Part 5 (2/2)
”My friend and I were in the same predicament, but we have found a corner. I believe there is room of sorts still to be had in the house, and if Monsieur permits, I shall have pleasure in taking him there.”
”You are very good,” said Barrington.
The stranger led the way across the square to an old house set back between its neighbors, as though it were modest and shrinking from observation, or desirous of keeping a secret. Its door was narrow and down a step from the roadway; its windows small, like half-closed eyes.
”Monsieur must expect little and even then get less than he expects, and pay dearly for it; but it is such a hole as this or a night in the open.”
”I am weary enough not to mind much where I sleep,” said Barrington.
”Add it all to the account which the _canaille_ must some day pay,”
answered the man.
A stuffy little loft of a room, adjoining another loft occupied by their guide and his friend, was all the s.p.a.ce available, but it was better than nothing, and Barrington quickly came to terms with the owner of the house.
Monsieur le Comte, for so the proprietor addressed the man who had guided them to the house, departed, hoping for their further acquaintance presently, and offering them any help which it might be in his power to afford.
”We find ourselves in a strange place, Master Richard,” said Seth, surveying the room.
”We may come to stranger ones before we see Virginia again,” was the answer.
”Ay, that's true; and there's not a certainty that we shall ever see Virginia again,” said Seth. ”I took the precaution to say farewell to all the old corners of Broadmead before I left.”
”It's a fool's game to step too far into the future. A wise man never buys his own coffin,” laughed Barrington. ”We are in luck.”
”I'm glad you think so, Master Richard. I see plenty of danger, but little luck. It was to help the people we came, and here we are at Beauvais to serve an aristocrat. Our friends the people are not likely to forgive us easily.”
”There is a woman to help, Seth.”
”I wonder how many excellent schemes a woman has brought to nothing.”
”And that is why I say we are in luck,” said Barrington, taking no notice of the comment. ”How are we to get audience with this woman? The question has puzzled me upon the journey. We are met with the news that there is to be a masked ball at the chateau. Could we have arrived at a more opportune time?”
”You will go to the chateau?”
”Of course. I shall find some excuse and get a disguise that best fits it. Every one in Beauvais must be able to give me some description by which I may know Mademoiselle St. Clair. The rest will be easy.”
”This faith of youth is very wonderful,” said Seth.
”Not more remarkable than your forebodings,” Barrington returned. ”You have not always been so quick to talk of danger.”
”Maybe it's the different air. I prefer the breeze that comes off Chesapeake Bay to that of these hills, and there's a devil of depression in this c.o.c.kloft, it seems to me.”
”Come out of it, then. Hunger and thirst are at the bottom of your croaking. We will go eat and drink and gather news.”
”And at this ball, Master Richard, see that you think more of the readiness of your arms than your grace in a dance.”
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