"Whom you, perhaps, are expecting?" she cried suddenly.
"I!" with a careless laugh. "A fisherman! Your Ladyship is imaginative—" he began, when a sudden, hasty footstep clinked on the stones without; a hand caught at the fastenings of the door; flung it open.
"I thought I should find you here, Seigneur!" exclaimed a voice. "Since—"
The young man made a movement and the speaker stopped; caught sight of my lady, just beyond, in the fading light. And at the picture—her figure behind that other one—the fine, patrician features, framed by the disordered golden hair, the widely opened eyes, bright, expectant, the intruder started back.
"The Governor's daughter! You, Seigneur!" he stammered, and, raising his hand, involuntarily crossed himself.
CHAPTER IX
A DISCOVERY
"Why did you do that?" It was Lady Elise who now spoke, lifting her head haughtily to regard the new-comer, as she stepped toward him. "Cross yourself, I mean?"
"This good fellow, my Lady, is surprised to see you here, and small wonder he forgets his manners!" said the young man coolly, speaking for the other. "But he is honest enough—and—intends no disrespect!"