The Argosy — page 85: what you’re looking at

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

72 Checkmate in Ten Moves. pulled down over his head and shoulders, as if to protect them from his burden. Perilous as the undertaking was, it was accomplished: he reached my room in safety. I provided for his comfort as best I could, advising him to consult safety and convenience by remaining quite still; and, with the key in my pocket, went in search of Eleanor. To my surprise I found M. le Maire paying her a morning visit ; and not being disposed to face him under the circumstances, I retired unnoticed into the back drawing-room, to await his departure. The first words I heard made my heart leap with dismay. ‘“VYes, Madame,” he was saying, in his usual deliberate and dig- nified style, ‘‘they say that the Prussians are sending spies in all kinds of disguises into our towns. Every house here will, in conse- quence, be subjected to inquisition; and all the roads and lanes, gardens, orchards, and so forth, diligently watched and patrolled. Yours, dear Madame, presents so many facilities to an enemy, that it was the first thought of; and by this time, I have no doubt, the sentries are taking up their positions. But only for a few hours. It was my duty to agree to this, and to issue the order; but this evening, Madame, with your permission, I myself shall garrison your dwelling, and be answerable for all that goes on under your roof. I could not think of you and the other ladies being exposed to the well-meant rudeness of some of our patriots. May I take the liberty of asking you to receive me this evening ?” ‘“M. le Maire is too good,” was Eleanor’s reply; ‘‘he knows we are honoured by his friendship and society.” ‘‘Madame, the honour 1s mine; and I prove my sense of it by becoming myself your guarantee to the public. With an English lady I know I am perfectly safe; her word is her security; and if you put that loyal hand in mine, and tell me no spy is here, I shall feel confident that you are speaking the truth, and that the town has nothing to fear from any treachery of yours.” ‘You never suspected me of that, I hope?” said Eleanor. ‘Never, Madame! And I never shall. But you see we must be impartial.” At last he went away. Then I came out of my corner, told Eleanor I had overheard, and laughed with her at the panic about Prussian spies, though we agreed it was very considerate of M. le Maire. As soon as I could I left her, observing that I was going to enlist the services of Mariette. ‘‘T have actually got my library up-stairs at last,” I said, ‘*I caught a good man who was bringing in wood, and turned him into a porter. Mariette always promised to help me unpack the books.” ‘¢T shall be glad of anything that distracts her thoughts, poor child,” said Eleanor, ‘‘she is very low-spirited this morning.” Low-spirited with Mademoiselle Mariette meant a little fractious- ness of temper. She looked as unamiable about granting me this little favour, as if I had been offering her the greatest affront; and CONMIELICOO_ KS. (E)