The Clio messenger., 1913-08-15
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Hesitation Of tho Marquis.

The Hesitation OF tho Marquis.
The day Of my lady's riding party
dawned; in the east a tender flame
burned, and, vanishing. left the
heavens an unbroken blue. Shoreward
the mists rolled up. until only In the
neigh borhood of the forts did the
white. soft vapor linger. On the Mount
itself sunshine held sway; 1t radiated
from the Notifications. "cuirass OF the
rock" and cleaned on the church.
tiara of it's majesty" II warmed
cold palace OF marble: looked In at its
windows, and threw bold shafts to
tighten dark hooks and corners.
But my lady. mistress Of tho Mount,
seemed not to feel its benefcent
touch; standing in the full glow and
looking from her easement she shiv-
cred a little. Already was she
dressed, and her habit Of dark green.
fitting close, served to accentuate the
whiteness OF her cheek which general
absence of color. In turn. made the
more manifest certain dark lines be-
meath the restless. bright eyes.
your Ladyship!" After knocking
in vain. Marie had entered the room
and set down the small tray she car
ried. There Is something your Lady.
ship ought to know!" with an air OF
excitement.
The Governors daughter half
turned. What now. Marie?" she said
sharply.
"It's about Nanette!" My lady maize
quick movement Of annoyance, i'm
patience. II did not tell your Lady
ship. but l was averse to having her
remain here. Your Ladyship does NOT
understand, of course. and"
II do understand" said my lady un-
expectedly. "And-you need not cx'
plain. I overheard you talking with
her that night of the BANQUET!
your Ladyship!" startled.
"And heard you speak OF her IA
ther. Pierre Laroche. friend OF the
Black Seigneur."
"And engaged her-after that!"
"Why not? could Tatch-and !
have! But you were wrong, Marie.
NV lady's manner was feverish. Your
! suspicious were ridiculous. There has
been nothing-nothing! And day art
or tomorrow is the wedding celebra-
ton. and the next day. he. the Black
Seigneur-" She broke off abruptly.
Had Marie been less wrought up.
less excited, less concerned with the
inform alton she had 70 impart, she
could not have failed to notice the odd
break in her young mistress voice;
something unusual. almost akin TO de-
spair, In her manner. AS 1t was, that
which weighed on the old nurses
mind precluded close observation OF
the other.
"But something has happened, my
I.ady!" the woman half stamrncred.
Comment" The girl turned to her
sbarply. What? Explain, Marie!"
Disconnectedly. the woman launched
into a narration Of the events or the
night before; my lady listened closely.
with an interest and excitement she
stroye to conceal, half turning so that
the other saw no longer her face.
"And here" ended Marie. extending
crumpled fragment Of paper. is O
niece of the note she dropped on the
beach. The man tore 1t up. but In
tbrusting the bits Of paper into his
pocket this fell out. and. after ne
walked away, picked 1t up myseil
from the sand. can't read. as your
Ladyship knows. and there isn't mucn
on it-only a word or two! But II
may tell something"
NV lady's face was now composed
the hand she extended, STEADY; ioi
several moments she regarded tina
fragment.
"What does 1t say?" asked the WON
an anxiously. "Ts it's 1t Important
Her mistress did not at once an
swer; twisting the bit OF paper IN ne'
fingers. stood as If in thought, and ent
old nurse repeated her question