“He came as her betrothed, and he has done as we would have him do, seeing the purpose in hand.” “I have my doubts about this affair after all,” was the answer, with a heavy frown. “It will not suit me that he win too far into her good graces. The thing has cost me a sleepless night of thought, and I have come now that I may see them together, myself unseen, and hear them speak one to the other, that I may judge how matters go. You will arrange this. I am consumed with a cursed gnawing plague of jealousy.” “You will of course understand----” “I will understand nothing but that you must do as I say.” De Proballe spread out his hands and was about to expostulate again, when the Duke cut him short, and said very sternly-- “Will you do as I say, M. le Baron, or must I find some other way?” “It shall be as you please. The best plan I can conceive is that we remain hidden here where we can watch any one on the terrace, and I will send word to de Cobalt that the hour is close at hand when he is to accompany me to the Castle, and ask him to wait me on the terrace. Then I can send for Gabrielle, and get her there.” “Give the instructions in my presence.” “Monsieur le Duc!” exclaimed de Proballe, in a tone of indignation. “Monsieur le Baron!” He imitated de Proballe’s tone, and then laughed coarsely. “I can trust my own ears, and mean to have no warning conveyed to either of them.” De Proballe started and bit his lip. He had contemplated doing the very thing the Duke insinuated, and was bitterly vexed his thought should have been read. For a moment they faced each other, and then de Proballe with a shrug of his shoulders turned to obey. But at that instant the Duke caught sight of Gerard and Gabrielle strolling in the gardens, and frowned. “There is no need to summon any one. I see them. You will remain with me, monsieur.” Standing back well out of sight, the Duke watched the two lovers with intent gaze, his expression changing gradually from eager scrutiny to one of jealous anger, and the heavy frown deepened every moment, till at last he burst out into angry speech. “God of Heaven! it is even worse than the worst I feared. See how they linger together over the flowers; how she smiles to him, and he answers.” “He does but play his part, Duke.” “If that be play, then never saw I earnest. And she, how her face lights as he speaks to her; her colour deepens as she droops her head at his words. See how she lays her hand tenderly on his arm; and he, how he stoops over her hand and raises it to his lips, and she--by the God that made us all, she loves him. Look at the light in her eyes.” “He is our man, my lord, and sows but for us to reap.” “’Twill be a bitter crop for some of us, or I am no ruler in Morvaix. ’Twas not for this we sent for him. And you say they never met till yesterday?” “Till yesterday.”