Part 33 (2/2)

”Madame can cure everything but my heart, if she but raise the veil,” he said.

The voice laughed softly.

”Then, sir, I am afraid to raise it-your heart would not survive the shock. Good-bye, and thank you,” and she spurred across to where old Scartman was standing near the stables.

”I am to meet some one here at four o'clock,” she said; ”has my party come?”

Boniface's shrewd little eyes had taken her in at a single glance.

”Gentleman, I suppose?” he asked.-”None of them?” jerking his thumb toward the two lancers.-”No? then he's not here yet.”

She glided gracefully out of saddle, and hooked up her skirt.

”Put my horse in the stall nearest the door,” she ordered; and herself saw it done. ”Now, I want a room-the big one on the lower floor-for an hour or so.”

The inn-keeper bowed.

”Certainly, madame-and the gentleman?”

She considered.... ”He is one high in rank, very high-indeed, no one in Valeria is higher-tell him I'm here; and admit him instantly; but don't, do you hear me, don't tell him I'm a woman.”

Old Scartman coughed and hesitated.

”But please you, madame,” he ventured, ”if I'm to tell him you're here, but not to tell him you're a woman, how's he to be sure you are you?”

”True, O patron of rendezvous!” she laughed. ”If he ask for proof, you may tell him I'm the one who knows.”

”Now, that's more to rule,” he said, with a nod and a chuckle.

They went into the house, and he opened the door into the big room.

”This is what madame wishes?”

”Yes,” said she-”and remember, no interruptions, now nor later-understand?”

He bowed with rather unusual grace, for one of his appearance and calling.

”Perfectly, madame-does madame think I look so like a fool?”

She surveyed him an instant.

”No, my good man, I don't,” and closed the door; ”but I wouldn't care to tell you what you do look like,” she ended.

Going over to the window, she fixed the curtain so as to permit her to see in front of the house, and then, removing her veil, she drew out a tiny mirror and deftly touched to place the hair that was disarranged. As she finished, she heard horses approaching, and she saw, through the open gateway, a sudden commotion among the Lancers who were lounging at ease by the roadside, their mounts picketed under the trees. She knew that her man was coming.

A sergeant ran in and said a word to Hertz who, free now of his dust and anger, was sitting on the steps with Purkitz, hoping to get a glimpse of the face behind the veil, and staring at the windows with calm persistency.

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