"So I have, and you merely abused me for it. But I think I know one
of them without being told. It is that other fac-simile of Leoline and
myself who died in the robber's ruin!"
"Exactly. You and she, and Leoline, were triplets!"
"And who is the other?"
"Her name is La Masque. Have you ever heard it?"
"La Masque! Nonsense!" exclaimed Hubert, with some energy in his voice
at last. "You but jest, Sir Norman Kingsley!"
"No such thing! It is a positive fact! She told me the whole story
herself!"
"And what is the whole story; and why did she not tell it to me instead
of you."
"She told it to Leoline, thinking, probably, she had the most sense; and
she told it to me, as Leoline's future husband. It is somewhat long to
relate, but it will help to beguile the time while we are waiting for
the royal summons."
And hereupon Sir Norman, without farther preface, launched into a rapid
resume of La Masque's story, feeling the cold chill with which he had
witnessed it creep over him as he narrated her fearful end.
"It struck me," concluded Sir Norman, "that it would be better to
procure any papers she might possess at once, lest, by accident, they
should fall into other hands; so I rode there directly, and, in spite
of the cantankerous old porter, searched diligently, until I found them.
Here they are," said Sir Norman, drawing forth the roll.
"And what do you intend doing with them?" inquired Hubert, glancing at
the papers with an unmoved countenance.
"Show them to the king, and, though his mediation with Louis, obtain for
you the restoration of your rights."
"And do you think his majesty will give himself so much trouble for the
Earl of Rochester's page?"
"I think he will take the trouble to see justice done, or at least he
ought to. If he declines, we will take the matter in our own hands, my
Hubert; and you and I will seek Louis ourselves. Please God, the Earl of
Rochester's page will yet wear the coronet of the De Montmorencis!"
"And the sister of a marquis will be no unworthy mate even for a
Kingsley," said Hubert. "Has La Masque left nothing for her?"
"Do you see this casket?" tapping the one of cared brass dangling from
his belt; "well, it is full of jewels worth a king's ransom. I found
them in a drawer of La Masque's house, with directions that they were to
be given to her sisters at her death. Miranda being dead, I presume they
are all Leoline's now."
"This is a queer business altogether!" said Hubert, musingly; "and I
am greatly mistaken if King Louie will not regard it as a very pretty
little work of fiction."