"One was Mr. Ormiston, the other was," hesitating and blushing vividly,
"Sir Norman Kingsley."
La Masque leaned across her chair, and laid one dainty finger lightly on
the girl's hot cheek.
"And for which is that blush, Leoline?"
"Madame, was it only to ask me questions you came here?" said Leoline,
drawing proudly back, though the hot red spot grew hotter and redder;
"if so, you will excuse my declining to answer any more."
"Child, child!" said La Masque, in a tone so strangely sad that it
touched Leoline, "do not be angry with me. It is no idle curiosity that
sent me here at this hour to ask impertinent questions, but a claim that
I have upon you, stronger than that of any one else in the world."
Leoline's beautiful eyes opened wider yet.
"A claim upon me! How? Why? I do not understand."
"All in good time. Will you tell me something of your past history,
Leoline?"
"Madame Masque, I have no history to tell. All my life I have lived
alone with Prudence; that in the whole of it in nine words."
La Masque half laughed.
"Short, sharp, and decisive. Had you never father or mother?"
"There is a slight probability I may have had at some past period," said
Leoline, sighing; "but none that I ever knew."
"Why does not Prudence tell you?"
"Prudence is only my nurse, and says she has nothing to tell. My parents
died when I was an infant, and left me in her care--that is her story."
"A likely one enough, and yet I see by your face that you doubt it."
"I do doubt it! There are a thousand little outward things that make me
fancy it is false, and an inward voice that assures me it is so."
"Then let me tell you that inward voice tells falsehoods, for I know
that your father and mother are both dead these fourteen years!"
Leoline's great black eyes were fixed on her face with a look so wild
and eager, that La Masque laid her hand lightly and soothingly on her
shoulder.
"Don't look at me with such a spectral face! What is there so
extraordinary in all I have said?"
"You said you knew my father and mother."
"No such thing! I said I knew they were dead, but the other fact is true
also; I did know them when living!"
"Madame, who are you? Who were they?"
"I? Oh, I am La Masque, the sorceress, and they--they were Leoline's
father and mother!" and again La Masque slightly laughed.
"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!"