicle, like ship upon
the rocks. Still conductor sat aloft unshaken,
whipping, perhaps scourgng, forward his fiery
beasts, and contry!ng somehow to keep all together.
Very cheerful but still perious, was this travell
ing by malle-poste. In this fashion we got over
many leagues ofroad, enduring sad conclusion ali
the while, until, at little past midnght-or, in
deed, it might have been close upon the stroke of
one-we drew near to a small cluster of cottages
and farmhouses, wich was told was the village of
AuInoy, and pulled up sharply at the little inn Of
the place, which bore the name Of the Ardent
Conscript. The Ardent Conscript was on the
sign-board overhead lin gaudy coloring), swinging
to and fro with every breath of air.
Madame could go no farther that night, being
very much exhausted and fatgued. Monsieur
was for going on at all hazards, soon fresh
horses could be put to, demonstrating besides In
fierce whispers. 1t was plain, however, that she
not equal to 1t, having sunk down at her first
entrance upon sofa altogether abattue, as remark
ed the good-natured laudlady. We thought at
first she had tainted, and wine was brought; but
it was evident that she only wanted rest and re-
freshment. They had been coming many days
without stop, and had travelled over some hundreds
of miles, and had good right to be tired. So said
NJ. Poirotte to me confdentially, as stood in
group round madame upon the sofa, the landlady
busy rubbing her forehead with eau-de-cologne
and other restoratives. This was by the light of
dull lamp upon the table, which spread kind of
ochre-tinge upon all objects round-upon madame's
marbe-like face also.
turned to NJ. Poirotte. "What need" said l
indscreety, " of this headlong express travelling?
Have you any particular object in"
He bowed low, with q kind of sarcastic smile.
was welcome to many things at his hands," he
said, "being good cOmpdgnOn de Uoydge and agree
able but there arc certain little secrets-monsieur,
being man of the world, will readily understand
this-which we do not confde to every premier
Uenu, or first conner"
muttered some apology for my rather brusque
question, but did not the less speculate the mys
terry attending these travellers. Could 1t be that
they had been concerned in some strange secret
robbery, some vast fraud, accompanied, perhaps,
by some dark deed, and they were now flying with
guilty haste from justice? Most unlikely, thought
after minutes rehection-most unlikely.
Madame would go straight to her chamber,
which was now ready for her, and so wished US
good night. Suppose we--that is, NJ. Poirotte
and l-were to SIT a little by the fire, with cigar
was decidedly dreary turning from the cold car
riage into still colder cots. For his part, he al
ways fanced cigar at bedtime. Nothing could
be more welcome, as far as | was concerned. And
so, under guidance of the sleepy garcOn, we de-
scended the ancient flight of stairs, which creaked
unmusicay at every step, making progress tow
ards the Kitchen where was to be found the sole
fire alive at that early hour. Perilous indeed was
the descent with gdrcOn going on before, and CIV
inc warning of fearful chasms, recurring periodI-
cay at about every third step. At last we found
ourselves IN large stone-fagged room, with
great fireplace facing US, and gallery, which serv-
ed as a passage between the bedrooms, running
across. The fire was burning very low as we en-
tered, and was stirred up by our conductor into
fitfu blaze, which showed to US antique strangely
shaped bits of furniture, and some black wooden
figures looking down from various corners of the
room. They might have been saints ehigies, or
perhaps images of the Grand Henri or Peth Capo-
raj; but looking they did from darkness, the
freight lighting up with sudden flash some gro
tesque feature, | felt as though were sitting In
strange company, and should have fancled our
hosts own private little salon in preference.
Two tall high-backed chairs were drawn in to
the fire and gdrcOn, having stirred up the smoul-
dering embers into spasmodic life, went his way,
leaving US together.
was little inclined to talk myself, being hear
tly tired out with the days journey. 1t was GER
tainly curious feeling, finding myself in that
lonely cabaret, at long past midnight, stealing
every now and then glance at the black locks and
lustrOus eyes of the Hebrew cOuntenance near me.
By and by NJ Poirotte fell into a monOlogue, go
ing far back into passages of his previous life,
which would seem to have been wild and desperate
enough. Dark intrigue, midnight adventure, love,
hatred, with one duel POutrGnce-through such
stormy paths had been his course. "Even to this
hour - ha went on lOokinO nm after the curling