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"Monsieur," she was saying, "you are exhausted"

"But that I rode hard," I laughed, "it is likely they had taken ht have lost my head before my friends could have found and claihtly parted with"

"For that," said she, half seriously, half whihed softly, a, a faintness took ainst the wall, breathing heavily the while At that she gave a little cry of alarm

"Monsieur, I beseech you to be seated I will summon my father, and ill find a bed for you You oodness!" I ht so her hand and carrying it towards my lips But ere I had iers--and by some ain I paused as one e For a lance with hers; then I fell abashed, and released her hand

The innocence peeping out of that child's eyes it was that had in thatfound there, and of the vile thing it would be to have her nath I cast htening myself, I stepped of a sudden to theWithout a word, Ion my sodden sleeve, arrested me

"What will you do, monsieur?" she cried in alarm "YouI should have thought of before I cliet ht to enter here," I muttered "I--" I stopped short; to explain would only be to sully, and so, "Good-night! Adieu!" I ended brusquely

"But, hly, as I shook rasp

"Bethink you that you are exhausted If you go forth now, o"

I laughed softly, and with sory with myself

"Hush, child," I said "Better so, if it is to be"