Part 2 (1/2)
”His name?”
”Chevalier Charles de Noyan”
”Where confined?”
”Upon the flag-shi+p in the river”
I turned away and stood with aze upon her agonized face uplifted in such eager pleading, such confiding trust; that one sweet face I loved as nothing else on earth
Save her husband! For the ht it notcould only add infinitely to ht insure my happiness--at least he alone, as far as I knew, stood in the way ”To die to-morrow!” The very words sounded sweet infor me to promise her, to appear to do athered in drops upon ht
Then I shook the foul te such a dastard? Why not attempt what she asked? After all, as left for ive her happiness?
The sound of a faint sob reachedinstantly I stood at her side
”Mada e, and either save your husband, or meet my fate at his side”
Before I could prevent her action she had flung herself atmy hand
”God bless you, Geoffrey Benteen! God bless you!” she sobbed impulsively; and then froh he stood at altar service, the watchful Capuchin said:
”Amen!”
CHAPTER II
A PERILOUS VENTURE
Any call to action, of either hazard or pleasure, steadiesrenders me a new man, clear of brain, quick of decision Possibly this comes from that active life I have always led in the open Be the cause what it may, I was the first to recover speech
”I hope to show myself worthy your trust, Madame,” I said somewhat stiffly, for it hurt to realize that this emotion arose from her husband's peril ”At best I am only an adventurer, and rely upon those means hich life upon the border renders me familiar Such may prove useless where I have soldiers of skill to deal with However, we have need of these ht be put to better use than tears, or words of gratitude”
She looked upward at ht; I am a child, it seems Tell me your desire, and I will endeavor to act the woman”
”First, I must comprehend more clearly the nature of the work before me The Chevalier de Noyan is already under sentence of death; the hour of execution to-morrow at sunrise?”
She bent her head in quiet acquiescence, her anxious eyes never leavingus barely eighteen hours in which to effect his rescue Faith! 't is short space for action”
I glanced uneasily aside at the silently observant priest, now standing, a slender gray figure, close beside the door He was not of an Order I greatly loved