The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-07-10
CHAPTER VII.
UNMA SKED.

Now do I reyerently thank God that by
his mercy was strong enough to take
the course adopted. for had not done
80 / know not what had been my fate.
On the surfec the impulse on which
i had acted seemed foolish and Ill ad-
vised, yet when l think over all calmly
now, and especially the circumstances
that led TO my meeting with M. de Nor
reys and the events which followed. l
am sure and confident that the merciful
power which had SO far watched over
sne had heard my prayers and answered
them. AT the moment. however, l did
not know one thing OF this. My one idea
was 10 try, II possible, TO enlist the Eng
lishman on my sides If this was not
10 be then knew not what l should do,
shough the most desperate resolves were
voiting in my brain. l was too excited TO
test, bat a bath, a change OF toilet and
q little food refreshed me and steadied
3ny nerves. and then sat for a space by
dhe open window OF my small room 10
Try 10 collect myself for my interview
with NJ de NorTeys. The clouds seemed
20 have passed away. though far behind
over the mountains there was gray
bank that showed that the storm was
6overing over us and the wind still blew
IN ftfuL uncertain gusts. Below me La
nande was attending TO the horses. and
a bowshot or so beyond the garden OF
the Inn under some walnut trees / saw
what / had not noticed before. and that
WAS small encampment OF lances. This
did not tend TO reassure me, and IL
had any doubts as TO whom the troops
belonged they were set at rest by the
sight OF Norreys mounted on powerful
black horse riding slowly toward the inn,
evidently with a view OF keeping his APP
Ipointment with me. / had tried TO set
lout in my mind what would say TO him,
but each effort seemed TO be worse than
Ethe other, and at least l determined to
simply throw myself on his chivalry and
kstand the hazard OF the result.
/ At one time thought that we might
perhaps make a dash for II and escape,
tbut even / could see that our wearied
}horses would not have a chance against
fresh ones, and II II came TO struggle
I'VE had but one sword to depend upon-a
fbrave one, II Is true, but what could ,~le
lpoor man do against ten? No, there was
mo way but the one way, the idea or
(which had come suddenly 10 me-
Now heard Norreys dismounting at the
door OF the inn, and after moments 8
hesitation / took my courage in both
hands and stepped down TO meet him. lie
was standing I'm the little parlor, his
back 70 the light, as / entered, 80 that 1
could not see the expression OF MS Face
but he bowed, / thought stifiy on my
coming In and handed me one OF the
did so: II trust / have not kept YOU
waiting. madame. l was delayed little
longer than / expected with my men, as
] have much to arrange for. The last
words measured out I'm his prim, forrnai
speech. appeared TO me TO convey hint
20 be quick with my business and as
natural request all but took away .he
power of saying anything from me. MUS
tering up courage, owever L TOOK the
chair he offered, saying as dld So
''Will you not be seated, MONSIEUR
THANK YOU" came the answer In the
same set tone, and then he fixed his eyes
on me with grave attention. In which,
however there was mingled, as 1 thought
much repressed curiosity.
M de Norreys." l began, desperately
"you cannot but be aware that fuiiy
understand why you are here.
He started slightly. but recovered him
self at once, though he said nothing.
1 "And monsieur" I went on, Il nave
come TO throw myself on your mercy
Monsieur you look gentleman. What
iobject can you gain oy carrying OUT
your orders against poor. weak wo-
man. whose only end Is TO hide herself
from the world? 1 have done no wrong
monsieur and II you knew my story
SOU would pity me. ask you as gen
tleman as a man OF honor.
MADAME" he interrupted, genuine
amaze IN his voice. II do not understand.
As far as | am concerned, you are as
free as air I know you to be the wife
of my friend De Lorgnac. and my only
Iyegret is that l am unable to oner you
kmy escort
''Say that again. monsieur DO you mean
your business here has nothing TO DO
with me2'
Absolutely nothing. madame. I am
Iafraid you have alarmed yourself need
ylessy"
"But NJ. de clermont told me. He said
you had gone 10 Perigueux TO nave me
delivered over 20 my husband.
MADAME I know OF no necessity for
doing so. and II was not certain that
lyou must be mistaken would say that
M de Clermont deceived you
''I tell you he did not. He showed me
the dispatch with the queens cipher on
Iit and asked mo TO read IL. Monsieur
listen. He did not lie. and | shall tell
YOU why IL is you who deceive me and
are playing with me. Walt. monsieur.
A flicker OF a smile passed over his
face and shone In his eyes, but he an
ewered simply:
'I am attention; but, madame. think
before you tell me things which perhaps
4 ought not 90 know"
let me be the Judge of that. ana
will show you. monsieur that 1t Is USE
Jess. even I'm kindness, 10 hide your or
ders from me-.
Then told him briefly OF my mar
riage and OF the circumstances attending
1T while he leaned back In his chair and
listened without a word and with so little
sympathy I'm his look that he might have
been cut out Of a block of wood. The re-
suit was that as ! spoke | grew some
what excited. and my tongue was bitter
against De Lorguac. whom, 20 my sorrow,
j ut,braided with the infamy OF this en-
terprise and then I spoke Of DE Clermont
OF his bravery and Kindness. forgetting
other things that had happened and how
he had warned me OF my danger. and es-
.pecially about Norreys himself. finish
ing with a rapid And. monsieur. sure
Nv you will let me go / put myself on
your chivalry."
He stopped me with n movement OF
MS hand and. rising from his seat. faced
me. Nine. de Lorgnac, I tell you again
that you are utterly mistaken l have
nothing TO do with your movements. Yet
] am glad YOU have spoken. for DE Lor-
enac Is my friend, and I now see what
che other man r.. IL is not my habit TO
NEEDLE with other peoples affairs, but be-