"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!"