The Grey Cloak

possessed of infinite mischief. Here and there a sickly tree stretched forth its barren arms blackly against the almost endless reaches of white. Sometimes the horses strug

l take women who forced him to follow the king's highway in such weather! Ten miles back they

night. There was no light save that which came from the pallor of the stor

are nearing the city.

vy with weariness. "And we are nearing Rochelle? Good! My

ou will remain in the city till

da? You are mad to think of it. You are but eig

ve

was a sign that the sadness and weariness

is no

hen I know man so well? You make me laugh! Not one of the

does not make a fool

uld be wor

u going to do wi

ready posted th

fisc

He is searching France for me, Anne; and you know how well he searches when he sets about it. Will he find me? I think not. His arm can not reach very far into Spain. How lucky it was that I should meet you in Rouen! I was wondering where in the world I should go. And I shall live peacefully in that little red chateau of yours. Oh! if you knew

convent, and not a lover; I mean one upon whom you mi

not throw him y

ieur de S

comes and goes, the tongue is never motionless nor the voice silenced in the presence of a brother. My love for Victor is friendship without envy, distrust, or self-interes

ctor!" s

fall in love every third moon. But the poor boy! Anne, I have endangered his

your name t

uld have broken my wrist, and there a

bout that

or did not wear it. And something told me

d not have worn it because he was i

nnes is living in Roch

of him to accept punish

ld he do, bein

ow cold at the mention

nded vanity. Point out the Chevalier to me, I should like to se

you possessed a

ee the man. Besides, I do not exactly know what h

as the Comte d'Hérouvill

I hate t

. He would stop at nothing. Ther

ere I see him again, or poor Victor, for

d fathom that h

light and fr

onfidante in

lieve

taught me that you are like sand; a gr

om me, Anne. I love you better when you laugh.

m we

am your confidante in all

ans

d retucked the robes; and silence fell upon the two, silence broken only by th

e Corne d'Abondance. The host came out, holding a candle a

," said the postilion, sliding off his

emen,

es of high degree, I can tell you. One is the granddaughter

chamber is all upset, and every other room is eng

e diligence, "provided we may have something hot to drink; wines and hot water

l was closed! Well, we can put u

staggered under bulky portmanteaus. They approached the fire unconcernedly, ignoring the attention which their e

ielle's arm; "it is an Indian!" The visio

s." Gabrielle turned her grey-masked face towar

forget the tragic scene of the hour gone, came near to wasting a glass of that divine nectar of Nepe

e other plump and small, at the grey mask and then at the black. These were not masks of coquetry and larking, masks which begin at the brow and end at the lips: they were curtained. Seized, by an impulse, occult or mechanic, the vicomte rose and drew near. The younger

ndian doubtless alarms you, but he is perfectly harmless. Permit a gentle

have risen but for the restraining hand of Bouch

e; and upon the strength of this assertion, will you not resume your conversat

iar to my ears." He addressed the black mask, but he looked searchingly at the grey

not familiar, the tone is, and very displeasing to my ears. And if you do n

k as a flash, he had plucked the strings of her mask,

she cried; "if

sting," whispered

The vicomte stepped back confused. He stared undecidedly at

his bottle of wine lay frothin

f his scabbard was aggressively high in the air. He was not so tall a m

fled sound from behind the grey mask. She swayed slightly. The younger threw her arms

account for that?" He spoke with that good nature whic

larize," proudly, "to a gentlem

of you to accept my apologies. I admit the extent of my rudeness, Madem

e that I see you here in Rochelle?" How his heart be

eur; what are y

ng a journey to S

nd. But she was visibly distressed as she glanced at her compa

have business in Quebec. That beau

mask spun on her heels. "Monsi

dame la

ently she spoke. "Monsieur, you have made a m

did not

hear, Mo

d ears sometimes deceive

. "Never mind, Monsieur, what the

double meaning to this sente

thers were proceeding toward the stairs. The vicomte was last to mount. At the la

I will conduct them to their rooms. A fire is under way. The wines and bra

h the host. I will follow you shortly. I hav

ictor to experience a chill not devoid of dread.

