Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-15
CHAPTER XXI.
The Device of Lord Garland

anu our own weakness their advocate
some said, and many believed, that ma
dame brought the young French lady in
her Tram TO Dover with the intention that
the thlhs should happen which happened.
had rather hold, if it be possible to hold
that princess so gracious and so unfor
tufate meant mnocently, and was caioled
OF overcome by the persua sions of her
klnsmen, and perhaps by some specious
pfe,ext OF state policy. In like manner I
am reluctant to think that she planned
harm for Mistress Barbara, toward whom
she mad true affection and l will read in
an honest sense, if L can the letter which
NJ. de fonteileS brought with him to Hatcb
stead. In it madame touched with a light
oisCi elion on what had passed deplored
with pretty gravity the waywardness of
men ana her own simplicity, which made
hei d prey TO their devices and rendered
her less useful to Ter friends than she do
sireu 10 be. Yet now she was warned her
eyes We're opened, she would guard her own
honor ana that of any who would trust tc
hef. Nay, he himself, NJ de Perrencourt
was penitent, even as was the Duke of
Mcnmouth and had sworn to trouble her
ana her friends no more. Would not then
n ngi sweet Mistress Barbara, with whom
Sshe vowed she had fallen SO nightly in
loVe, come back to her and go with her to
france, and be with her until the Duchess
ol York came, and, in good truth as much
r.
para father. in his kindness suffer? So
ran the letter, and it seemed an honest
letter. Yet L do not know, and if ii were
honest, yet who dared trust 10 it? Grant
,nnr me best of will. where lay her
power to resist Nj. de Perrencourt? But NJ.
oe Perrencourt was penitent. Aye his pen
itence was for having let her 60 and would
last uhtli she should be in his power again.
Let the intent OF the letter he carried be
what 1t might, NJ. de Fontelles, a gentle
man OF courage and high honor, believed
ms errand honest He had not been at
Dover, and knew nothing of what had
PASSED there If he were an instrument in
wicked schemes, he did not know the mind
Oh those who employed him. He came
openly to Hatchstead on an honorable mis-
slcn' as he conceived. and bearing an inyi-
.dtioh "hlch should give great qualification
10 Inc lady to whom it was addressed
Madame did Mistress Quinton the high
compliment OF desiring her company and
would doubtless recompense her well for
the service she asked. FonteIles saw no
more and asked no more. In perfect con-
1uence and honesty he set about his task
not imagining that he had been sent on IN
eirand with which any man could reproa ch
NM. or with a purpose that gave any the
rsht of Questioning his actions Nor did
my cry OF II Went change this mood m
him. When he collected his thoughts and
recalled the incident in which those words
hi,d before played part, he saw in them
the challenge of some one who had per
maps penetrated a state secret and was ILL
affected toward the king and the kings
poicy, but being unaware of any connec-
ton between Mistress Barbara and NJ de
ferrencourt, he did not associate the silly
cry with the object of his present mission
So also, on hearing that a gentleman was
at the inn (Carford had not given his
nance, and had visited the manor he was
in no way disquieted, bat ready enough 10
meet any number of gentlemen without
Tearing their company their scrutiny
Gayly and courtecusly he presented him
IN Il.t
bed, and she received him alone in the
room looking out on the terrace With a
low bow and words of Difference he de-
clared his errand, and delivered to her the
letter he bore from madame making bold
to add his own hopes that Mistress Ouin-
ton would not send him back unsuccessful.
but let him win the praise of a trustworthys
messenger: Then he twirled his mustache,
smiled calamity, and waited with all COM
posure while she read the letter. Indeed,
he deserves some pity, for women are not
wont to spend much time on reasoning in
such case. When man comes on bust
ness which they suspect to be evil, they
make no ado about holding him party to
1t, and that without inquiring whether he
knows the thing to which he is setting his
hand.
Barbara read her letter through once and
second time; then, without word to
Fontelles, aye, not so much as bidding him
be seated. she summoned servant, and
dispatched him to the inn to summon Car
ford 10 her. She spoke low, and the French
man did not hear. When they were again
alone together, Barbara walked to the win
dow, and stood there looking out Fon-
telleS, growing puzzled and ill at ease,
waited some moments before he ventured
to address her; her air was not such as to
encourage him; her cheek was redeemed,
and her eyes were indignant Yet at last
he plucked up his courage.
Il trust, madame" said he, that 1 may
carry the fairest of answers back with
met"
What answer Is that, sir?' she asked,
half turning to him. with a Scornful glance.
yourself, madame, if you will SO honor
me-" he answered, bowling. Your coming
would be the answer best pleasing to mad
ame, and the best fulfillment of my er-
rand"
She looked at him coolly for a moment or
two, and then said:
Il have sent for gentleman who will
advise me on my answer"
NJ. de Fontelles raised his brows and an
swered somewhat stifi1y:
you are free, madame. to consult whom
you will. although I had hoped that the
matter needed but little consideration"
She turned full on him in a fury.
Il thank you for your Judgment of me.
sir" she cried. "Or is it that you think me
fool. to be blinded by this letter."
Before heaven" began the puzzled
gentleman.
II know, sir. in what esteem a woman's
honor is held in your country, and at your
kings court
as u1SH H1dudHl6, dS III your COuuliys
and at your court"
YES. that's true. God help me, that's
true. But we are not at court now. sir.
Hasn't it crossed your mind that such an
errand as yours may be dangerous?'
81 had not thought of It." said he. with q
smile and a shrug. But, pardon me, do
not fear the danger"
Neither danger nor disgrace? she
sneered.
Fontelles flushed.
"A lady. madame. may say what she
pleases," he remarked. with a bow.
"Oh, enough of pretenses," she cried.
"Shall we speak openly~
with all my heart, madame" said he,
lost between anger and bewilderment.
For a moment 1t seemed as though she
would speak, but the shame Of open speech
was too great for her. In his ignorance
and wonder he could do nothing to aid her.
ST won't speak OF It," she cried. Its
mans part to tell you the truth and to ask
account from you. won't soil my lips
with it."