the yellow crayon-第15章

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who　were　present。　　It　was　a　little　group；　every　member　of　which
bore　a　well…known　name。　　Their　host；　the　Duke　of　Dorset；　in　whose
splendid　library　they　were　assembled；　was；　if　not　the　premier　duke
of　the　United　Kingdom；　at　least　one　of　those　whose　many　hereditary
offices　and　ancient　family　entitled　him　to　a　foremost　place　in　the
aristocracy　of　the　world。　　Raoul　de　Brouillac；　Count　of　Orleans；
bore　a　name　which　was　scarcely　absent　from　a　single　page　of　the
martial　history　of　France。　　The　Prince　of　Saxe　Leinitzer　kept　up
still　a　semblance　of　royalty　in　the　State　which　his　ancestors　had
ruled　with　despotic　power。　　Lady　Muriel　Carey　was　a　younger
daughter　of　a　ducal　house；　which　had　more　than　once　intermarried
with　Royalty。　　The　others；　too；　had　their　claims　to　be　considered
amongst　the　greatest　families　of　Europe。

The　Prince　glanced　at　his　watch；　and　then　at　the　bridge　tables
ready　set　out。

〃I　think；〃　he　said；　〃that　a　little　diversion　…　what　does　our
hostess　say？〃

〃Two　sets　can　start　at　least；〃　the　Duchess　said。　　〃Lucille　and　I
will　stay　out；　and　the　Count　de　Brouillac　does　not　play。〃

The　Prince　rose。

〃It　is　agreed；〃　he　said。　　〃Duke；　will　you　honour　me？　　Felix　and
Dolinski　are　our　ancient　adversaries。　　It　should　be　an　interesting
trial　of　strength。〃

There　was　a　general　movement；　a　re…arrangement　of　seats；　and　a
little　buzz　of　conversation。　　Then　silence。　　Lucille　sat　back　in
a　great　chair；　and　Lady　Carey　came　over　to　her　side。

〃You　are　nervous　to…night；　Lucille；〃　she　said。

〃Yes；　I　am　nervous；〃　Lucille　admitted。　　〃Why　not？　　At　any　moment
he　may　be　here。〃

〃And　you　care　…　so　much？〃　Lady　Carey　said；　with　a　hard　little　laugh。

〃I　care　so　much；〃　Lucille　echoed。

Lady　Carey　shook　out　her　amber　satin　skirt　and　sat　down　upon　a　low
divan。　　She　held　up　her　hands；　small　white　hands；　ablaze　with
jewels；　and　looked　at　them　for　a　moment　thoughtfully。

〃He　was　very　much　in　earnest　when　I　saw　him　at　Sherry's　in　New
York；〃　she　remarked；　〃and　he　was　altogether　too　clever　for　Mr。
Horser　and　our　friends　there。　　After　all　their　talk　and　boasting
too。　　Why；　they　are　ignorant　of　the　very　elements　of　intrigue。〃

Lucille　sighed。

〃Here；〃　she　said；　〃it　is　different。　　The　Prince　and　he　are　ancient
rivals；　and　Raoul　de　Brouillac　is　no　longer　his　friend。　　Muriel；　I
am　afraid　of　what　may　happen。〃

Lady　Carey　shrugged　her　shoulders。

〃He　is　no　fool；〃　she　said　in　a　low　tone。　　〃He　will　not　come　here
with　a　magistrate's　warrant　and　a　policeman　to　back　it　up；　nor　will
he　attempt　to　turn　the　thing　into　an　Adeiphi　drama。　　I　know　him　well
enough　to　be　sure　that　he　will　attempt　nothing　crude。　　Lucille；
don't　you　find　it　exhilarating？〃

〃Exhilarating？　　But　why？〃

〃It　will　be　a　game　played　through　to　the　end　by　masters；　and　you；
my　dear　woman；　are　the　inspiration。　　I　think　that　it　is　most
fascinating。〃

Lucille　looked　sadly　into　the　fire。

〃I　think；〃　she　said；　〃that　I　am　weary　of　all　these　things。　　I　seem
to　have　lived　such　a　very　long　time。　　At　Lenox　I　was　quite　happy。
Of　my　own　will　I　would　never　have　left　it。〃

Lady　Carey's　thin　lips　curled　a　little；　her　blue　eyes　were　full　of
scorn。　　She　was　not　altogether　a　pleasant　woman　to　look　upon。　　Her
cheeks　were　thin　and　hollow；　her　eyes　a　little　too　prominent；　some
hidden　expression　which　seemed　at　times　to　flit　from　one　to　the　other
of　her　features　suggested　a　sensuality　which　was　a　little　incongruous
with　her　somewhat　angular　figure　and　generally　cold　demeanour。　　But
that　she　was　a　woman　of　courage　and　resource　history　had　proved。

〃How　idyllic！〃　she　exclaimed。　　〃Positively　medieval！　　Fancy　living
with　one　man　three　years。〃

