Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-04
CHAPTER XII-Continucd.


bows in most abject submission.
CHAPTER NII-Contfnucd.
Monmouth's strange submission won no
praise. NJ de Perrencourt did not accord
the speech so much courtesy as lay in an
answer His silent slight bow was all
his acknowledgment. He stood there wait
ing for his command to be obeyed
Monmouth turned one toward Barbara
but his eyes came back to NJ. de Perren-
court Carford advanced to him and Of
Tered his arm. The duke laid his hand on
his frieris shoulder. Fer a moment they
STOOD still! thus. then both bowed low to
NJ de PerTenccUrt. who answered with
another of MS slight inclination of the
head They turned and walked out of the
hall. the duke seeming almost to staoger
anu TO lean on Carford, as though he
sought to steady his steps AS they went
they passed within two yards of me- and
L saw Monmouths face pale with rage
With . long indrawing of my breath l
drew hack INTO the shadow of my shelter
They passed. the hall was empty save
To- myself ard the two who stood there
10y the wall.
1 had TO thought now of justifyins nv
Part OF e2vesdrcppcr. Scruples We're
drowned III excitement Keen interest
bound ne to my place with chains of iron
NY braln Wds full of previous suspicion
thfIce ndgnititi: all that was mysterious
II this man came back to me. The mes
sage 1 Fad surprised 1T Canterbury rang
echOlnS through my head again and again
Yet L bent myself 10 the task of listening
reSolute 10 catch every word Alas, my
tfoFts Wee in vain. NJ. de Perrcnco,1r,
was oil different clay from his grace the
duke He WAS. inGe ed speaking now but
so low and War1ly that no more than q
gentle murmur reached my ears Nor did
MS gestures aid. They We're as far from
MONMOUTH joyial violence as his tones
1f m the dukes reckless eXciaiming He
was urgent. but courteous, NEST insistent
Yet most deferential Monmouth claimed
anu Challenged. NJ. de Pcrrelcourt seem
ed 10 Heseech and WOO. Yet he asked rs
though none could ro fuse and his PRAYER
presumed favorable answer Barbara
listened IL quiet / could not tell whet her
rear aicne bound her or whether the soft
courtIy voice bred fasCinGtio also | was
NAH mad that | could not near and had
I1ucn ado not to rush out unprovoked and
defy the man before Wnom my master had
bowed almost to the ground beaten and
dsmaved.
AT Last she spoke few hurried. implor-
Ing worCs.
NO. 70" sic painted. NO, pray leave
VI. de Perrencourt answered gently and
heseechinGly:
Nay. say Not yet madam
They were silent again. he seeming to
regard .ler intently. Suddenly she covered
her face with ter 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 lightly. bowling very low and re-
specially. she looking down at him as he
stopped Then he drew away from her
bowling again and repeating again:
For tonight. good night
With this he turned toward the stairs
crossing the hall with the same brisk con-
ndent tread that had marked his entry.
lie left her but it looked as though she
We're INDUCED. not he defeated At tn.
lowest step he paused. turned. bowed low
again This time she answered with a
deep and sweeping courtesy. Then he was
Eone. ana she was leaning by the wall
again. her face buried in her hands.
heard her sob AMI her broken words reach
ed me:
What shall DO? Oh. what shall do"
AT once l stepped out from the hiding
place that had shown me such strang.
things. and. crossing TO her, hat in hand
answered her sad. desolate question
w ny, trust in your friends. Mistress
any lady do?"
Simon. she cried eagerly. and. as I
thought gladly. for her hand flew out to
mine. You here?''
And at your service always" said T.
But have you beer here? Where did You
come FROM
WHY. from across the hall. behind the
chair there" | answered I've been Their,
-
wait in the hall. and in the hall I've
waited, though the duke. having other
things to think of, forgot both his order
and his servant.
Then you heari?" she asked in whis-
FER.
IAN. l think, that the duke said. LORD
Carford said nothing l was about to in
terrupt his grace when the task was better
performed for me. / think. madame. you
owe some thanks to N. de Perrencourt."
You heard what he said?"
THE last few words only" I answered
rcsretfully.
She looked at rlc for ar instant and then
said with u dreary little smile:
I'm 10 be grateful to NJ. de Perrencourt -
Il know no other man who could or
would have rid You of the duke so finely
Besides. he appeared to treat you with
much courtesy"
Courtesy yes she cried but seemed to
check. She was still in great agitation
and a moment later she covered her face
and l heard her sob again.
Come, take heart" said L. THE dukes
great man. of course but no harm shall
come TO you, Mistress Barbara. Your faith
Tor you and although i didn't need his
order as a spur. i may pray leave to use il
as an excuse for thrusting myself on YOU
Indeed, I'm glad to you, Simon
But what shall l do? All. heaven, why
did ever come to this place?'
That can be mended by leaving it.
madame
But how? How can 1 leave it," she
asked, despairingly.
The duchess will grant you leave"
Without the kings CONSENT"
But won't the king consent? Madame
Will ask for you: she's kind"
Madame won't ask for me. Nobody will
ask for me-
Then IL leave be impossible we must po
without leave. If you speak the word"
An, you don't know" she said sadIv