d patiently for her to speak. She devoted some moments absently to crushing wit

aid of a sudden

e you f

this trouble upon you, fo

our mask that I may look upon your face while you speak?" There was a break in his

n drinking!"

kes us reckless, not forgetful." He rumpled

t never to look u

ld forget your face, a sin

sant hour. Your wit, your gossip, your excellent verses, and your unending gaiety dispelled many a cloud of which you knew nothing, nor shall know. When I fled from Paris there was a moment when I believed you to be guilty of that abominable crime. That grey cloak; I h

s voice was a pain to her. Well she knew that he loved her deeply, ho

unhappy passion, forgive me, for it was done without intent. I have played you an e

This night is truly some strange dream. I shall wake to-morrow in Paris. I shall receive a note from you, bidding me bring the latest book. The Chevalier wil

from that folly. You are making me very

laughing. I shall write rollicking verses, fight a few duels, and sign a few papers under which the ax lies hidden! ... Do you know how well I love you?" sinking beside her and taking her hand before she could place it beyond his reach. He put a kiss on it.

d blindly across the room, irresolutely. See

her in that room? What irony! He was about to rush after madame, when his ste

" said the vicomte, "how f

sappointment and despair. Justice or injustice, neither balanced on the scales of hi

ng his left hand on his hip. His discerning inspection was soon completed.

night offered me four distinct affron

s hands behind his back

at. The Chevalier was mad, and we all were excited. But three times in this tavern you have annoyed me. Your te

nimous, Monsie

a far country I migh

possibl

it to their benefit to r

u have a

rer himself not to appreciate this gift in the poet. "What a lively lad you a

d at all times to

ed the vicomte, adding h

much a

le become sudde

? I do no

ted advent of Madame de Brissac

discoursing

ce. I promise to look you up; and if by that time your manner has not undergone a

ome to Spain with me? We could have it out there. Q

" asked the vicomte, his eyes cold

Septe

be a fool's pastime to measure swords when neither of us is certain that to-morrow will see

owever, one would think t

nd reason ability. Brave? To be sure you are. At this very moment you would draw against one of the best blades in France were I to permit you. But when it comes man to man, Monsieur, you have to stand on your toes to l

omplish are two diffe

obstacle it must give way or result in my death. I have ha

abroad. That would di

secret antipathy to me. Be frank enough to explain why our admiration is not mutu

wer frankly. For some time I have distrusted you. W

nk we both overlooked that p

slike you for the manner in which you approached the Chevalier tonight. There was in your words a biting sarcasm and contempt which, he in his trouble d

horus. That is like you poets; you are super-sensitive; you misconstrue commonplaces; you magnify the simple. I am truly sorry for the Chevalier. Now there's a man. He is superb with the rapier, light and quick as

le de Vaudemont." Victor sud

word of honor, I could not contai

dame's?"

The vicomte smoo

in the vicomte's disquieted Vi

ing about the bush. Why did you not say to me, 'Monsieur, you love Mada

your keen sense

to favor you. I could

lenty of room. I have not killed

llon's time; D'Hérouville, whose greed is as great and fierce as his love. Have you thought of him, my poet? Ah well, something tells me that the time is not far distant when we shall be rushing at each other's throats. For the prese

he cold air, however, was grateful to the poet's feverish cheeks and aching eyes; so he strode on absently, with no destination in mind. It was only when the H?tel de Périgny loomed before him, with its bleak walls and sinister ch

l buoy me up no more. She does not love me! God save me from another such unhappy night. We have all been stric

a candle, lit it. She did not care where she was, so long as she was alone; alone with her unhappy thoughts. She sat with her back toward the Chevalier, who had fallen i

gency lay fallow. He knew not what to do. One thing was certain; he must make known his presence, for he was positive that she was unaware of i

ep. I did not hear you enter. It was ver

oward the door, with no uncertain step

he thought. "Pray, Madame, do n

e, hurried but fi

have lost gallantry to-night, among other considerable things. I m