The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-06-25

this briei disloyslty. we may add that Catherine
de Msdics, hitherto stranger e The attractions
some ne attention. was 80 struck with her beauty
sTssssant ss passion viii which she had inspired
~ I,y our Lady," she exclaimed. the girl ls
that lovely creature s os san tro pe 'Ms be amulet hold
Permit ms. TO examine that key more mar
wards wards them. In" may Be- able to rssolvs her
najestys question. Meantime. lpfay you. take
this pbia The damsel sleeps. 40 you perceive. ",
but let her breathe frotp this flagon. and her
slumbers villa once be disspatcd'
".Jwere better she should wake 20 more. than
% dishonor.' !nurmured the cavalier, as hetook
gierj Poor .giri' be mentally calculated. as
he approached the couch; my chance q rescq- Is 4,
worse than death. is now slight indeed, But the
attempt shall I've made | have vowed to accom-
plisb thy rescue. and will accomplish H. or
And with these musings he employed the phjal
as directed by. kuggieri, nor had be " wall long
for the result cf his application. he delosa
fell upon the cavaliers sable ilask. with u
scream Of terror che hastily ayerted her head v,
Hs sSss ssrs sssan s ro ss hs domen
The cavalier bent his head over the shrinking
maiden. and IN 10y tone breathed in her ear
Not more suddenly does Tho falcon turn her
wing at hel masters call. than did tho Gelosa
start at the cavaliers voice. Trembling from
she bent ber gaze upon his figure she peered
into the holes oi his inask as II to seek some iuf
ther confirmation of her hopes,she dashed
aside her binding tresses passed hsr fingers
rapidly across her brow. as II 70 collect her seat
tered senses. nnd IN low tone. exelaiined-
cosea nst y"ea %Is ha hidsous ss
J heard my own name pronounced by tones. SO
loyea, 50 tender: but Il must have been dream
faint hw 7ag And che ,s agnin gain SANK @ 6ackwards
The cavalier regarded her with deet com
niseratien but scarcely knowing bow Tar 10 her
present state Of excitement Y would DO prudent
to trust her with u knowledge oi bis plans. he
deemed II advisable to resume the disguised
10 e Of voice he had adopted in his 90 florence
with Catherine. For whom do you take mo-
For whomis exclaimed the madden" !
took you for On angel Of light. but find you are
a spirit Of darkness he &c. s and Leave me me
not already endured agony ~ your hands
Must dishonor likewise be ny portion Nsyerl
ments-yorr entreaties- s--your force-and will
continue TO. resst you. | can vet DEFY your
power. NJ deiled you IN your palace at Mantua
Wcman's love may be fcke. but her hnte is con-
stnnt. l hate you. prince. and ! will die o thou-
sand deaths rather than yield me 10 yosr en-
braces. ,
time aware ~ the diAordered state OF her appa-
rel, II her complexion had been beretofore as
white as ttat Of the mountain snow. l,s nue. WIS
aa auddeuy changed as that Of the same snow
when II is tinged hy the purplng sunset. Neck.
check and throat were turned to crimson by the
hot and blushing tide While shame mingled hs
glowing countenance. -
"Ahl faae and felon knight she cried. bitter
ly, thou hast done well to steal upon madens
privacy-upbn her .slumbers,.-but get hence. or
by the Virgin | will tear Oft this bandnge from
my wound and breathe out my life before thine
eyes. All why WAS not that blow more surely
ptmad-why did | not pcrfsh In saving Crich-
tcn2' \.
''Do love him !" repeated Ginevra-"do | love
heaven adore its saints-hatc thee Y-.Love
himr' sho continued, rasAionetely- y 70 me
thou whose dark henrt can only, couple ioyo
with desire-the affection which boar TO Crich-
ton s thst S hs r. i9ior Tor s sap not
love. ask for no return. am content to love
without hone. II were happiness toe much to
die for him. but having failed in that, think not
will live for another"
Then live for himin said the cavalier in
under tone, and resuming his natural voice,
losa by these words, and by the sudden change
Of tone. were impossible. She passed her hand
across her brow,she gfzed npon her IN, masked s,s,i
exclaimed under her breath. and with look. as
# her \. life hung upon the issue Of her INQUIRY
1T is." returned the cavalier. And her head
declined upon his shoulder.
Catherine was not more surprised at thie sud
den change In he Gelosa's manner thanthe as
trologer.
Thy spell begins 70 work, good father" she
said, the girl reiepts
Maledizonei" returned Ruggieri furiously.
How !-.art thou not satisfied witp thine own
hudiwork I" dcmanNest Catherine. In surprise;
"'Tis because It IL mihe own handiwork that
| am distraught." returned the astrooger. My
gracious MISTRESS" he continued throwing
himself at the queens feet. who vicwed his con-
IA rttf Sa,ith inD nat la
Go to-whit wUuldst thou Z"
II ask a boon In roduital of my long services
a light request. madam.
Suffer not yon girl to quit the chamber to-
night; Or, If she must go hence let me accom-
Catherine returned no answer. but clapping
her hands together, the dwarf, In obedience to
her signal rushed to the trap-door.
To return TO the cavalier. His efforts, second
ed by his kindly words. speedily restored the
Geloea 10 consciousness. Gently disengaging
herself from his embrace, and casting down her
large eyes, as II fearing to meet his gaze She
thus. In a low tone addressed him: Pardon
me, noble signor. my, late freedom OF speech.
6 on woyd M" 40 have lad
deemed that my words would ever have
reached your ears"
Il need not that assurance. fnir Ginevra." re-
that your love is fixed upon one who can only
reuuite. your devotion with q brothers tender.
ness. But listen to me. With this key you will
pass. by subterranaan outlet. to the Hotel dc
Soissons. Escape will then be easy. Tarry
without its walls. on the quarter nigh the church
Of Saint Eustache for an hour. II in that space
join you not. depart, and 60 upon the morrow
to the Louvre. Seek out the Demoiselle Escar-
monde do you mind that name. Ginevra2'
II do gasped the Geloso.
You will find her amongst the attendants Of
the Queen Louise. Bear to her this paper"
IT'S stained with blood" cried Ginevra. as
"sTis traced with INV dapper's pojnt reioined
the cavalier. will you convey Il TO her?'
II WILL"
And now. continued the cavalier, collect all
your energies. fair. maiden. You must leave
thir chamber alone"
And you--Y'
Heed me not: a fate dearor than mine hangs
upon that paper-upon your safety. You have
said you love me- You haye approved your de-
votion. But claim further proof Whatever
, ou may hear or see. tarry not. When bid
You. go. You have poignard-ha2 ?"
What Italian woman IL without one?"
1t is we'll. You who dread not to die need
fear nothing. Your hand. am once moro the
mask. Be firm-ha-it is too late"