Year: 1860

lord, was the reply. MY time he added.
SIS so taken up with the numerous visits |
have to give aud receive, that | really do
not know one hour, where I shall be the
next ..-.. -.
| sAnd your son, Henri, have you brought
him with you? P ... -


He will be here Tomorrow


why not to night?'


You would not have him come in his
present attire, would you?' inquired the
other Besides, as his father, I have much
to say to him ere we part, and one day is
not too much to ask, since after that he will
be with you always


so you have concluded to accept my Of
fer, then ? said the Duke, smile of pleas
ure crossing his face.


Il have, my lord, replied the mouute-
bank. In him you will gain real treasure,
though say it who should not He is
deeply learned, my lord--can speak several
languages, is fine musician, understands
the use of all weapons, and is courageous
and trustworthy. But remember, my lord
Duke, he added, mo menial Office for the
mountebank's son-no degrading task for
Henri Saint Pierre! He must serve high
or not at ALL


Il will treat him as brother, said the
Duke; sand will use him kindly, so long as
he deserves it,


Il can ask no more, my lord. Pardon me,
but the light effects my eyes, and he re-
moved the lamp further back, so that the
light fell directly upon the Dukes face
apparently you take great interest in him,
he added.


i do; and the reason is singular. He
reminds me of some one whom I have seen
before, and yet, for the life Of me, l cannot
tell when or where. But this one, whoev-
er it may have been, whether boy or girl,
man or woman, must have been very dear
to me; else why should like this boy who
so much resembles him or her?'


is that resemblance in the face or in the
tone of the voice?' inquired the mounte.
bank, gazing searchingly into his face as he
asked the question.


i don't know, replied the Duke, thought
fully perhaps in both


The mountebank smiled.


perhaps can refresh your memory be
said, now seating himself for the first time.


Indeed !! I wish you would


Not that I was an actor in the scene
am about to narrate,' said the mountebank,
with that smile which persons in his profes,
sion always assumes when attempting to de-
ceive any one; 'uot that | repeat thrice.
told tale when I tell you this, nor to crafty
selfish curiosity; but to make assurance
doubly sure that am really gifted in the
way speak. And for further proof, I will
say, that ere this morning, never saw you
before in my life


lis it really so p said the Duke.


1T is my lord. This person. he contin-
ued again, fixing his cold eye piercingly
upon the face of the listener. This person
whom you say my Henri so much resembles,
was female, and you last saw her on your
sixth birth day


where? p


AT Moscow


Moscow! repeated Alexander, slowly
Moscow. BY heavens !! he exclaimed sud-
denly, and leaping from his chair, as if the
window of his brain had been suddenly
opened, and all that seemed dark and vague
before was now made clear to him. by
heavens! that single word restores to my
mind host of recollectious. Moscow! l
remember it all now, as if it happened but
yesterday: How my father drove me thith-
er in sleigh without any of our attendants
accompanying US, circumstance so unusual
that remember it distinctly y; how he car
ried me into an humble dwelling different
from any had ever entered before; how
be cautioned me never to reveal to any one
where I had been, lest it should reach the
Empress ear; how we met there a very
pale and beautiful lady, who kissed and car
ressed me as though she were my mother
and how my father wept with me when the
setting sun told US it was time to return.,-
Yes, yes! Irecollect it all now Strange
very strange that it did not enter my
mind before


'You were young then, my lord,' observ-
ed the mountebank.


'Ay, but as said before, 1 recollect
every thing distinctly. Oh, what power
there often is in single word Moscow
1t was the first time I ever visited that city,
the reason perhaps why my mind recalls it
so vividly. But this lady who was she ?


Il dare not answer that question now,'
replied Saint Pierre. DO not be offended,
my lord. Your own happiness depends
upon my refusal When Catharine is Dead
many things that are now dark will be
cleared up, not only toyou but to the world
also


Nay, but I must know it, said the duke
imperiously. WAS she my fathers mistress?'


You ask that and your mother living !!
cried Saint Pierre sternly. Shame shame q!
No, my lord whatever faults your father
may have committed, he has always been
t true to his partner the grand Duchess
sWho could it have been?' said Alexan-
der in musing one, more to himself than
! to the other. %! he exclaimed at length,
| will you not tell me who she was? Pray
, speak and end my trouble at once


The mouutebank covered his face with
bis hands, and thought deeply for many
moments ere be replied.