lips. Upon his forehead the
bushy black brows disjoined, and he sat down near Claire, so that he
could look in her face with the light of the sunset streaming upon it
through the door, while his own was still in shadow.

"So you may be my cousin--my aunt Colette's daughter," he said
meditatively. "Well, Don Jorge, you are a lawyer and learned, they say.
I charge you to look at any papers the young lady may have, and report
to your brother, this grinder of good meal and responsible civil
authority of my town of Collioure. And pray tell me, little one," he
continued, taking Claire's hand, as if he had been an old acquaintance,
"how would you like me for a cousin? We have much need of one so young
and fair in our dingy old castle. The stock of the Llorients of
Collioure has worn itself away, till there remains only myself and--if
there be no mistake--you, my kinswoman, fresh as the May morning! Why,
you will redeem us all!"

It was then that the Senora found her tongue. Indeed, she had not lost
it. But she did not approve of this too familiar and masterful young
man, and she only waited an opportunity of telling him so.

"Raphael Llorient of Collioure, listen to me," she said. "I was your
foster-mother--you and my Don Jordy there are of one age, and lay on my
breast together. It is my right to speak to you, since, though they may
owe you feudal obedience and service, I abide here in this house of La
Masane for the term of my natural life. Let this maid stay with us. If I
could bring up you and these children of my body, I am able to guide
also this young maid, who has nor father nor mother."

"But we have gay company down yonder at the Castle," said Raphael
Llorient, "ladies of the Court even--or rather, who would be of the
Court if we had one, and not merely a monastery with a bureau attached
for the Man-who-traffics-in-kingdoms!"

"I wish to stay here," said Claire, alarmed all at once by the
strangeness of her kinsman's manner. "I am very happy, and Professor
Anatole brought me from Paris!"

"Happy Professor," smiled the Lord of Collioure, somewhat sneeringly. "I
presume he did not forget his office, but used his eloquence to some
purpose by the way? But, all the same, though we will not compel you,
sweet cousin, it would cheer us mightily if you would come. There are
great ladies now doing the honours of my house--the Countess Livia, the
Duchess of Err, and--Valentine la Nina."

"Raphael--little son," said the