Barlasch of the Guard

path that e

will be dim

cending. They were taking their leave as they came down, hurri

way. Sebastian stood at the head of the stairs bowing in his most Germanic manner. The urbane host, with a charm entirely French, who ha

a certain point-at the corner of the Pfaffengasse, when the dusty travelling carriage passed across their path. From that moment there had been a change. A shadow seemed to have fallen across th

nd see it pass. Whole cities had been kept astir till morning by the mere rumour that its flying wheels would be heard in the streets before dawn. Hatred and adora

lly constructed plans, swept aside the strongest will and crushed the stoutest heart, it was only working out its destiny. The dust sprinkled on Desiree's hair had fallen on the faces of thousands of dead. The unrest that entered into the quiet little house on the left-hand side

the house in order, "since they have been forced to billet this man with us.

ced at t

ise is to come at four o'clock. Ther

drawn downwards by a hundred fine wrinkles. It was the face of one brooding over a sorrow or a vengeance. There was

ny. We need not disguise it. It all came from t

Sebastian said jerkily. "God

her was subject to certain humours which they had reason to dread. Desiree left

-day," she said. "God will spare you much long

softened by affection. But her fair hair, rather tumbled, which met his gl

old man and he is a young one. And I

there is Charles returning already, and he has not been absent ten minutes. He has some one wi

the room in order, glanced

nswered indifferently.

downstairs and meet her husband. She paused and lo

d rather oddly.

sentence on her lips waiting irreso

he room with all his usual

ing to head-quarters when I ran into the embrace of my dear Louis-my cousin. I have told you a hundred tim

arms outheld, as if inviting the man, who came rather slowly upstairs, to

t it was-at the table; but now it is all gone. All is well

m a man taller than himself and darker, with a still brown face and

tive in all the world. My cousin, Louis d'Arragon.

a comprehensive bow; b

essly. "Monsieur Antoine Sebastian, and Desiree and M

joy. He had not distinguished between Mathilde and Desiree, and it was towards Mat

the younger sister, coming forwa

n took h

he said, "in the mo

m. Sebastian had come forward with a sudden return of his gracious an

tunate enough to escape to England?"

n," replied

aintance of Monsieur le Marquis

lied D'Arragon with a short laugh. "

ather impatiently awaited the end of these formalities. "A brief h

gaily to Desiree a

light footfall as he hurried up the Frauengas

nly had he the brown face of those who live in the open, but h

m long afterwards. But it was at this moment in the drawing-room

ech like Charles, but seemed to think before he spoke, with the result that he often appe

Englishwoman, monsieur," said Sebastian, "which w

died-in a French prison. But it was from a sense of gratitude that my fathe

ses at English hands, after h

by doing the country any service hims

ily at the tall old man who lis

h, "who did not think that in fighting for Bon

eld up a wa

nd one may think such things. But not

ne may think them where one likes, and say them when one is d

olitan understanding, without any suggestion of the boastfulness of

elebrating so happy an occasion. We ran against each other by accident in the street. It was a l

t must have been the work of fate-if fate has time to think of such an insig

r composed voice and manner,

A

cond unexpected arri

, always grave and attentive, was that of a reader

peror come?

lde n

, looking back through the open door towards the stairs where Charl

ebastian, who stood

ans war,"

an in a tired voice. "Is he again goin

said D'Arragon cheerfully. "And t

to indicate an account so one-sided that none could ever li

I am, as you say, full of hope. I lo

seemed but a shadow of someone standing apar

art," returned D'Arragon, with his almo

cond meaning in the words. He was open and

ed away at such an inopportune moment, and had gone without complaint. "It is the penalty

umeraries who has to see that a door is open to allow the great actors to make an effective entree. I am lent to Russia for the war that is coming. It i

with an odd eagerness which he noted, as he noted everyth

riendly to France," said Sebastian, "a

elp. She is not fr

sture with his white and elegant

is," he exclaimed, "that is based on

ts its time, monsieur," said

Baltic?" asked Mathilde with more haste tha

answered. "So small that I could tu

he is

he answered. "And that is why I must take

se generation was content with the more formal salutati

servant," she sai

or a moment. And Desiree se

n like brothers-you will remem

d with her gay nod

-bye, made

she correc

n," he said, and

t slowly up