I took good care not to disturb the illusive hopes which my aunt had

already conceived. Being reassured by the manner in which Madame Murrah

had played her part, it only remained for me to determine the time and

the form of refusal best adapted to the circumstances.

While I was in the midst of these reflections, Count Kiusko came in,

like any familiar friend, without being announced. He held out his hand

to me with more than his usual cordiality. By his happy looks I judged

that he had already had a word of encouragement from my aunt, and that

he had come to learn in detail the result of her first attempt. Not

wishing to disturb their interview, I pretended after a minute or two

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that I had some letters to write, and left them.

The following morning I was only just out of bed when Kiusko came up

with his spurs on. We had decided the day before to ride together to the

Bois. As he usually went to the rendezvous by himself, I guessed that

to-day he wanted to appear to have been taken there by me, in order to

cover his embarrassment, or perhaps his bashfulness when he met

Kondjé-Gul. Having made up my mind to avoid all confidences, I kept my

valet in the room with me, dressing myself very deliberately, and

without any compassion for Kiusko's impatience. This compelled us,

directly we were mounted, to gallop to the Bois, a procedure not very

favourable to confidential effusions.

We only joined the party at the Avenue of Acacias on their way back. I

took care to watch Kiusko as he saluted Kondjé-Gul. He blushed and

stammered out a compliment addressed collectively to all the three

girls. Kondjé's countenance betrayed nothing more than the flush

produced by her ride. We started off in two separate parties. From

motives of discretion, I suppose, Kiusko remained behind with Suzannah

and the commodore. Edward and I had gone in front with Kondjé-Gul and

Maud, who was quarrelling with her cousin upon the important question,

as to whether we should gallop straight ahead or make a round between

the trees. Kondjé-Gul decided the matter by suddenly entering the cover.

"Who loves me, let him follow me!" she said, with a laugh.

I followed her, and in a few moments we found ourselves side by side.

"Oh, such a fine piece of news!" she said to me, as soon as Maud and

Edward, who were behind us, were out of hearing.

"What is it?" I asked.




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