never known, to make me forget the presence of the women at my side, the very errand on which we rode.  From time to time I was roused into admiration of the horsemanship of Madame la Vicomtesse, for the restive Texas pony which she rode was stung to madness by the flies.  As for Antoinette, she glanced neither right nor left through her veil, but rode unmindful of the way, heedless of heat and discomfort, erect, motionless save for the easy gait of her horse.  At length we turned into the avenue through the forest, lined by wild orange trees, came in sight of the low, belvedered plantation house, and drew rein at the foot of the steps.  Antoinette was the first to dismount, and passed in silence through the group of surprised house servants gathering at the door.  I assisted the Vicomtesse, who paused to bid the negroes disperse, and we lingered for a moment on the gallery together.

“Poor Antoinette!” she said, “I wish we might have saved her this.”  She looked up at me.  “How she defended him!” she exclaimed.

“She loves him,” I answered.

Madame la Vicomtesse sighed.

“I suppose there is no help for it,” she said.  “But it is very difficult not to be angry with Mr. Temple.  The girl cared for his mother, gave her a home, clung to her when he and the world would have cast her off, sacrificed her happiness for them both.  If I see him, I believe I shall shake him.  And if he doesn’t fall down on his knees to her, I shall ask the Baron to hang him.  We must bring him to his senses, Mr. Ritchie.  He must not leave Louisiana until he sees her.  Then he will marry her.”  She paused, scrutinized me in her quick way, and added:  “You see that I take your estimation of his character.  You ought to be flattered.”

“I am flattered by any confidence you repose in me, Madame la Vicomtesse.”

She laughed.  I was not flattered then, but cursed myself for the quaint awkwardness in my speech that amused her.  And she was astonishingly quick to perceive my moods.

“There, don’t be angry.  You will never be a courtier, my honest friend, and you may thank God for it.  How sweet the shrubs are!  Your chief business in life seems to be getting people out of trouble, and I am going to help you with this case.”

It was my turn to laugh.

“You are going to help!” I exclaimed.  “My services have been heavy, so far.”

“You should not walk around at night,” she replied irrelevantly.

Suddenly I remembered Gignoux, but even as I was about to tell her of the incident Antoinette appeared in the doorway.  She was very pale, but her lips were set with excitement and her eyes shone strangely.  She was still in her riding gown, in her hand she carried a leather bag, and behind her stood Andre with a bundle.

“Quick!” she said; “we are wasting time, and he may be gone.”

Checking an exclamation which could hardly have been complimentary to Auguste, the Vicomtesse crossed quickly to her and put her arm about her.