The Midnight Queen - Page 113/177

"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!"