Middletown transcript., 1912-09-07
CHAPTER XIX.

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while the eyes he turned upon her
as slowly he entered the room, sug
gested respite Of differences. Paus.
ing, he toyed with the missive, turn.
ing 1t around and around in his fin.
gers, as If something in his thoughts
were revolving with it. Had he been
more watchful Of her, less bent on
some matter uppermost in his mind,
he could not have failed to mark the
pallor Of his face, or the agitation
written there. AS it was, his glance
swept without studying.
Il hoped to find you here" he be-
gan complacently; hoped that you
had not yet retired"
She made some faint response, but
her voice, despite herself, wavered.
Whereupon his look sharpened; then
almost Immediately relapsed; con-
straint on her part could easily be
accounted for; not many hours had
elapsed since their last interview.
YES" he continued, II have here to
consider" indicating paper he held,
"a rather important matter" He wait
ed moment before adding: "a mat
ter that concerns-you!"
"That concerns me?" Her hands
tightened.
"Yes."
"since it is important" she said
hastily, would it not-shan we not
leave it until tomorrow? II am
rather tired tonight, and"
'What?" he returned in the same
unruf1ed tone. Would you postpone
considering the command Of the
King!"
Commando" she repeatedly nervous
ay. "Of the King?"
"Or request" which is the same"
But" she began, and stopped;
held by sound, as Of some one NOV
ing, near the window.
Shall read it, or"
She had started to look behind her:
but abruptly caught herself, and
seemed about to frame some irrele-
want response, when his voice went
on: "The King desires to change the
date set fer your marriage with his
kinsman, the Marquis de Beauvilliers."
!. Changer" she echoed.
"Yes; to hasten it." If the Cover
Esr had expected from her hostility,
q perVerseness, he was agreeably
disappointed; the girl evinced neither
pleasure nor disapproval; only stood |
IN the same attitude Of expectancy
with head half turned. h
"His Majesty's reasons for this
step" i
Cant we-can't we, at least, post |
pone considering them?"
Again he regarded her more closely. |
What better time than the present%
But don't want"
'Hlisel" A slight frown appeared
on his brow. "His Majesty" once
more looking at the paper, hints at
an important political appointment he
desires to confer on the Marquis de
..Beauvilliers which would take him
abroad; but whether as ambassador,
or as governor in the colonies, hts
Majesty does not disclose Obviously,
however, the bestowing Of the honor
q high one, no doubt!-depends on
his early marriage, and a wife to
grace the position. The letter."
weighing II, IS a tentative one; the
courteous precursor of fuller COM
munication when he has learned our
your-pleasure."
She did not at once express it;
indeed, at the moment, seemed scarce
iy to have comprehended; her glance, !
which had swept furtively behind
when he was studying the document,
more uneasily to his, but not
before he had caught the backward
look.
'Well7" he said with a touch Of as
Derity. 'Well?" he repeated, when
bis gaze, following the direction hers
had taken, paused.
Although well lighted in the center
by great Venetian candelabrum, the
FAR ends Of the spacious hall lay
somewhat in obscurity; notably the
space adorned with tropical plants
and a hfe-size bronze before the en- !
trance to the balcony. It was on this
dim recess the Governor permitted his
aye to rest; at first casually; then
With a sudden appearance Of interest.
Eh?" he muttered, and before my
ady could prevent him, If she had
been mindful SO to do, walked quickly
,orward; but as he advanced, a white
dgure stepped boldly out from behind
nat partial screen. With a sharp ex-
;lamation, which found a startled
echo from the girl, the Governor
stopped; stepped back as far as the
able.
What mummery is this?" His lips
shaped the words uncertainty: his
land, reaching out with that first !
startled instinct Of danger, touched ]
he bell.
Your Ladyship rang?" On the op- 4
'osite side Of the room was the door
brown suddenly open. The look Of s
on the face of the COM /
nandant, who had so promptly an
'eared, gave way to one Of surprise:
"His Excellency!" he q
nuttered, and mechanically saIuted.
Over the Governors visage a faint {
race Of relief fitted; dryly he looked a
rom the mountebank, now erect and t
notionless, to the girl; but the face G
vas averted and his Excellency could !
Iot see the sudden whiteness of her q
heck; again he regarded the officer.
you answer our summons with I
lacrity," he observed to this last sub t
ect Of his scrutiny. t
The commandant reddened. I- r
our Excellency-the truth is, 1 was t
Taiting without, at the door," Z
What you have just stated" re- f
1rned the Governor, "is patent; what t
should like to know, however" with a
ubtle change of tone, 1s why you -
Tere stationed there" b
ITO take this mountebank player
way, when 1t pleased her Ladyship
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