The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-12
CHAPTER XI.


Swearing he would be back again in
a week, Jacques set out for Ely within
an hour of our return to the Rue deS
Deux Mondes, and his going had re-
moved one weight from my mind. L
knew full well that unless something
beyond his control happened, my bust
ness would be faithfully discharged,
though / felt I was losing tower of
strength when 1 needed support most,
as 1 watched him riding along the NAL
aouais. mounted on the sorrel and
leading the gray.
He went out of sight at last, and now
that the momentary hustle caused by
his departure had ceased, 1 had leisure
to think of what 1 had heard from de
Belin, and those, who have read the
preceding pages and have formed their
Judgment as to what was my character
at that time can we'll imagine that
was mentally on the rack.
The trouble with d'Ayen was bad
enough; but united to that was Belin's
statement that she-she was prepared
no matter what the circumstances
were, to give her hand to de Gomeron!
Had I been in her place death would
have been preferable to me rather than
this alternative and then I thought of
the token she had sent back to me-felt
that I was being trifed with, and
gave full rein to my jealous and bitter
temper.
To all intents and purposes [ was
alone in my chamber and yet I could
swear that there was an invisible pres
ence at my ear that whispered Fool
ed! Tricked! She is but as other
women are and you have played the
quintain for her practice"
BY heaven! If it were so, I would
end it all at once and not waste an
other moment of my life on a heartless
coquette. 1t must be so. 1t was so. By
this time 1 had got beyond power or
reason, and jumped to my conclusions
like the thrice blind fool / was. Snatch
ing forth the bow from it's resting
place over my heart tore the ribbons
asunder, and flung them on the floor
before me with q curse at the vanity
of Womankind that could make a play
thing of a heart. I would be gone that
moment. / would leave this country of
intrigue and dishonor. In an hour
could catch Jacques up, and in ten
days we would be on the seas, and in
that new world which had not yet tina
to grow wicked make for myself
fresh life. My God 1 would do it!
My hand was on the bell rope, when
there came a sharp tap at the door,
and the next moment Ravaillac an
nounced in his low voice:
"Maitre Palm to wait on monsieur lie
chevalier."
1 pulled myself together with an eff
fort and advanced to meet my old
friend as he came in.
Eat last! I have been expecting you
hourly for some time"
Il could not come, chevalier. 1 will
explain in a moment"
First, sit down. Take that chair
there near the window. 1t commands
a good view"
Monsieur does not need this?'
1t was Ravaillac's voice that broke
In upon us, and he himself stood before
me, holding out on salver the rib
bons of the torn bow. Civil as the
question was, there was something in
his tone that made me look at him
sharply. 1t seemed to me, as l looked
up, that a faint smile vanished be-
tween his bloodless lips like a spider
slipping back into a crevice.
L could, however, see no trace of i'm
pertinence in the long, salloW face, and
the whole attitude of my new follower
was one of submissive respect. 1 fan
cied, therefore, that l had made a mis-
take, and put it down to the state of
mental agitation [ was in at the time.
Mo- l answered him. You can
fling it away And in future you need
not ask me about such trifles."
Very we'll, monsieur, I will remem-
ber." and with a bow he moved to-
ward the door, the salver in his hand.
''Ravaillac," 1 called out after him.
Monsieur
ION second thoughts do not throw
that away. 1 did mott mean, please
leave it there on the table"
Monsieur" and laying down the sal
yer he stepped out of the room.
II see you have changed your livery
with your old servant, chevalier, said
Palm, slipping at his wine, as the man
and softly behind him.
''Not so. Jacques has merely gone
away temporarily on some business of
Importance. In fact, he left today,
shortly before you came, and this man,
or rather youth, has been lent to me
by friend"
''And his name is Ravaillac?"
Yes"
AN uncommon name for man of
his class.
"Perhaps--but these men assume all
kinds of names. He is, however bet
ter educated than the usual run of peo-
pie in his position, and bears an excel
lent character, although he has been a
fjagellant; from which complaint he
has recovered
Most of them do-and now, my good
friend, let us dismiss RavailIac and tell
NE how you progress
For moment it was in me to tell
him all, to say that 1 had abandoned