As he disappeared De
Trevignac came into the camp with his men. Batouch conducted the latter
with all ceremony towards the fire which burned before the tents of
the attendants, and, for the moment, Domini was left alone with De
Trevignac.
"My husband is coming directly," she said. "He was late in returning,
but he brought gazelle. Now you must sit down at once."
She led the way to the dining-tent. De Trevignac glanced at the table
laid for three with an eager anticipation which he was far too natural
to try to conceal.
"Madame," he said, "if I disgrace myself to-night, if I eat like an ogre
in a fairy tale, will you forgive me?"
"I will not forgive you if you don't."
She spoke gaily, made him sit down in a folding-chair, and insisted
on putting a soft cushion at his back. Her manner was cheerful, almost
eagerly kind and full of a camaraderie rare in a woman, yet he noticed a
change in her since they stood together waving the brands by the tower.
And he said to himself:
"The husband--perhaps he's not so pleased at my appearance. I wonder how
long they've been married?"
And he felt his curiosity to see "Monsieur Androvsky" deepen.
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