Then she looked up at
me.
"It is the Governor's permit for Mr. Temple to remain in this house.
Thank you," she said to the Alcalde; "you may go."
"With my respectful wishes for the continued good health of Madame la
Vicomtesse," said the Alcalde.
CHAPTER XI
"IN THE MIDST OF LIFE"
The Alcalde had stopped on the step with an exclamation at something in
the darkness outside, and he backed, bowing, into the room again to make
way for some one. A lady, slim, gowned and veiled in black and followed
by a negress, swept past him. The lady lifted her veil and stood before
us.
"Antoinette!" exclaimed the Vicomtesse, going to her.
The girl did not answer at once. Her suffering seemed to have brought
upon her a certain acceptance of misfortune as inevitable. Her face,
framed in the black veil, was never more beautiful than on that night.
"What is the Alcalde doing here?" she said.
The officer himself answered the question.
"I am leaving, Mademoiselle," said he. He reached out his hands toward
her, appealingly. "Do you not remember me, Mademoiselle? You brought
the good sister to see my wife."
"I remember you," said Antoinette.
"Do not stay here, Mademoiselle!" he cried. "There is--there is yellow
fever."
"So that is it," said Antoinette, unheeding him and looking at her
cousin.
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