Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-05
CHAPTER XI.
The Dukes Sentence.

bdlu Cibiltlit M lt DuC uS fNoSieiic anu
my uncle have made some charges which
you will be glad to face"
'There is no reason for any alarm, Ga
brele. On my honor you need but have
patience"
"Honorw exclaimed the governor con-
temptuously.
Does such a word seem strange to the
ears of the Duke de Rochelle?' asked
Gerard, quite unmoved as he met the angry
look the question drew forth. What are
the charges your lordship brings against
me?"
Those contained in your own letter: the
letter which confesses the truth Do you
deny you wrote that letter to NJ. de Pro-
baile?'
For one moment Gerard hesitated.
THE statements contained in that letter
so far as they touch me are absolutely
false" he declared emphatically. That L
affirm on my honor, Gabrielle; but for the
moment cannot explain the affair
II need no more. l was sure you would
repudiate them" she answered exultantly.
81 shall stay to hear more"
Il should prefer you to remain, made
moisele," said the duke.
Il crave your lOrdship's permission to re-
tire. / can hear more of this attack
upon my cousin | am satisfied. l have his
assurance" and without waiting for any
permission to be given, she went into the
house.
Gerard was glad to be left to deal with
the matter in her absence. He recognized
the extreme difficulty of the situation and
the utter impossibility of giving rational
explanation without telling the truth about
himself: but he anxious to have some
plain speaking with the governor, and he
turned at once to him.
Your lordshp will perhaps the de-
STABILITY of explaining this new develop
ment to me-" he said
What an impudent swashbuckler is this
murderer. sneered the governor.
Il am no murderer, my lord, asserted
Gerard. holly"
"He means he holds your grace's pardon
for the deed" said de Probable.
1T will not save you declared the gov
ernor. bluntly. You have broken your
word and must take the consequences. 1
will waste no time with you"
I'm what have broken my word?''
II will not stoop to handy words with
you. l have changed my plans; that is
enough for you to know. You are no longer
of to me. But you can have
chance to save your skin. You came under
the protection of my assurance. You can
leave 1t again; and never dare in the future
to show your vilIainous face within my
province"
Il shall not leave" answered Gerard.
every whit as firmly. Il have come for a
purpose, and that purpose 1 shall fulfill"
For a moment the dukes fury seemed I'M
comfortable, but he mastered it. and his
tone when next he spoke was cold, tense
and full of menace.
You shall have the chance I named
Understand me plainly. l will give you
twenty-four hours in which to put as great
n distance as you can between you and
Morvaix. At noon tomorrow my troops Will
start to hunt you down; and whenever and
wherever they find you I swear that you
shall die for that Cambria murder
With that he turned his back on Gerard,
saying TO de Probable that he would sneak
again to Gabrielle before leaving Malin-
court. They walked away together and
Gerard turned and paced the terrace in
busy thought.
One thing chiefly perpIexed hin-why the
duke had shown this change of front and
now wished to drive him from Morvaix in
stead of seconding the scheme for the mar
rage. 1t did not occur to him to set 1t
down to the true cause-jealousy: and he
racked his wits vainly to find a solution
But why had not the governor taken the
simpler course of handing him over to his
soldiers at once? In seeking the answer to
that question Gerard came much nearer the
truth. If he were to run away, his fight
would be tantamount to confession that
these charges against him were true; and
Gabrielle would be led to hold him for the
villain which the real de Cobalt unuues-
tonably was. He would be seen to have
pledged his honor to her, only to break ii in
a cowardly flight
Had the villainous de Cobalt stood in bis
place. he would no doubt have gladly well
coined the chance of saving his life at the
sacrifice of his honor and of Gabrielle; and
the duke had acted on that supDosition
He was still bordering when Gabrielle
came out from her interview with the duke
Her bright looks had given place to a from
bled expression, and she was very pale
The governor is like a mailman in his
wrath against you, Gerard" she said 1T
have never seen him so moved. Both he
and my uncle are now as furious at the
thought OF our marriage as before they-or
at least my uncle-were eager to promote
it,
"And you. Gabrielle?"
Il know not how to act or what to say"
oh Nsifh af.rI 80
The tension of this mornings scene has
tried you he said. gently. But you do
not believe I am the BASTARD"
Gerard! No. ! cannot. Every prompting
or my heart bids me trust you. | think
would trust you If all the world bore wit
ness against you. But there must surely be
some explanation of so great mystery?''
May | test your trust still further?
have my reasons. God knows for thus test
Ing you. II were In very truth the wretch
the duke has painted me. and yet had the
means to do what have said, and came to
you in the moment of my triumph and
asked you to be my wife, how would you
answer
II would lay my hand in yours without a
question. Gerard, sure that whatever your
past, you had redeemed it for my sake
She gave her answer without a falter or a
second of hesitation.
THANK God and you for those words and
that trust Gabrielle" he cried, with fer
vent passion. If am ever unworthy of 1t,
may God deal with me for a traitor The
time Ior me 10 claim you so VIII come. and
until II comes | will wait to seek from your
lips the kiss of betrothal. Now am / sure,
indeed. that all will be well with us"
But you will not remain in Morvaix %
she asked. after pause.
could | leave you after this?" he re-
piled. tenderly.
Il should understand the reason of your
going
Il have far stronger reasons to remain
near You "
Il think you should not. / am safe; but
j fear for you, and my fear will not pass
while you remain here | am going today
to the duchess, and shall seek her aid and
counsel. telling her all"
'rO the castle?"
"of a surety TO the castle. She has sent
an urgent message to see me-
by whom
1.-The duke"
81 scent trouble in 1t. / do not like you
to trust yourself In that mans power II
you go, shall go, too"
You are needlessly alarmed. She is my
friend. and as good woman as ever drew
breath. | am often with her. i could not
refuse; but 1t would be madness for you to
think of going"
The term madness does not hinder me.
For the part l have to play bold front
Is not only necessary; II is prudence"
Gerard FASTENED to his apartments TO wait
for Pascal and to complete the arrange
ments for striking the blow upon which he
had now decided.