The Saint Paul globe., 1897-06-06
CHAPTER VII.

ment from showing itself in my manner
as greeted my new guest. AS for him,
a frown was on his brow and shadow
in his eyes as he passed his servant,
who stepped aside respectfully to allow
him to do so. But neither of us allud-
ed to the visit of Picot during our inter
view, and my annoyance at the meet
ing between master and man soon
gave way to deeper emotions.
For no sooner was Richard Quintard
seated than 1 perceived that something
Of greater moment was troubling him.
and that a cloud of constraint had
settled upon the fair and pleasant pros
pect Of our intercourse. I could not
attribute his visible disquietude and de-
preston to so trivial a cause as a
chance encounter with a person whose
former vocation gave him some claim
upon my charity, even if that encounter
was upon my very threshold and that
person his own servant. No; some
deeper reason was accountable for such
considerable manifesto in one so
generally self-controlled
He did not long remain in the COM
Portable chair which I had grown to
associate so closely with him that I
usually wheeled it into obscurity when
he was absent, that others should not
occupy 1t. After a few conventional
remarks he rose and wandered rest
lessly about the room, pretending to in
spect objects which he already knew
by heart. 1 let him roam at will. for I
never forced his inclination in any re-
spect while he was in my house, which
accounted perhaps for his visiting it so
often. But my mind was fixed tena-
ciously upon one point on which It
eraved assurance, and I waited pa
tiently for him to satisfy 1t. longed
to know how my talents had impressed
him. But I held my peace, and after
a while he came back and resumed his
seat, which was near and directly fac
ing my own. He leant forward, with
his elbow on his knee and his hand
supporting his chin, and regarded me
hXedly with scruttniZing gaze, which.
had my conscience been guilty of Of
fence, it would have been difficult for
me to meet; but, being innocent of any
thing but a too high regard for him. I
returned it with a look firm and stead
fast, and Infinitely less troubled than
his own.
"I have been trying to fathom it,"
me. All night and all day have been
seeking to unravel the complexities Of
q woman's nature, but the clue to the
strange tangle eludes me. have never
boasted to myself Of a profound ac-
quaintance with the feminine charac-
ter, but of late I fancied that I had
gained fair knowledge Of the mind
and soul Of one woman, who seemed
to me marked exception to her sex
in purity and virtue I was deceived
. Now give it up; it is too deep a mys-
terry for my poor comprehension. 1 will
not again play fool to my conceit in it's
regard
His face was full Of gloom, disap-
pointment, chagrin, and my heart
quaked as my ears listened to his
words What had he discovered Of
my past that had disillusioned him so
bitterly in respect to me? At once the
fact of my desertion Of Lisa rose to
confront me, for Of all the bygone ac-
tions Of my life this was the basest
at which the finger of scorn and judg-
ment could be pointed But that was
so long ago! Surely the circumstances
Of my age and temperament and. un-
congenial surroundings might be ac-
cepted as extenuating conditions in
even so heinous an act Of wickedness.
My lips trembled with their burden Of
self-Justification, and [ pressed eager
ly forward in my seat to humble and
excuse myself in the sight Of my ac-
cuser, but he forestalled my speech.
shaking his head as if to discourage it.
1t isn't worth while to discuss the
subject he said. II daresay it's a case
of To the pure etc. Only nowadays
there are so few really chaste of soul
In a mixed audience that 1t seems
scarcely worth while for virtue to as
sumo false appearance for the sake
OF ministering to their unadulterated
pleasure. The garments of virtue-oh.
am employing a ridiculously ill-adapt-
ed metaphor. There were no garments
TO speak of in this case, were there?"
sprang to my feet. I saw his whole
neld OF complaint now, in a flash. and
his voice and change of manner. even
more than his words, were an insult.
a deliberate and Intentional insult to
me- l loved him; I had never blinded
myself to the fact that from the first
moment Of our acquaintance he had
possessed an attraction for me which
had never before discovered in any
other man. But there is nothing of the
spaniel in me; the hand that purposely
wounds me is scarce likely to be mol
lifted by my caress. I drew myself up
haughtily and confronted him in proud
and angry disdain.
My door has ever stood open in
Welcome to you, Mr.. Quintard," 1 said.
In cold, cutting accents, my eyes blaz-
ing into his, "and you have availed
yourself rather freely of it's hospitable
invitation. But allow me to suggest
that while it stands open to admit my
friends, it likewise invites the departure
of such as abuse their privilege. You
understand"
1 started to cross the room for the
purpose Of ringing for Stone, the but
Ter, but he stepped in front of me, bar
ring my progress. His underlip was
drawn in and held between his teeth,
and no one could now accuse his face
Of a too great immobility It looked
savage, cruel, but also tortured and
unhappy beyond description
My Godp he cried out. Don't! Wait!
apologize for what I said I spoke
without thinking No, that is false.
God knows 1 have thought enough. L
should rather say that I spoke aloud.
without considering who was my lis
tener thoughts that have maddened me
ever since L sat, a mere unit among
hundreds, and watched you last night,
He paused an instant to gain better