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


lady, Louise de Querouaille. I proceeded
some distance further. TIL was at the end
OF the wall nearest the sea. There took
my stand, looking not at the sea, but COW
ertly at the strange group. Presently two
OF them moved away: the third courtesied
low. but did not accompany them. When
they were gone she turned and leaned on
the parapet Of the wall with clasped hands.
Drawn by soma impulse moved toward
her. She Swas unconscious of my approach
until I caane aaite near to her; then she
turned on me 8face stained with tears ana
pale withsagitation and dismay. 1 stood
before her, speechless and she found no
words in which to address me. was too
proud to force my company on her. and
made as tEcrgh to pass on with a bow, but
her face arrested me.
"what ails. lou. Mistress Barbara"
cried lEpetuousiy. She smoothed her face
to conposure as she answered me:
Nothing, SIR Then she added careless
ly. "Unless it be that sometimes the king 8
conversation Is too free for my liking"
When you want me. I'm here" said,
answering not her words, but the frighten-
ed look that there was in her eyes,
For an instant seemed to see her In an
impulse to trust me and to lay bare what
troubled her. The feeling passed; her face
regatned its natural hue and she said pet
ulantly:
"Why. yes. it seems fated that you should
always be there, Simon; yet Botty Nasroth
said nothing Of It,"
ut may be well for you that am here"
to say what should have left unsaid.
1 do not know how she would have an
swered. for at that moment we heard a
shout from the Waterman who stood look
Ing over the sea. He hailed a boat that
came prancing over the waves; q light
answered his signal. Who came to the
castle! Barbara's eyes and mine sought
the ship; we did Tot know the stranger,
but he was expected for a minute later
Darrell ran quickly by with an eager
look on his face: with him was the Count
d Albon who had come with madame and
Deputy, the Duke of York's servant. They
went by at the top of their speed and in
visible excitement. Barbara forgot her
anger and haughtiness in fresh girlish in
terest.
"Who can it be?" she cried, coming so
near to me that her sleeve touched mine
and leaning over the wall toward where
the ships black hull was to be seen far
below in the moonlight by the jetty
Doubtless it's the gentleman whom mad
anne expects" said I.
Many minutes passed, but through them
Barbara and I stood silent side by side
Ihen the party came back through the
gate, which had been opened for them.
Depuy walked first, carrying a small trunk,
Two or three servants followed with more
luggage. then came Darrell in company
with short man. who walked with a
bold and confident air. The rest passed us
and the last pair approached. Now OAR
rell saw Mistress Barbara and dotted his
nat to her. The newcomer did the like and
AAAOi hC hdilcQ iiHueUldlely opposite TO us
and looked curfously at her, sparing a Gu
rfous glance for me. I bowed; she waited
rell:
This. madame said Darrell, in whose
voice there was a ring of excitement and
tremulous agitation. ''is M. de Perrincourt,
who has the. honor of serving her royal
n1ghness the duchess. This lady, sir, is
Mistress Barabara Quinton. maid of honor
TO the Duchess Of York. and now in attend
ance on madame"
oosa %aas rzy M . de Perez PEI
race; he studieG her-epenly and feariessly.
yet the regardSwas difficult to resent, it
was so calm. assured and dignifed It
seemed beyond chalenge. If not beyond re-
proacn. L stood by in silence. angry at
scrutiny sae so prolonged, but without title to
Il trust, madame. that we shall be better
acquaintedi he said at last, and with a
lingering look at her face passed on. 1
turned to her: she was gazing after him
with eager eyes. My presence seemed for
gotten; would not remind her of it: I
turned away in Silence, and FASTENED after
DarreH and his companions The curve of
the wall hid them from my sight. but l
quickened my pace; gained on them, for
now heard their steps ahead; ran round
the next cerner, for was ablaze with Gu
rlosity to see more of this man, who came
at SO strange an hour and yet was ex-
pected, who bore, himself so -loftily, and vet
was but northumberland as was
Round the next corner I should come il
sight OF him. Round I went and l came
plump into the arms of my good friend
Darrell, who stood there, squarely across
my path!
whittier away, Simon?" said he coldly.
L halted, stood still. looked him in the
face. He met my gaze with a calm, self
controlled smile
Why" said I. I'm on my way to bed,
Darrell. Let me pass, ! beg YOU
A Tronp lotn
mot moment" l replied, testify, and
caught him by the arm. He was as stiff
as a rock. tut l put on my strength, and
in another moment should have thrown
him aside. But he cried in loud angry
voice:
"By the kings orders, no man is to pass
this way
Amazed. fell back. But over his head,
men embrace one another warmly. No
body else was near. Darrells eyes were
fixed on me, and his hand detained me in
an eager grasp. But 1 looked hard at the
pair there ahead Of me; there was a cloud
over the moon now; in a second it passed
The next moment the two had turned their
backs and were walking off together. OAR
reli, seeing my fixed gaze. turned also. His
face was pale, as if with excitement but
he spoke in cool, level tones.
Its only M. Colbert greeting M. de Per-
rencourt," said he.
"Ah. of coursem I cried turning to him,
NJ.
get that starr For the glitter of the dec
Grafton had caught my eye as it sparkled
in the moonlight.
There was a pause before Darrell an
swered. Then he said:
THE king gave him his own star tonight,
in compliment to madame"
And in truth M. Colbert wore that star
when he walked abroad next morning, and
professed much gratitude for it to the
king. l have wondered since whether he
should not have thanked a humber man.
Had l not seen the star on the breast OF
the gentleman who embraced NJ de Per-
rencourt, should I have seen it on the
breast of NJ. Colbert de Croissy? In truth,
i doubt 1t.
CHAPTER XII.
The Difference of His Grace the Duke.
Certainly he had some strange ways,
this NJ. de Perrencourt. It was not enough
for him to arrive by night, nor to have his
meeting with NJ. Colbert (whose star OAR
rell made me observe most partic ularly
next morning) guarded from intruding eyes
by the kings own order He showed a
prediction for darkness and was visible
in the daytime only in madame's apart
ment, or when she went to visit the king