The Midnight Queen - Page 170/177

"So I have, and you merely abused me for it. But I think I know one

of them without being told. It is that other fac-simile of Leoline and

myself who died in the robber's ruin!"

"Exactly. You and she, and Leoline, were triplets!"

"And who is the other?"

"Her name is La Masque. Have you ever heard it?"

"La Masque! Nonsense!" exclaimed Hubert, with some energy in his voice

at last. "You but jest, Sir Norman Kingsley!"

"No such thing! It is a positive fact! She told me the whole story

herself!"

"And what is the whole story; and why did she not tell it to me instead

of you."

"She told it to Leoline, thinking, probably, she had the most sense; and

she told it to me, as Leoline's future husband. It is somewhat long to

relate, but it will help to beguile the time while we are waiting for

the royal summons."

And hereupon Sir Norman, without farther preface, launched into a rapid

resume of La Masque's story, feeling the cold chill with which he had

witnessed it creep over him as he narrated her fearful end.

"It struck me," concluded Sir Norman, "that it would be better to

procure any papers she might possess at once, lest, by accident, they

should fall into other hands; so I rode there directly, and, in spite

of the cantankerous old porter, searched diligently, until I found them.

Here they are," said Sir Norman, drawing forth the roll.

"And what do you intend doing with them?" inquired Hubert, glancing at

the papers with an unmoved countenance.

"Show them to the king, and, though his mediation with Louis, obtain for

you the restoration of your rights."

"And do you think his majesty will give himself so much trouble for the

Earl of Rochester's page?"

"I think he will take the trouble to see justice done, or at least he

ought to. If he declines, we will take the matter in our own hands, my

Hubert; and you and I will seek Louis ourselves. Please God, the Earl of

Rochester's page will yet wear the coronet of the De Montmorencis!"

"And the sister of a marquis will be no unworthy mate even for a

Kingsley," said Hubert. "Has La Masque left nothing for her?"

"Do you see this casket?" tapping the one of cared brass dangling from

his belt; "well, it is full of jewels worth a king's ransom. I found

them in a drawer of La Masque's house, with directions that they were to

be given to her sisters at her death. Miranda being dead, I presume they

are all Leoline's now."

"This is a queer business altogether!" said Hubert, musingly; "and I

am greatly mistaken if King Louie will not regard it as a very pretty

little work of fiction."