The ladies received him graciously, and a faint blush might, to searching
eyes, have been perceived upon Genevi?ve's cheek.
There came a delicate exchange of compliments, after which we got to table,
and for my part I did ample justice to the viands.
I sat beside Genevi?ve, and vis-?-vis with Andrea, who occupied the place
of the honoured guest, at the host's right hand, with Yvonne beside him.
Me it concerned little where I sat, since the repast was all that I could
look for; not so the others. Andrea scowled at me because I was nearer to
Genevi?ve than he, and Yvonne frowned at me for other reasons. By
Genevi?ve I was utterly disregarded, and my endeavours to converse were
sorely unsuccessful--for one may not converse alone.
I clearly saw that Yvonne only awaited an opportunity to unmask me, and
denounce me to her father as the man who had sought his son's life.
This opportunity, however, came not until the moment of my departure from
the ch?teau, that evening. I was crossing the hail with the Chevalier de
Canaples, and we had stopped for a moment to admire a piece of old chain
armour of the days of the Crusaders.
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