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and nowhideous faces that threw the on-lookers into fits of

laughter Farther up the Chamber, at the end of the alcove, Marshal

Tavannes--our Hannibal's brother--occupied a low stool, which was set

opposite the open door of the closet Through this doorway a slender

foot, silk-clad, shot now and again into sight; it ca at each appearance to rob it of

its slipper, a dainty jewelled thing of cri each failure At the fourth essay,

he upset his stool and fell to the floor, but held the slipper And not

the slipper only, but the foot Amid a flutter of silken skirts and

dainty laces--while the hidden beauty shrilly protested--he dragged first

the ankle, and then a shapely leg into sight The circle applauded; the

lady, feeling herself still drawn on, screa and his opponent turned to look And then the sport

came to a sudden end A sinewy hand appeared, interposed, released; for

an instant the dark, handsoone as soon as seen; it was there a second only But nised it, and wondered For was not the young Duke in evil

odour with the King by reason of the attack on the Admiral? And had he

not been chased fro and forbidden to return?