Lucille　smiled。

〃Why；　not？　　I　never　knew　a　woman　yet　however　cold　however　fond　of
change；　who　had　not　at　some　time　or　other　during　her　life　met　a　man
for　whose　sake　she　would　have　done　…　what　I　did。　　I　have　had　as　many
admirers　…　as　many　lovers；　I　suppose；　as　most　women。　　But　I　can
truthfully　say　that　during　the　last　three　years　no　thought　of　one
of　them　has　crossed　my　mind。〃

Lady　Carey　laughed　scornfully。

〃Upon　my　word；〃　she　said。　　〃If　the　Prince　had　not　a　temper；　and　if
they　were　not　playing　for　such　ruinous　points；　I　would　entertain
them　all　with　these　delightful　confidences。　　By　the　bye；　the　Prince
himself　was　once　one　of　those　who　fell　before　your　chariot　wheels；
was　he　not？　　Look　at　him　now　…　sideways。　　What　does　he　remind　you
of？〃

Lucille　raised　her　eyes。

〃A　fat　angel；〃　she　answered；　〃or　something　equally　distasteful。　　How
I　hate　those　mild　eyes　and　that　sweet；　slow　smile。　　I　saw　him　thrash
a　poor　beater　once　in　the　Saxe　Leinitzer　forests。　　Ugh！〃　

〃I　should　not　blame　him　for　that；〃　Lady　Carey　said　coldly。　　〃I　like
masterful　men；　even　to　the　point　of　cruelty。　　General　Dolinski　there
fascinates　me。　　I　believe　that　he　keeps　a　little　private　knout　at
home　for　his　wife　and　children。　　A　wicked　little　contrivance　with
an　ivory　handle。　　I　should　like　to　see　him　use　it。〃

Lucille　shuddered。　　This　tete…a…tete　did　not　amuse　her。　　She　rose
and　looked　over　one　of　the　bridge　tables　for　a　minute。　　The　Prince；
who　was　dealing；　looked　up　with　a　smile。

〃Be　my　good　angel；　Countess；〃　he　begged。　　〃Fortune　has　deserted　me
to…night。　　You　shall　be　the　goddess　of　chance；　and　smile　your
favours　upon　me。〃

A　hard　little　laugh　came　from　the　chair　where　Lady　Carey　sat。　　She
turned　her　head　towards　them；　and　there　was　a　malicious　gleam　in
her　eves。

〃Too　late；　Prince；〃　she　exclaimed。　　〃The　favours　of　the　Countess
are　all　given　away。　　Lucille　has　become　even　as　one　of　those
flaxen…haired　dolls　of　your　mountain　villages。　　She　has　given　her
heart　away；　and　she　is　sworn　to　perpetual　constancy。〃

The　Prince　smiled。

〃The　absence；〃　he　said；　glancing　up　at　the　clock；　〃of　that　most
fortunate　person　should　surely　count　in　our　favour。〃

Lucille　followed　his　eyes。　　The　clock　was　striking　ten。　　She
shrugged　her　shoulders。

〃If　the　converse　also　is　true；　Prince；〃　she　said；　〃you　can
scarcely　have　anything　to　hope　for　from　me。　　For　by　half…past　ten
he　will　be　here。〃

The　Prince　picked　up　his　cards　and　sorted　them　mechanically。

〃We　shall　see；〃　he　remarked。　　〃It　is　true；　Countess；　that　you　are
here；　but　in　this　instance　you　are　set　with　thorns。〃

〃To　continue　the　allegory；　Prince；〃　she　answered；　passing　on　to
the　next　table；　〃also　with　poisonous　berries。　　But　to　the　hand
which　has　no　fear；　neither　are　harmful。〃

The　Prince　laid　down　his　hand。

〃Now　I　really　believe；〃　he　said　gently；　〃that　she　meant　to　be　rude。
Partner；　I　declare　hearts！〃

Felix　was　standing　out　from　the　next　table　whilst　has　hand　was
being　played　by　General　Dolinski；　his　partner。　　He　drew　her　a
little　on　one　side。

〃Do　not　irritate　Saxe　Leinitzer；〃　he　whispered。　　〃Remember；
everything　must　rest　with　him。　　Twice　to…night　you　have　brought
that　smile　to　his　lips；　and　I　never　see　it　without　thinking　of
unpleasant　things。〃

〃You　are　right；〃　she　answered；　〃but　I　hate　him　so。　　He　and　Muriel
Carey　seem　to　have　entered　into　some　conspiracy　to　lead　me　on　to
say　things　which　I　might　regret。〃

〃Saxe　Leinitzer；〃　he　said；　〃has　never　forgotten　that　he　once
aspired　to　be　your　lover。〃

〃He　has　not　failed　to　let　me　know　it；〃　she　answered。　　〃He　has　even
dared　…　ah！〃　

There　was　a　sudden　stir　in　the　room。　　The　library　door　was　thrown
open。　　The　solemn…visaged　butler　stood　upon　the　threshold。

