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Rh "It is my rose, if you please, m'sieu."

"But you meant it for me," and he kissed it and then tried to take her hands. But she drew back.

"Do we know each other, m'sieu?"

His answer was a smile and an attempt to take her in his arms. But she would not let him. Seeing his mood, she could not resist a chance to tease him further.

"Have you forgotten what you said last night? Did you not ride off this morning without a word—a single word? Do you think I forgive so easily, and forget?"

"I can answer that, Denys," said Gabrielle, stepping out now from her place of concealment. She was anxious to end the quarrel and learn the news he brought. "She has forgiven you and is sorry for what she did. She has been heart-broken all the morning at your absence."

"Gabrielle, I" began Lucette in protest.

"It is true, Denys, every word. So make your peace with her. Come, Lucette, be true to yourself."

"Peacemaker as usual, mademoiselle," cried Denys, with a happy, grateful smile.

"Indeed, indeed, it is nothing of the sort. Denys said last night that"

"Never mind what I said in my anger, Lucette; I am sorry."

"But it was so causeless, so unjust, so—so horrible," and she put her hands to her ears as if in horror at the mere recollection.

Denys captured them then in his strong hands and held her a prisoner, while Gabrielle turned away.

"Let me go, Denys, let me go; how dare you!" cried Lucette, as if in anger, and commenced to struggle, tapping her foot and averting her head as he strove to kiss her. "Let me go I say."

"Not till you say all that foolish quarrel is over, and you have kissed me."