These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer Read Free Book Online Page B

voice, lending a strange whimsicality to the story, which seemed to invest the teller with a Puck-like quality of old and young wisdom. When at last the rambling tale was finished Léon moved slightly, and put up a timid hand to touch the Duke’s sleeve.
    “And then you came, Monseigneur, and you brought me here, giving me everything. I shall never forget that.”
    “You have not seen the worst of me yet, my friend,” answered Justin. “I am really not the hero you think me. When I bought you from your estimable brother it was not, believe me, from any desire to save you from bondage. I had a use for you. If it should chance that you are after all of no use to me I am quite likely to cast you forth. I say this that you may be warned.”
    “If you send me away I will drown myself!” said Léon passionately. “When you are tired of me, Monseigneur, I will serve in your kitchen. But I will never leave you.”
    “Oh, when I am tired of you I shall give you to Mr. Davenant!” Avon chuckled a little. “It should be amusing—Dear me, speak of angels——!”
    Hugh came quietly in, but paused on the threshold, staring at the two by the fire.
    “Quite a touching picture, eh, Hugh? Satanas in a new role.” He flicked Léon’s head with one careless finger. “Bed, my child.”
    Léon rose at once, and reverently kissed the Duke’s hand. With a little bow to Davenant he went out.

Hugh waited until he had closed the door; then he strode forward to the fire, frowning. Resting his elbow on the mantelpiece, his other hand thrust deep into his pocket, he stood looking down at his friend with a good deal of severity in his glance.
    “When are you going to end this folly?” he demanded.
    Justin tilted his head back, returning the angry stare with one of amused cynicism.
    “What ails you now, my good Hugh?”
    “Seeing that child at your feet fills me with—disgust!”
    “Yes, I thought that you seemed perturbed. It must tickle your sense of the ridiculous to observe me upon a pinnacle of heroism.”
    “It sickens me! The child worshipping at your feet! 1 hope his admiration stings you! If it could make you realize your own unworthiness it were to some purpose!”
    “Unhappily it does not. May I ask, my dear Hugh, why you take so great an interest in—a page?”
    “It is his youth and innocence that command my pity.”
    “Curiously enough he is by no means as innocent as you imagine.”
    Davenant turned impatiently on his heel. He walked to the door, but as he opened it Avon spoke again.
    “By the way, my dear, I am relieving you of my company to-morrow. Pray hold me excused from going with you to Lourdonne’s card-party.”
    Hugh looked back.
    “Oh? Where are you going?”
    “I am going to Versailles. I feel that it is time I again paid homage to King Louis. I suppose it is useless to ask your company?”
    “Quite, I thank you. I’ve no love for Versailles. Is Léon to go with you?”
    “I have really not given the matter a thought. It seems probable. Unless you wish to take him to Lourdonne’s?”
    Hugh left the room without a word.
     
    CHAPTER V
    His Grace of Avon Visits Versailles
     
    The Duke’s light town coach, with its four grey horses, stood at the door of his house shortly before six on the following evening. The horses champed at their bits and tossed their beautiful heads in impatience, and the paved courtyard rang with the sound of their stamping. The postiLéons, liveried in black and gold, stood to their heads, for the Duke’s horses were not chosen for their docility.
    In the hall Léon awaited his master, aglow with excitement. His Grace had issued certain orders earlier in the day; in accordance with them the page was dressed in black velvet, with real lace at his throat and wrists. He carried his tricorne beneath his arm, and in his other hand he held his master’s beribboned cane.
    Avon came slowly down the stairs, and seeing him Léon drew in a quick breath of wonderment. The Duke