Year: 1860

surprise.


i don't think so.'


You! Pshaw He takes the part too
we'll for it to be an assumed one. Besides,
did not my old and faithful servant Gustave
request me to engage him in preference to
another! Oh, he is a mountebank ! Oh
that you may rest assured


But, my lord


'Nay, no more of your doubts said the
Count impatiently. Are my pistols in good
order p


They are, my lord


Get them and see that they are properly
loaded. A grain of powder more or less
makes vast difference, but few are able
to perceive it.


They are already charged, my lord


Draw them out and load them again
Look we'll to the fints


Pietro did as he desired.


sLay them on the table, said the Count
i shall not require your services further to-
night, Pietro. Doubtless bsAmttered
sthe mountebank will return efte,
seeing the Duke, and visit meS Sards
that is, if he means to come at all. What's
that, Pietro? Did any one knock?'


I'll see,' replied the attendant; and
walking to the door he opened it.


sWhat Henri Saint Pierre ? exclaimed
the Count, as the lad entered. in heavens
name who sent you here p he enquired, as
soon as he had somewhat recovered from
his astonishment. Not your father, surely p


mo, my lord replied the lad. i came
of my own accord.


sArt sure?'


why should seek to deceive you p in
quired the lad earnestly. i am tired Of
living with my father, and wish to take SER
vice with Duke Alexander


Indeed. Did not your father intend
that you should 20 to him tomorrow


He did my lord and preached me long
sermon as to how should conduct myself:
which I little heeded.' And so the lad
told him word for word what the mounte-
bank had said, except that part relating to
his wealth, which he was wise enough to
conceal


SO the mouutebank-I mean your father
has been deceiving me in regard to your
self?' said the Count, with sinister smile.


In that only replied the lad 'As to
the part relating to the prediction, I am
sure that that will be carried out to the
very letter. He intends to let you go on
with it until you reach the point of success
and then to discover all to the grand.duke


DO you know his reason for it.


yes, my lord He said that from your
earliest years you have been plotting against
your superiors-that it was your nature
and he preferred to have you engaged in
some scheme in which he himself could
take part, and know everything connected
Herewith, rather than in secret one which
he might know nothing Of


He is very kind, is your father, to take
so great an interest in my welfare, said the
nobleman, his brow darkeuiug. But what
brought you TO me, my boy p he added sud,
denly, and gazing somewhat suspiciously at
Henri, who met his glance unuoved.-
what brought you to me?'


Why replied the boy, hesitatingly, i
overheard your conversation with my father,
aud knowing you to be bold man, and
feeling inwardly that you would succeed in
your object, H.


'Well?' said the Count kindly.


Il came to offer my services to you to act
as spy on the Duke :.


The Count smiled 1t was the very thing
he wished.


'And what reward do you expect for this
service p he inquired.


"A title, if you should succeed replied
the boy boldly.


"A title" repeated the Count slowly
you want title?'


yes, my lord. 1t is the height of my
ambition


sAnd you will serve me faithfully, if l
promise it?'


i will, my lord


Enough. As soon as our efforts are
crowned with success, you shall have it
and the Count rubbed his hands gleefully.
1t is 60 easy to make-a promise. But
hark you, not a word of this to any one,
he added. by the way, l expect my son
here every hour. He is lad of your age,
Henri and I hope you will become good
friends


i trust we shall, my lord


i have not seen him for FIVE years my.
SELF continued the Count. Il sent him tc
England in his ninth year to getan educa
tion and he wrote to me last week stating
that he would be here to-day or tomorrow
As I said before, am expecting him every
hour


i hope he will come soon, my lord


The Count now seated himself, and mu
sed deeply for many moments AT length
turning to the boy, he asked,


lis the mountebank-I mean your fathe1
at home now 2


He is my lord He came just as lef
the house; and as passed beneath th'
window, l heard him tell the servant tina
he would 60 out again in about an hour
But l trust you do not intend to take M
to him.