Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-12-01
CHAPTER XIV


the first thought of Rose, as she sprang
from her couch at dawn, and her heart
beat faster, and her cheeks flushed with
a deeper red, and her sweet hazel eyes
sparkled with happy excitement as she
sat before her mirror. The blue-eyed
Finette was in raptures.
Rose had hardly thought, during the
absence of Robin, that she could be so
deeply excited by the news Of his anticl-
pated return; but she was too overjoyed
to remain quiet single moment. At
breakfast, it was impossible for her to
eat; and the remarks everywhere made
concerning the sudden improvement in
her appearance, as well as on her sud-
den and contradictory loss of appetite,
increased the tinge Of crimson that al
ready glowed in her young cheek.
One thing detracted from her other
wise perfect happiness. Louis had ex-
cused himself from appearing. She had
scarcely seen him the night before, after
leaving the library, and then he had been
unusually quiet, communing with him
self during the entire evening; and he
was absent this morning. She longed to
see hiIn-to hear him speak, that she
might know he was not offended with
her; for she remembered the interview
between them; and might not the abrupt
ness-the violence, perhaps, of her man
ner, unconscious though it was, have
wounded him? Yes; despite the tender
ness of that silent parting. How her
pulse quickened at the remembrance of
his embrace! She could but sigh.
81 wonder at what time l shall see
Robin?'' soliloquized the young girl.
Twill monsieur lie marquis call me into
the library, l wonder? Or will the meet
ing take place here, among all these peo-
pie? Where is Robin" was her next
restless inquiry-an inquiry which she
had started a thousand times, and as a
matter of course, in vain, since the pre-
vious evening; "and where is it that mon
sieur lie marquis has seen him so often Of
late?'
Her queries were interrupted by observ-
ing suddenly that the marquis was about
to leave the apartment.
"Ah, he has not said a word to me-"
meditated Rose. "He tantalizes me. VIII
he not come back and speak-only three
words? Will he not even look at me,
that may understand may know
whether Robin is coming soonY'
But he neither spoke, turned nor gave
her a single glance. Yet there was some
thing, despite his evident care, which be-
trayed in his eountenance the sympathy
he felt with Rose. He went out. The
Count de Clairville talked, aside, with his
wife. Helen Montauban, at a distant
window, sat calmly at her embroidery.
Lord Egerton bent over her, and spoke,
from time to time, some words, which, if
their effect had been noted, might have
been seen, ever and anon, to be followed
by a deeper mantling Of color in the fair
cheek of the lady, though she scarcely
seemed pleased, either. Anon the young
man toyed and trifed with the gorgeous
silks that lay in tangled mass of rain
bow bloom in the tiny basket by Helen's
side; and then his glance rested on her
face with an expression difficult to be de-
fined, though at times it was clearly one
OF unhappiness and disappointment
But Rose, albeit she glanced towards
the pair more than once, hardly took note
of these things. She could only think
OF the marquis, of Robin, and of the an
ticipated meeting. She was restless-un-
easy. From one employment to another
she turned, without being able to settle
her attention undoubtedly upon any in
dividual thing. Suddenly mademoiselle
called, gently:
"Rose, come hither a moment"
The young girl advanced towards the
window
"You wish to speak with me, Helen?''
she asked.
81 have been telling Lord Egerton Of
some favorite books of his which are in
the library" returned Mademoiselle Mon
tauban, carelessly. will you have the
kindness, Rose, to help him find them
He will tell you their titles"
81 HoI
erton, reproachfully, as he glanced at her
quiet face before turning away.
''Not so, my lord,'' she answered in the
same tone, without lifting her eyes,
At that instant domestic entered, and
coming directly to Rose, informed her
that monsieur lie marquis desired to see
her Immediately in the library.
The young girls heart bounded violent
ly.
81 am going now," she answered; and
yet she paused.
Francis Egerton glanced back at Hell
en-, with an air, half of triumph, half of
sorrow, which said plainly. you see
your unkind artiice TO repel me avails
you nothing. Why will you persist in
this conduct-this treatment of me?'
Mademoiselle Montauban saw the look.
and read it easily; but she never once
changed countenance, and her eyes were
Instantly fixed on her embroidery again
Lord Egerton turned to Rose:
"You are going, mademoiselleY
"Yes-now." She gathered courage;
she would not look up in her companion's s
face, but hastily proceeded to meet the
marquis.
Francis accompanied her as far as the
library door, and then leaving her, return
ed directly to Helen.
But Rose, even though her hand rested
upon the fastening of the door, had, at
first scarcely the courage to pass in. She
hesitated and trembled, but finally, laugh
ing at herself for a little coward, she
quietly entered. The marquis stood at
the further end of the apartment, in
company with gentleman-a stranger,
and both had their faces turned from the
door. They had not heard her come in.
She paused an instant longer, and looked
about her. No other person was in the
room. Robin, then, was not here. She
had half expected, she hardly knew why,
to see him at this moment, and she sigh
ed. The marquis still continued his con-
versation with the stranger. This per-
son, who was richly yet plainly attired
in suit of deep black, with short cloak
- Il II A. l. tr.R~V