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Toiling together we finally succeeded in returning the flat cover to its proper position in the flooring, and spread over it a thick skin Seeing everything was left exactly as when she entered, Madame, who had become a neoh a narrow curtained recess to the second apartned as the Queen's reception roo, the loalls covered with shields of beaten copper, while burnished bits of the saold and iron, were scattered everywhere in strange profusion Varied tinted stones and sea-shells had been built into a raised platform, on which stood a couch hidden beneath rich robes of skin, and draped about with ether it was an interior of rich barbaric splendor, savage in its unusual beauty, yet possessing here and there an odd touch of civilization al by contrast You aze about and note such details, for Mada ether a partially concealed passage behind where the couch stood Hereintoshelf, concealed by a curtain of scarlet cloth

"Eat heartily," she commanded quickly, "for you see watch lest we be taken by surprise Should I give a signal, lift yonder red curtain at its farther end, and hide there in silence until I coh, yettime for speech

"Have you some plan, Madame?" I questioned anxiously "You said but now this house was held under heavy guard"

"I spoke truly I e is at ain Oftentimes they peer within when the Queen is absent, to assure theed"

"And this Naladi--does she treat you well?"

The swift color mounted into her clear cheeks

"Not ill, so far, at least, as relates to the physical," she responded gravely "No hand has been angrily laid upon ed forth from the altar-house Yet there are other forms of torture; and she constantly mocks me with my helplessness, and, I believe, even hates me for no better reason than that I stand between her and the Chevalier"

"You have seen him?"

"No; but have heard his voice while he held private converse with her, the shameless wanton; have listened to words ill suited to the ears of a wife She is a witch, and the slu devil in her has made snare for his weakness"