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"One was Mr Or vividly,

"Sir Norsley"

La Masque leaned across her chair, and laid one dainty finger lightly on

the girl's hot cheek

"And for which is that blush, Leoline?"

"Madame, was it only to askproudly back, though the hot red spot grew hotter and redder;

"if so, you will excuseto answer any ely sad that it

touched Leoline, "do not be angry with me It is no idle curiosity that

sent me here at this hour to ask impertinent questions, but a claier than that of any one else in the world"

Leoline's beautiful eyes opened wider yet

"A claiood ti of your past history,

Leoline?"

"Madame Masque, I have no history to tell All my life I have lived

alone with Prudence; that in the whole of it in nine words"

La Masque half laughed

"Short, sharp, and decisive Had you never father or ht probability I ; "but none that I ever knew"

"Why does not Prudence tell you?"