The Grey Cloak - Page 161/256

He leaned over the table, his eyes shining, his face glowing with love

which, though half lawless, was nevertheless the best that was in him.

Another woman might have marked the beauty on his face; but madame saw

only the power of it, the power which she hated and feared. Besides,

his love in no wise lessened his caution. His left hand was wound

tightly around the paper.

"Monsieur, you are without reason!"

"Love has crowded reason out."

"Your proposal is cruel and terrible."

"It is your angle of vision."

"I had thought to find peace and security; alas!"

"If I were positive that you loved some one else . . ." meditatively.

"Well?"

"I should hunt him out and kill him. There would then be no obstacle."

"You will do as you say: consign me to imprisonment or death?"

"As much as I love you. You have your choice."

"Give me but a day," she pleaded.

"Truthfully, I dare not."

"But this paper; I must see it!" wildly.

The vicomte's hand tightened. "I will place the paper in your hands on

the day of our marriage, unreservedly. You will then have the power to

commit me, if so you will. Come, Madame; it grows on toward night.

Which is it to be? A Montbazon's word is as good as a king's louis."

"Once it has been given!"

As a cat leaps, as the shadow of a bird passes, madame's hand flew out

and grasped the projecting end of the paper. The short struggle was

nothing; the red marks on her wrists were painless. Swiftly she rose

and stepped, back, breathing quickly but with triumph. He made as

though to leap, but in that moment she had smoothed out the crumpled

paper. A glance, and it fluttered to the table. Her laughter was very

close to tears.

"Monsieur le Vicomte, what a clever wooer you are!" She fled toward the

door, opened it, and was gone.

The vicomte sat down.

"Truly, that woman must be mine!"

He took up the paper, smoothed it, and laughed. The paper was totally

blank.