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"What do you think of him, Nora?" the mother inquired

"Think of whom?"

"This Mr Courtlandt"

"Oh, I didn't pay much attention to him," carelessly But once alone with

Celeste, she seized her by the arhly "Celeste, I love you

better than any outsider I know But if you ever discuss that ard you even as an acquaintance He

has coh he promised the

prefect in Paris never to annoyI left Versailles I met him in the private office of the

prefect He had powerful friends who aided hi an alibi I

was only a woman, so I didn't count"

"Nora, if I have meddled in any way," proudly, "it has been because I love

you, and I see you unhappy You have nearly killed me with your

sphinx-like actions You have never askedis not one of ave him my address?" coldly

"I did not I convinced him that I had come at the behest of Flora

Desiave hie, it was he as he left o there If he found out

where we lived, the Calabrian assisted him, I spoke to hi whatever to do with the abduction,