The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-09-20

1t acaS to be a case OF blockmdil.
a poisonous gnat were buzzing in his
ears and confusing his heretofore con-
sidered cool Judgment.
He approached Priscilla She was
chatting brightly with her aunt and
Stornmouth. AS the count neared her
she colored perceptibly and stepped for
ward lightly.
"You are late, she said reproach
fully. "Why did you not come to our
loge, as asked you?"
Mademoiselle was occupied" re-
turned the count discreetly, with low
bow to Aunt Mildred and a lower one
to StorInioatl, who returned it frigid-
ly. "Malenoiselle has the air of a
young queen. And what a success that
of Mile. Brilla! But a few hours and
she will be famous. All, you Americans,
you beautiful Americans, with your
wonderful talents and great courage, you
rule the worldp'
Priscilla had taken his arm and was
strolling with him little ahead of the
others.
81 have not spoken with M. Des-
moulins," she said, interrupting the
counts flow of compliments serenely.
She had grown accustomed to them in
the past few months, and they no longer
annoyed her as they used to. II would
like to speak with him. Perhaps could
influence him in regard to Constance.
He is very powerful is he not? He can
decide Constance's fate, can't he?''
De Lacaze nodded his head without
responding. And mine,' he thought
disnally.
.Will you tell him I wish to speak
with him?" continued Priscilla
'tCome with me, !" said her compan-
ion. Mon ami will be flattered if you
consult him before his friends. -
As they approached the little circle
fell back and fixed its gaze upon Pris-
ella. She walked up to Desmoulins and
gave him her hand. "Good evening,
monsieur!" she said in her fresh, ring
| ing voice. 81 have come to ask YOU anG
your friends to say good word fol
Mile Brilla. I"
"Your word is command, made
moiselle
':Her success is assured, is it not?"
"That,' replied Desmoulins, with {
subtle smile out of one corner of hi
handsome eyes, "can never be foretold
1t depends. I"
"Upon what?"
"Mademoiselle, began Desmoulins
with cynical smile about his lips, eve
can all succeed if we pay the price"
81 do not understand you," sale
Priscilla.
"Mademoiselle is too clever to mis-
understand me. Miss Brilla is poor. l
Miss Brilla controlled purse of gold
Miss Brilla might add to her chances
mind you, say only chances of sue
cess did she disburse that gold''
4 "Do you mean to insinuate, % erie,
Priscilla, drawing up her slight youni
figure Indignantly. "that criticism is
matter of dollars and cents?''
"That is putting it roughly" Des
: mouths smiled, with swiftly dissimu
lated scowl, speaking almost under hi
breath. 'Turn the phrase more pleas
antly, if may be so bold as to ask it
Your nation has straightforward wa
Of speaking which is a trife-confusine
Can you steal pictures, mademoiselle
Can you steal law? Can you steal medi
cine? Why, then, should you steal crit
icism?''
Priscilla hesitated an instant. The
she asserted firmly, ''There is such
thing us principle, monsieur.
Desmoulins made Il wry face ard rais
ed his handsome brows.
"There is snch q thing rs conviction
I have read of men who starved OF
crust rather than renounce one title {
what they believed.
"Critics are not of that order, mad
moiselle
"When they are not, what they So
should be considered of no value, 2" r.
turned Priscilla hotly.