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The thought spurred him to further cruelty, impelled him to try if,

prostrate as she was, he could not draw a prayer from her

"You don't ask after him?" he scoffed "He may be before or behind? Or

wounded or well? Would you not know, Madae he sent

you? And what he fears, and what hope he has? And his last wishes?

And--for while there is life there is hope--would you not learn where the

key of his prison lies to-night? How ht, Madame?"

Each question fell on her like the lash of a whip; but as one who has

been flogged into insensibility, she did not wince That drove him on:

he felt a

her to her knees And he sought about for a keener taunt Their

attendants were al

apace, was in their eyes

"In two hours we shall be in Angers," he said "Mon Dieu, Mada letters, you did not go a step farther

You were surprised, or I doubt if I should be alive to-day!"

Then she did look up She raised her head and aze with such