Part 2 (1/2)

”Ah, yes The King, sir, is now at the duke's hunting-lodge in the forest here; fro”

I was interested to hear this, and e, on the chance of coarrulously:

”Ah, and I wish he would stay at his hunting--that and wine (and one thing more) are all he loves, they say--and suffer our duke to be crowned on Wednesday That I wish, and I don't care who knows it”

”Hush, hters

”Oh, there's many to think as I do!” cried the old woman stubbornly

I threw hed at her zeal

”For hters, a fair, buxo for , they say, is as red as a fox or as--”

And she laughed lance atface

”Many a man has cursed their red hair before now,” muttered the old lady--and I remembered James, fifth Earl of Burlesdon

”But never a woirl

”Ay, and wo the girl to silence and blushes

”How co here?” I asked, to break an embarrassed silence ”It is the duke's land here, you say”

”The duke invited him, sir, to rest here till Wednesday The duke is at Strelsau, preparing the King's reception”

”Then they're friends?”

”None better,” said the old lady

But ain; she was not to be repressed for long, and she broke out again:

”Ay, they love one another as men do ant the salowered; but the last words pricked :

”What, the sa lady?”

”All the world knows that Black Michael--well then, ive his soul to marry his cousin, the Princess Flavia, and that she is to be the queen”

”Upon in to be sorry for your duke But if a er son, why he must take what the elder leaves, and be as thankful to God as he can;” and, thinking of ht also of Antoinette de Mauban and her journey to Strelsau

”It's little dealing Black Michael has with--” began the girl, braving her er; but as she spoke a heavy step sounded on the floor, and a gruff voice asked in a threatening tone:

”Who talks of 'Black Michael' in his Highness's own burgh?”

The girl gave a little shriek, half of fright--half, I think, of amusement