, as
well to open it to M. Antonino, as to screen her mistress until she
cared to reveal her presence.

Perhaps it was application to the work and not pining over the absence
of Cesarine, but the Italian showed evidence of sleeplessness and his
pallor had the unpleasant cast of the Southerners when out of spirits.

His eyes were enfevered and his lips dry and cracked. He carried a
handsome fowling-piece, which presented, at first glance, no feature of
dissimilarity to the usual pattern except that trigger and hammer were
absent, and the rim of the barrel was not blackened from the recent
discharge.

"What did you stop me for when I had hardly more than begun my sport and
practice?" he inquired.

"Put down that devil's own gun, sir monsieur," said Hedwig, "if you
please."

"Why, what's the matter?" said he, while obeying by standing the rifle
in a corner. "I thought you Germans were all daughters or sweethearts of
soldiers."

"Ay, and most of us women would make as good soldiers as they have here;
but I was speaking because you gave a shock to madame."

Stepping aside, Antonino discovered Madame Clemenceau, who smiled
softly.

"Oh, madame!" ejaculated Antonino, at the height of astonishment, not
unmixed with gladness. "I beg your pardon; I am very sorry--I mean
glad--that is, I was not aware--if I had had any idea you were home--"

"You could not have known," she answered in a gentle voice. "I was too
eager to get back, to delay to send a line. As for the noise, another
time it might not matter, but I came here by an early morning train and
I had no rest before I started. I am very fatigued and nervous, and the
shot so sudden, surprised me. For a little while to come, I should like
you to repeat your experiments with firearms at a distance from the
house. Is--is that the new kind of rifle?" she inquired, with the
timidity of a child introduced to the new watchdog.

"Yes, madame!" and his eyes blazing with pride, he proceeded, as he
crossed the room and returned with the firearm, "it is altogether a new
invention. Master is an innovator, indeed!"

"Do you object to showing it to me?" continued Cesarine, pleased that
the enthusiasm gave an excuse for her not entering into an explanation
of her absence which, even if more plausible than that Hedwig had
doubtingly received, would require all of Antonino's affectionate faith
in her to win credence. "I do not object. Even those experienced in the
old weapons can