The sun., 1897-12-05
SIMON DALE.
BY ANTHONY HOPE.
CHAPTER xIL-coNrrNuED.


His silent, slight bow was all his acknowledg.
ment. He stood thero waiting for his com.
mand to bc obeyed.
Monmouth turned once toward barbara, but
his eyes came back to NJ. do Perrcncourt. Car
ford advanced to him and offered his arm The
Duke laid his hand on his friends shoulder.
For a moment they stood still thus, then both
bowed low to NJ. dc Perrencourt who answered
with another of his slight inclnatlons of the
head. They turned and walked out Of tho hall,
the Duke seeming almost to stagger. and to
lean on Carford, as though he sought to steady
his steps. AS they went they passed within
two yards Of me, and saw Monmouth's faoo
pale with rage. With n long indrawing Of my
breath I drew back into the shadow Of my
shelter. They passed, the hall was empty save
for myself and tho two there by the wall.
had no thought now Of justifying my part
Of cavesdropper. Scruples were drowned in
excitement. Keen interest bound me to my
llace with chains Of iron. My brain was full
o. previous suspicion thrice magnifled; all
that was mysterious in this man came back
70 me. The message had surprised at Cam
terbury rang echoing through my head again
and again. Yet bent myself to the task Of
listening, resolute to catch every word. Alasi
my efforts were in vain. NJ. de Perrencourt
was of different clay from his Grace tho Duke.
He was indeed speaking now, but so low and
warily that no more than gentle murmur
reached my ears. Nor did his gestures aid.
They were as far from Monmouth's jovial vio-
1ence as his tones from the Dukes reckless ex-
claiming. He was urgent but courteous, most
insistent yet most dcferential. Monmouth
claimed and challenged. NJ. do Perrencourt
seemed to beseech and woo. Yet he asked as
though mono could refuse, and his prayer pro-
sumed q favorable answer. Barbara listened
in quiet. could not tell whether fear alone
bound her. or whether the soft, courtly voice
bred fascination ALSO I was half mad that
could not hear, and had much ado not to rush
out. unprovoked, and defy the man before whom
my master had bowed almost to the ground,
beaten and dismayed.
AT last she spoke few hurried, imploring
words.
mo, no." she painted. mo, pray leave me,
no."
M. de Perrenoourt answered gently and bo-
eeeechingly:
NAY. say Not yet,' madam"
They were silent again, he seeming to re-
gard her intently. Suddenly she covered her
face with her hands; yet. dropping her hands
almost Immediately, she set her eyes on his.
saw him shake his head.
"For tonight, then, good night, fairest lady"
said he. He took her hand and kissed It light
ly, bowling very low and respectfully, she look.
ing down at him as he stooped. Then he drew
away from her, bowling again and repeating
again:
For tonight, good night"
With this he turned toward tho stairs, cross.
ing the hall with the same brisk, confident
tread that had marked his entry. He left her,
but it looked as though she were indulged, not
he defeated. At the lowest step he paused.
turned, bowed low again. This time she
swered with a deep and sweeping courtesy.
Thay, In and oh lxt
wall again, her face buried in her hands. I
heard her sob and her broken words reached
me:
What shall dot o. what shall dol"
At once stepped out from tho hiding place
that had shown mo such strange things. and,
crossing to her, hat in hand. answered her sad.
said fai' obeeys sss ean sa any
'Sinion!' she cried eagerly, and, as thought
gladly, for her hand':few out to mine. you
And at your service always" said /.
But have you been herei Where did you
why, from across the hall; behind the chair
While back. His Grace told me net to wait wait in the the
Duke, having other things to think of, forgot
both his order and his servant"
All, / think, that the Duke said. Lord Car
foro said nothing: ! was about to interrupt
his Grace when the task was better performed
TO NJ de Perrencourt."
You heard what he said7''
"The last few words only" answered re-
She looked at me for an instant, and then said
I'm to be grateful to NJ. de Perrencourt."
81 know no other man man who could or would
appeared to treat you with much courtesy"
Courtesy, yes;' she cried, but seemed to
fiOn md n mOment later Rha coyared her IN
Come. take heart" said I. 'The Dukes a
70 you. Mistress Barbara. Your father bade
me have my services in readiness Se for you, and
may pray leave to Hseit as an excuse for thrust
what shah dol An. heaven. why did ever
come to this placef''
But howl how 20 How Da can " H ieave iti she asked
:The Duchess will grant you leave"
without the King 3 consentf"
,,r "But wont the he King ing Sonsent' Madame
Madame won't ask for me; nobody will ask
Then. IT. leave bc impossible. we must go
Reak he se sSd Sadly
ssl him and %S5 %SfSss Gs, sfff Ta&
TSssP hsS laugh; / laugh
There is nothing tnat 80 binds a man to a
woman as to feel her hand seeking his in weak
ness and appeal. / had thought that one day
30 Barbara's might seek mine. and / should
oxult in 1t, nay, might even let her perceive my
triumph. The thing had dreamed of was
come, but where was my exultationi There
was a choking in my throat, and swallowed
twice before contrived to answer.
What can we do, you mean, Mistress Bar
ALAS, alas!'' she cried, between, tears and
laughter, what can we-even we-do, Simoni''
noticed that she called mo Simon, as in the
Old days before my apostacy and great offence.
7 was glad of II, for Il was to be of service to
her We must be friends. Suddenly she said:
, You know what 1t means-I can't tell you;
you known
.,"Aye, know. said I. "None better. But
the Duke shant have his way"
"The Dukei II 1t were only the Duke-Ab!''
She stopped, a new alarm in her eyes. She
searched my face eagerly. or deliberate pur-
pose. / set II to an imInutable stolidity.
Already he's very docile," said 1. "See
how M. de Perrencourt turned and twisted
him. and sent him off crestfalen."
She laid her hand on my arm.
/