Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-27

mouth echoed low but intense through the
hall. He had caught the elusive hand and
was kissing II passionately. Barbara stood
still and stiff. The duke, keeping her hand
still In his. said. mockingly:
You pretty fool, would you refuse for
tune? Hark. madame. 1 am a kings son."
saw no movement in her, but the light
was dim. He went on lowering his voice
a little. yet not much.
And I may be a king: stranger things
have come to pass. Wouldn't you like to
question; he lacked the care or the cunning
to make even a show of honesty:
Let me CO." 1 heard her whisper In a
strained, tlmid voice.
well, for tonight you shall go, sweet
heart. but not without a kiss. swear
She was frightened row and sought to
propitiate him. saying gently and with at
tempted lightness:
Your grace has my hand prisoner. You
can work your will on 1t.
your hand! / mean your lips this time
he cried. in audacious insolence. He came
Eearer to her. his arm crept round her
waist. / hsd endured what I could yes,
and as long as 1 could. for was persuaded
that could serve her better by leaving
was reached. l stepped out from behind
the chair. But in an instant / was back
again. Monmouth had paused. In one
hand he held Barbara's hand: the other
head and looked at the stairs. Voices had
come from there. He had heard them as
I had. as Barbara had.
You can't pass out" had come in a
clustering tone from Carford.
STAND aside, SIR was the answer. In a
calm imperative voice.
Carford hesitated for a single instant.
then he seemed to shrink away. making
himself small. and leaving free passage for
a man who came down the steps and
walked confidently and briskly across the
hall toward where the duke stood with
Barbara.
Above us. at the top of the stairs. there
were the sound of voices and the tread of
feet. The conference was broken up. and
the parties to 1t were talking in the pas
sage on their way to regain their own
apartments. I paid no heed to them. My
eyes were fixed on the intruder who came
so boldly and unahashed up to the duke.
I knew him now. He was NJ. de Perren-
court. madame's gentleman.
Without wavering or pausing, straight he
walked. Monmouth seemed turned to
stone. could his face set and rigid.
although light failed me to catch that look
in the eyes by which you may best know
mans mood. Not a sound nor a motion
came from Carford. Barbara herself was
stiff and still. her regard bent on NJ. de
Perrencourt. He stood now directly over
against her and Monmouth 1t seemed
long before he spoke. Indeed. I had looked
for Monmouth's voice first for an oath of
vexation at the interruption. for a curse on
the intruder and a naughty order to him to
cerned his betters. No such word nor any
words issued from the mouth of the duke.
And still NJ. de Perrencourt was silent
Carford stole covertly from the steps near
er to the group. until. gliding across the
hall. he was almost at the Frenchman's
elbow. Still M. de Perrencourt was silent
Slowly and reluctantly. as though in
Difference to an order that he loathed but
dare not disobey. Monmouth drew his arm
away: he loosed Barbara's hand; she drew
back, leaning against the wall: the duke
stood with his arms by his side. looking at
the man who interrupted his sport and
seemed to have power to control his will.
Then at last, in crisp. curt. ungracious
tones. M. de Perrencourt spoke
II thank you. NJ. lie Due" said he. ct
was sure that you would perceive your err
ror soon- This is not the lady you sup
posed: this is Mistress Quinton I desire
to speak with her; pray give me leave"
The king would not have spoken in this
style to his pampered son. and the Duke
of York himself dared not have done it,
But no touch Of uneasiness or self-distr,Ist
appeared I'm NJ de Perrencourt's smooth,
cutting speech. Truly he was high in
madame's confidence and likely enough a
great man in his own country, but on my
life. looked to see the hot-tempered duke
strike him across the face Even I, who
had been about to interfere myself, by
some odd momentary turn of feeling. re-
sented the fnsolence with which Monmouth
was assailed. Would he not resent it much
more for himself? No For an instant
heard his quick breathing the breathing of
man who fights passion. holding it under
with great labor and struggling Then he
hard held
Here, sir. and everywhere" he said.
You have only to command to be obeved -
SLOWLY he bent his head low, the gesture
matching the humility of his words while
1t emphasized their unwilineness
n Ia Cr,ff