Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-28
CHAPTER XVII.
Under Which Queen. BezonianP

1t was about this time that the Marshal
de MontreveI began to- manifest renewed
activity. He moved out Of Millau and oc-
cupied as first measure all the valley Of
the Dourbie with the exception of the forti-
fed village of Saint Veran, a perfect
eagles nesE upon an eminence so COM
pletely isolated that only by means Of a
cable could communication be held between
the Camisards there and those upon the
nearest escarpment of the Cause de Lar
FAC. This tookplace even over the heads OF
the kings Qatposts. who often used to fire
upward at the packages which were sent
to and fro overhead upon the swinging
cradles. on the chance that they might con-
tain stray Camisard or SO. escaping from
the hen-coop Of the Cause Noir to the
comparative freedom of the Larzac.
This was rather a relief than otherwise
to the feelings of Maurice Raith. 1t gave
him something to think of besides the fact
that Flower-o the Corn was in the same
house and inaccessible to him.
For, whatever might have been the ideas
or desires of Frances Wildwood on the sub
ject of Pierre Dubois, Yvette saw to it that
these were not carried out.
The whole menage Of the Bon Chretien
was curious one. Martin Foy, who mad
been left behind by Cavalier (as not suff1-
GENTLY young and active) was unwearied
In his attempts to bring his reluctant fam
1ly together Many of his temporary guests
had departed and he was therefore at lib
erty to devote a much larger portion OF
ment than that young man was at all
grateful for. 1t Is quite possible. however,
that he may have received from his daugh-
ter hint to that effect.
At all events certain 1t is that. though
Maurice had no difficulty in coming at
any time to face to face speech with Yvette
Foy, he could not advance one step In the
direction of breaking down the iron reserve
behind which Flower-o' -the-Corn had
chosen to entrench herself.
Yet every day. and indeed every hour. he
spent within the Bon Chretien. Yvette Foy
never left him to himself. Never was n
And had Maurice Raith not longed with
all his heart for the absent blue eyes OF
Frances Wildwood and the sweetness OF
her smile he might very well have con-
tented himself with the very obvious favor
Of the very fair demoiselle. Yvette Foy.
She comprised him about with kindness.
above his thoughts, or even his desire.
Whoever at the Bon Chretien might go
the minute. When he came in from the
walls and the trenches (for he was con-
tinuing and extending the military WORKS
or Cavalier on more scientific though per-
"auberge" or left behind him as he as
cended the sharp tang of the stable atmos-
phere without finding at the top Of the
stairs lovely face, a bewitching smile and
chiefed bosom, as II the "long-looked-fOr-
come-at-last' were a pleasure too great
for a form so frail quietly to endure.
Not only 80. butt IN the minutest details
trenches Yvette proved herself not only an
excellent listener but a most intelligent
critic.
Yet in all this, nor WORD nor glimpse of
Frances Wildwood. She never showed her
self on the street. She dwelt wholly on the
top floor Of the TempIar.s house, where she
and Yvette Foy shared one great room in
completeness and elossness Of amity re-
panions and young girls, in their first burst
OF friendship and confidence.
Not but what Maurice made several at
tempts to break.fough the reserve Of his
young hostess with, regard to her friend.
One night In particular he had come back
weary and depressed The six days Of his
command were already hall over, and as
far as Flower-o'-the7Corn was concerned.
she had far better have been with her
father In the westernmost tower over the
Templar's gate. He looked up the lighted
window Of the room which he knew for
Yvette Foy's and wondered II there was
within any thought OF h.m-H an ear (the
ear he knew was shell-thin and pearl-lined)
inclined itself ever so little to catch the
ciatter Of his heavy boots on the stairs, the
tinkle Of the spurs (which, being a man and
soldier, he could not deny himself the
satisfaction of wearing) and the clank of
ms saber on the stone turns of the stair
He wondered. He sighed. and lo-there,
above him on the landing stood vision
which might, have turned the head Of
wiser and an cider man than this Maurice
Raith Of ours. the same 20 had received
much capable advice from the duke him.
self. of whom Voltaire said that he had
never fought a battle without winning 1t,
never besieged a fortress WITHOUT causing
it to surrender, an it might be added never
loved woman without being adored In
return.
Maurice Raith was not vain, but like all
men he was vainer than he thought him
self. So gradually Yvette Foys gracious
attention won him. And this night, after