Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-22
Written for The Evening Star.

by my faith" cried honest M. de Fontel-
les. this matter IL altogether past under
standing
A moment later Carford entered the
room and greeted MIN with great civility.
NJ. de Fontelies lost no time in coming to
the question; his grievance was strong and
bitter. and he poured out his heart without
reserve. Carford listened, saying little, but
being very attentive and keeping his
shrewd eyes on the others face. Indigna-
ton carried Fontelles back and forward
along the length of the room in restless
PAGES; Carford sat in chair, quiet and
wary. drinking in all that the angry gen.
tieman said. My Lord Carford was not one
who believed hastily in the honor and hon
esty of his fellow men, nor was he prone to
expect a simple heart rather than a long
head; but soon he perceived that the
Frenchman was In very truth ignorant Of
what lay behind his mission and that Bar
bara's Usage Of him caused genuine and
not assumed offense. The revelation set
my lord a-thinking.
And she sends for you to advise herr"
cried Fontelies- That, my friend, Is good;
you can advise but in one fashion"
Il don't know that said Carford, feel
Ing his way.
1T is because you don't know ALL 1 have
spoken gently to her, seeking to win her
by persuasion But to you 1 may speak
plainly have direct orders from the king
to bring her and to suffer no man to stop
me. Indeed. my dear lord, there Is no
choice open to you You wouldn't resist
the kings commando
Yet Barbara demanded that he should re-
sist even the kings command. Carford
said nothing and the impetuous French
man ran on:
Nay. 1T would be the highest ofrense to
myself to hinder me- Indeed, my lord, all
my regard for you could NOT make me suf
Ter It, L don't know what this lady has
against me, nor who has set this nonsense
In her head 1t cannot be you, You don't
doubt my honor? You don't taunt me when
i call myself a gentleman
he came to pause before Carford, eX-
pecting an answer to his hot questions. He
saw ofIense in the mere fact that Carford
was still silent.
Come, my lord" he cried, II do not take
pleasure in seeing you think long. Isn't
your answer easyT He assumed an air of
challenge.
Carford was, I have no doubt, most
plagued and perplexed. He could have
nery gentleman. Barbara had demanded of
him that he should resist even the kings
command. He might escape that perilous
obligation by convincing Fontelles himself
tfat he was tool in hands less honorable
than his own; then the Frenchman would,
In all likelihood, abandon his enterprise.
But with him would go Carford's hold on
Barbara and his best prospect of winning
her, for in her trouble lay his chance. If,
on the ether hand he quarreled openly
with Fontelles. he must face the conse-
quences he feared or incur Baroara's I'M
measured scorn. He could not solve the
puzzle and determined to seek a respite.
Il do not doubt your honor SIR he said.
Fontelies bowed gravely. But there Is
more in this matter than you know. I
must beg few hours for consideration
and then / will tell you all openly"
My orders will not endure much delay"
You can't take the lady by force
Il count on the aid of my friends and
the kings to persuade her to accompany
me willingly"
1 do not know whether the words brought
the idea suddenly and as il with a flash
into Garford's head 1t may have been
there dim and vague before. but now IT
was clear. He paused on his way to the
door and turned back with frightened
eyes. He gave a careless laugh, saying:
MY GEAR Fontelles, you have more than
me to reckon with before you take her
away" '-'e.ii-
What do you mean. my lord?"
Why. men in love are hard to reason
reasoning at ALL Come. I'm your friend,
although there is for a moment a diff
Guilty that keeps us apart. Do you chance
TO remember our meeting at Canterbury
Why. very we'll"
"And young fellow who talked French
to your Carford laughed again. He
disturbed you nightly by calling out
II WENT. cried Fontelles. all on the
alert
Precisely. Well. he may disturb you
again.
BY heaven: then he's herer'
why, yes"
81 met him last night. He cried those
words to me again. The insolent rascal.
I'll make him pay for it,"
In truth. you have a reckoning to settle
with him.
But how does he come into this mat
terw
"lnsolent still. he's sutton for Mistress
Quinton's hand"
Fontelles gave a scornful shrug of his
shoulders. Carford. smiling and more at
ease. watched him. The idea promised
we'll II would be a stroke. indeed, could
the quarrel be shifted to by shoulders
and NJ de Fontelles and set by the ears
Whatever the issue of that difference Car
ford stood to win by it. And l. not he
would be the man to resist the kings COM
mand.
But how comes he hereT" cried Fon-
telles.
The fellow was born here. He is an old
neighbor Of Mistress Quinton"
Dangerous. then"
1t was Carford's turn to shrug his Shout
ders, as he said:
Fools are always dangerous Well, I'll
leave you i want to think. Only remem-
Der. If you please to be on your guard
against me. why, be on your guard agai4t
Simon Dale
ne cares not stop me. Nay, why should
he? What / propose is for the lads ad-
vantage"
Carford saw the quarrel he desired fair
~ In the making. NJ. de Fontelles was
honest, NJ de Fontelles was hot tempered,
M de Fontelles would be told that he was
rogue To Carford this seemed enough.
You would do yourself good IL you con-
WINGED him Of that" he answered For
though she would not, / think become his
wife. he has the influence of long acquaint-
ance, and might it against you But
perhaps you're too angry with him."
My duty comes before my quarrel"
said Fontelles. Il will seek this gentle
man"
As you WILL / think you're wise They
Will know at the inn where t. find him."
Il win See him at once" cried Fontelles.
I have. 1t seems. two matters to settle
with this gentleman"
Carford, concealing his exultation. babe
M de Fontelles do as seemed best to him.
Fonteiies, declaring again that the success
OF his mission was nearest his heart but
In truth eager to rebuke or chastcn my
mockins disrespect. rushed from the room
Carford followe ed more leisurely. He had
at least time for consideration now. and
there were the chances Of this quarrel all
on his side
VIII you come with meT' asked Fon-
telles-
Nay: it's no affair OF mine. But IL YOU
ns.lw -