Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-05

gladly would serve YOU If serve any one
1 can in my helplessness''
Gabrielle smiled. teI will prove hin
worthy-nay, not l. he himself Will prove
it to Morvaix and the world; and then
| will claim your PROMISE
Nor claim it in vain, Gabrielle; that you
know And now let ,ts speak OF less trying
matters. 1 am weary said the duchess,
| and they were thus engaged when the gov
ernor entered.
Gabrielle rose, ands the duke first cast q
sharp questioning glance at his wife
face 81 ~
II am always glad to find you here, mad
| emoiselle. l trust you have had long
ing?' rs
Il have done my utmost, Charles" said
| the duchess, shrinkingly.y
Il ask no more. May beg some words
| with you, mademoiselle?''
Except on one subject, certainly" re-
piled Gabrielle.
We will discuss the exceptions in pri-
V1ate, he returned with frown.
| Il beg you to excuse me, my lord"
His answer was characteristic. He
opened the door leading to an adjoining
| room and held it for her to pass out
| Pardon me my insstence. What I have
to say must be in private and cannot
wait"
For moment Gabrielle rebelled, raising
her head proudly and meeting his gaze
firmly.
Il repeat, must be in private, made
moiselle,' he said, adding as an after
| thought: And 1t cannot fail to interest
you, seeing whom 1t concerns
| she went then and he followed, main
| tanning silence until they were alone.
| There must be no misunderstanding be-
| tween u.s. my lord,'' cried Gabrielle, at once
| throwing down the gauge of defiance. 1.-The
duchess, your wife and my dear friend, has
| at your instigation made me acquainted
with your proposal-a proposal deem in
famous and unholy-and power you can
| exert can bring me even to consider it.
pray you spare me the pain of any further
| reference to it.
You are wrong to meet me thus at the
| outset with anita gonism. You have heard
as yet but one side only, and must bear
with me while l speak of the other. l am
far from being your enemy, heaven
| knows
| while matters remain as they are 1 can
| not count your lordship among my
| friends
Those are hard words to hear, made
| moiselle. You mean"
| Il mean the ISLANDERS you have sanction
| ed against my cousin and the threats with
| which you have menaced him. His cause
is mine: his enemies are my enemies.
| He made a stern angry gesture but held
| his temper in check.
| THE duchess has told you my wishes
| that of her own will and at her own de-
| sire our marriage should be dissolved, in
| my full motive she could not tell you be-
| cause she does not know it. 1t is-that L
| love you, Gabrielle; love, aye, worship the
| very ground you tread and the very air
| you breathe. For me all France holds
| no.
| Spare me this added shame, my lord
| Gabrielle broke in, her voice vibrating and
| her eyes flaming with Indignation. Il hold
| your offer to be vile and degrading, and L
| would rather die
| He stood fighting with the tempest which
| this proud avowal provoked, and was still
| striving for self-restraint, when an inter-
| ruption occurred. Some one came to the
! door, and when, with an angry exclama-
| ton, he opened it, he found a messenger
| from de Probable.
| Your grace. M lie Baron de Probable de-
| sires me to say thai he seeks the favor of
| an immediate audience with you on mat
| tiers of the most urgent Importance affect
| ing closely M. de Cobalt" said the man.
| Together they went down to where de
| Probable was waiting with strange news
| that had brought him in hot haste to the
castle.
| At the sight of her uncle'S face and the
! triumphant glance he cast at her Gabrielle
| felt her heart sink in momentary fear for
| Gerard; but she rallied quickly and faced
| them both with a confident smile as she
| waited for the tidings
(To be continued).