The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-05-28

claimed Catherine, rising ana spreading ner
nocent-on your allegiance l charge you.
sheathe your swords!"
= BE TRANQUIL, gentlemen. said the King. g.. VINO
Mort Dieu will deal with this traitor myself
waxen figure. forsooth! Let me look at it
my lineament. a dagger IN the heart-I have
felt a strange pain in my side these three days.
Is this accursed image the handiwork OF Rug
Undoubtedly, SIRE replied Crichton.
y"'Tis false. sire I had no hand in its manu-
factnre. BY my salvation. | swear it, elacuia-
81 found it within his chamber" said Crlch-
ton. Your majesty will treat the supersttlous
device with the seorn such & futile atdmp1
ton will not relieve Ruggieri from the charge OF
reasonable practices against your life. - ia
king. if this offence be proved against him.
The question shall enforce the truth. After this.
madame confined Henri. addressing his
vocate further the conduct Of your astrologer
~ We're | satisfied Of his guilt. assuredly not,
my son." returned Catherine. But what proof
have we that the whole of this accusa-
ton is not a contrivance OF this fair-spoken
Scot. to rid himself of a foe, for such he con-
fesses Ruggieri to be I"
You spea. the truth. madame, cried the as
trologer :" / will satisfy his majesty OF my
innoe nee-and OF the seigneqr or,eh9ns lent ms mo-
4 have said that j higher power than that of
Ruggieri was implicated in this matter" re-
turned Crichton.. That power is
the rack; but utter not that name; you know not
what you would do"
"villanl' exclaimed Crichton, ''you Gnd am
too well acquainted with your crimes. | have
read the secre Of your heart. would confront
you W tn him you have betrayed, Would he
were here TO confound you with his pres ncel
He is here" replied masked figure, step
ping. suddenly forward.
:" "fhe maskI' exclaimed Crichton.
As live, the mask in peiSon, said Henri.
Enay IA u .IpIt
Mystery.
A momontary pause succeeded. during which
no one spoke. The mask at length broke silence.
The charge you have brought against Rug
gierl Cheyalier Crichton. he said. sternly. IS
false, unfounded and malicious and that you
have made it willfully, and knowing it TO be
such. will approve upon you by mortal com
bat; to which, as Ruggieri's voluntary cham
pion. j here defy you"
And will you undertake the feion kuggleri &
defense r viii you draw your sword in his be-
balf?" asked Crichton, with look Of incredulity
and surprise.
upon one knee before Henri, beseech your
majesty to grant me right OF combat foutrance
with all weapons and without favor against the
Chevalier Crehton
Henri hesltated.
Nay. my son" replied Catherine, this is my
one sword read, TO start from its scabbard in nay
behalf. You cannot refuse this appeal
You have our permission, then returned
Henri.
II here, then. repeat my defiance said the
mask. rising haughtily, and hurting his glove to
the ground, challenge you. Chevalicr CrIch-
ton. 70 make good your accusation with your
life"
Enough" returned Crichton, Il accept the
challenge, and counsel you. sir. not 10 throw
aside your mask when you raw your blade in a
cause infamous. | am we'll content that Rug
gieris fate be left to the decision OF my han .
Joyeuse. he continued. may | calculate upon
your SO vices in this mattery
Most certainly replied the vicomte. but
will not your adversary favor US with his name
are aware you cannot fight one Of inferior ramk?'
If am satisfied, Monsieur 10 .icomte" re-
piled the mask, haughtily, e, waive that con
Crchton will have little need to take exceptions
We meet as equal only with our swords
SO, saying the mask disdqinfully placed his
Crchton regarded him fixedly for moment
Sir mask. he said. at length in tone OF cold
contempt, whoever you may be- and have no
desire to publish your incog ito, whatever blood
may flow in your veins. be it derived from
prince or peer. hold it cheap as water in the
unworthy cause you have ,,spoused and We're
honorable gentleman, and your quarrel the
right, it would weigh more with me than noblest
lineage or prOudeSt blaZonry. Cadet of fortune
| am, no. doubt Nevertheless, even the royal
Henri might cross swords with me without
degradation. On either side my ancestry is
illustrious. My blood is that of the Stuart my
heritage. an untarnished name: my portion. a
stainless sword; In God and Saint Andrew
place my trustl'
You are satisfied Of your antagonist i rank?'
asked yoyeuso. OF Crichton.
/ will answer for him. said Henri.
The yicomte raised the glove and thrust it in
Whom may / have the honor of addressing
as your second, seigneur Z" asked Joyeuse in a
tone of constrained courtesy,
The Duke de Neyers. replied the mask.
hanghtilE vrd H;s,, = sxo,,;uoa t,a xcout. ~tis /
better than | anticipated. Monsieur le Due |
shall be delighted to confer with you on this
duel
At the mention of his name, the Tue de Nevers.
a grave and stately nobleman, wearing the full
insignia of the order of the Saint Esprit, step
ped forward in some astonishment. but after
advanced. and, with formal salutation. took
Crichtons glove from the hand of the yicomte. !.
Mort Dieu messeigneurs,' said Henri. l
had rather the whole science OF astrology were
exterminated together with all its idoatrous pro-
feasorS. than that you should battle to each other
on grounds 50 frivolous. and for cause 50 un-
will have it SO. / will not oppose your inclina-
tions. Let the combat take place at noon to-
however. is. that in lieu of the duel with rapier
and dagger, you break a lance together in the
lists. On the issue Of the third course. let the
astrologers fate depend. Twill not have the life
Of a valiant cavalier or of one dear
10 me-. sacrificed in this worthless dis
pute. Meantime. Ruggieri shall be placed
God defend the right
l Will answer Tor RugglerlS attendance
said Catherine de Medicis. Let him be escorted
to my turrct. will place my own guard over
him.
AS you please. madame" returned Henri
but have a care you produce him at the lists"
Fear me not, ny son..
And now, sir mask" said the king, turning
round. Mort-Dieu, vanshedt-"
And now for the Navarroise.,o said Crichton
taking the hand of Marguerite de Valois.
Il thought YOU had forgotten it. replied the
queen. smiling but let us go-I am weared of
this crowd, We shall, at least be alone in the
dance"
And all eyes following their majestic figures
they swept down the sal on
While tins was passing Catherine motioned
Ruggier 10 approach her The astrologer
threw himself at her feet, as if imploring com
passion i would question thee ere thou
depar. she said aloud adding IN q whisper,
this combat must never take rlace.2
= 1t must not returned the astrooger.
u will find means to prevent it, Give me the
phia thou hast ever with thce-the Borgia
tincture.
That were too tardy. madame:-this potion
you will find more efcacious. 1t is the same
deadly mixture as that prepared, by your majes
tvs orders for the admiral Colign, which you
entrusted to his valet. Dominique d 'Albe.''
mo more-I will find a surer agent than that
tiu,d slave - said Catbaripa fol ha nh oil