The Midnight Queen - Page 51/177

"And you would like to see my friend?" he said, with malicious emphasis.

"I would like to thank him," retorted the lady, with some asperity:

"you have told me how much I owe him, and it strikes me the desire is

somewhat natural."

"Without doubt it is, and it will save Sir Norman much fruitless labor;

for even now he is in search at you, and will neither rest nor sleep

until he finds you."

"In search of me!" she said softly, and with that rosy glow again

illumining her beautiful face; "he is indeed kind, and I am most anxious

to thank him."

"I will bring him here in two hours, then," said Ormiston, with energy;

"and though the hour may be a little unseasonable, I hope you will

not object to it; for if you do, he will certainly not survive until

morning."

She gayly laughed, but her cheek was scarlet.

"Rather than that, Mr. Ormiston, I will even see him tonight. You will

find me here when you come."

"You will not run away again, will you?" said Ormiston, looking at her

doubtfully. "Excuse me; but you have a trick of doing that, you know."

Again she laughed merrily.

"I think you may safely trust me this time. Are you going?"

By way of reply, Ormiston took his hat and started for the door. There

he paused, with his hand upon it.

"How long have you known Sir Norman Kingsley?" was his careless, artful

question.

But Leoline, tapping one little foot on the floor, and looking down at

it with hot cheeks and humid ayes, answered not a word.