ent now, and he thought he
had never seen her to better advantage, with the blue of her dress
reappearing in the lighter shade, above the dark paletot, in the
lining of the bonnet and the bow of ribbons beneath her chin.

"On my word, but she looks handsome!" muttered the patroon. "Might sit
for a Gainsborough or a Reynolds! What dignity! What coldness! All
except the eyes! How they can lighten! But there's that adventurer
with her," as the figure of the soldier crossed the yard to the
property wagon. "No getting rid of him until the last moment!" And he
opened the shutters wider, listening and watching more closely.

"Are you going to ride in the property wagon?" he heard Saint-Prosper
ask.

"Yes; when I have a part to study I sometimes retire to the stage
throne," she answered lightly. "I suppose you will ride your horse?"

Of his reply the listener caught only the words, "wind-break" and
"lame." He observed the soldier assist her to the throne, and then, to
Mauville's surprise, spring into the wagon himself.

"Why, the fellow is going with them!" exclaimed the land baron. "Or,
at any rate, he is going with her. What can it mean?" And hurriedly
quitting his post, his toilet now being complete, he hastened to the
door and quickly made his way down-stairs.

During the past week his own addresses had miscarried and his
gallantry had been love's labor lost. At first he had fancied he
was making progress, but soon acknowledged to himself he had
underestimated the enterprise. Play had succeeded play--he could not
have told what part favored her most! Ophelia sighed and died; Susan
danced on her grave between acts, according to the program, and
turned tears into smiles; the farewell night had come and gone--and
yet Constance had made no sign of compliance to reward the patient
wooer. Now, at the sight of these preparations for departure, and
the presence of the stalwart stranger in the property wagon, he
experienced a sudden sensation of pique, almost akin to jealousy.

Stepping from the tavern, it was with an effort he suppressed his
chagrin and vexation and assumed that air of nonchalance which became
him well. Smilingly he bade Susan and the other occupants of the
chariot farewell, shook Barnes by the hand, and turned to the property
wagon.

"The noise of your departure awakened me," he said to the young girl.
"So I have come to claim my compensation--the pleasure of seeing
you--"

"Depart!" she laughed quickl