By Wit of Woman

for I had to find a place in which

as my address in the register of the University. It was, of course, certain that Count Gustav would have every poss

t of Buda; and my first step that morning was to go out and complete the matter, so that I could remove that d

ght prove a source of danger to me. Discreetly used, it might be of the most vital importance for my purposes. But h

ent the secret of his marriage getting known; and until I was quite

s-a telegram from James Perry telling me the whereabouts of M. Constans. I

nough. To her he was just the loving husband who would be in an agony of suspense until he knew of her safety. The belief that he was sufferin

t was impossible, even had I wished to do so. She would not have accepted me as a witness against her faith in him. Moreover, I had no wish to break down that faith

t listen to me. On the contrary, she declared that no earthly consideration would induce her to break

danger. I was convinced that Count Gustav would have a very sharp search made for her and that, if he disco

n the streets," she said, smiling, "and go everywhere until

e men who attacked you will see you, and in order to prevent your accusing them will make away with you. If you will trust me to

e at length was induce

debated with myself whether, in her interests, I should not be justifi

for the moment and set out f

eceiving me. She over-acted her new role outrageously. She overwhelmed me with kisses and caresses, called Heaven to witness how much she had missed me, and declar

bsence. She had obviously been coached by Count Gustav; and when a man coaches a woman, he generally makes her blunder.

ittle; and when the due moment came I asked, significa

of disagreeable things dire

ot be disagreeable

om that man. I tell you, Christabel, he

ly. "But if he is dead he can raise no more devils

he is dead or living. You have had y

this is the reason of your kis

yes flashed with sudden anger. She w

hristabel-very difficult to love

life in Paris, and when I found you here you wished me to come into your house because you thought you could more easily prevent my saying what I knew ab

rapped the questi

ing to know what the information was which yo

py, after all?" s

lice used to pay Madame Constans in Paris. I have no employers. I am seeking my own way, and act

ng, Christabel-you are ea

not answer

m no

ay here to me with full tidings. Let us be frank with one another. You promised to advance my fortunes: Coun

tried to d

a laugh. "What! when you have changed you

over it with a laughing suggestion of its absurdity. "

owly and significantly. "Will you leave me t

is no n

ithin a few hours shall know all." She had been already so impressed by the discoveries I had made that she was q

and then said with i

han you, that either I shall leave you altogether to carry my knowledge to those who need it badly, or I shall stay to protect you and your fortunes from the man who is threat

e?" she cried, half ner

threat; but you can regard it as you

as to keep my eyes shut. As I passed Madame d'Artelle's room the door was not quite closed, and through the nar

oads of difficulty and point the proper way. Ernestine was a very particular lad

unusual industry. It was a travelling trunk; large enoug

ne. I've come back, yo

I am glad to see you." Ernestine was very

, lightly. "It is all rather sudden. Do you think you will hav

iselle. You see every t

it, I would have left it out for you be

you for it, mademoiselle. But I h

ontrive something. A bertha of

or a couple of minutes and, as I wished her not to speak of the conversation, I said that as the alt

time? You are such a clever

l to-day and part of to-morrow. I could pack for you as w

out that. I ma

laughed archly. "They will not

h I fully understood the joke. And in truth she had given

t marrying Karl much too clumsily; and the dusting of that travelling trunk, coupled with Ernestine's sly reference to "Mademoiselle la Troisi

. Having made sure that I was not being followed, I hailed a ca

ere heavily barred and most of them very dirty. It might well have been the badly-kept home of a recluse who lived in constant fear of burglars. Yet Colonel Katona was reputed a very brave man. Barred windows

soldier, came to the door and, in answer to my question

aughter and I must see

e and said he wou

my resolve not to go away without seeing him. But my use of Gareth's name

e had never known a woman's hand fo

stled herself to sleep in my arms the night before could be his daughter. The colouring pigment of the eyes was identical; but the expression

m a recluse and do not receive visitors as a rule; but y

e, stupid school-girl, and bega

"I think you frighten me. I-I-What a lovely old house you h

ss; and I pretended to b

u know of m

me. "I didn't mean to disturb you, sir-Colonel, I mean. I-I think I had better go. But Garet

weapon is generally her weakness. His look softened a little at

r and a stern man of many sorrows; but a friend of Gareth's

e syllable, "still,"

said, as I put my hand timidly into hi

the dust accumulating everywhere, his unkempt hair and beard, his shabby clothes, the dirt on the hand which closed firmly on

?" he asked much more

try and collect my poor scattered wits.

come. What could I be but glad to se

ll be. She always wanted me to come and see her home-but s

ed out of his eyes, but I was gigg

and part of my puni

kind of punishment. You see, she loved you so-and then of course

s hand across his frett

hear that," he said, simply. "God h

ame with the question. But I laughed as if I knew nothin

My God

eness, that I jumped up again as if in alarm

eared from Tyrnau, Miss Gilmore, lured away as I believe by some scoundrel; and I have never seen

d I did it carefully. I affected to be overcome and, clapp

iss Gilmore. You mus

. I cannot. I for

e scoundrel who

n't ask me. I dar

, literally with ter

e it all now. Oh, poor Ga

father, and as God is in heaven, I will

had stirred a veritable whirlwind of wrath in his heart and had to