The San Francisco call., 1904-08-21
CHATTER XVII.


She heard the hour OF midnight
struck upon the city's clocks. and still
she did not sleep. The indignity which
had been put upon her must be re-
peated again like some premOnition OF
evil Of which the mind cannot freo
itself. She remembered that she was
one against a nation. but would not
be dismayed thereby Her love was
so honest, so loyal, that for a lovers
sake she knew that she would drink
the bitter cup to the very dregs. Not
heroically but logically she could per-
suade herself that she might yet win
her own liberty and her husbands;
for she was freeborn. and he but the
servant OF his people. A ftful sleep
gave her many dreams at last Shs
was in London again, IN Paris, IN
Switzerland; she knocked at the
theater's door; a voice called her IN
the hour OF her distress; she recreated
her bower of roses, slept IN the path
Of radiant moOnbeams, perceived the
face Of the Moor and believed him to
be near her. This latter hauucinatiOn
no common sense could battle. As IN
London, so here, IN a city OF the noun
tains. Esther declared her belief that
Yussuf, the Moor, watched her while
she slept, that the dreamy black eyes
looked down upon her from the shad-
ows, and that a silver lantern cast the
gold green rays upon her tired face.
Then as now the figure OF the dream
left her unafraid. She could not ac-
count for the faith which was IN her.
nevertheless, since he had met her as
CadFs gate she numbered this silent
fastener among her friends, even,
It may be, desired his friendship. Ths
omen OF the dream cOntented her.
She lay back upon her pillow. and
uttering a deep sigh she surrendered
herself to that spell she could not re-
sist- Not since she had quilted
Switzerland for Paris IN Francisco
Xavier's company had such a refresh
ing sleep been hers The morning
hours found her so stil that she
scarcely seemed to breathe. Mar
guerite Desjardins. running into tbs
room at 7 O'Clock, must touch her with
the hand before she opened her eyes
OF answered that impetuous herald of
the day.
IT bring you roses. dear madans.S
she said, roses OF Cadi. And have
news for you when you are awake.
Oh, please. It IS o'clock and I have
been to church
She chartered ceaselessly. fitting
from place to place, now placing her
roses in the empty vases. now giving
Esther news which greatly surprised
her.
'aThey have sent to st. Girons for
your luggage; I think it has arrived
Colonel Varez remembered the
frightens me, but he thinks OF things
Your friend. Madame Julia. Is COM
ing to breakfast with you, but then
we shall never be ready. Captain Pc
cha of the Hussars told me- am for
hidden to see him and 50 go TO
church. Have you ever met friend
in church and tried to pray when he
was looking at your You can't do II.
dear Esther-Pve tried It often and
I know It IS quite. quite inpOssiblel'
The child's brightness was infec-
tfous and Esther found herself dress
ing and laughing at the same time.
She was the better for her long sleep
and when she looked in the glass she
was astonished to ind that there was
a little flush Of color IN her cheeks
and that her eyes were clear and
bright. The morning itself broke
clear and fine A fresh breeze lifted
the misty curtain from the higher
peaks; the air was so pure and rars
that the distant ice fields shOne Ike
so many beds Of jewels. In the VAL
leys below them hills and woods
caught up the freshets OF the dew and
were radiantly green IN the morning
light. Nearer to her window the
quadrangle OF the palace showed Is
ther a company Of infantrymen brisk
at their drill. Sentries stood at every
gate-tall fellows in white tunics and
silver helmets; a military band played
in the great square by the cathedral
The people wore gay air and went
with buoyant step; there was no sign
anywhere Of that unrest which had
disturbed the city yesterday
ssThev think the Prince viii come
to-day" Marguerite said. as though
answering an unspoken question. but
no one quite knows what VIII happen.
Ny father declares it all depends upon
the army. OF course. there are
great many who would be loyal to