Evening star., 1901-09-07
CHAPTER XNN.
The Queens Antec n a m her.

The Queens ABtechamber.
Out of the darkness Rollo and the SER
geant stepped quickly into the room
WhereupOn small wonder that the lady
should scream and fall back into her chair,
the waiting maid drop upon the floor as If
she had been struck by Carlist bullet, or
the gentleman with the long and glossy
whiskers suspend his caresses and gaze
upon the pair with dropped jaw and open
mouth.
At his entrance Rollo had taken off his
hat with a low bow. The sergeant saluted
and stood at attention. There was mo-
ment's silence In the room, but before
Rollo had time to speak the queen regent
recovered her self-possession. The daugh
ter of the Bourbons stood erect. Her long
hair streamed in dark glossy waves over
her shoulders. Her bosom heaved visibly
under the thin pink wrapper. Anger strug-
gied with fear in her eyes. Verify Maria
Cristina of Naples had plenty of courage
who are YOU" she cried, that dares
thus to break in upon the privacy of the
Regent Queen of Spain?" she cried. Duke,
call the guard"
But her husband only shrugged his shou-
ders and continued TO gaze upon the pair
of intruders with a calm exterior.
Your majesty" said Rollo, courteously,
naturally resuming leadership when any
thing requiring contact with gentlefolk
that YOU are in great danger-greater than
j can for the moment make clear to you.
The palace is. l understand, absolutely
without defense-the town is in the same
position. 1t is within our knowledge that
a band of two hundred gyDsies are on the
march to attack you this night in order to
plunder the chateau and put to death every
soul within Its walls. We have come
therefore, with our companions outside to
offer you our best services in your maj
esty's defensev
But" cried the queen regent "al this
may very well be. but you have not yet told
ME who you are and what you are doing
here"
For myself" answered Rollo. 81 am a
Scottish gentleman. trained from my youth
to the profession of arms. Those who wait
without are for the present my comrades
and companions whom, with your mai
esty's permission, l shall bid to enter. For.
to be plain, every moment is of the utmost
Importance, that we may lose no time in
putting the chateau into such a state of
defense as is possible, for the attack of the
gypSies may be expected at any moment!'
Rollo stepped to the window to summon
his company. but found them already as
sembled on the balcony.
1t was no time for formal introductions.
yet as each entered RollO. like a true her.
aid. delivered himself of a brief statement
of the position of the individual in the COM
pany. But when La Giralda entered the
stout waiting maid rose with Shrek from
the floor where she had been sitting
20. my lady" she cried. do not trust
these wicked people. They have come to
murder us all. That woman is the very
old goatherdess with whom the Princess
Isabel was so bewitched this morning! /
knew some evil would come of such on
goings!'
Hush. Susana," said her mistress with
severity. When you are asked for any
information. be ready TO give 1t. Till then
hold your peace"
Then she turned haughtily back again To
the strangers without vouchsafing glance
at her husband or the trembling hand
maiden.
Il can we'll believe" she said, that you
have come here to do us a service In our
present temporary difficulty. and for that
II l find you of approved fidelity you shall
not fail to be rewarded. Meantime, 1 ac-
cept of your service, and l place you and
the whole Of your men under the immediate
command of the Duke of Rianzares"
She turned TO the tall exquisite who still
continued to comb his whiskers by the
chimneypiece. Up till now he had not
Spoken word.
Rollo scarcely knew what to reply to
this and for the sergeant he had the
hardest work to keep from bursting into
loud laugh.
But they We're presently delivered from
their difficulty by the newly nominated
commander -in-chief himself
This scene is painful to me-" said Senior
Munoz. placdly; lit irritaes nv nerves
i have headache. l think 1 shall retire
and leave these gentlemen to make such
arrangements as may be necessary till the
return of our guards. which will doubtless
take place within an hour so. If YOU
need me, you can call for me-"
Having made this general declaration he
turned to Rollo and addressed himself par
ticularly to him.
My rooms, / would have you know
are in the north wing" he continued II
beg that there shall be no firing or other
brutal noise on that side Anything of
the kind would be most annoying So pray
see to it,
Then he advanced to where his wife
stood, her eyes full of anger at his deser-
tion.
MY angel" he said calmly Il advise
you sincerely to do the same. Retire to
your chamber. Take a little tisane for
the cooling of the blood and leave all other
matters to these friends Of ours. 1
am sure they appear very honest gentle
men But as you have many little valua-
bles lying about, do not forget to lock
your door, as I shall do mine. Adieu my
ANGEL"
And so. from inconceivable height
OF dandyism, his excellency, the Duke of
RianZares, would have stopped to bestow
goodnight salutation on his wife had
not that lady, swiftly recovering from
her stupor suddenly awarded him re-
sounding box on the ear. which so far dis
composed the calm of his demeanor that
he took from his pocket a handkerchief
edged with lace, unfolded it, and with the
most ineffable gesture In the world wiped
the place the lady's hand had touched
Then with the same abiding calm he re-
stored the cambria to his pocket, bowed
low to the queen and lounged majestically
toward the door.
Maria Cristina watched him at first with
naughty and unmoved countenance.