A Gentleman from Gascony: A Romance of the Huguenots — page 183: what you’re looking at

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

BENEATH THE SHADOW OF THE AXE. 179 The disguised Tzigana dropped an awkward curtsey, and replied with much rustic simplicity of manner: “He went into the guard-room to get paid for his eggs and fowls, and told me not to move until he came back.”’ Griffo laughed. “And of course immediately his back was turned you climbed the stairs and took a stroll on the battlements. It’s against orders, my dear, clean against orders, and, by my faith! perhaps it is my duty to lock you up.” Mirza dropped her basket and clasped her hands in well-feigned affectation of dismay. “Lock me up?” ‘Oh, well, perhaps I can let you go this time,” said Griffo, with another laugh. “It’s not pleasant to be confined in a cell, as that fellow behind the bars yonder would undoubtedly tell you.” “What bars?” “Turn your pretty eyes to the tower on our right. Do you see them?” “Yes.”’ And she lowered her voice, as if half fearful at the bare idea. “Is there a prisoner there?” “Yes, and one not likely to come out, except to go to his death.” “Who is it?” “Ha! ha! ha!” chuckled the soldier, pinching her cheek. ‘So you have your share of your sex’s curi- osity. Well, there’s no harm in satisfying you. It’sa heretic, who killed a great nobleman, the Duke de Bas- sompierre. He dies to-morrow.” “ Dies!” “Peste! It’s only a Huguenot. But let’s talk no more of him. You're here against orders, and will have to pay the fine,” Comichbooks (€()