A Gentleman from Gascony: A Romance of the Huguenots — page 198: what you’re looking at

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

194 A GENTLEMAN FROM GASCONY. . “No. I could have done nothing without Pharos,” replied Mirza, modestly, as, with a gesture of im- patience, she flung off the flaxen wig. “And Pharos?” “Pharos!” with a confident laugh. “Trust Pharos to take care of himself.” “Mirza,” said Raoul, approaching nearer and speak- ing inalowtone. “Did you go to the Hotel de Bas- sompierre to-day?” “Yes.” “And Mademoiselle de Vrissac?” The Tzigana smiled, looking up at Raoul with eyes full of meaning. “Oh! I saw her too. She kept the rendezvous. There will be at least one happy heart in Paris when your escape is known.” The chevalier’s face absolutely sparkled with renewed hope. Ah! what a happy time is youth! How little it takes when one is young to turn despair into joy! Youth is well named the spring-time of life. It no more fears the future, than the blade of grass which pushes forth its first feeble shoot in a field devastated by winter doubts Mother Nature. “What did she say? What did——” But again the chevalier was interrupted, as the same signal was repeated upon the door. ‘“Chut! monsieur,” whispered Ismael. “These must be the visitors I spoke of.” The door being opened gave entrance to two men wrapped in long, dark mantles and their faces covered with masks. The taller of the two advanced to Raoul, who was in doubt whether this was a fresh cause for alarm or Eomicbooks*co