Belle Rose: A Romance of the Cloak and Sword — page 92: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

80 A DAUGHTER OF EVE. ‘‘He is free, madame. You have doubted my word; I will not insult you by doubting yours.”’ Belle-Rose’s hand opened, and the page stepped quickly to his mistress’ side. ‘‘He is a bold and handsome young fellow, truly!’’ ex- claimed the lady. ‘‘Upon my soul, here is a young soldier whom the captain’s epaulettes would become marvelously. Frank and firm as steel.”’ The voice of the unknown charmed Belle-Rose like the sonorous vibrations of a harp. He listened to it still after she had ceased speaking, and his heart had the mysterious revelation of the boundless love which this woman ought to inspire, and the irremediable misfortune which ought to result from her relinquishment. He had just under- stood the mute despair of Monsieur d’Assonville. ‘‘Belle-Rose, wait,’’ she resumed; ‘‘you will be free in a moment.’’ The masked lady and the page spoke in low tones for some minutes; then the latter, approaching a small ebony table upon which was some paper, presented a pen to his mistress, who wrote a letter, folded it, placed it in an en- velope, impressed a ring which she wore upon her finger upon the burning wax and extended the dispatch to Belle- Rose. ‘‘Here is my reply, remit it promptly to Monsieur d’As- sonville, and forget everything—even the road which you have taken to come here. Butifsome day men fail you, strike boldly at the door in the Rue Cassette and give your name; a woman will recollect. ’’ Belle-Rose bowed over the hand of the fair unknown and took the letter, touching, as he did so, the end of a perfumed glove with his lips. ‘‘May God preserve you, handsome cavalier!’’ said she, and casting a last glance at Belle-Rose, she disap- peared behind a curtain. ‘‘Are you coming?’’ said the page, as Belle-Rose, dazzled by that glance and shivering at those words, remained im- movable before the large folds of the purple damask. Belle-Rose trembled, and full of agitation, followed the guide. They descended the steps, traversed the forest without seeing any shadow this time, and mounted within the carriage. The page lowered the blinds, and two hours after the carriage stopped at the entrance of the Rue de Vangirard, A lackey opened the portiére, Belle-Rose de- scended, and the equipage left at a gallop. When Belle- Rose reached the corner of the Rue du Pot-de-Fer St. Sul- ecomicbooks 3