Page 23 (1/2)

"I can make neither head nor tail of it," said he "The attempt is

beyond my powers"

"Ah," said she, drily, "you own as much? I would never have believed you

would have owned it"

"But what is the answer?" asked a voice at which Wogan started

"The answer," replied the Countess, "is Mary, Queen of Scots, as

ay," and she tore the paper into

tiny pieces

Wogan turned towards the voice which had so startled hiossamer lady whom he had befriended on the road from Florence At once

he rose and bowed to her

"I should have presented you before to my friend, Lady Featherstone,"

said the Countess, "but it seems you are already acquainted"

"Indeed, Mr Warner did reat service at a pinch," said Lady

Featherstone "He was h I never paid him, as I do

now in thanks"

"Your postillion!" cried one or two of the ladies, and they gathered

about the great stove as Lady Featherstone told the story of Wogan's

charioting

"I bade hi Never was