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Updated: May 27, 2025
"Then you mean to give up the pursuit?" "Not exactly. I love this mysterious beauty too well to do that; and when next I find her, be it where it may, I shall take care she does not slip so easily through my fingers." "I cannot forget that page," said Ormiston, musingly. "It is singular since, he wears the Earl of Rochester's livery, that we have never seen him before among his followers.
A gay barge, gilded and cushioned, was going slowly past; and as he stood directly under the lamp, he was recognized by a gentleman within it, who leaned over and hailed him, "Ormiston! I say, Ormiston!" "Well, my lord," said Ormiston, recognizing the handsome face and animated voice of the Earl of Rochester. "Have you any engagement for the next half-hour?
"You dear foolish creatures," she said, "pray talk of something more profitable. I am growing old, and, in some ways, I am rather thankful for it. All the same, Dickie, darling, you positively must and shall go to bed." But Colonel Ormiston interrupted her. He spoke with a trace of hesitation, turning to the fireplace and flicking the ash off the end of his cigar.
For I do assure you, Sir Norman," said the lady, lifting her dark eyes with the prettiest and most bewitching earnestness, "that I am grateful, though I cannot find words to express it." "Madame, I would not listen to you if you would; for I have done nothing to deserve thanks. I wish I could tell you what I felt when Ormiston told me you were alive and safe."
Ormiston, thinking the hour of waiting had elapsed, and feeling much more interested in the coming meeting than in Leoline or her visitors, paid very little attention to his two acquaintances. He saw them, it is true, enter Leoline's house, but at the same instant, he took up his post at La Masque's doorway, and concentrated his whole attention on that piece of architecture.
"If she belonged to me I should only be too happy to oblige your lordship," laughed Ormiston; "but she is at present the property of Sir Norman Kingsley, and to him you must apply." "Ah! His inamorata, is she? Well, I must say his taste is excellent; but I should think you ought to know her name, since you and he are noted for being a modern Damon and Pythias."
But from one shoulder the dress had been pulled down, and there lay a great livid purple plague-spot! "Come away!" said Ormiston, catching his companion by the arm. "It is death to remain here!" Sir Norman had been standing like one in a trance, from which this address roused him, and he grasped Ormiston's shoulder almost frantically. "Look there, Ormiston!
The animated skeleton who had admitted them closed the door after them; and the two friends stood in the twilight on London Bridge. "Well," said Ormiston, drawing a long bath, "what do you think of that?" "Think? Don't ask me yet." said Sir Norman, looking rather bewildered. "I'm in such a state of mystification that I don't rightly know whether I'm standing on my head or feet.
"No; she fears nothing," said Ormiston, as he knocked loudly at the door. "I begin to believe she is made of adamant instead of what other women are made of." "Which is a rib, I believe," observed Sir Norman, thoughtfully. "And that accounts, I dare say, for their being of such a crooked and cantankerous nature.
Before she could be properly established on the cushioned seats, the batteau was alongside, and Ormiston turned a very white and excited face toward the Earl of Rochester. "I know that lady, my lord! She is a friend of mine, and you must give her to me!" "Is it you, Ormiston? Why what brings you here alone on the river, at this hour?"
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