Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-06-25
sked to mount the winding staircase

asked to mount the winding staircase
that led to the next story.
The Chamberlain threw open door,
and showed a small ante-roCm full OF
sunshine, which came streaming IN
through the lozenge-shaped lights OF
a broad, low easement; ne then open
ed a door beyond, and ushered her
INTO a large rush-strewn chamber,
hung with rich tapestry, and furnish
ed with tables and cushioned seats.
Jeanne saw two other doors, but
she was too anxious for news OF her
husband to take much heed Of her
surroundings. She turned to repeat
her question, but she saw only. De
Retz, the Chamberlain, and Gillonne;
the Seneschal had not followed them.
Lead me to my lords chamber"
she said to the Chamberlain; Il will
seek him, as he seems to be too sick
TO come to me"
There was silence De Retz sighed
heavily, and looked on the ground; the
Chamberlain glanced compassionateiy
at the young Countess.
Madame" the old man said in an
uncertain voice, 1.-The Count sleeps.
When her ladyship has rested after
her fatiguing journey, ! will again
wait On her with tidings Of my lord I
He bowed low; then he said a few
words to Gillonne, and led her TO the
open doors of the other chambers;
finally, with another deep reverence
to his mistress, he retired, followed by
De Retz.
Jeanne stood still where they had
left her. Presently she turned and
saw that she was alone, for Gillonne
had gone into the bedchamber.
Jeanne followed her, but she did not
glance at the room.
what does thia mean, GillCnpe?
Ny husband must indeed be ill-much
verse than I was led to suppose. But
| why am l purposely kept away from
| him? Did you hear anything OF
this?"-for Gillonne's eyes locked full
Of meaning. is it his will, or that
OF others?'
81 know nothing certain, dear lady;
but fear and doubt all is not well
| with my lord Count. Perhaps we have
only to be patient. Madame is mis-
tress here, and everybody must obey
her If she asserts her authority"
/! Jeanne babe her woman open the
Cda6lututS " lSI III llNEh al. NoAiS
| could not keep still, but paced the
room in silence. The summons TO
Laval had found her unwilling to quit
| her old home before she had perform
ed her due period of mourning; but
! she had told herself she should help
to nurse her husband, and make &C
quaintance with him on his way to
| convalescence.
go fetch Anne and Mathurine, my
good Gillonne,' she said. The poor
| girls will be frightened with so many
strange soldiers; they can sleep in the
other bedchamber, and you can have
| that cabinet beside my chamber door.
The woman hesitated.
II do not care to leave madame
alone in this strange house." she said
Jeanne gave her an encouraging
smile.
Come, come Gillonne, it is not like
you to teach me ccwardice. This Is
my own home, | must therefore be
| safe in it. If it will make you happier
| l will lock the door, when you have
put the key within the chamber"
Her mistress's dignified tone made
| Gillonne wonder at the change that
! had come over her, she stood wait
ing outside till she heard the long
key turn in the lock then she hurried
downstairs to seek for Anne and
/ Mathurine.
| Il will find out the meaning of all
this before l come up again" she said
1.-THE place locks and feels like a
prison If there is such thing as a
woman inside its walls. l shall learn
all l want to know, and that quickly.