Her soul was developing itself as
best it could for the enjoyment of conditions and things
absolutely foreign to the possibilities of her lot in life.
Perhaps it was the light and heat of imagination, shining out
through Alice's face, which gave her beauty such a fascinating
power. Rene saw it and felt its electrical stroke send a sweet
shiver through his heart, while he stood before her.
"You are very beautiful to-night Alice," he presently said, with a
suddenness which took even her alertness by surprise. A flush rose
to his dark face and immediately gave way to a grayish pallor. His
heart came near stopping on the instant, he was so shocked by his
own daring; but he laid a hand on her hair, stroking it softly.
Just a moment she was at a loss, looking a trifle embarrassed,
then with a merry laugh she stepped aside and said:
"That sounds better, Monsieur Rene de Ronville much better; you
will be as polite as Father Beret after a little more training."
She slipped past him while speaking and made her way back again to
the main room, whence she called to him:
"Come here, I've something to show you."
He obeyed, a sheepish trace on his countenance betraying his self-
consciousness.
When he came near Alice she was taking from its buckhorn hook on
the wall a rapier, one of a beautiful pair hanging side by side.
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