Page:A courier of fortune (1904).djvu/77

Rh the balustrade, and sinking upon it with a sigh, Gabrielle exclaimed—

"Thank God you have come, cousin, and thank God more that you are what you are, a brave and gallant gentleman."

"Cousin?" echoed Gerard, catching the word.

"Cousin, of course; what else?" and then as if perceiving some double meaning in her last words, she blushed vividly.

"I do not understand," he murmured, and then: "That is the Baron de Proballe?"

"Of course, as surely as I am Gabrielle de Malincourt. My uncle and my one good friend and adviser—up to now." She lifted her eyes and smiled as she emphasised the last words.

"Your good friend and adviser!" he repeated.

"How oddly you speak, cousin. Is it not by his counsel and urging that you are here?"

"That I am here?" he asked, this time with a start.

"Perhaps you are not glad to have been brought here."

"Mademoiselle, I have seen you," he answered with a bow.

Gabrielle laughed gaily. "How formal, cousin."

"I am lost in wonderment. I know not what to say."

"It is well that you are quicker with your sword than with your tongue, or it would have gone harder than it did with my poor Denys just now. But perhaps I understand. You are surprised in me. I am different from what you expected."

"You are the fairest woman I have ever seen."

She blushed again and smiled.

"Yet you could not look more scared were I the ugliest witch. Shall I tell you a secret? I have dreaded your coming."

"Pray God I may never give you cause to repent it,