The Midnight Queen [120]
and why did she not tell it to me
instead of you."
"She told it to Leoline, thinking, probably, she had the most
sense; and she told it to me, as Leoline's future husband. It is
somewhat long to relate, but it will help to beguile the time
while we are waiting for the royal summons."
And hereupon Sir Norman, without farther preface, launched into a
rapid resume of La Masque's story, feeling the cold chill with
which he had witnessed it creep over him as he narrated her
fearful end.
"It struck me," concluded Sir Norman, "that it would be better to
procure any papers she might possess at once, lest, by accident,
they should fall into other hands; so I rode there directly, and,
in spite of the cantankerous old porter, searched diligently,
until I found them. Here they are," said Sir Norman, drawing
forth the roll.
"And what do you intend doing with them?" inquired Hubert,
glancing at the papers with an unmoved countenance.
"Show them to the king, and, though his mediation with Louis,
obtain for you the restoration of your rights."
"And do you think his majesty will give himself so much trouble
for the Earl of Rochester's page?"
"I think he will take the trouble to see justice done, or at
least he ought to. If he declines, we will take the matter in
our own hands, my Hubert; and you and I will seek Louis
ourselves. Please God, the Earl of Rochester's page will yet
wear the coronet of the De Montmorencis!"
"And the sister of a marquis will be no unworthy mate even for a
Kingsley," said Hubert. "Has La Masque left nothing for her?"
"Do you see this casket?" tapping the one of cared brass dangling
from his belt; "well, it is full of jewels worth a king's ransom.
I found them in a drawer of La Masque's house, with directions
that they were to be given to her sisters at her death. Miranda
being dead, I presume they are all Leoline's now."
"This is a queer business altogether!" said Hubert, musingly;
"and I am greatly mistaken if King Louie will not regard it as a
very pretty little work of fiction."
"But I have proofs, lad! The authenticity of these papers cannot
be doubted."
"With all my heart. I have no objections to be made a marquis
of, and go back to la belle France, out of this land of plague
and fog. Won't some of my friends here be astonished when they
hear it, particularly the Earl of Rochester, when he finds out
that he has had a marquis for a page? Ah, here comes George, and
bearing a summons from Count L'Estrange at last."
George approached, and intimated that Sir Norman was to follow
him to the presence of his master.
"Au revoir, then," said Hubert. "You will find me here when you
come back."
Sir Norman, with a slight tremor of the nerves at what was to
come, followed the king's page through halls and anterooms, full
of loiterers, courtiers, and their attendants. Once a hand was
laid on his shoulder, a laughing voice met his ear, and the Earl
of Rochester stood beside him!
"Good-morning, Sir Norman; you are abroad betimes. How have you
left your friend, the Count L'Estrange?"
"Your lordship has probably seen him since I have, and should be
able to answer that question best."
"And how does his suit progress with the pretty Leoline?" went on
the gay earl. "In faith, Kingsley, I never saw such a charming
little beauty; and I shall do combat with you yet - with both the
count and yourself, and outwit the pair of you!"
"Permit me to differ from your lordship. Leoline would not touch
you with a pair of tongs!"
"Ah! she has better taste than you give her credit for; but if I
should fail, I know what to do to console myself."
"May I ask what?"
"Yes! there is Hubert, as like her an two peas in a pod. I shall
dress him up in lace and silks, and gewgaws, and have a Leoline
of my own already made its order."
"Permit
instead of you."
"She told it to Leoline, thinking, probably, she had the most
sense; and she told it to me, as Leoline's future husband. It is
somewhat long to relate, but it will help to beguile the time
while we are waiting for the royal summons."
And hereupon Sir Norman, without farther preface, launched into a
rapid resume of La Masque's story, feeling the cold chill with
which he had witnessed it creep over him as he narrated her
fearful end.
"It struck me," concluded Sir Norman, "that it would be better to
procure any papers she might possess at once, lest, by accident,
they should fall into other hands; so I rode there directly, and,
in spite of the cantankerous old porter, searched diligently,
until I found them. Here they are," said Sir Norman, drawing
forth the roll.
"And what do you intend doing with them?" inquired Hubert,
glancing at the papers with an unmoved countenance.
"Show them to the king, and, though his mediation with Louis,
obtain for you the restoration of your rights."
"And do you think his majesty will give himself so much trouble
for the Earl of Rochester's page?"
"I think he will take the trouble to see justice done, or at
least he ought to. If he declines, we will take the matter in
our own hands, my Hubert; and you and I will seek Louis
ourselves. Please God, the Earl of Rochester's page will yet
wear the coronet of the De Montmorencis!"
"And the sister of a marquis will be no unworthy mate even for a
Kingsley," said Hubert. "Has La Masque left nothing for her?"
"Do you see this casket?" tapping the one of cared brass dangling
from his belt; "well, it is full of jewels worth a king's ransom.
I found them in a drawer of La Masque's house, with directions
that they were to be given to her sisters at her death. Miranda
being dead, I presume they are all Leoline's now."
"This is a queer business altogether!" said Hubert, musingly;
"and I am greatly mistaken if King Louie will not regard it as a
very pretty little work of fiction."
"But I have proofs, lad! The authenticity of these papers cannot
be doubted."
"With all my heart. I have no objections to be made a marquis
of, and go back to la belle France, out of this land of plague
and fog. Won't some of my friends here be astonished when they
hear it, particularly the Earl of Rochester, when he finds out
that he has had a marquis for a page? Ah, here comes George, and
bearing a summons from Count L'Estrange at last."
George approached, and intimated that Sir Norman was to follow
him to the presence of his master.
"Au revoir, then," said Hubert. "You will find me here when you
come back."
Sir Norman, with a slight tremor of the nerves at what was to
come, followed the king's page through halls and anterooms, full
of loiterers, courtiers, and their attendants. Once a hand was
laid on his shoulder, a laughing voice met his ear, and the Earl
of Rochester stood beside him!
"Good-morning, Sir Norman; you are abroad betimes. How have you
left your friend, the Count L'Estrange?"
"Your lordship has probably seen him since I have, and should be
able to answer that question best."
"And how does his suit progress with the pretty Leoline?" went on
the gay earl. "In faith, Kingsley, I never saw such a charming
little beauty; and I shall do combat with you yet - with both the
count and yourself, and outwit the pair of you!"
"Permit me to differ from your lordship. Leoline would not touch
you with a pair of tongs!"
"Ah! she has better taste than you give her credit for; but if I
should fail, I know what to do to console myself."
"May I ask what?"
"Yes! there is Hubert, as like her an two peas in a pod. I shall
dress him up in lace and silks, and gewgaws, and have a Leoline
of my own already made its order."
"Permit