The Morning herald., 1877-10-04

10 VelcOurt 0ad glldeu from the room.
CHAPTER xLII1.
/. FLYING FROM JUSTICE.
10 use q common phrase, Noel had
promised to move heaven and earth to
obtain the release Of Albert; and he real
ly and truly had visited several members
Of the bar; but had placed the case In
such peculiar point of view, that they
one and all refused him their aid.
! At four O'clock he called at tho Count
de Valcourt's house, to appriss his father
Of his nOn-success.
1.-THE Count is OUT said the valet; sbut
it You wouldn't mind waiting, monsieur,
he will return very shsrtly." "
"Pll watt" said the barrister.
"The Count expected, monsieur" said
the valet, bowling respectfully, "and gave
orders that if you called, you were 70 be
shown into the study"
NoelIs heart swelled with pride. For
the future, he was master in this magpii-
cent houss-ths heir to all the lands of
the ancient family whose name he borel
As he looked around with glance Of
pride, his eye fell upon the genealogical
tree that, surrounded by . magnificent
frame, hung over the chimney-paece.' He
advanced, and studied II, and saw tho
names of the greatest families in France,
allied with that Of the de Valcourts. Two
of them had espoused the younger
daughters of kings; and as he read, the
heart of the barrister best high with
pride, whilst he murmured to himself,
"And II am now Viscount de Valcourt!'
AS he spoke tho words, the door be-
hind him was thrust open, and the old
Count entered, closing it quickly behind
him.
Noel was advancing towards him with
outstretched hands; but recoiled at the
look Of rage and scorn that flashed from
his fathers eyes.
That look made him shudder from head
to foot. It was as much as he could do to
stand upright. He knew that he was
lost.
"Oh, you villain" cried the old man,
shaking his clenched fist at him; and
then, as if afraid of his own anger, throw
ing his stick to the other end of the room.
II can't strike him." he murmured-
can't strike him! He isn't worthy of tho
rage of . man like me!'
Then there was silencs-a silence 80
intense that the ticking of the tiny ormo-
lu clock on the chimney piece sounded
like death-watch in the room.
In those few moments "oceans Of men,
ory" seemed to roll over their souls, and
for the time being to annihilats all
thought. .,,u..s.
The young man was the first to speak
"Father-" he commenced. ..-.,
"Silence" said the Count, in hollow
voice. "Don't speak, can't bear to hear
your voice. / know that you are my son,
and I know that you have broken poor
Valerie's heart" Here the old man ad-
vanced towards him, and, looking him full
in the eyes. cried out, "Parricide! You have
killed your mother2" ;. 4e,
Step by step, Noel had recoiled to tho
other end of the room, and now leant
against the wall, with . pale face and
haggard eyes, trembling from head to
foot. ..'-S :.
II know everythingw pursued the
Count. sand what is worse still, I am not
alone in my knowledge! At this very mo-
ment summons has been issued for your
arrest"
A cry, half Of rage, half Of despair,
broke from the barristsr's lips.
Thunderstruck at the very moment Of
expected triumph, he gathered himself to-
gether, and stood at bay, determined to
fight out the fight to it's bitter end.
IN To,,p+ do Vo1oo,,p+ ~.yikhnv,t
ing to be conscious of the presence Of
Noel, went to his study table and opened
a drawer. .
"Sit down." he said sternly, "and write
the confession Of your crime! You will
afterwards. find pistol in this drawer
that have just opened, and may heaven
have mercy upon your soul" 81,
The old gentlemen made . movement,
as to leave; but Noel stopped him by .
gesture, taking revolver from his pocket
az he did so.
"You see, require no aid Of this Sort"
he said. my precautions, as you will
perceive. are already taken. I promise
you shall never bs taken alivs-only, I
make this proviso."
"Oh, there's a proviso, Is there" intsrro-
gated the Count sternly.
eyes," answered the barrister, in &C.
cents as cold and stern - tho question.
II am young and you are old. The fact
is, life is pleasant to me. and, to sum It al
up in few words, II don't want to diet"
"Whatw cried the old Count, recoiling,
and In q tone of disgust. "You don't
mean to say you are . coward"
"No, monsieur, I'm not coward; but
I'll not put an end to my existence until I
am perfectly assured that every loophols
is closed to me, and that escape is impos-
sible."
His father rushed towards his study
table to the drawer that contained the
loaded pistol, but, foreseeing the move
ment, Noel closed it with backward
,noyamant of his hand. and Dlaced him,