Year: 1860

in his breast would not permit him to yield
too easily; but at length be replied in the
affirmative.


Fatal word! 1t lost him dukedom
and gained him grave.


'Aud the paper?'


Shall be yours ere the week is over
The Count smiled-such smile ! Lu-
offers frown would have been angelic COM
pared with it,


Remember, Henri he said, as few
minutes later the boy rose to take his leave;
remember it is packet marked with the
letters Il and NJ To prevent mistake,
you had better tear it open and examine
the papers it contains, and if you should
not find marriage certificate therein, search
further. I think, however, you will find it
in the packet; and if so, hold it as dearly
as you would your life.'


Il will, my lord. Farewell In FIVE
days the packet will be 10 your hands, or I
shall have ceased to live


Poor fool !! muttered the Count, as the
door closed behind him 'more so than l
thought. Holy Writ tells us that Esau sold
bis birthright for mess Of pottage; this
boy sells his for promise. Egad, if he
succeeds, I shall think that Esau got the
best of the bargain. And this-this is the
honest lad whom the mountebank praised
80 highly, this is the son of Catharine's bit
terest enemy! And so honest! Well, l
cannot blame him for acting thus. At his
age I would have done the same, had the
chance been offered me. Honesty! Pish !!
/ tried it once myself and failed. Had I
been honest and virtuous I should not be
what am now. The honest man hesitates,
while the unscrupulous rush onward and
gain the prize Crimes have made me what
I am !! For l murdered my father, and l
slew my brother, and I married the girl
who hated me, and 1 crushed all who op-
posed me, and am Ranel Gotschof, Count
de Moner, and Minister of Police of the
Empire !! and my march is still onward -
What next? All, I must prepare Amy to
receive the Duke as a sui:or. | need ap.
prehend no difficulty in that quarter. She
will be delighted beyond expression when
she learns the name of her intended hus-
band


And he rang the bell three times, sig
nal to the young lady that be was about to
visit her. Her aunt was with her at the
moment he entered; but at q sign from
him she instantly left the room.


Amy he said, after passing the usual
complimentary remarks, do you not feel
lonesome here, sometimes?


mo, my lord why should I?' My
aunt is always with me, I 60 out sometimes;
and besides I have my birds and flowers to
occupy me all the dsy long. What more
could desire ?


Yes, yes; but your aunt has not one of
the best tempers in the world, that, We all
know, and tits time that other subjects oc-
cupied your mind than birds and flowers.
Is not your birth day near at hand p
To.morrow, my lord


'And you are now seventeen, lacking a
day. How time does fly! I should not
feel it did I not have you constantly near
me to remind me. Seventeen it is time
you had suitor, Amy


The poor girl started. Clouds on clouds
of bushes mantled her cheeks as this coarse
remark of her relative fell upon her ear ;
but in moment her face resumed its usual
color


Yes, suitor, ANY, repeated the Count,
gazing at her intently-'a suitor. You
comprehend my meaning, presume /?


i do, my lord; but


sOne like you,' continued the Count,
young, beautiful and rich, may wed with
the big hest in the land, and live in style
be6tting your birth and station. 1t was
your fathers wish that you should be
brought up with my son, and his hope that
you would soon learn to love each other
It was for this reason alone that your aunt,
your mothers sister, took up her residence
with me; but alas! the strange disappear
ance of my poor boy has crushed my hopes
in that direction, and I must look farther
The palace which your father ordered to be
built, is now nearly finished; and it would
not look we'll were you to take up your a.
bode in it alone


NAY, my lord said Amy, "a cottage is
all I wish for


"A cottage, indeed ! repeated de Moner,
scornfully. "A cottage the girl has lost
her senses! Come ! away with these ro-
mantle notions at once, and listen to me.
What think you of Alexander?'


'Of Alexander repeated Amy in be-
wildered tone.


Ay, of Alexander, the Duke-you know
him =


Il have seen him but once, my lord, and
know very little of him.


well, it matters not said the Count,
impatiently. He intends to visit you this
evening or tomorrow, as suitor; and l
trust I need not point out the line of con-
duct for you to follow, nor the respect with
which the grandson of the Empress should
be treated. When you see more of him.
he added, you will, I am sure, like him
better


'Neverp was the vehement reply.


Indeed ! said the Count, 6ercely. 'Ah,
but you have not heard all. Listen to me,
Amy. This marriage was decided upon
months ago, even before you had ever seen
each other Alexander looks upon it as a
settled thing, and so does your aunt. Five
days only remains for you to make your