“ I can also reward you by making you a partaker of my popularity——" "You do not owe me any thing," replied the count; "and I request your highness to forget it, and to limit the reward to the mere observance of the promise you gave me: disperse this seditious mob, and treat them with the rigour such an infamous set deserve." Scarcely had the King of Navarre patience to attend to him. He cast on him a look of indignation and disdain. "Rash young man, dare you insult me?" These few words, which he pronounced with vehemence, drew the fury of the crowd upon the Count de Nevers. ”

“ Below the veil they saw in luminous characters, traced on an iron plate—"Lasciate agni speranza."
The lady then sat down on a throne, shining with gold and precious stones, which was before the altar, and made the two friends place themselves on each side of her, their visors lowered, and their hands upon their swords. "You will lift the visors of your helmets," said she, "at the moment I call upon you to bear witness; but make no other motion, and keep the strictest silcnce." Having made a sign with her wand, the Negress struck with a hammer upon a bell placed at the foot of the throne. ”

“ The Count de Nevers was born with that extreme sensibility, which is always the cause of much uneasiness to its possessor. The Seur de Joinville’s mind, though naturally just, was austere and thoughtful, and was one of those, who, thinking themselves incapable of error, have no indulgence for the failings of another: for the heart is rendered callous by this too great strictness, which extinguishes sensibility, and repulses confidence. ”

“ Taking the Count by the arm, he conducted him through the submissive crowd, into a retired walk in Marcel’s garden, which was feebly enlightened by the moon. The King of Navarre told him they were now equal, as he had returned him the obligation he owed him—life for life; he must instantly decide, whether he would be his friend or victim. ”

“ I have a friend, a fellow-soldier; all our dangers, all our pleasures, have been the same from our infancy. The King of Navarre owes his life to him as well as to me: you know how Charles D’Evreux has recompenced this service to me—the same return may attend my friend ”

“ She held in one hand a gold wand, and in the other a black book studded with stars—"Count de Nevers—Seur de Joinville," said she, addressing them in a solemn tone, "I charge you to assist me in defending from the attacks of an abandoned monster, France—Charles de Valois—and Adelaide de Dammartin!"—"Heavens!" exclaimed the Count, drawing his sword; "Adelaide, my Prince, and the State! Dispose of this sword and my life." The lady, smiling, said,—"That sword was never dipped in infamous blood; a perfidious assassin, a cowardly dastard, in the dead of the night, means to fall upon innocent doves ”

“ Fixing upon this woman a look of indignation more than astonishment—"I am in your power," said the Count; "whatever your designs may be, my enquiries, I suppose, would be useless; but I---" "Your questions are indeed useless; the time for answering them is not yet come," interrupted the lady;" "make yourself easy, the poinard of the assassin cannot reach you here--you are sheltered from all danger;" ”

“ On their entrance into the world, to the united advantages of illustrious birth, a large fortune, and handsome persons, they added all the qualities to make them useful and amiable members of society. ”

“ I shall have vengeance, and I will shew to the populace, now assembled, this poniard, which I will dcclare I wrested from your hand at the instant you were going to plunge it into my heart: you will be punished as the assassin of the King of Navarre, and every one will declare that you merited your fate. ”

“ The first objeet that struek him was the unknown lady, whose veil being thrown back, permitted him to see her features. She approached him smiling, and said, "The Count de Nevers is worthy of his father: no kind of danger can deprive you of his fortitude, and you are not insensible to the chain of virtue. ”

“ A hand, which no power can alter the sacred characters of, writes therein the virtuous and criminal actions of every human being, the balance of which decides the destiny of every one. All your crimes are here registered." The King of Navarre turned pale, and in a trembling voice, said—"I confess, madam, I had the Constable assassinated ”

“ Her large fortune, her superior understanding, her placid and firm temper, causes Marcel to submit in every thing to her so implieitly-that he appears more like a prineipal domestic, than her relation and guardian. Mareel extends his unaceountable deference even to Donna Vittoria, her governess, who resides with her, and was never known to dispute with her the authority whieh she holds over her pupil. The extreme attention he pays her, is the more extraordinary, as there is nothing prepossessing in this woman ”

“ Since her return, she will scareely deign to speak to any one; and it was with extreme difficulty, that Marcel prevailed on her to accompany him to the fete, where you saw her."
Scareely had Vaudois ceased speaking, when a sudden noise was heard. They listened; it was a violent knocking at the provost’s outer gate, and in the midst of the eonfusion of a thousand tumultuous voiees, the cry of "Marcel! Mareel!" eould be distinguished; and the name of the King of Navarre was as often repeated. ”

“ Then rising, and taking her golden wand and black book—"Follow me!" said she; and advancing a few paces in the saloon, she struck the inlaid floor with her wand, which opened at their feet, and discovered a staircase, by which they descended, prcceded by the Negress, who carried the lamp. After having descended about ten steps, they arrived at an iron door; the lady having touched it with her wand, it opened, and to his extrcme astonishmcnt, the Count de Nevers found himself in the subterraneous cavern. ”