"You mock me, madame!" cried Leoline, passionately."You are cruel - you are heartless! If you know anything, in Heaven's name tell me - if not, go and leave me in peace!""Thank you! I shall do that presently; and as to the other - of course I shall tell you; what else do you suppose I have come for to-night? Look here! Do you see this?"She drew out from some hidden pocket in her dress a small and beautifully-wrought casket of ivory and silver, with straps and clasps of silver, and a tiny key of the same.
"Well!" asked Leoline, looking from it to her, with the blank air of one utterly bewildered"In this casket, my dear, there is a roll of papers, closely written, which you are to read as soon as I leave you.Those papers contain your whole history - do you understand?"She was looking so white, and staring so hard and so hopelessly, that there was need of the question.She took the casket and gazed at it with a perplexed air.
"My child, have your thoughts gone wool-gathering? Do you not comprehend what I have said to you! Your whole history is hid in that box?""I know!" said Leoline, slowly, and with her eyes again riveted to the black mask."But; madame, who are you?""Have I not told you? What a pretty inquisitor it is! I am La Masque - your friend, now; something more soon, as you will see when you read what I have spoken of.Do not ask me how I have come by it - you will read all about it there.I did not know that I would give it to you to-night, but I have a strange foreboding that it is destined to be my last on earth.And, Leoline my child, before I leave you, let me hear you say you will not hate me when you read what is there.""What have you done to me? Why should I hate you?""Ah! you will find that all out soon enough.Do content me, Leoline - let me hear you say; `La Masque, whatever you've done to me, however you have wronged me, I will forgive you!' Can you say that?"Leoline repeated it simply, like a little child.La Masque took her hand, held it between both her own, leaned over and looked earnestly in her face.
"My little Leoline! my beautiful rosebud! May Heaven bless you and grant you a long and happy life with - shall I say it, Leoline?""Please - no!" whispered Leoline, shyly.
La Masque softly patted the little tremulous hand.
"We are both saying the name now in our hearts, my dear, so it is little matter whether our lips repeat it or not.He is worthy, of you, Leoline, and your life will be a happy one by his side;but there is another." She paused and lowered her voice." When have you seen Count L'Estrange?""Not since yesterday, madame."
"Beware of him! Do you know who he is, Leoline?""I know nothing of him but his name."
"Then do not seek to know," said La Masque, emphatically."For it is a secret you would tremble to hear.And now I must leave you.Come with me to the door, and fasten it as soon as I go out, lest you should forget it altogether."Leoline, with a dazed expression, thrust the precious little casket into the bosom of her dress, and taking up the lamp, preceded her visitor down stairs.At the door they paused, and La Masque, with her hand on her arm, repeated, in a low, earnest voice"Leoline, beware of Count L'Estrange, and become Lady Kingsley as soon as you can.""I will bear that name to-morrow!" thought Leoline, with a glad little thrill at her heart, as La Masque flitted out into the moonlight.
Leoline closed and locked the door, driving the bolts into their sockets, and making all secure."I defy any one to get in again tonight!" she said, smiling at her own dexterity; and lamp in hand, she ran lightly up stairs to read the long unsolved riddle.
So eager was she, that she had crossed the room, laid the lamp on the table, and sat down before it, ere she became aware that she was not alone.Some one was leaning against the mantel, his arm on it, and his eyes do her, gazing with an air of incomparable coolness and ease.It was a man this time - something more than a man,- a count, and Count L'Estrange, at that!
Leoline sprang to her feet with a wild scream, a cry full of terror, amaze, and superstitious dread; and the count raised his band with a self-possessed smile.
"Pardon, fair Leoline, if I intrude! But have I not a right to come at all hours and visit my bride?""Leoline is no bride of yours!" retorted that young lady, passionately, her indignation overpowering both fear and surprise."And, what is more, never will be! Now, sir!""So my little bird of paradise can fire up, I see! As to your being my bride, that remains to be seen.You promised to be tonight, you know!""Then I'll recall that promise.I have changed my mind.""Well, that's not very astonishing; it is but the privilege of your sex! Nevertheless, I'm afraid I must insist on your becoming Countess L'Estrange, and that immediately!""Never, sir! I will die first!"
"Oh, no! We could not spare such a bright little beauty out of this ugly world! You will live, and live for me!""Sir!" cried Leoline, white with passion, and her black eyes blazing with a fire that would have killed him, could fiery glances slay! I do not know how you have entered here; but I do know, if you are a gentleman, you will leave me instantly! Go sir! I never wish to see you again!""But when I wish to see you so much, my darling Leoline," said the count, with provoking indifference, "what does a little reluctance on your part signify? Get your hood and mantle, my love - my horse awaits us without - and let us fly where neither plague nor mortal man will interrupt our nuptials!""Will no one take this man away?" she cried, looking helplessly round, and wringing her hands.
"Certainly not, my dear - not even Sir Norman Kingsley! George, I am afraid this pretty little vixen will not go peaceably; you had better come in!"With a smile on his face, he took a step toward her.Shrieking wildly, she darted across the room, and made for the door, just as somebody else was entering it.The next instant, a shawl was thrown over her head, her cries smothered in it, and she was lifted in a pair of strong arms, carried down stairs, and out into the night.
