Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-03-16
VOLUME 8.

matches ready lighted-the lists wer
 strcwn with saw-dust and hung com
 plstcly with black serge, save wher'
 the royal gallery afforded strange contrast by it's rich decorations to tl' ghastly draperies Of the ground One other object only remains to b' noticed !; it was huge block of black
 oak, dinted in many places as if by tht edge of a sharp weapon and stained with plashcs ofdarle gore. Beside thii frightfnl cmblem stood tall muscular gray -headed man, dressed in leathcrn frock and apron stained like the block with many 4 gout of blood, bare. headed and bare-armed, leaning upon huge two-handcd axe, with blade of three feet in breadth. A little wdy aloof from these was placed chair wherein q monk was seated, q very aged man with bald head and beard as white as snow, ttlling his beads in silence until his ministry should be required.
 The space around the. lists and all the seats were crowded we'll nigh to suffo- cation by thousands of anxious and attentive spectators and many an eye was turned to watch the royal seats which were yet vacafft. but which it was we'll known would be occupied before the trumpet should sound for the onset. The sun was now nearly at the meridian, and the expectation of the crowd was at it's height, when the passing bell ceased ringing, and was immediately succeeded by the accus- toned peal, announcing the hour of high noon. Within moment or two, a hustle was observed among the gentlemen pensioners-then a page or two entered the royal seats, and, after looking about them for q moment, again retired. Another pause of pro- found expectation, ant then long loud blast of trumpets followed from the interior of the royal csidence--nearer it rang, and nearer, till the loud sym iphonies filled every esr and thrilled to the core of every heast-and .then the King, the dignified and noble Henry, entered with all his slittering court, princes, and dukes, and peers and ladies of high birth and matchiess beauty, and took their seats among the laundering acclamations of the people.to witness the dread scene that was about to fol- low, of wounds and blood and butchery. All were alraycd in the most gorgeous splendor--all except ono, n girl of charms unrivalled. although sheseemel plunged in the deepest agoiE of grief, by the seductive beauties ofhe gayast. Her bright redundant auburn hair was all dishevellcd--hcr long dark eye lashes were pcncilled in distinct relief against the marble palior of her color less check-her rich and rounded forms was yelled, but not concealed, by dress of the coarsest serge, black as the robes of night, and thereby con< trasting more the exquisite farncss,of f. her complexion. On her all eyes were iixed-somc with disgust--some with contempt--others% %ith pity, sympathy, aud even admiration, That girl was Marguerite de yaudreuil-betrothcd to either combatant-th betrayed her self and the betraver-rejected by the man whose memory, when she believed him dead, she had herself deserted-- rejecting in her turn, and absolutely loathing him whose falsehood had be- trayed her into the commission of a yet deeper treason. Marguerite de yaudreuil, lately the admired of all beholders, now the prize of two kim dred swordsmen, without an option save that between the bled of man she hated, and the lifelong scclusion of the convent.
 The King was seated-thc trumpets flourished once again, and at the signal the curtain was withdrawn from the tent door ofthe challenger, and Charles de La-Hire stepped calmly out on the arena, followed by his godfather, De JarLac. bearing two double-edged swords of great lenght and weight, and two broad -bladed poniards. Charles de La-Hire was very pale and salow, as if from i'll health or from long con finement, but, his step was firm and elastic, and his air perfectly unmoyed and tranquil; slight flush rose to his pale cheek as he was greeted by an enthusiastic cheer from the people, to whom his fame in the wars of Italy had much endered him, but the flush [ was transientyand in moment lie was as pale and cold as before the shout which hailed his entrance. He was clad very plainly ip dark morone- colored pourpoint, with vest, trunk hose, and neither stocks of black silk netting, displaying to admiration the outlines of his 1.-the and sinewy frame. De Jarnac, hi godfather. on the con. trary. was very foppishly attired with
 an abundance of futtering tags and
 rufllcs of ricff race, and feathers in hi. velvet cap. These two had scarcely
 stood moment in the lists, before
 from the opposite pavilion, De Laguy
 aud the Duke de Meyers issured, tho latter bearing, like De Jarnac, pair o 1 sxv ards and dauOers if was ohserva1