〃His　Grace　the　Duke　of　Souspennier！〃　he　announced。


CHAPTER　XVIII

There　was　for　the　moment　a　dead　silence。　　The　soft　patter　of　cards
no　longer　fell　upon　the　table。　　The　eyes　of　every　one　were　turned
upon　the　newcomers。　　And　he；　leaning　upon　his　stick；　looked　only
for　one　person；　and　having　found　her；　took　no　heed　of　any　one　else。

〃Lucille！〃　

She　rose　from　her　seat　and　stood　with　hands　outstretched　towards
him；　her　lips　parted　in　a　delightful　smile；　her　eyes　soft　with
happiness。

〃Victor；　welcome！　　It　is　like　you　to　have　found　me；　and　I　knew
that　you　would　come。〃

He　raised　her　fingers　to　his　lips　…　tenderly　…　with　the　grace　of　a
prince；　but　all　the　affection　of　a　lover。　　What　he　said　to　her　none
could　hear；　for　his　voice　was　lowered　almost　to　a　whisper。　　But　the
colour　stained　her　cheeks；　and　her　blush　was　the　blush　of　a　girl。

A　movement　of　the　Duchess　recalled　him　to　a　sense　of　his　social
duty。　　He　turned　courteously　to　her　with　extended　hand。

〃I　trust；〃　he　said；　〃that　I　may　be　forgiven　my　temporary　fit　of
aberration。　　I　cannot　thank　you　sufficiently；　Duchess；　for　your
kind　invitation。〃

Her　answering　smile　was　a　little　dubious。

〃I　am　sure；〃　she　said　〃that　we　are　delighted　to　welcome　back
amongst　us　so　old　and　valued　a　friend。　　I　suppose　you　know　every
one？〃

Mr。　Sabin　looked　searchingly　around；　exchanging　bows　with　those
whose　faces　were　familiar　to　him。　　But　between　him　and　the　Prince
of　Saxe　Leinitzer　there　passed　no　pretense　at　any　greeting。　　The
two　men　eyed　one　another　for　a　moment　coldly。　　Each　seemed　to　be
trying　to　read　the　other　through。

〃I　believe；〃　Mr。　Sabin　said；　〃that　I　have　that　privilege。　　I　see；
however；　that　I　am　interrupting　your　game。　　Let　me　beg　you　to
continue。　　With　your　permission；　Duchess；　I　will　remain　a　spectator。
There　are　many　things　which　my　wife　and　I　have　to　say　to　one
another。〃

The　Prince　of　Saxe　Leinitzer　laid　his　cards　softly　upon　the　table。
He　smiled　upon　Mr。　Sabin　…　a　slow；　unpleasant　smile。

〃I　think；〃　he　said　slowly；　〃that　our　game　must　be　postponed。　　It
is　a　pity；　but　I　think　it　had　better　be　so。〃

〃It　must　be　entirely　as　you　wish；〃　Mr。　Sabin　answered。　　〃I　am　at
your　service　now　or　later。〃

The　Prince　rose　to　his　feet。

〃Monsieur　le　Due　de　Souspennier；〃　he　said；　〃what　are　we　to
conclude　from　your　presence　here　this　evening？〃

〃It　is　obvious；〃　Mr。　Sabin　answered。　　〃I　claim　my　place　amongst　you。〃

〃You　claim　to　be　one　of　us？〃

〃I　do！〃　

〃Ten　years　ago；〃　the　Prince　continued；　〃you　were　granted　immunity
from　all　the　penalties　and　obligations　which　a　co…membership　with
us　might　involve。　　This　privilege　was　extended　to　you　on　account
of　certain　great　operations　in　which　you　were　then　engaged；　and
the　object　of　which　was　not　foreign　to　our　own　aims。　　You　are　aware
that　the　period　of　that　immunity　is　long　since　past。〃

Mr。　Sabin　leaned　with　both　hands　upon　his　stick；　and　his　face　was
like　the　face　of　a　sphinx。　　Only　Lucille；　who　knew　him　best　of　all
those　there；　saw　him　wince　for　a　moment　before　this　reminder　of　his
great　failure。

〃I　am　not　accustomed；〃　Mr。　Sabin　said　quietly；　〃to　shirk　my　share
of　the　work　in　any　undertaking　with　which　I　am　connected。　　Only　in
this　case　I　claim　to　take　the　place　of　the　Countess　Lucille；　my
wife。　　I　request　that　the　task；　whatever　it　may　be　which　you　have
imposed　upon　her；　may　be　transferred　to　me。〃

The　Prince's　smile　was　sweet；　but　those　who　knew　him　best　wondered
what　evil　it　might　betoken　for　his　ancient　enemy。

〃You　offer　yourself；　then；　as　a　full　member？〃

〃Assuredly！〃　

〃Subject；〃　he　drawled；　〃to　all　the　usual　pains　and　privileges？〃

〃Certainly！〃　

The　Prince　played　with　the　cards　upon　the　table。　　His　smooth；　fair
face　was　unruffled；　almost　undisturbed。　　Yet　underneath　he　was
wondering　fiercely；　eagerly；　how　this　might　serve　his　ends。

〃The　circum