Jupiter Lights Part 59

The doors, meanwhile, had been thrown open; the priest pa.s.sed in, followed by Paul.

When they reached the court-yard the priest stopped. "Will you kindly tell me your business?"

"It concerns Miss Bruce, an American who has only been here a few days.

She came, supposing that the death of my brother was due to an act of hers; I have just learned that she is completely mistaken, he died from another cause."

"G.o.d be praised! She has been very unhappy--very," said the priest, with sympathy. "This will relieve her."

"I should like to see her.--The whole community can be present, if you please."

"That will hardly be necessary," said Father Ambrose, smiling again. He went towards the door by the side of the chapel. "I will tell her myself, I will go at once." He opened the door.

"I prefer to see her. You have no real authority over her, she has not yet taken the vows."

"There has been no talk of vows," said Father Ambrose, waving his hand with an amused air. "Every one is free here, I don't know what you are thinking of! If you will give me your address, Miss Bruce will write to you."

"Do you refuse to let me see her?"

"For the present--yes. You must remember that we don't know who you are."

"She will tell you."

"Yes; she is very intelligent," answered the priest, entering the doorway and preparing to mount the stairs.

But Paul knocked him down.

Then he ran forward up the stairs; he opened doors at random, he ran through room after room; women met him, and screamed. At last, where the hall turned sharply, Mr. Smith confronted him. Mr. Smith was perfectly composed.

"Let me pa.s.s," said Paul.

"In a moment. All shall be as you like, if you will wait--"

"Wait yourself!" cried Paul, felling him to the floor. Then he ran on.

At the end of the hall Mrs. Wingate stopped him. Her manner was unaltered; it was business-like and cheerful; her plump hands were clasped over her dress.

"Now," she said, "no more violence! You'll hardly knock down a woman, I suppose?"

"Forty, if necessary."

He thrust her against the wall, and began trying the doors. There were three of them. Two were locked. As his hand touched the third, Mrs.

Wingate came to his side, and opened it promptly and quietly.

"No one has ever wished to prevent your entrance," she said. "Your violence has been unnecessary--the violence of a boor!"

Paul laughed in her face.

There was no one in the room. But there was a second door. He opened it.

And took Eve in his arms.

THE END.