Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-24
CHAPTER v111-continued.

CHAPTER V1II-Couttnued.
Attentive to every variation in her coun-
tenance he began to discern two moods
In Lorelie Riviere: the one vivacious and
sprightly, and this seemed to be her orig
inal disposition: the other. pensive and
sad. the result, 80 he judged, Of some
secret sorrow.
He longed to know more of this fair lady,
sighted by Beatrice: the lady who had
once lived at Nantes In the very house
that fronted the scene of the murder OF
Duchesne. that murder for which his father
had been condemned: the lady who was
erecting In st. Oswald's churchyard a
marble cross inscribed with an epitaph
that seemed almost applicable to his faith
er's case: the lady whose playing upon the
organ had wrought so weird an effect upon
his mind.
All these things contributed 20 invest
Lorelie Riviere with charming air o.
mystery. but Idris recognized thai the
time was not yet ripe to press condolences:
Dragging a few logs forward ne disposed
them SO as to form seat for htmseif near
the entrance of the cavern. remaik king as
he did so:
1--WE must not forget to look gu; for pass
ing boats
The afternoon sun was filing the air with
a dusky golden glow. The waves dancing
and sparkling below the mouth O. tn, cave
flashed emerald and sapphire hues upon It's
roof irradiating the place with an ever
changing light.
To Idris the situation was charming
tableau. a living idyll. and one that was
rendered all the more pleasant by contrast
with their recent perilous position. Madem-
oiselle Riviere trembled- as she renected on
what might have happened but Tor the
chance passing of this stranger. Strange
that until this moment 1t had not occurred
to her to ask his name!
You know my name, she said, ~but I
have yet to learn yours"
NV name is Breakspear," he replied
withholding his true patronymic; and feel
ing as he spoke sense of shame of hav-
ing to deceive her even in SO small mat
ter; "Idris Breakspear"
"Idris.'' she said, with sudden start,
as if the name had touched some chord
in her memory. 'Idris! 1t is a some what
uncommon name.
I'VE will say, then, that it's rarity Is a
point in its favor" smiled 1dris, who had
observed her start and wondered at the
cause.
Have we not met before. Mr.. Break
spear?'
II saw you two days ago in the Raven
gar Chantry" he replied. He did not say.
as he might truthfully have said. that
during these two days he had been think
ing of little else but that brief meeting
Miss Ravengar and T. he continued
had been listening to your recital on
your skill as musician. Mademoiselle
Riviere. May 1 ask the name of the last
chant you played? Was it taken from
some oratorio, or was it your own i'm
proviSation?"
1.-The last chant?" repeated Lorelie with
a pensive air. Let me think? What was
it? Did it run like this?"
And in a sweet. silvery tone she trilled
eff a bar which Idris Immediately recog
nized as a part of the refrain that had
been DlaVed by her.
THAT is the 'Ravengar Funeral March, ="
explained Lorelie. Its origin goes far
back into the depths of the dark ages.
tradition affirming that 1t is the compo-
sition of an ancient scald. and was first
chanted at the burial of the old Morse
chieftain who founded the Ravengar
family. 1t has been the custom to play
it at the funeral of every RaYengar
though he would be a bold person who
should say that the tune has not UNDER
gone variations in it's descent to our
times. The unknown minstrel with whom
it originated was a genius a medieval
Mozart. Could you not fancy that you
heard the tread of numerous feet in pro-
cession. the clang of shield and spear the
groans of warriors, the plaintive weeping
of women"
moved me as no other piece of music ever
has"
And then, absorbed in a new idea. Idris
forgot for the moment the presence of
What are these Ravengars to me" he
thought. or am to them, that their fu-
neral chant should produce in me such
sensations?"
This question was succeeded by another
How had MademoiselIe Riyiere become
familiar with this requiem? AS If In an
swer to his thoughts: Lorelie remarked:
heard Fiscount Walden play it once
IN Venice; he gave it as specimen of the
weird and uncanny in music 1t so took
/
obtained copy of it,"
1t was somewhat disquieting to learn
that she had met Lord Walden abroad
ana that she was on terms of sufficient
friendship to beg from him a copy of
music. Had this friendship changed into
deeper? Was he to regard LORD
Walden in the light of a rival? Had
Riviere come to Ormsbv in
order to be near the viscount? In saving
her from being overwhelmed bv the tide
ldris had doubtless gained a high pIace In
her IaVor. but then. gratitude is not love
and RaVenhall and coronet were mower,
ful attractions.
Do you often play at st. OswaIds
Church?' he asked, after an interval of
silence. "' w
), Yes. L find a charm In its dim re-
ligious light"
And the quetude of the place" sasd
Idrls. rs also favora BILE to the studv Of
nediaevai Observation-Disclosures Diaconus, for
i'i
An! MI BreakSpear," she said 80 it
was you who carried of my book from
the organ loft. I guessed as much when
went back and found it gone. You
must not forget to return it, for L value
Il mighty. Now. confess. that you have
why L. a woman. should tase
o pofing over that old Lombard historian
curiosity is not confined to the sex with
"hom It Is supposed to have originated -
smiled 1dris, land I am willing to admit
mademoiselle. that I have been puzzled.
The 8 book does not belong to the style of
literature usually patronized by ladies'
'Mercii I regard that last remarE .s
compliment Well, will explain the mys-
cry, II you viii promise to keep the mat
-er a secret" And upon Idris giving his
assurance she continued. 'I am irving
% write poetical play, a tragedy relat.
ng to the times of the Italo-Lombard
ongs' and as do not wish to commit
1t behooves me to study the
historical authorities in the original
i understand" answered Idris, his opin-
on OF Lorelie rising higher than ever: be-
q oil