Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-21
CHAPTER LII.
The Taunting of La Neffraye.

CHAPTER LII.
The Tauntinr of La Nefraye.
1t was in the White tower of Machecoul
that the Scottish maidens were held at the
mercy of the cruel lord of RetZ. AT their
first arrival in the country they had been
taken to the quiet chateau of Pouzauges,
the birthplace of Potion. the marshal's
most cruel and remorseless confdant
Here. as the marshal had truly informed
the Lady Sybilla they had been under the
care of, rather fellow prisoners with, the
neglected wife Of Giles de RetZ. and had
spent some days of comparative peace and
security in the society of her daughter.
But at the first breath of the coming of
the three strangers to the district. they
had been seized and secretly conveyed to
Machecoul itself. there TO be informed be-
hind the vast walls and triple bastions of
that fortress prison.
Il wonder. Maudie." said Margaret Doug
las. as they sat on the fat roof of the
White tower Of Machecoul and looked over
the battlements upon the green pine glades
and wide seaward landes, Il wonder
whether ever We shall see the water of Dee
and our mother-and Sholto MacKim?'
II is to be feared that the last part of the
problem exceeded in interest all others in
the eyes Of Maud Lindsay.
1T seemed as if We never could again
behold any one we loved or wished to see
here in this horrible place. sighed Maud
Lindsay. If ever l get back to the dear
land and see Solway side, will be differ
ent girl.
But Maud said the little maid. re-
kind Ii is not we'll done of you to speak
against yourself in that fashion,
Maud Lindsay shook her pretty head
mournfully.
'Ah Margaret you will know some day
she said. Il iaye been wicked-not in
things one has to confess to FIR. Gawain,
but, well. in making people like me, and
give me things and come to see me, and
then afterward fiouting them for it and
sending them away
1t was not a lucid description, but it
suificed
All. but" said Margaret Douglas, Il
think not these things to be wicked. l hope
that some day l shall do just the same,
though, Of course. l shall not be as pretty
Mackim if l would and he said of course
not in a deep voice 1t was not pretty of
him. was it, Maud?'
Il think it was very prettily said of him -
answered Maud Lindsay, with the first
flicker of d smile on her face. Her con-
science was quite at ease about Shoito. He
different. Whatever pain she had
caused him she meant TO make up TO him
with uSury thereto. The others she had
exercised no more for her own amusement
than for their own souls good.
My brother William must indeed be very
angry with US. that he hath never sent to
lind us and bring Us home. 1t is three
months since We met that horrible old wo-
man in the woods abGve Thrieye Toland
and believed her when she toiu US that the
earl had instant need Of US, and that Sholto
MaCkim was with him"
None saw Us taken away, Margaret -
Sayd The elder, and perhaps. who knows
they have never found any of the pieces of
flower garlands l threw down before. they
put us in the boats from the beach of Cas-
sencary,''
But the eyes of the little maid of Cal
lOway were now fixed upon something in
the green court yard below.
Mduu-Maud, come hither uuicklV'' she
whispered: if yonder be not Laurence
Maskim talking TO the singing lads and
dressed like them-why. then l do not
know Laurence MaCkim"'
Maud came quickly enough now. Her
lace and neck blushed suddenly crimson
with the springing OF hope in her heart
she looked down, and there far below
them. but yet distinct enough they sa w
LauIt nee daring Blaise Ren0uf to single
combat. and vaunting his Irish prowess, as
We have already seen him do. Maud Lfnde.
say caught her companions hand as she
looked.
They have found US" she WHISPERED
at least. they are seeking for US If Lau-
renee Is here l warrant Sholco cannot be
very far away. Oh, Margaret, am L lor Sina
very i'll; Will he think l am as-( ,he
pausd Tor wCrdl-as comely as he thought
me before in Scotland Or have / growr
Old and ugly with being shut up"
But the maid of Galloway heard her not
She was pondering on the meaning of I-au.
rence's presence in the castle of Mache-
Perhaps William hath sent Laurence IL
spy US out and is even now coming from
his dHchy with an army. He is a far
greater man than the marshal and will
rake him give US up as soon as he find,
where We are. Shall / call down to I.auri,
to let him know that we are here?''
Maud put her hand hastily over her com
panion's mouth.
'Hush,+' she said: we must not apneal
TO know him. or they will surely Kill him
and perhaps the others, too. If Laurenc,
is here. l w0t well that other help is no
lar away. Let us be patient and abide
come back from the wall and sit by me. "a
if nothing had happened
But all the same she kept her own Dlac,
in a spot whence she could command til,
pleasaunce below. and looked to see Sholtt
folio" his brother across the green sward.
Sweet end fair is the air of the evening
purrcd behind them u low voice that o
The woman VINO was called La Meffraye
II brings the color TO the cheeks of tn
young But l am old and wise and
would advise that two maids so fair shout,
not look down on the sports of the youths
lest they hear and see more than is fittin,
for such innocent eyesr'
The girls turned away without looking a
their custodian. who stood leaning upon he
little hand crutch and smiling upon then
her terrible soft smile
All she said. proud are you? IT'S n,
~ place 20 bring pride to this castle O
hachccoaL You would not deign to speal
a word to poor old woman now. But IN
day is not far distant when l shall hay
my pretty Spitfre clinging about these old
trembling knees and beseeching me whom
you dSspise as woman either to save yo'
or kill yOu-you will not care which As ;
womdn-ha, ha-how long is 1t since L
Neuraye was woman. Was she eve
rocked ia a cradle? Did she play about an,
cottage door and fashion daisy chains, as
nave seen You do, my pretties, long ere yoa