Belle-Rose — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

A DAUGHTER OF EVE. 79 ‘Those who believe in falsehood practice it,’’ Belle-Rose boldly said. The unknown trembled but did not reply, and addressed herself to Belle-Rose’s guide, expressing herself in a for- eign tongue. ‘‘Eh! madame, I cannot! !’’ replied the guide, in French. ‘Who hinders you.’ “he soldier, who has maintained his hold on me the whole length of the path and still maintains it.”’ “Tt is a whim which I pardon him, but which is going to ~ finish this moment.’’ Belle-Rose made no reply, but his fingers did not fora moment cease to clasp the wrist of the guide. ‘Well! did you hear me?’’ said the impatient lady. ‘*Perfectly ; but why should I do what you desire?’’ ‘*Because I wish it.”’ “That is a pretext at most, and I ask for a reason.”’ ‘*Insolent!’’ exclaimed the unknown lady, springing to her feet. ‘‘Do you know that if I called, there are arms near here disposed to force you to obey and to punish you afterward?’’ ‘I believe it, madame; but at the first cry, at the first gesture, I shall stretch this guide dead at your feet.”’ The fair unknown drew back at the sight of the poniard suspended above the breast of the page. ‘*And when he is dead, the others will see that they are dealing with a resolute man who is not easy to overcome. Call now!’’ repeated the sergeant. ‘*Do not do it, madame; he would kill me as he says,’’ exclaimed the guide. ‘‘Ah! you are courageous, it appears,’’ said the masked woman. ‘‘I thank Monsieur d’Assonville for having sent me such a valiant ambassador. ”’ ‘*And I thank him for having chosen me for a mission in which arms must intervene in the midst of a discourse. Monsieur d’Assonville did not deceive me.’’ ‘‘What! is it indeed he who caused you to take this pon- iard?’’ she exclaimed, in an indignant voice. ‘*Was he wrong, madame?’’ The unknown lady trembled at this question coldly pro- pounded, and Belle-Rose saw her neck purpled by a sud- den blush. She again seated herself upon the sofa and ap- peared to gaze attentively at him. ‘‘Let us cut short this debate,’’ she softly said. ‘‘If I give you my word that nothing shall be done to you, will you release that page?” s EOmicboo “S Eo im