Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-08-12
"May ask where you are going to

"May | ask where you are going to
take me. NJ. de Lorgnac!
He answered. speaking as before. in
low tones: II thought you knew. You
should have been told. We go first TO
the house Of Nine de Termes."
Like lightning II came to me that the
man was afraid Of me. ! cannot say
how knew it. I felt II and made up
my mind tc use my advantage. with 4
vengeful joy at being able 10 make my
bear dance to my tune. | therefore
broke in upon his speech.
Enough. monsieur. | should not
have asked the question. II is wife's
duty to obey without inquiry"
l looked him full in the face as |
said this coldly. and he touched his
horse with the spur and rode 4 yard or
two in front OF me. muttering some
thing indistinctly. But my heart was
leaping at the discovery. and | inward.
" thanked God that II was to Nine. lie
Termes we were 10 go. for apart from
the fact that both she and her huS-
band. whose lands OF Termes marched
with mine, had been lifelong friends
Of our house, she was one whom |
knew to be the noblest and best of wo-
men. was not aware that she was
known to De Lorgnac but hid my
curiosity and asked no questions. and
there was no further speech between
my husband and myself until we came
to our destination. AS we entered the
courtyard of the Hotel de TerneS all
appeared to be hustle and confusion
within. and the fare of torches fell on
moving figures hurrying TO and fro on
saddled horses and packed mules and
on the flash and CLEAN of arms. Ny
surprise overcame my resolve Of 81
lence. and asked out aloud. Sure.
ly Nine de Termes is not leaving
Paris:''
News has come that the vicomte is
grievously i'll in his government OF
PerigueuX. and madame is Fastening
there"
And we travel with her? There: II
Is impossible. monsieur. that can face
so long a journey without some prep
aration. 1t is cruel to expect this Of
me-"
1T is the kings order that We leave
Paris tonight. and have done my
best"
"Say your worst. monsieur. II will
be more correct" And then we came
to the door. We appeared to he eN
pected for we were at once ushcrcd NJ
the stairway into large reception
room. where madame stood almost
ready to Sart. for her cloak was lying
on chair and she held her uNl>k in
her hand. She came forward TO meet
us. but as the light fell on my face she
started back with little cry:
You. Denise-you, Ny dear. | did
not know il was you who were to tray
ell with me. You are thrice welcome
And she took me in her arms and kiss
ed my cold cheek. Il WAS but told.
she went on. that a lady travelling to|
Guyenne would join my party. which
would be escorted by NJ. de l.orgnac
But what is the matter. child; iUu are
white as q sheet and shiyer all over
You are not fit for long Journey
"M. de Lorgnac thinks otherwise. ma
Same"
"Blaise de Lorgnac. What has he
got to DO with it," And the spirited ole
lady. one arm round my waist. turned
and faced my husband. who stood 81
little way off. fumbling with the hat ht
held in his hand.
1T is a wifes duty to obey. madame
not to question
felt her arm tighten round my
waist, and |, too, turned and faced De
Lorgnac, who looked like great doi
caught in some fault.
a wifes duty 10 obey exclaimed
madame. But that does not concerl
you. Stay, What do you mean, child?
81 mean, madame. that | was mar.
ried to NJ. de Lorgnac scarce an hour
ago"
Her hand dropped from my side, ano
she looked from one 10 the other OF us
in amaZement.
1T is for my husband TO explain" J
said bitterly. 1T is for the gentleman
to whom we are to trust our lives oi
this journey TO say in how knishtly .
manner he can treat woman
And there De Lorgnac stood. both OF
us looking at him, his forehead burn
ing and his eyes cast down. Even ther
d little pang of pity went through me
to see him thus humbled. so strangely
lnnc Cod fn Shinn tho hnnrfS of LIS WO.