The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-14
Fair Margaret CaSten
ny II. RIDER HAG0ARD.
COpvrighi. 1907. bB ~. Rider Hd0Odrd.
CHAPTER XVII.

SeIlOTdR, Nll' Hill thliillN' 4 y NJ
ranged that little business Of which ] spoke
10 you yesterday, or At least the first act Of
the play. since il remains for you to write
the rest. Now ! am sent to say hat the
noble Marquis Of Morclla Graves leave TO
see you. DOM Margaret, and within an
hour. SO there il no time TO lose"
Tell us what you have done, lhez?" said
Margaret.
Il hive seen your worshipful father,
Dohq Margaret; here is the token Of il,
which you will do well to destroy when
you have read" And she handed her a slip
Of paper. whoreon was written her fathers
writing and in English:
Beloved Daughter: This messenger,
who | think may Ie trusted by you, has
made arrangements with me which she
will explain. | approve. though the risk
il great. Your cousin * Il brave girl. but,
understand. ! do not force her TO this dan
gerous enterprise. Shr must choose her
own road. only | promise that if she 80
carcs and W. live | will not forget her
deed. The messenger will bring me your
answer. God lr with us oil. and fare
well. j. c.
Margaret read this letter. frs, TO herself
then aloud 10 Betty. and having read, tore
il into tiny fragments and threw them
from the turrct window.
Speak now " Sir" said, aud lheZ told her
everything.
"Can you tr,;st the PRIEST" asked Mar
garpt. when she had finished.
He il a great villain. as ! h,ve reason 10
know; still. | think / can." she answered.
while the cnrrot il in front of tho donkey's
nose ! mean until h has got all the money.
Also. H. has committed himself by taking
Soma ON account. But before We go fur
thar. the question is does this lady play"
and sh" pointed to Petty.
Yes. | play" said Betty, when sir under
stood everything. Il won't 20 back upon
my word; there istoo much at stake. II *
an ugly business for me. | know well
enough. but" she added slowly, setting
her firm mouth. Il have debts 10 pay all
around. and am no Spanish putty to be
squeezed fgt like sone Ieople." and she
glanced az the humble looking lhez; she
fo5- a~i is done il may lr uglier for him"
When she had mastered the meaning Of
this speech the soft voiced lic2 lifted her
gentle eyes in admiration and murmured
a Spanish provcri, as to what is supposed
10 occur when Satan encounters Beal2elmb
in a high walled lane. Then, Eeing a lady
of resource and experience. the plot hav-
ing been finally decided upon, not alto
gether with Nargarct's approval. who
feared FOR Botty's fate when il should be-
discovered. lnez began to instruct both IN
various practical ~expedients by means
OF which the undoubted general resent
blanco Of these cousins might he heightened
and their differences toned slown. 10 which
end she promised to furnish them with GER
tain hair washes. pigments and articles Of
apparel.
1T il of small use. said Betty. CHANGING
first n; herself ard then at the lovely Mar
garet, "for even If they change skins, who
can make the cat look like the fawn,
though thew chance to feed in the same
meadow? Still. bring your stufIs and ]
will do my hest, hut I think that a thick
veil and a shut mouth will help me more
than any Of them, also a long Eown TO hide
my feet"
Surely they are charming feet" said
Ine2, politely. adding 10 herself. ito carry
Won where you wish to GO" Then she
turned to Margaret and reminded her that
the Marquis desired TO see her and waited
for her answer.
81 will not meet him alone. said Mar
garet. decidedly.
-1hat is awkward" answered Ihez, "as
I think he has words 10 say TO you which
lie DIES not wish others TO hear, especially
the Sonora yonder, and she nodded toward
Betty.
Il will not meet him Alone repeated
Margaret.
"l ct IL things are TO go forward as we
Lnre arranged you must meet him. Doha
Margaret. and give him that answer which
he desires. Well, | think it can be ar
ranged. The court below is large. Now.
while you and the Marquis talk at one end
Of Il the Sehora Betty and | might walk
out Of eaYshot Rt the other. She needs in
struction in our Spanish tongue: it will be
a good opportunity to begin our lessons"
But what am | to cay TO him?" asked
Margaret, nervously.
Il think" answered Ihe2, that YOU must
copy the example of hat wonderful actor.
the Senior Peter. and play a part ma you saw
him do. or cN en- better. il possible"
1T must he a very different part, then. "
replied Margaret. stiffening visibly at
certain recollcctions.
The gentle lne2 smiled as she SAID
YES. but surely you can seem jealous.
for tina is natural to us all. and you can
Weld by degrees, and you can make n bar
gain as the price of yourself in marriage
81 think that you shall be securely wed
by a priest Of your own church, and that
letters, signed by that priest and ANNOUNCE
ing the marriage, should he delivered to the
Archbishop 81 Seville. and to their Ma les
tics King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.
Also, Of course, you must bargain that the
Sehor Bronze and your father. the Senior
Castell, and your cousin Betty there shall
be escorted safe ont of Granada before your
marriage, and that you shall see them pass
through the gate beneath your turret win
dow, swearing that then, at nightfall OF the
same day, III" priest shall do his Office and
make you Morrllp'S wife. by that time
they should hc well upon their road, and
after the rite Is celebrated | will receive
;ne s!gnco papers from the priest and fol-
low them, leaving the false bride to play
liver part as hest she cnn."
Again Margaret hesitated; the thing
seemed too complicated and full Of danger,
But while she thought, n knock came on the
door.
THAT is 10 tell me that Morolla awaits
.vu.. "a. "a. -..us " all IEA. an.