THE DREAM CIRCEAN
fell quivering on the floor, the heavy hilt driving the thin
blade deep into the polished wood. Even so I had her by the
waist, catching her arm, and with one heave of my back I
tossed her into the air, careless where she might fall.
“ As luck would have it, she struck the balcony rail, broke
it, and fell upon the pavement of the court. There wasa crash,
but no cry, no groan. Iwent to the balcony. She lay still, as
the living do not lie, and her white hair was blackening, lapped
by a congealing stream.
“T withdrew into the room. Since I have learnt that any
death brings with it a strange sense of relief. There is a
certain finality. La comédie est jouée—and one turns with
new life to the next business.
“The golden child had never stirred. But now she
crouched lower, and fell to soft, sweet crying.
“«Your mother is dead,’ I said abruptly. ‘ May I offer
you the guardianship of my godmother, the Duchess of
Castelnaudary? Come, mademoiselle, let us go.’
“«T thank you, sir, she answered, still sobbing; ‘ but Jean
is awake and at the door. Jean is fierce and lean as an old
wolf.’
“T pulled the dagger from the floor. ‘I am fierce and lithe
as a young lion!’ I said. ‘Let the old wolf beware!’
“«But I cannot, sir, I cannot. I...’ Her confusion
became acute.
“*T dare not move, sir—I—I—my mother has taken away
all my clothes.’
“T marvelled. In her palace of gold hair nobody could
have guessed it. ButnowI blushed, and lively. The dilemma
was absurd.
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