s monsieur
here will amuse me." And she stroked the feathers of the bird, and
bending down kissed it.

"Madame," I began; but she glanced up, and stayed me with a laugh.

"What a voice! As severe as my dear De Mouchy's when he delivers a
judgment; but, Chevalier, Leila, my Syrian maid, always tells me 'tis
easier to sit than to stand, and there is room on these
cushions--come!" And stretching out a shapely white arm she let it
rest on the amber-hued silk of the cushions by her side.

As I gazed on the temptress lying at my feet the thought came to me to
slay her in her sin; and perhaps she saw the sombre light in my eyes,
and read my heart, for she drew her arm back swiftly, and half rose;
but mastering myself I gave her her chance.

"Madame, I have come to beg your mercy----"

"You!" And she sank back again on her cushions.

"Yes, madame! I have come to ask for a life."

"Not yours, surely? It never was Orrain's way." And she smiled.

"Ay; it is my life ten times over, as well as another's; but you know
whom I mean, madame! She is innocent, and a word from you will save
her."

"Oh, monsieur, you overrate my power! And this is not amusing. It is
too hot to talk of such things."

"Madame, be merciful! Spare her! She never harmed you."

"What!" And tossing the bird from her she rose to her feet, lithe as a
pantheress. So perfectly was she formed that one did not realise how
tall she was until she came near; and she was close enough to me now,
her eyes flashing with a hundred evil, angry lights.

"She never harmed me? Never hurt me? She! That white-faced
provincial, with her airs of virtue, who tried to shame me in public!
Look you, I hate that woman! Do you hear? I hate her--hate her! If
by the lifting of my little finger I could save her, do you think I
would? Never! Let her die! And she shall die, as Philippine de Lune
did----"

"Madame!"

"And you!" she burst in, "insolent that you are!--you! who have dared
to come here! Think you that you will go free?"

"Enough, madame! I no longer appeal to your pity."

She had half turned from me, and made a step towards the gong as if to
strike it, but faced back like lightning, womanlike determined to have
the last word.

"_Mon Dieu_! but this surpasses all."

"Not in the least! I begged for your mercy at first; now I bring to
you the Queen's commands."

She almost gasped, and then laughed out loudly. "The Queen's
commands--the