Page 34 (1/1)

"But for that tiht As it was, Monsieur de Chatellerault had but seen hter upon two occasions On the very day that I received the tidings I speak of, I sent her to Auch to the care of some relatives of herrestive, he asked when hter would return 'When you depart,pressed for reasons, I dealt so frankly with him that within twenty-four hours he was on his way back to Paris"

The Vicomte paused and took a turn in the apart me a curious revelation Presently he resu failed in his purpose, the King chooses aof his desires He sends the Marquis, Marcel de Bardelys to Lavedan on the same business No doubt he attributes Chatellerault's failure to clumsiness, and he has decided this tiifted with such arts of dalliance that he cannot fail but enreat co hither the handsoentleman of all his Court--so fame has it--yet it is a cooes hence as empty-handed as went Chatellerault Let hiain Am I not well advised, Monsieur de Lesperon?"

"Why, yes," I answered slowly, after the manner of one who deliberates, "if you are persuaded that your conclusions touching Bardelys are correct"

"I a him to Lavedan?"

It was a question that I did not attempt to answer Haply he did not expect me to answer it He left me free to ponder another issue of this same business of which my mind was become very full Chatellerault had not dealt fairly with me Often, since I had left Paris, had I marvelled that he came to be so rash as to risk his fortune upon a matter that turned upon a woes of person, of birth, and of wealth, Chatellerault could not have disregarded Yet these, and the possibility that they e this lady's affections, he appeared to have set at naught when he plunged into that rash wager

He must have realized that because he had failed was no reason to presume that I u the past days at the readiness hich Chatellerault had flung down the gage Now I held the explanation of it He counted upon the Vico, and he was confident that no opportunities would be affordedthis beautiful and cold Roxalanne