Page:Gilbert Parker--The Lane that had No Turning.djvu/24

8 of honour." Wild with resentment, he saw in the Governor's words a consideration for himself based only on the fact that he was the husband of the great singer. He trembled to his feet.

At that moment there was a cheering outside—great cheering—but he did not heed it, he was scarcely aware of it. If it touched his understanding at all, it only meant to him a demonstration in honour of the Governor.

"Loyalty to the flag of England, your Excellency!" he said, in a hoarse, acrid voice. "You speak of loyalty to us whose lives for two centuries!" He paused, for he heard a voice calling his name. "Louis! Louis! Louis!"

The fierce words he had been about to utter died on his lips, his eyes stared at the open window, bewildered and even frightened.

"Louis! Louis!"

Now the voice was inside the house. He stood trembling, both hands grasping the arms of the chair. Every eye in the room was now turned towards the door. As it opened, the Seigneur sank back in the chair, a look of helpless misery touched by a fierce pride covering his face.

"Louis!"

It was Madelinette, who, disregarding the assembled company, ran forward to him and caught both his hands in hers.

"O, Louis, I have heard of your accident, and" she stopped suddenly short. The Governor turned away his head. Every person in the room did the same. For, as she bent over him—she saw! Saw for the first time; for the first time, Knew!

A look of horrified amazement, of shrinking anguish,