Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 222: what you’re looking at

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

THE QUEEN’S BODY GUARD. 215 ‘When the whole affair is explained, not.even a French court of justice would hold the woman responsible.” . “When and where is the duel to come off?” “ Here, on any night you shall name. Send me a note stating hour and weapons, and you will find me promptly on hand; and now, pardon me, but I must search you for concealed arms, and then you may depart.” The count submitted with as good a grace as he could, and then, rising from the ground, he walked rapidly away in the darkness, and Cottrell heard the whinny of a horse and the thud, thud of hoofs, as he galloped off down the hard beach. CHAPTER VI{J.—CoTtrRELL MAKES A RESOLVE. As Cottrell passed up the broad stairway of the chateau that night, or rather early morning, for it was Just 1:00 A. M., he was met at the first landing by the countess herself, her face pale as death, her eyes shining with a feverish brilliancy. . | “Thank God, you have come back safe,’”’ she murmured, as soon as his tall figure appeared slowly mounting the steps, and then as the light of the hall lamp fell on him, she uttered a little cry. “Oh, mon Dieu, you are hurt!” and she fell a trembling. And no wonder, for he certainly presented a sorry spectacle. His mas- tery of the lieutenant had not been accomplished without considerable dam- age to his attire, and there were one or two cuts about his face that looked rather ghastly in the dim light of the hall. ‘“ A scratch or two, that’s all,’”’ he said, quite gaily. ‘“‘ Nothing to amount to anything, really.” He felt in “unusually good spirits, for he had done a very good evening’s work. The countess was not satisfied, however, with making light of his wounds; with gentle imperiousness, she insisted that he lie down on a lounge in an alcove of the vast hall, and with her own soft hands she fetched a basin of water and some linen, and bathed and dressed the cuts on his forehead. Cottrell tried to remonstrate with her. The poor fellow was visibly em- barrassed at her gentle ministrations. ‘You are too good,” he murmured. “And mayn’t I even do this little in return for your devotion to me? ” she asked, smiling archly at him. “I have only done what any man would have done in my place,” he pro- tested. “Ah, monsieur, like all noble men, you are too modest. Anne, poor child, has told me all that happened tonight, or at least, all that happened until she left. Is the count, my cousin, now at large?” “ Yes, but [ don’t think he will be likely to trouble you again.” The girl shook her head sadly. “ 1’m afraid you don’t know his nature as well as I do. He will find some way of revenging himself.” GORGE OOO A) UN ceo