The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-05-07

decoration OF the lesser order, a small
elaborately chased cross and dove OF
silver.
Amongst this group also were to be
seen the Able dc BrantOme and the
poet Ronsard. Brantone had piercing
eye, a thin visage, and a nose slightly
aquiline. Immense moustaches cloth
cd his long upper lip but his lofty brow
was almost entirely destitute OF hair.
There WAS much Of the courtier In his
manner, but his smile was sarcastic. and
u vein OF irony might be detected even
in his most fiowery compliments. a
sneer was habitual to his lips, and his
eyes. though full and keen. was enclos-
ed within lids OF pinkish hue and blear
expression, sufficiently indicating the
libertinage Of his character. The Able
de Brantoine was then a man or middle
age. somewhat on the wane, and his
frame appeared prematurely withered.
His shoulders were bent, and his legs
shrunk within his hose. His look was
sharp. suspicious, penetrating. and his
general manner that Of shrewd and
accurate observer.
Age, and perhaps the life Of sensuality
he was known to have led, had indeed
committed sad havoc upon the once
we'll favored person Of tho poet Ronsard.
He was no longer the beau Page, whose
manner fascinated james Of Scotland,
aud, perchance, his Queen.
The erector who had, apparently much
against Crichton's inclination, detained
him in eurnest conversation at the
portal, now turned towards the scholars,
and after addressing them in appro--
pirate terms, spake to Cfichton hud
said
"You must perforce accept this gem.
'the gifts Of the University Of Paris ure
not wont to be sighted md taking u
brilliant diamond ring from his fore
finger. and looseniug the velvet escar-
cclle from his sash, Messire Adrien
d'Amboise presented them to Crlchton.
II may not decline your Offer" re-
piled Crichton, reluctantly receiving the
proffered gem. "since you thus press it
upon me, though j feel how little |
merit it. The ring shall prize, but as
to the contents OF the purse, You must
suffer me to dispose of them as ] shall
see fitting
"The purse is yours do with its con
tents what you think proper said the
rector.
Crichton removed the ring, and
taking forth the crowns OF gold with
which the escarcelle was filled, threw
them amongst the crowd OK scholars. A
violent comm otion ensued. during which
many OF the students broke through
the lines and approached close to the
persons OF Crichton and the rector. One
Of these, II youth, who for some space
had held his green mantle before hla
face, now rushed forward, and prostra-
ting himself before Crichton, threw
down garland of twisted bay-leaves at
his feet.
"Disdan not my Offering. Seigneur
Crichton," he said, in a low and timid
voice, simple though 1t be, and all un.
worthy your acceptance. ] will myself
wind 1t round your brOws, ii j receive
your gracious permission to do SO.
Retire, thou forward YOUTH said
the rector, gravely. This is presunp-
ton.
II pray you excuse him, said Crich-
ton ''the compliment is too flattering to
be declined, and, let me add the mode
in which it is conveyed Is too graceful
to be unwelcome. ] accept your wreath,
young sir, and beg you to arise. But
wherefore" be added, with II smile,
''did Won imagine / should come off vic
torious? Surely there was nothing TO
warrant such u conclusion. And had |
returned ingloriously. this garland
would have been wholly thrown away.
The youth arose and fixed his dark
eyes full upon Crichton couutenance.
Whatever the Admirable Crichton
shall undertake. in that he will excel all
men," he said. with him to engage
in ~ conflict is TO obtain II victory. |
was assured Of his success.
"Your looks are sincere, and | will
not distrust your words, replied Crlch-
ton Your face resembles one l have
seen, though where | cannot call to
! 4 ,.R
"He is one OF the Gelos, sir, said
Ogilvy, who, together with Caravaja
and the Sorbonist, had forced himself
into the vicinity Of Crichton. "Bo not
deceived by his honest look, rs | have
been. Hence, youth, and take thy
mummeres with thee.
zone Of the Gelosil' exclaimed erich
ton. "Hai now / remember the fea-
lures. 'Tis the youth have seen so oft.
But why avert thy head, gentle boy
| have said nothing, l trust, to wound
thy feelings?'
The IGeloso' appeared crimson with
shame Tell me" continued Crichton,
what may mean thai masked figure
whom | have seen for ever lowering
nigh thee in thy walks nay, that seems
like thy shadow at the Hotel de Bour-
bon. Is it device Of thine own to at
tract curiosity, young sir Ii so, can
tell thee thou hast succeeded. Even
the royal Henri has noticed the singu-
larity of the figure.
"Haye you, likewise, remarked that
mask, signor p replied the Geloso, with
an expression Of uneasiness almost
amounting to terror. II have often
thought it trick Of my own iinagl ma
ton. But you have seen it likewise
81 have" replied Crichton but me-
thinks you answer eyasiyely. thought
more Of sincerity dwelt in those earnest
eyes. Your present action IS but, fear,
an artifce to win attention"
SO saying, he turned from him. The
Geloso attempted to reply, but retired
abashed. Ogilvy was about to thrust
him back, but perceiying that the youth
had shrouded his face with his mantle.
and voluntarily Withdrawn himself, he
desisted.
There was something in the manner
Of the youth that struck Crichton; and
his feelings reproached him with undue
severity towards him. Laying his hand