Year: 1865


did 1t all mean? Unquestionably | had
been mistaken for another person, as the
words "Do not fail me this time" evil
dently proved Who was the Count al
luded to ? and what was the plan on foot,
to be perfected during his absence! Ny
curiosity was excited, and | resolved to
60 forward in the part thus thrust upon
me till | could ascertain something more
definite. And then her words in Eng.
Iish. SO correctlyy spoken-plainly show
ing that either she was, or know me to
be foreigner, or perhaps both-made
me more eager to fathom the mystery.
PERHAPS some may blame me, knowing,
as | did, there was q mistake, for seeking
to find out that which did not concern
NE; and as | have nothing to say IN my
defence, except that saw before me the
prospect of novel adventure, the tempt
atiou of which was no: just then IN the
humor to resist.


The French Opera House has three
main en,erances for three ranks, on as
many streets-namely, one on LepelIe-
tier for those who came in carriages, one
on Pinion for those who came in 6acres,
and one on Grange Bateliere for those
who came on foot Ny fair unknown
had stated that she would leave by the
Rue Lepelletier-Which went to prove
that she laid claim to the highest rank
among those present, if not indeed among
society iu general-and went out on
the Rue PiniOn to order facre aud join
her at the Place Vendome.


| reached the Place first, and dismiss
ed my driver before her carriage appear
ed, which stopped near the triumphant
pillar of Napoleon lie Grand. As hast
ened up to the carriage-which was plain
black, without embazonry of any kind
the door was opened by small gloved
hand from the inside, while the driver
sat still, neither turning his head to the
right nor left. I could just see that my
fair unknown was its only occupant, and
| quietly entered and took my seat beside
her, feeling little nervous and somewhat
guilty, | must confess. The door waa
then shut quietly, heard the sharp snap
of spring, the blind was let down. aud
we were whirled away in almost total
darkness


For nearly an hour we rode in silence
through the streets of the great city, |
seeing nothing but the dim form of the
fair unknown beside me, and having 20
idea of the direction we were going |
thought over some curious stories [ had
heard of strangers being by one means
Or another decoyed into deus of robbers.
and began to feel rather uneasy. My
pistols had been left at my hotel, and |
had not single weapon with me, unless
a small pocket knife might be so called
[ had not the feeling, moreover, to give
me manly courage; and could not but
admit to myself that, should harm come
to me through this adventure, it would,
in great measure be owing to my own
folly.


had been thinking this matter over
for some time, and had just come to the
determination Of declaring there had
been some mistake, and taking hurried
leave, when, the carriage came to a
sudden stop.


"Here we are at last" said the sweet
musical voice of the fair masker--the
silvery tones of which. coupled with my
native language, tended much to reas.
sure me.


The next moment the door was opened
| by the driver As descended the steps
and offered the lady my hand, | glanced
quickly around, and perceived we were
in an inner court, surrounded on all sides
by lofty buildings If | had really been
entrapped, escape was impossible, and a
sudden feeling of alarm made even my
hand tremblG


"Come, my friend 2" pursued the lady,
whose face was still concealed by the
mask aud taking my arm as she spoke,
she led me forward to door, which she
unlocked and threw open


All was dark Inside, and fancied the
air felt cold aud damp. [ hesltated, and
even drew back step. "What !" she
exclaimed with light laugh, care you
afraid to enter here tonight Sir. Rich
ard, where you have SO often been with
me before 2"


These words convinced me that | had
indeed been mistaken for some body else
no less, in fact than au English baro
net--aud determined me to 90 forward
aud see the end of the strange affair.


"Of course, 1 am not afraid of you," !"
| ventured TO say; "but what if the
Count should have returned during your
absence ?"


This was the first time 1 had spoken
10 the lady's hearing, and | was not a
little curious to know what effect my
voice might produce, Notwithstanding
hnr nvaS boJ loo, ! L.,