The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-07-21

l have no fear but that / shall easily exculpate
myself from so absurd charge"
The other stranger listened with the utmost
attention 10 the foregoing recital, his counte-
nance al each word darkening into thoughtful
gloom. And at what hour" he inquired,
are you to appear before the Cardinal? ?" and
he pointed in the direction of Malmaison.
" AT six O'Clock this evening" was the an
swer.
Sir" rejoined the other, with strong emo
ton, and grasping the arm of his hospitable
entertainer as he spoke, give thanks to Provi-
dence for the happy chance which has this day
laid me under an obligation to you for know
that too have been summoned at that hour by
Monseigneur lie Cardinal, and summoned for
no less reason than-to eat off your head !"
AT these words, the burgher of La Rochelle
uttering cry of horror, started back from his
terrible guest.
Ay, sir! proceeded the last speaker en-
phatically, "tO CIT off your head! am the
executioner of Charities, and each time that
the Cardinal has private vengeance to accom-
plish, receive an order to attend him in his
chateau. All that you have just told me of the
accusation that has been made against you,
and of the hour at which you are commanded
to appear before his Eminence convinces me
that you are the victim designed to fall by my
hand this evening. But fear nothing YOU
shall escape the tolls that have been prepared
to ensnare you. Follow me to the stable let
us mount our horses without loss of time, and
in few moments | shall, hope, have dis
charged to you my debt Of gratitude for the
courtesy with which you have this day enter
tanned a naneess stranger"
The burgher, in state of anxiety and terror
which deprived him of the power of utterance,
Immediately rose, and followed his liberator
down stairs. As they passed by the public
room of the inn, they perceived that it was al
ready filled with the archers of the Cardinals
guard and this sight was not calculated to in
fuse courage into the mind of the doomed trav-
eller, who while the horses were being saddled,
paid his bill, without demonstrating against the
exorbltant charges it contained, too thankful
to escape upon any terms from the imminent
perils that threatened him. In few moments
the travellers were on horseback, aud, squirting
their steeds through the woods of Batard, they
speedily found themselves close To the approach
of the Cardinals chateau.
Then the terrible guide suddenly refined in
his horse, and turning to the bewiId red Ro-
chelos, pointed towards the building, which
was but just distinguishable III the deepening
gloom of a No ember twilight.
Look" said he, " at that centre turret aud
observe the little arched window at the summit
of It, Ii is there that the Cardinals private
judgments, from which there is no appeal, are
pronounced and executed As soon as my
ministry is accomplished, a trap door opens,
the liteless body of the victim falls into a dun
geon below the foundations of the chateau,
filled with quick lime, where all traces of the
crime speedily effaced.'
At that moment "a light glimmered in the
fatal window.
at is the signal" he continued. "that the
preparations are completed, and that YOU and
| are now ilnpatiently looked for! Lose not Il
moment; take advantages of tue Obscurity of
the evening and the speed of your horse, ia
order to gain the frontiers; and when once
beyond them, it will be quite time enough to
think of justifying yourself"
"And yet, sir" said the burgher of La Ro-
chele, am innocent -
Build no hope on that conviction, inter
rupted his companion, impatiently there is
no such thing as innocence, when Monseignenr
lie Cardinal sits in Judgment. Believe me, do
as l have suggested; fly without delay, or the
hand which is now stretched out to save YOU
must inevitably be raised to spill your life
blood"
The burgher eagerly grasped the hand that
was extended to him-that hand from whose
touch he would at amy other moment have re-
coiled with horror-and poured forth the unre
strained gratitude of his heart for the extra
ordinary service which had just been rendered
to him. When they separated, the bloody
agent Of his Eminence directed his horses
steps towards the entrance of the chateau, while
the Rochelos, striking his spurs into the sides
of his good steed, galloped away from the dan
gerous vicinity, without once turning to look
behind him; and, fastening towards the from
tier, never halted until he had quilted France,
to which he took especial care not to return,
until after the Cardinals death.
On his return to his country, the first care of
the Rochell0is was to testify his gratitude 10
the person W no saved his life, to whom he wrote,
requesting that he would meet him once more
at the inn of Ruel. The invitation was accept
ed the two extraordinary 0onripes again dined
together; and the chamber in which ~ r
their meetings took place is sti" ah ' -, .t W
d. c. ...e name of La Sutie de
''0' Nc ....;s-Mrs. ROnur.