Page 179 (1/1)

Her first act after awakening and untangling thebrain, was to send for Quinnox She could scarcely wait for his appearance and the assurance that Lorry was safely out of danger The foot ti before he came in with the report that the captain was nowhere to be found Her heart gave a great throb of joy She alone could explain his absence To her it ht froitive, perhaps once reat load of suspense off her mind she cared not for the trials that still confronted her on that dreadedto pay the price

Preparations began at once for the eventful transaction in the throne room The splendor of two Courts was to shine in rivalry Ten o'clock was the hour set for theof the two rulers, the victor and the victiuards and her lackeys ainst the hated Axphain guests In one of the s rooms sat the Count and Countess Halfont, the latter in tears The young Countess Daguish The latter was flushed and nervous and acted like a man who expects that which is unexpected by others With a strange confidence in his voice, he sought to cheer his depressed friends, but the cheerfulness was not contagious The so over the castle

Half an hour before the ti in the throne roouish and the latter followed the girl turned her sad, puzzled eyes up to the face of the tall A over our et that we are sacrificing a great deal to save the life of your friend? I do not understand how you can be so heartless"

"If you knehat I know you'd juether ten tiain," said he, warmly

"Please tell "

"But I ah a jumar, and she looked startled