r
affectionately, and asked, between kisses: "Are you not angry with Henri
for keeping you thus caged?"

Gabrielle smiled an amused denial. "How could I be angry with Henri? He
has good reasons for his deeds. We are in great danger. We have
enemies."

Flora stared at her wild-eyed. "Who are your enemies?"

Gabrielle looked about her, as if to be assured that no one was within
hearing, and then whispered into Flora's ear: "Henri will never tell me,
but they hunt us down. Ever since I was a child we have fled from place
to place, hiding. I have often been roused at night by clash of swords
and Henri's voice, crying: 'I am here!' But his sword is always the
strongest, and we have always escaped."

"Surely you will be safe in Paris," Flora said.

Gabrielle sighed. "Why, it seems we dare not enter Paris yet. When we
left Madrid in your company Henri told me we were journeying to Paris,
but now we linger here outside the walls until Henri has seen some one--I
know not who; and while we linger here I must keep in-doors."

Flora looked mischievous. "Perhaps Henri is jealous, and tells this tale
to keep you to himself."

Gabrielle sighed again: "Henri only thinks of me as a child."

Flora still was mischievous. "But you know you are not his child, and I
am sure you do not think of him as a father."

Gabrielle turned upon her friend with an air of dainty imperiousness.
"Flora, Flora, you may be a witch, but there are some thoughts of mine
you must not presume to read."

Flora laughed. "You command like a great lady. 'Must not,' indeed, and
'presume'! Let me tell you, pretty Gabrielle, that I am the great lady
here."

Gabrielle was instantly winning and tender again. "You are my sweet
friend, and I did not mean to command you."

Flora laughed good-humoredly. "You should have seen your air of
greatness. But I am speaking seriously. I believe I am the long-lost
daughter of a great lord."

Gabrielle stared, amazed. "Really, Flora, really? Are you in earnest?
Tell me all about it."

Flora looked like a gypsy sphinx. "Oh, but I may not. I should not have
spoken of it at all, but I am so mad and merry at the good news that out
it slipped."

Gabrielle softly patted her cheek. "I am glad of anything that makes you
happy."

Flora tried to look magnificent. "Do not you envy me? Would not you like
to be a great lady, too? I am afraid you look more like it than I do."

Gabrielle spoke again in a whisper: "I will tell yo