Page:Outlawandlawmak00praegoog.djvu/90

78 going back to Leichardt's Town, and frankly I am full of sympathy for Moonlight. Do you know that one of the troopers says that he speaks a strange language?"

Blake laughed. " I understand that he was heard to give an order to fire in French, and Captain Macpherson has started the theory that he is an escaped convict from New Caledonia."

Lady Horace came out of her room just then, and advanced to her sister and Blake. Her eyes had a frightened look. "Elsie," she said, "I should like to know Mr. Blake." She held out her hand with her charming smile. "I cannot say that I am glad you have got in, but I am glad, at any rate, that the fight is over."

"And the hatchet is buried, Lady Horace," said Blake, acknowledging her salutation with a very courtly bow. "I suppose you know that the rival candidates and their supporters dine together to-night, and that we shall all make pretty speeches about each other and be good friends henceforth?"

They said a few more words, and then Blake left them. The two sisters went back to the sitting-room. "Elsie," Ina said on the way thither, "don't begin to flirt with that man."

"Why not, dear?" asked Elsie.

"Because he will make you do what he likes," said Ina, "I see it in his eyes." The light of a gas jet fell on her agitated face and blurred lashes.

"Ina, you have been crying," exclaimed Elsie. "What is the matter? Has Horace been doing anything to vex you?"

"No—I" Ina stammered. "I am very happy, Elsie, I'm only sorry for Mr. Hallett; and you don't care. You are wishing joy to the man who has supplanted him. You have nothing kind to say to Frank, who loves you. He is in there waiting, and hoping to see you. Oh, go to him, Elsie, and say that you are sorry."

Ina pushed Elsie in and ran back to her room.

Frank Hallett was there alone. He was standing by the mantelpiece, and looked grim and sad. It struck her for