Gre?" I asked.
"Has been gone for a week with Madame to visit the estimable Monsieur
Poydras at Pointe Coupee." Madame la Vicomtesse, who had better use for
her words than to waste them at such a time, left me, went to the
balcony, and began to give the gardienne in the court below swift
directions in French. Then she turned to me again.
"Are you prepared to ride with Antoinette and me to Les Iles, Monsieur?"
she asked.
"I am," I answered.
It must have been my readiness that made her smile. Then her eyes rested
on mine.
"You look tired, Mr. Ritchie," she said. "You did not obey me and go
home last night."
"How did you know that?" I asked, with a thrill at her interest.
"Because Madame Gravois told my messenger that you were out."
I was silent.
"You must take care of yourself," she said briefly. "Come, there are
some things which I wish to say to you before Antoinette is ready."
She led me toward the end of the gallery, where a bright screen of
morning-glories shaded us from the sun. But we had scarce reached the
place ere the sound of steps made us turn, and there was Mademoiselle
Antoinette herself facing us. I went forward a few steps, hesitated, and
bowed. She courtesied, my name faltering on her lips. Yes, it was
Antoinette, not the light-hearted girl whom we had heard singing "Ma
luron" in the garden, but a woman now with a strange beauty that
astonished me.
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