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One

His Grace of Avon Buys a Soul

A gentle down a side street in Paris, on his way back froly, for the red heels of his shoes were very high A long purple cloak, rose-lined, hung from his shoulders and was allowed to fall carelessly back fro a full-skirted coat of purple satin, heavily laced with gold; a waistcoat of flowered silk; faultless s of jewels on his cravat and breast A three-cornered hat, point-edged, was set upon his powdered wig, and in his hand he carried a long beribboned cane It was little enough protection against footpads, and although a light dress sword hung at the gentleman’s side its hilt was lost in the folds of his cloak, not quickly to be found At this late hour, and in this deserted street, it was the height of foolhardiness to walk unattended and flaunting jewels, but the gentleuidly on his way, glancing neither to left nor to right, apparently heedless of possible danger

But as he walked down the street, idly twirling his cane, a body hurled itself upon him, shot like a cannon-ball froentleant cloak, cried out in a startled voice, and tried to regain his balance

His Grace of Avon swirled about, gripping his assailant’s wrists and bearing theth belied by his foppish appearance His victi to his knees

‘M’sieur! Ah, let o! I did not o!’

His Grace bent over the boy, standing a little to one side so that the light of an adjacent street laonized countenance Great violet-blue eyes gazed wildly up at him, terror in their depths

‘Surely you are a little young for this game?’ drawled the Duke ‘Or did you think to take me unawares?’

The boy flushed, and his eyes grew dark with indignation

‘I did not seek to rob you! Indeed, indeed I did not! I – I was running away! I – oh, o!’

‘In good ti, may I ask? From another victim?’

‘No! Oh, please let o! You – you do not understand! He will have started in pursuit! Ah, please, please, milor’!’

The Duke’s curious, heavy-lidded eyes never wavered from the boy’s face They had widened suddenly, and become intent

‘And who, child, is “he”?’

‘My – my brother Oh, please –’

Round the corner of the alley caht of Avon he checked The boy shuddered, and now clung to Avon’s arm

‘Ah!’ exploded the newcoht to rob you, rateful brat! You shall be sorry, I pro brother I was beating him for his laziness when he slipped from me –’

The Duke raised a scented handkerchief to his thin nostrils

‘Keep your distance, fellow,’ he said haughtily ‘Doubtless beating is good for the young’

The boy shrank closer to him He made no atteain the Duke’s strange eyes ran over hi for a moment on the copper-red curls that were cut short and ruffled into wild disorder