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Updated: May 8, 2025
She pulled herself together. "Is supper ready?" It was such an inane remark! He turned aside like a boy who has been snubbed. Monsieur Soucin had provided bread and cheese, a salad, and coffee. It was enough. She had no appetite. She took much more satisfaction in watching Monte and in pouring his coffee. His honest hunger was not disturbed by any vain speculations.
In the next village a regiment of soldiers have arrived. I have had word that I must receive here ten officers. They come at seven to-night." "But look here madame is very tired," frowned Monte. "I am sorry," answered Soucin helplessly. Monte stepped nearer and jingled the gold in his pocket. "Doubtless the next village in that case is without accommodations also," said Monte.
"Then would you will them to some one?" he asked. He was laughing at her. She was glad to have him do that rather than remain serious. "Please don't make me look ahead to seventy," she shuddered. Monsieur Soucin was hovering about nervously. He wished to have everything cleared away before the officers arrived, and they would be here now in half an hour. He was solicitous about madame.
"I'm with you," he nodded. Marjory, dusty and footsore, followed his gaze. Then she too smiled. "That fellow has the proper spirit," he declared. "Shall we place ourselves in his care?" "I'm afraid I can't go any farther," she answered wearily. Monsieur Soucin came out, looking to be in anything but the mood of the gay lamb before his door.
"Upon the blankets," smiled Monte. "Ah, monsieur is from America!" exclaimed Soucin, as if that explained everything. "Truly." "And it is so the Indians sleep, I have read." "You have read well. But we must have supper before the officers arrive. You can spare some bread and cheese?" "I will do that." "Then make it ready at once. And some coffee?" "Yes, monsieur." Monte returned to madame.
"Two rooms, a little supper, and some breakfast," explained Monte. "But we must strike a bargain. We are not American tourists merely two travelers of the road without much gold and a long way to go." "I have but a single louis d'or," put in madame. "Monsieur! Madame!" interrupted Soucin. "I am sorry, but I cannot accommodate you at any price.
Soucin had unwittingly made an arrangement for which Monte could not pay in money. "And my share?" inquired Marjory. "One louis d'or," answered Monte unblushingly. She fumbled in her bag and brought it out the last she had. And Monte, in his reckless joy, handed that over also to Soucin. The man was too bewildered to do more than bow as he might before a prince and princess.
"It is a great pity that madame should sleep out of doors," he said. "It makes my heart ache. But, with monsieur to guard her, at least madame will be safe." Yes, safe from every one but herself. However, Monsieur Soucin could not be expected to read a lady's innermost thoughts. Indeed, it would scarcely have been gallant so to do. "And now you wish to be rid of us," said Monte as he rose.
"Monsieur should not be unkind," sighed Soucin. "It is a necessity and not a wish." "You have done as well as you could," Monte reassured him. "We shall probably rise early and be on our way before the soldiers, so " Monte slipped into his hand a gold-piece. It was too much from one point of view, and yet from another it was little enough.
He ate like a man, as he did everything like a man. It restored her confidence again. "Soucin lent a mattress, which I have arranged just the other side of the wall. That is your room. With plenty of blankets you should be comfortable enough there," he said. "And you?" she inquired. "I am on this side of the wall," he replied gravely. "What are you going to sleep upon?" "A blanket."
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