Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-05-31
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her toilet. This task accomplished,
still she stood with brows closely
drawn; afar the fute-like voices Of
the choir-boys arose from different
parts of the Mount, but she did not
seem to hear them; made a sudden
quick gesture and walked toward the
door In the manner of one who has
arrived at some resolution.
Passing down corridor, she
reached an arched opening whose mas
sive door swung easily to her touch,
and let herself out by private way,
which had once been the ancient abb
bots way, to an isolated corner of
small secluded platform. From this
point a stairway led up to passage
spanning a great gulf. Below and
aside, where the red-tiled houses chung
to the steep slope of the rock, fut-
tered many flags; yet the girl did not
pause either to contemplate or adj
mire. Only when her glance passed
seward and rested on the far-away
oceans rim Of light, did she stop for
an instant-mid-way on the bridge
then, COMPRISING her lips, moved on
the faster; down the incline on the
other side; up winding stairs between
giant columns, reaching, at length,
that bright and grateful opening, the
cloister. With an unvarying air Of
resolution she stepped forward;
looked in; the place was empty-si'
lent save for the tinkling of the tiny
fountain in the center.
Are you looking for some one, my
Lady,"
The voice was that Of Beppo, who
was regarding her from an angle In
the cloister walk.
~ am looking for his Excellency. l
suppose he is"
"In the apartments Of state, my
Lady. But" The girl frowned.
"But, butt" she said. "But what?"
Ellis Excellency has left word-he
was expecting minister from Paris
that no one else was to be admitted;
wished no Interruptions"
She had already turned, however;
moved on past him without answer.
At the inner entrance to the little
castle" or chatelet, which presently
she reached, the girl stopped. Here,
without, in the shadow Of two huge
cylindrical towers, that crowned the
feudal gate-house, number OF SOL
diers, seated on the steps, clinked
their swords and talked; within, be-
meath the high-vaulted dome Of the
guard-room lolled TIE commandant
and several officers on bench before
a large window. Immediately on her
appearance they rose, but, merely
bowling sttffly, she started toward
portal on the left. Whereupon the
commandant started forward, defer
entially would have spoken-stopped
her, when at the same moment, the
door she was approaching opened, and
the governor himself appeared. At
the sight of her he started; shade of
annoyance crossed his thin features,
then almost Immediately vanished;
his cold eyes met hers expectantly.
81 have been told you were very
busy, yet l must see you; it Is very
Important"
A fraction Of a moment he seemed
to hesitate; then with an absent air:
Certainly, was very busy; never
theless-" he stepped aside; permit
ted her to pass, and softly closed the
door. With the same preoccupied air
he walked to his table before one of
the large fireplaces whose pyramidal
canopies merged into the ribs Of the
vaulting Of a noble chamber, and,
seating himself in q cushioned chair,
looked down at few embers.
81 came" standing, with her fingers
straight and stiff on the cold marble
edge of the table, the girl began to
speak hurriedly, constrainedly, Il
wanted to see you-about the prison-
ers-"
He did not answer. Gently stroking
MS WTlSC, rs IL tue Ndulpl iioih
some subterranean place had got into
1t, he evinced no sign he had heard;
and this apathy and his apparent dis
regard Of her awoke more strongly
the feeling she had experienced so
often since that day in the cloister,
when he had promised to set free the
servant Of the Black Seigneur; had
kept his word. indeed, but
Cant you see" she forced herself
to continue, after what the man San
chez thought--suspected about me,
what he said that day at the Mount,
after what he, the Black Seigneur, did
for me"-the Governor started-"that
you, If you care for me at all" he
looked at her strangely, "at least,
should"
CAS- I told you the other day" his
accents were cold, why concern your
self about outlaws and peasants clam
oring for 'rights!'"
But 1t is my concern" she said pas
siorately. "Unless-"
Neither yours nor mine," he an