第186章 AT LAMARQUE'S(5)

``You should have seen him marching in a Jacobin procession, Madame,'' he said.

``He follows his friends into strange places,'' she retorted.

``And now, Mr.Temple,'' she added, ``may we trust you to stay here with Lamarque until you have word from us?''

``You know I cannot stay here,'' he cried.

``And why not, Monsieur?''

``If I were captured here, I should get Monsieur de St.

Gre into trouble; and besides,'' he said, with a touch of coldness, ``I cannot be beholden to Monsieur de St.Gre.

I cannot remain on his land.''

``As for getting Monsieur de St.Gre into trouble, his own son could not involve him with the Baron,'' answered Madame la Vicomtesse.``And it seems to me, Monsieur, that you are already so far beholden to Monsieur de St.

Gre that you cannot quibble about going a little more into his debt.Come, Mr.Temple, how has Monsieur de St.

Gre ever offended you?''

``Madame--'' he began.

``Monsieur,'' she said, with an air not to be denied, ``I believe I can discern a point of honor as well as you.

I fail to see that you have a case.''

He was indeed no match for her.He turned to me appealingly, his brows bent, but I had no mind to meddle.

He swung back to her.

``But Madame--!'' he cried.

She was arranging the cards neatly on the table.

``Monsieur, you are tiresome,'' she said.``What is it now?''

He took a step toward her, speaking in a low tone, his voice shaking.But, true to himself, he spoke plainly.

As for me, I looked on frightened,--as though watching a contest,--almost agape to see what a clever woman could do.

``There is--Mademoiselle de St.Gre--''

``Yes, there is Mademoiselle de St.Gre,'' repeated the Vicomtesse, toying with the cards.

His face lighted, though his lips twitched with pain.

``She is still--''

``She is still Mademoiselle de St.Gre, Monsieur, if that is what you mean.''

``And what will she think if I stay here?''

``Ah, do you care what she thinks, Mr.Temple?'' said the Vicomtesse, raising her head quickly.``From what Ihave heard, I should not have thought you could.''

``God help me,'' he answered simply, ``I do care.''

Helene's eyes softened as she looked at him, and my pride in him was never greater than at that moment.

``Mr.Temple,'' she said gently, ``remain where you are and have faith in us.I begin to see now why you are so fortunate in your friends.'' Her glance rested for a brief instant on me.``Mr.Ritchie and I will go to New Orleans, talk to the Baron, and send Andre at once with a message.

If it is in our power, you shall see your mother very soon.''

She held out her hand to him, and he bent and kissed it reverently, with an ease I envied.He followed us to the door.And when the Vicomtesse had gone a little way down the path she looked at him over her shoulder.

``Do not despair, Mr.Temple,'' she said.

It was an answer to a yearning in his face.He gripped me by the shoulders.

``God bless you, Davy,'' he whispered, and added, ``God bless you both.''

I overtook her where the path ran into the forest's shade, and for a long while I walked after her, not breaking her silence, my eyes upon her, a strange throbbing in my forehead which I did not heed.At last, when the perfumes of the flowers told us we were nearing the garden, she turned to me.

``I like Mr.Temple,'' she said, again.

``He is an honest gentleman,'' I answered.

``One meets very few of them,'' she said, speaking in a low voice.``You and I will go to the Governor.And after that, have you any idea where you will go?''

``No,'' I replied, troubled by her regard.

``Then I will tell you.I intend to send you to Madame Gravois's, and she will compel you to go to bed and rest.

I do not mean to allow you to kill yourself.''