ep. You are so brave and strong,
and yet so gentle, so sweet! Perhaps only a mother recognizes the good
that is in one. That scene in yonder was very--touching. I--I can hardly
credit my ears and my eyes."

"It's plain you have a wrong idea of me. I'm not at all a bad sort."

"So I begin to believe, in spite of everything. La! It is confusing. I
am all in a whirl." She uttered a hesitating, silvery little laugh that
proved her embarrassment.

"We must speak quickly," he said. "I am also greatly confused. You have
opened up a great possibility for me, Madelon. The whole world is
suddenly different. I--I think I am in love with you, my little cousin."

She flung out her hand to check him, crying: "No, no! I could never love
you!"

Her voice was uncertain, and he imprisoned her outstretched palm. Then,
with his free hand, he removed her mask. She made no resistance, she did
not even draw away from him. His heart leaped wildly at the face he saw;
for it was more perfect even than he had imagined. The eyes were deep
brown, the skin was smooth and olive-hued, the lips were red and pouting
with embarrassment. She met his hungry gaze with a flaming blush of
defiance; then she smiled pathetically, and without further delay he
drew her to him and kissed her once, twice, again and again, until she
lay, spent and shaken, in his arms. After a time, she said, wonderingly:

"What miracle is this? I have always hated you; I--hate you now when I
think of the evil you have done. I shall continue to hate you."

"I hardly believe that."

"It is very sad that this has come to pass; it means nothing but
unhappiness."

"How so?"

"Can you ask? You--a refugee, with a price upon your head!" She
shuddered and buried her face against his shoulder. "Why have you made
me love you?"

"It was fate, my little witch. If you will trust me, all will come out
right in the end. But there is a great deal here that I don't
understand. For instance, how came you two to be in want?"

"Surely you know as well as I."

"I do not."

"But I wrote--"

"Letters go astray. Tell me."

"There is little to tell. We hardly know ourselves, except that we
trusted in our good cousin Alfred, as you trusted. He is a snake!" She
clutched Roland fiercely by the folds of his domino. "Oh! It is too bad
that I did not know you sooner, Emile! I would have saved you from those
evil men; for I am very wise. But now you must suffer the punishment for
your crime; a