第15章

"I have always heard that Sir Norman Kingsley was a chivalrous knight," he said; "but I scarcely dreamed his gallantry would have carried him go far as to brave death by the pestilence for the sake of an unknown lady - however beautiful.I wonder you, did not carry her to the pest-house.""No doubt! Those who could desert her at such a time would probably be capable of that or any other baseness!""My good friend," said the stranger, calmly, "your insinuation is not over-courteous, but I can forgive it, more for the sake of what you've done for her to-night than for myself."Sir Norman's lip curled.

"I'm obliged to you! And now, sir, as you have seen fit to question me in this free and easy manner, will you pardon me if Itake the liberty of returning the compliment, and ask you a few in return?""Certainly; pray proceed, Sir Norman," said the stranger, blandly; "you are at liberty to ask as many questions as you please - so am I to answer them.""I answered all yours unhesitatingly, and you owe it to me to do the same," said Sir Norman, somewhat haughtily."In the first place, you have an advantage of me which I neither understand, nor relish; so, to place us on equal terms, will you have the goodness to tell me your name?""Most assuredly! My name," said the stranger, with glib airiness, "is Count L'Estrange.""A name unknown to me," said Sir Norman, with a piercing look, "and equally unknown, I believe, at Whitehall.There is a Lord L'Estrange in London; or you and he are certainly not one and the same.""My friend does not believe me," said the count, almost gayly -"a circumstance I regret, but cannot help.Is there anything else Sir Norman wishes to know?""If you do not answer my questions truthfully, there to little use in my asking them," said Sir Norman, bluntly."Do you mean to say you are a foreigner?""Sir Norman Kingsley is at perfect liberty to answer that question as he pleases," replied the stranger, with most provoking indifference.

Sir Norman's eye flashed, and his hand fell on his sword; but, reflecting that the count might find it inconvenient to answer any more questions if he ran him through, he restrained himself and went on.

"Sir, you are impertinent, but that is of no consequence, just now.Who was that lady - what was her name?""Leoline."

Was she your wife?"

The stranger paused for a moment, as if reflecting whether she was or not, and then said, meditatively"No - I don't know as she was.On the whole, I am pretty sure she was not."Sir Norman felt as if a ton weight had been suddenly hoisted from the region of his heart.

"Was she anybody else's wife?"

"I think not.I'm inclined to think that, except myself, she did not know another man in London.""Then why was she dressed as a bride?" inquired Sir Norman, rather mystified.

"Was she? My poor Leoline!" said the stranger, sadly."Because -" he hesitated, "because - in short, Sir Norman," said the stranger, decidedly, "I decline answering any more questions!""I shall find out, for all that," said Sir Norman, "and here Ishall bid you good-night, for this by-path leads to my destination.""Good-night," said the stranger, "and be careful, Sir Norman-remember, the plague is abroad.""And so are highwaymen!" called Sir Norman after him, a little maliciously; but a careless laugh from the stranger was the only reply as he galloped away.