"
"My father is Monseigneur de Mazarin's friend," she cried. "He is also
yours. He shall exert for you what influence he possesses."
"'T were useless, Mademoiselle. Besides, what does it signify? Again,
adieu!"
She spoke no answering word, but silently held out her hand. Silently I
took it in mine, and for a moment I hesitated, thinking of what I was--of
what she was. At last, moved by some power that was greater than my will,
I stooped and pressed those shapely fingers to my lips. Then I stepped
suddenly back and closed the carriage door, oppressed by a feeling akin to
that of having done an evil deed.
"Have I your permission to say a word to my servant, M. le Lieutenant?" I
inquired.
He bowed assent, whereat, stepping close up to the horror-stricken
Michelot--
"Drive straight to the Ch?teau de Canaples," I said in a low voice.
"Thereafter return to the Lys de France and there wait until you hear from
me. Here, take my purse; there are some fifty pistoles in it."
"Speak but the word, Monsieur," he growled, "and I'll pistol a couple of
these dogs."
"Pah! You grow childish," I laughed, "or can you not see that fellow's
musket?"
"Pardieu! I'll risk his aim! I never yet saw one of these curs shoot
straight.
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