The Lane That Had No Turning, Complete

ry him. He had had several hours' start, but there was still a chance of overtaking him. And suppose she overtook him? She could not decide definitely what she shou

on would not stay her. She had gone so far, she was prepared to go further to save this S

excuse of a sudden and important call to Quebec, which he was to construe into business concerning her profession; hurried yet careful arrangements for his comfort during her abs

ds of cheerful good-bye to her father-she carried the spring in her face and the summer

Madelinette shuddered, and she remembered Fournel's cynical face as he left the house three months ago. She felt that it would not easily soften to mercy or look upon her

forward. The sight of two gold pieces made the thing possible in the landlord's eyes, and Madame Marie urged no more, but found some refreshment, of which she gently insisted that Madelinette should partake. In another hour from their arriv

now knew no bounds, and he gave a letter to Havel to hand to his cousin the landlord at the nex

ette towards her. With a little sob the girl-for what was she but a girl-let her head drop on the old woman's shoulder, and she fell into a troubled sleep, which la

s to tell him that Tardif had stolen a valuable paper from h

ow his gratitude-and he little recked what form it might take. When he found that they were following Tardif, and for what purpose, an ugly joy filled his heart, and he determined on revenge-so long delayed-on the scoundrel who had once tried to turn the parish against him by evil means. He saw that his pistol

t. She did not quite know what Havel meant, but she read purpose in his eye, and when Havel said: "I won't say 'Stop thief' man

s inspiration. If Tardif was a thief, what was she!-But this she could not tell Havel or the world. Even as she thought it for this thousandth time, her face flushed deeply, and a mist came before her eyes. But she hardened

re again on the road. Fifty miles to go, and Tardif with three hours' start of them! Unless he had an accident there was faint chance of overtaking him, for at this stage he had taken to the saddle again. As time had gone on, and the distance between them and Quebec had decreased, Madelinette had grown paler and stiller. Yet she was considerate of M

miles only, and his horse was fresh. Agitated, yet ruling herself to composure, Madelinette approached him and made her proposal to him. He was suspicious, as became a petty Government official, and replied sullenly. She offered him money-before the landlord, unhappily-and his refusal was now unne

"You to refuse the great singer Madelinette Lajeunesse, the wife of the Seigneur of Pontiac, the greatest

ne so much. The habitant official stared in blank amazeme

ot say so then!" said the churl. "What would I not do for her! Money-no, it i

eu's horse," said the landl

I know what singing is. I have sung in an opera-a sentinel in armour I was. Ah, but bring me to her, and you shall see what I will do, by grac

e could not prevent him from kissing her hand, she could not refrain from laughing when, outside the room, he tried to kiss Madame Marie. She was asto

not on the wa

r that I am to drive you. Havel has a good horse, the horse has a good rider, you have a good servant in me.

ant's notice, the temptation being sufficient. Madelinette was frightened. She knew well why Havel had ridden on ahead without her permissi

e the official had been inclined to babble, but at last he relieved his mind by interjections only. He kept shaking his head wisely, as though debating on great problems, and he drove his horses with a master-hand-he had once been a coach driver on that long river-road, which in

ds, and took out of his horses their strength and paces by masterly degrees. So that when, at last, on the hill they saw far off the spires of Quebec, the team was swinging as steadily on as though they had not come twenty-five miles already. This was a moment of pride for Lapierre, but of apprehens

ad wound and curved among giant boulders and twisted through ravines and gorges, her heart fell within her. Eveni

t boulder, Lapierre pulled up his horses with a loud exclamation, for almost

ame Marie were bending over him. The widow of th

e," said she in a low voi

adelinette could say. "Let

's hands, then with muttered imprecations on persons unmentioned he lifted up the slight form of Havel, and carried him to the co

prinkled his face, Lapierre

he said. "He will c

ith importance he brought it to Madelinette, nodding and looking wise, yet half timorous too in sharing in so remarkable a business. Madelinette glanced at the pistol,

looked round in a startl

t away. What time is it, Madame?" he suddenly asked. She told him. "Ah, it is too late," he added. "It happened over half-an-

n a corner of the coach. "There is nothing to ask pardon for, Havel," she

the box, Madame Marie was inside,

Calvary by the church

he White Calvary, where a soft light b

on the box beside Lapierre, and the coach rattled away to a