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"Ah! very prettily said, señor I perceive your objection then: you think me fairer without than within I dare not contend you are altogether wrong in such conjecture Faith, why not, señor? It would be strange otherwise All lives do not flow gently ah upon the rocks I have learned reasons of deceit and cruelty in the hard school of experience If, in years of trial, I have grown hard of judgment, reckless of action, it is because others have been harsh with me Power is naturally tyrannical But then what use for us to dwell upon the past? So you cae the risks a man will run for so infinitesiives me a pleasant tale to pour into the ears of hiain to-morrow If I mistake not, the one you seek in secret bears the naallant At least, she masquerades in this wilderness under the title of Madame de Noyan But 'tis you, not he, her reputed husband, forsooth, who seeks her chaht Truly 'tis a pretty tale of rohtly spoke, what infernal use an unscrupulous wo in her words aroused ht to make reply, she marked my hesitancy and continued with bitter sarcasm

"Madame possesses so sweetly innocent a face I should never have suspected her of being an immodest wanton, were it not for the evidence of e world, señor Yet I have often heard this is the ith these grandes daht which places such construction uponhere," I broke forth, determined I would face her down at every hazard "You knoellto aid one you held prisoner It is all because of your sin, not ours You have robbed this Chevalier de Noyan of all his manhood by your cursed set his sworn duty unto her who is his wife"

"How interesting you grow," she interrupted, her lips curling, her eyes hardening "Señor, you grow almost handsome when your eyes flash So you felt called upon to devote yourself to this poor, lected wife? I trust you have not found it an unpleasant service, or entirely without reward?"