--here!" His
hand dropped on his breast.

"That's where it ought to be. Good-night."

"Good-night."

CHAPTER XIII. A LIVING POEM

Part of Frank's most trying interview, next to the meeting with his
wife, was that with Mackenzie, who had been his special commissioner in
the movement of his masquerade. Mackenzie also had learned a great deal
since she had brought Lali--home. She, like others, had come to care
truly for the sweet barbarian, and served her with a grim kind of
reverence. Just in proportion as this had increased, her respect for
Frank had decreased. No man can keep a front of dignity in the face of
an unbecoming action. However, Mackenzie had her moment, and when it
was over, the new life began at no general disadvantage to Frank. To all
save the immediate family Frank and Lali were a companionable husband
and wife. She rode with him, occasionally walked with him, now and again
sang to him, and they appeared in the streets of St. Albans and at the
Abbey together, and oftener still in the village church near, where the
Armours of many generations were proclaimed of much account in the solid
virtues of tomb and tablet.

The day had gone by when Lali attracted any especial notice among the
villagers, and she enjoyed the quiet beauty and earnestness of the
service. But she received a shock one Sunday. She had been nervous all
the week, she could not tell why, and others remarked how her face had
taken on a new sensitiveness, a delicate anxiety, and that her strength
was not what it had been. As, for instance, after riding she required to
rest, a thing before unknown, and she often lay down for an hour before
dinner. Then, too, at table once she grew suddenly pale and swayed
against Edward Lambert, who was sitting next to her. She would
not, however, leave the table, but sat the dinner out, to Frank's
apprehension. He was devoted, but it was clear to Marion and her mother
at least that his attentions were trying to her. They seemed to put her
under an obligation which to meet was a trial. There is nothing more
wearing to a woman than affectionate attentions from a man who has
claims upon her, but whom she does not love. These same attentions from
one who has no claims give her a thrill of pleasure. It is useless to
ask for justice in such a matter. These things are governed by no
law; and rightly so, else the world would be in good time a loveless
multitude, held together only by the hungering ties o