Page:Rowland--The Mountain of Fears.djvu/195

  Asquin rushed into the room, weeping and wringing his hands, quite beside himself with grief and shock.

They have gone!' he cried. 'M. Stewart and my wife! They have fled in one of the pearling yawls!'

" 'I am very sorry for you,' said I, 'but I cannot say that I am surprised.'

"He did not seem to hear me; he wrung his hands and the tears ran down his sallow cheeks.

I am desolated!' he wailed. 'Was there ever such ingratitude? But think of my indulgence! my consideration! the unselfishness of my behavior!'

" 'My dear fellow,' said I, 'you are quite incomprehensible! As a man of the world, could you not see that Stewart was madly in love with the Countess'

" 'And she with him!' he cried. 'What could have been more evident? But why this flight? Did she not have everything heart could desire? Has her single wish been [ 179 ]