Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 209: what you’re looking at

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

202 THE ARGOSY, quired the other suspiciously. “Come, Jean,” he added, with oily persua- siveness, “ think which side your bread is buttered on. You know it’s the marquis, and not that smip of a girl, the Countess Marie, to whom we owe our places. He thinks she is up to some game or other, and if you and I can give him any information it will be the best day’s work we ever did! ” While the butler was speaking, the girl’s hand, which still lay uncon- sciously in Cottrell’s, trembled violently, and he could hear her quick breath- ing. “Friend Louis, you are a rare bird!’ murmured Jean Daron, in accents of feigned admiration. “ You know how to keep solid with the marquis. As for me, I’m nothing but a country lout, and know nothing about plots or intrigues. If the countess was a scheming, she'd get some sharper wit than I, depend upon it. Some fellow like you, now, that's clever and knowing, and has seen something of the world, eh, Louis?” and Jean poked his com- panion in the ribs. The butler chuckled with gratified vanity. “TI believe you’re right! Well, good night to you, but don’t fall asleep again in the night air or you'll pay for it with rheumatic bones!” and so say- ing, he was off in the darkness again, whistling softly as he went. ) 9 CHAPTER TV.—CotTTrRELL TAKES TEA WITH THE COUNTESS AND LEARNS “Many STRANGE THINGS. WHEN the last sound of Louis’ footsteps had died away in the distance Jean bolted the door again and darkened all the windows. “ Now, my lady, you may safely continue your talk with monsieur, and then I would humbly advise you to get back to the chateau before your absence is discovered.” The girl laughed, and her eyes sparkled as though she enjoyed the nov- elty of the situation. ° ‘“ My little protégée, Anne, is keeping guard for me in my room; but, my good Jean, are you sure you will have no more nocturnal visitors. No? Well, then, play the host and give us a bite of supper. Monsieur must be half starved after his journey, and Louis spoke the truth for once, when he said I had no dinner!” | A complete transformation seemed to have taken place in the girl. All her look of dread seemed to have disappeared, and in place of the pallor Cot- trell had first noticed, was now a tinge of color. As for himself, strange events had followed one another in such rapid suc- cession that utter bewilderment had given place to a feeling of almost stony indifference, and he now resigned himself to what might follow with a calm- ness that would have puzzled himself to explain. When the frugal little meal was over the countess turned toward Cottrell suddenly and said: “ Monsieur, I am writing a novel. I have sketched out the opening chapters, but how to end the story I have not yet decided, and I need your help. I will give you roughly the plot as far as I have developed it.” That a beautiful young countess, meeting him for the first time in a peas- ant’s cottage at eight o’clock at night, should choose this opportunity to GONG OOO UN ceo