Clementina

r it left Wogan weak and tied to his bed; so that it was Gaydon who travelled to Rome and obtained the Pope's passport. Gaydon consequently saw what otherwise Wogan wou

ned that this one should not through any inattention of his. He therefore never went abroad until dark, and even then kept aloof from the house which overlooked the Tiber. His business he conducted

d found a pleasure in guessing at this and that person's business from his appearance, his dress, and whether he went fast or slow. So he sat steadily at his window, and after a day or two had passed he began to be puzzled. The moment he was puzzled he became interested. On the se

ess to be of a high consideration, came sauntering along that sordid thoroughfare, where he seemed entirely out of place, like a butterfly on the high seas. To Gaydon's surprise he stopped at the door, gave a cautious look round, and rapped quickly with his stick. At once the door of that uninhabited house was opened. The man entered, the door was closed upon him, and a good hour by Gaydon's watch elapsed before it was opened again to let him out. In the afternoon another man came and was admitted with the same secrecy. Both men had worn their hats drawn down

o see a face

etter warned him that Edgar himself would come to fetch him in the morning to his audience with James. The passport gave authority to a Flemish nobleman

fresh air, so he opened the window, and at the same moment the door of the house opposite was opened. A tall burly man with a lantern in his hand stepped out into the street; he was followed by a slight man of a short stature. Both men were wrapped in their cloaks, but th

e was one thing of which he was sure amidst all his doubts, Rome was not the safest city in the world for a man to walk about at nights. His King would be none the worse off for a second guardian who would follow near enough to give help and far enough for discretion. Gaydon wen

ast him and stole a glance sideways at his face. But the man with the lantern looked a

Major G

the best of the b

tington,

a face though I see it but for a moment between the light and the dark, but I do not expect t

ome," said Gaydon,

I find them all quite unendurable. Would I were on leave! but I am pinned here, a watchman with a lantern. I do but la

ut I am waited for and w

r ill. He had no wish to pry, and so was for returning to his lodging; but that careless, im

vening I am playing link-boy, appointed by letters patent, one might say. But what will you? Youth is youth, whether in a ploughboy or a-But my tongue needs a

don, "since I leav

r or not he should ask Whittington to be silent upon their meeting. But he determined the man was too incautious in his speech. If he begged him not to mention Gaydon's presence in Rome, he would

t. George was speaking awkwardly with a voice which broke. Maria listened with a face set and drawn. She was a girl both in features and complexion of a remarkable purity. Of colour, but for her red lips, she had none. He

away, she did not sob, nor did her face alter from its fixity. She did not even close her eyes. Only the tears rained down so silently that the Prince was not aware of them. He had even a thought as he sat with his head averted t

. She made no gesture to repel him, she

sented to our marriage. What w

her and took her hand. The

ar

ut I am rich-so rich. I could have done so much. I am a

ar

oot. Then her hand tightened fast upon his; she drew him down almost fiercely until he san

arm about you, your face against my heart! My lord, my lord!" and then she flung him from her, holding him at arm's length. "Say it with your eyes on mine! I can see though th

om his shoulders and pressed his forehead upon them. She leaned forward, and in a

scrap of love-" He dropped her hands and drew away; she caught him to her. "No,

" he ex

er; to-morrow I will not ask your eyes to dwell on mine or your h

eared to bruise his, slowly as though this one moment must content her for all her life. Then she looked at him for a little,

ught?" she asked. "Shall

l it

ed thus cheek to cheek silent in the room, staring forward with eyes wide open and hopeful. The very air seemed to them a-quiver with e

OOM, STARING FORWARD WITH EYES W

r was the fi

oman should sink us into children? We sit hoping that a miracle will split the world in pieces! This is the Caprara Palac

sical torture. She beat her hands toget

e no bette

of him in my ears!

his life

y that he m

ar

lled and almost appalled by

tingles with the prayer. Oh, I hate him!

so I have delayed too long. Indeed, Maria, I dare not think of the shame, the danger, her Highness

erself across the room to him. To James her humility was more terrible than her passion, for passion had always distinguished her, and he was familiar with it; but pride h

ere would be shouts; I can hear them. No, I will not have it! I can see her proud cursed face a-flush. No! You think too much of what she has suffered. If I could have suffered too! But suffering, shame, humiliation, these fall to women, always hav

ring. She knelt on the ground a splendid image of pain, and longed for pain that she might prove thereby how little a thing she made of it. The C

me had I my will of the world. But since that may not be, I do n

Cleme

N

can she love as deep," she continued quietly. "A Sobieski from the snows! Love was born here in

not kn

ve made mistakes

e end. There was a word he said to me when he begged for my permission. I tol

You were the master, he the

what he must? Maria, if you and I had met before

knelt up. She d

her as y

had time to s

harles Wogan. H

m to make

na. There was I not a mile distant ready to

which he spoke rang with so much pain t

nto my bosom, and cherish each sharp stab like a flower my lover gives to me. I am glad of them. They are flowers that will not wither. Add a kiss, sweetheart, the sharpest stab, and so the chief flower, the

free!" cried

nd hide our hearts. I do wish you all happiness. But you will

h clasped his firmly wit

ords to me, and no word more. I am tired with the day'

rfeit of friendliness put upon her. He dared not prolong it.

, my friend

bowed to her and she curtsied low to him, but no word was spoken by either. This little comedy

he had had the mind. She had the time to betray him; she knew of his pur

hin propped upon her hands, and in a little in her wide unblinking eyes the tears gathered again and r

waiting for him, but the candl

," he said with an effort. It was not easy

Gaydon which helped me to be

ed the Chevalier,

akes in the darkness

be s

r had an ey

don, then?" sai

"and by the best of good fortune I said no

is nocturnal visit. Had Gaydon met with a more observant man than Whittington outsid

rs concerning which it would be an impertinence for him to have one meddlesome thought. By G

he Chevalier's secretar

eive you now," sai

daylight. We

empty," said Edgar, lo

the door of that deserted house into which Gaydon had watched men enter. The door was opened. "Follow me," said Edgar. Gaydon followed

asy with slime. He followed Edgar across the cellar into a sort of tunnel. Here Edgar drew an end of candle from his pocket and lighted it. The tunnel was so low that Gaydon, though a shortish man, could barely hold his head erect. He followed Edgar to the end and up a flight of winding steps. The air grew warmer and dryer.

ps on a secret visit to the King. Ah!" From the wall before their faces a great slab of the size of a door sank noiselessly down and disclosed a wooden panel. The panel slid aside. Edgar and Gaydon stepped into a little cabinet lighted by a single window. The room was empty. Gayd

was not his business to remark upon it or to be thereby disheartened. The King said very graciously that he would hold the major and his friends in no less esteem if by any misfortune they came back empty-handed. That was most kind of him, but it

e at the corner of a street a big stalwart man who sauntered along swinging his stick by the tassel wit

curiously, "Will he

man was Harry

ort to Charles Wogan at Schlestadt. Wogan was sitting propped up with pillows in a chair

in the best of spi

urishing the passport, "we'll

d a pipe and

curious,-was it the King who proposed this enterpri

rdinary effect. Wogan was

t some appalling secret slip. Gaydon stared at him in wonder, and Wogan recovered himself with a laugh. "Faith," said he, "it is a question to perplex a man. I misdoubt but we both had the thought about the sa

, strange and unexpected like the Chevalier's visit to the Caprara Palace. Gaydon had a glim