splay-footed, hoss-laughin', nigger-toothed, or'nary despot" And,
worse than all, actually made to do infamous duty as a "love token"--a
"candy-gift!"--a "philanderin' box" to HIS, Richelieu's, girl--for
Louise belonged to that innocent and vague outside seraglio of
Richelieu's boyish dreams--and put atop of a letter to her! and
Providence permitted such an outrage! "Wot was he, Richelieu, sent to
school for, and organized wickedness in the shape of gorilla Injins like
this allowed to ride high horses rampant over Californey!" He looked
at the heavens in mute appeal. And then--Providence not immediately
interfering--he thrust his own small arm into the window, regained his
priceless treasure, and fled swiftly.

A fateful silence ensued. The wind slightly moved the curtain outward,
as if in a playful attempt to follow him, and then subsided. A moment
later, apparently re-enforced by other winds, or sympathizing with
Richelieu, it lightly lifted the unlucky missive and cast it softly from
the window. But here another wind, lying in wait, caught it cleverly,
and tossed it, in a long curve, into the abyss. For an instant it seemed
to float lazily, as on the mirrored surface of a lake, until, turning
upon its side, it suddenly darted into utter oblivion.

When Mainwaring returned from the shrubbery, he went softly to the
window. The disappearance of the letter and stone satisfied him of the
success of his stratagem, and for the space of three hours relieved his
anxiety. But at the end of that time, finding no response from Louise,
his former uneasiness returned. Was she offended, or--the first doubt of
her acceptance of him crossed his mind!

A sudden and inexplicable sense of shame came upon him. At the same
moment, he heard his name called from the steps, turned--and beheld