Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 234: what you’re looking at

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

b THE QUEEN’S BODY GUARD. 227 “ And now,” said Struthers, when everything had been arranged for mount- ing guard and transporting the English servants to the chateau on the morrow, “TI should like very much to make the acquaintance of the mistress of the castle. I wish to judge for myself that she is the noble girl you picture her. Much as I trust to your good judgment, Henry, I am well aware that beauty often blinds a man to everything else.” “Tam quite willing that you should see for yourself,” said Cottrell quietly. “ Follow me till we reach the chateau; then I will inform mademotselle la comtesse of your arrival and see that no servants are lurking about.” Cottrell soon returned, and whistled softly to Struthers. The young Englishman followed the other into a dimly lighted drawing- room,” where the young countess was waiting to receive him. Struthers looked keenly at her. The girl’s eyes did not fall before his scrutinizing glance, but met his fearlessly. For a full three seconds they stood thus, each mentally taking the other’s measure. “My countess,” said Cottrell, “ this is my English friend, the Honorable Richard Struthers, who has come to render what assistance he can.” She smiled slightly and held out her hand to Struthers in salutation. He took her fingers in his and bent over them, after the old French fashion. Then he looked up at her with a frank smile. He had already passed judgment on her, and the verdict was all that Cottrell could have wished. “To be candid with you, my lady,” he said in his calm, cheery voice, “ I ran over here to see that no harm had befallen my friend, Cottrell. That was my only motive. But now,” with a courteous bow, “ I feel convinced that had evil overtaken him, he would have fallen in a good cause, and I also beg to be allowed to put myself in your service.” It was a very pretty little speech, and showed the Englishman to be the courtier he was. “I thank you, monsieur,” replied the countess simply, “and for you friend’s.sake as well as my own, I accept your generous offer.” And so did a bond of union spring up between the three that was never to be broken in life, and it served to keep up their heart of hope when all was black. The countess was facing the open window by which Cottrell and the Eng- lishman had entered, but the two friends standing opposite the girl had their backs to it. Presently she happened to glance towards this window. Instantly she became like one transfixed; her great eyes set in terror, her lips parted as though she had started to speak and had been suddenly turned to stone. Before either of the men could realize what had happened, the spell was broken, and with a half articulate cry she fell senseléss across the table in front of her. | CHaprer XII.—TueE Escape. '“ My God, what can it mean! ” cried Cottrell in an agony of fear. He took up the unconscious form of the girl he loved, and placed her on a lounge, comiclooolk ceo