The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-11-17
QUEEN MARGARET OF NAvARRE'S EN-
TRANCE INTO FORT D'USSON.


the Days Of the League" Margaret, who more
upon her own account than as the wife Of the
Huguenot King of Navarro, is in state of OPP
position TO the court Of her brother Henry the
Third, tricks the Governor Of Usson out of his
post by the help of the vanity Of his Seneschal,
which is here excellently portrayed. The whole
novel 1--WE say II in spirit Of real respect and
out Of no invidiousness) is a remarkable proof
Of the progress of knowledge among those
whose education has not been very scholarly
Evidences TO the latter effect Turk here and there,
forming singular contrast with the authors
general command of words, even Of the most
scholarly nature. The fault OF the book is that
it is too much spun out and deals in details not
commensurate with the Importance Of what is
going forward. The passing introduction of
Brantome is very pleasant
| Navarro was known TO be in Auvergne, and |
thither the happy travellers proceeded in search |
of him. arriving before D'Usson in the manner |
we have just related. A brilliant idea entered |
the mind Of Margaret, when she beheld the |
| lofty rocks which the fortress was built. its
impfegnability and romantic site ; but, without
communicating her sudden resolve, she simply
requested the Baron to ask De C9uvres the
hospitality of the castle for daughter Of
France.
Flushed with her scheme, she drew aside the
curtain on approaching the gate-tower, and at
the expected presence Of the old governors but
in his place stood the Sinking and bowling Po-
mini, who was dazzed with the beauty Of the
fair voyagers, and quite forgot the graceful Ga
brieDe. Margaret smiled inwardly at his Off
| ciousness, but she saw at glance that he was
her own, and might be moulded to her purpose
This was sufficient TO induce her to return his
| cvtles with condescension, and make him the
proudest Of men, He already fancied himself
Monsieur L'Isle du Marias,* and even went so
far as to presume on the possible acquisition Of
a baron's coronet and mantling.
The cortege passed into the interior court
where the Queen and Emile alighted, and were
conducted by the enraptured Seneschal into the
hall. Great was the Indignation of the loyal GO
vernon, when one OF the pages ran to inform him
that his visitor was the Queen of Navarro; but
as 1t was too late to proceed to the court yard
where he could only dispute with his servant
the honor of the reception he wisely resolved to
take up position with his daughter in the sa-
loon OF state, and in order to increase the group
the page was desired to bring his fellow imme-
dlately, that they twain might be in readiness to
do honor to royalty and reflect proper dignity
on the rank of the governor
But for this coup pefdt there was more than
ABUNDANT time for Pomini INDUCED in his usual
the entire suite of rooms of the castle ere he IN
troduced them to the Marquis commenting the
while on the antique beauty Of the furniture the
lofty proportion of the chambers, and the histori-
cal importance of the royal chateau.
"Stay! stay Monsieur!" said the fatigued
Queen of Navarro; "has not the Marquis a
fair daughter pearl of price? Let us not de-
lay in doing her honor.n
Her beauty can only be eclipsed by the
bright lumnarles before whom | now stand ~
replied the assiduous and crafty Senescha "and
your Majesty shall see her soon"
But Monsieur Pomini had something vet in
store for his new friends ere their eyes were
blessed with the presence of the Lady Gabrielle.
To The surprise of the Queen and her suite. he
opened a small door behind the tapestry of the
last chamber, and disappeared from view of his
visitors, but soon returned with bundle of
torches, which were speedily lighted.
What torches in day time !" cried Marga-
ret in surprise.
Your Majesty must consider that it is the
fault OF the architect, not NINE" replied the OBJ
sequious Seneschal
suaded the Queen from proceeding further, but
his curiosity and love of eccentricity were deep
ly interested in the denouement of this strange
proceeding, and he resolved to lei the Seneschal
go to the full length ofhs line.
| The tapestry was put aside, and one by one
following each other, the visitants passed
through the narrow doorway, and entered on
stone gallery or corridor. The light of the
torches displayed the rudeness of the masonry,
and the awful prison-like gloom of the gallery.
The royal party began to doubt the sincerity Of
their guide.
sis De Couvres hermit 2" exclaimed Marga-
ret; "does he live in cell2"
Ponlnl made no reply, for he was preparing
for his last effort
Suddenlv he cfnpnad ,r,,,,J al a, ~. t,,raL
commanding the attendants to do the same. At
his invitation the party approached the spot
whereon he stood, but were awe-sruck with the |
seeming horror of their position They were no
longer enclosed between the walls of the gallery,
but found themselves standing on balcony pro- |
Jectlng into the murky space. Above and be-
meath was utter darkness the partial dim at |
mosphere OF light which surrounded them was |
just sufficient to make the awful gloom visible.
De Nevailles caught hold of the Seneschal |
"Why this mystery 2" said he, not knowing |
whether it were prudent to express alarm.
Look" exclaimed the Seneschal, reckoning
his party to approach the iron railing which
skrted the balcony. lmpeed by mingled curl
osty and dread, Margaret and her friends ven
tured to obey Pomini's bidding.
"Now watch the descending ghtw exclaimi-
ed the mysterious functonary land, at these
words, he and his domestcs threw their torches
into the abyss
The glazing whrling meteors, as they fell, H.
Illuminated the cavernous side of the descent, and
impressed the awe-struck gazers with terror of
the dreadful gulf over which they stood. After
many may gyration, the lights reached the
bottom, and burned hickeringly in the abyss.
The group surveyed them from above with
awe.
" Something shines close to the red light of
the furthest torch !" cried De Nevailles who was
the first to break silence.
every likely" said Pomini, in a careless tone,
''the souls are scattered about in profusion."
A cry Of horror arose from the fairliving danes