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. 

 "Papa Roussillon gave me these," she said with great animation. "He bought them of an Indian who had kept them a long time; where he came across them he would not tell; but look how beautiful! Did you ever see anything so fine?" 

 Guard and hilt were of silver; the blade, although somewhat corroded, still showed the fine wavy lines of Damascus steel and traces of delicate engraving, while in the end of the hilt was set a large oval turquoise. 

 "A very queer present to give a girl," said Rene; "what can you do with them?" 

 A captivating flash of playfulness came into her face and she sprang backward, giving the sword a semicircular turn with her wrist. The blade sent forth a keen hiss as it cut the air close, very close to Rene's nose. He jerked his head and flung up his hand. 

 She laughed merrily, standing beautifully poised before him, the rapier's point slightly elevated. Her short skirt left her feet and ankles free to show their graceful proportions and the perfect pose in which they held her supple body. 

 "You see what I can do with the colechemarde, eh, Monsieur Rene de Ronville!" she exclaimed, giving him a smile which fairly blinded him. "Notice how very near to your neck I can thrust and yet not touch it. Now!" 

 She darted the keen point under his chin and drew it away so quickly that the stroke was like a glint of sunlight. 

 "What 

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