Year: 1867

ia:


"Ahl no-no-no," responded PHILIPPE, with
a sad, but resolute shake of the head 1T is a
fate-a destiny-a decree, curse awfully pro-
nounced and rigidy exacted. Besides those Of
whom have spoken, and whom l knew so well,
there are seven others There hang their portraits.
Servants of the family who were old men when I
was boy, told me their history. They were all
taken away in the bud. Listen, and will tell you
how and when the curse came.


The old man again filed his goblet and swallowed
draught of wine before he continued his story.


Count Robert Guiscard, the founder of your fam
liz, lived more than two centuries ago. He was a
man of pleasure, as you might judge from his por-
trait. He was more-he was brave and fearless
knight, and not easily turned aside from any object
of ambition or pleasure. Henri Quartre, Of sim
pie gentleman, made him Count and conferred
upon him an estate which enabled him to keep a
multitude of retainers - many Of them unscrupu-
lous men, and little better than brigands. During
the war in Spain where Count Robert gained his
renown, he became acquainted with beautiful
Moorish maiden whom, after his wild way, he low
ed. The war had closed and Count Robert return
ed to France, but the image of the dark-eyed Moor
ish girl haunted him sleeping or waking. Those
were times of disorder in France, when sharp
sword and strong arm were worth more than right
or Justice. Count Robert determined to possess
himself of the Moorish beauty by force if fair means
failed. He made journey alone into Spain, and
obtained clandestine interview with the beautiful
Esella, whom her father had entrusted to the care
of a naughty but honorable Spanish nobleman, he
himself, having been obliged to quit the kingdom
on account of his religion. The Hidalgc who was
a widower of middle age, was himself enamoured OF
the Moorish beauty committed to his charge, and
when he discovered the interview that had taken
place between the Count and Estella, his rage and
jealousy knew no bounds Estella hardly knew
her own heart. Count Robert had gained rather
reluctant consent from her to become his bride,
and then, as any frank gentleman would have done,
he called at the castle and demanded of her guard
ian her hand in marriage. 1t soon came to high
words with them for Count Robert never stopped
to Count his enemies to draw swords. The Count
had but his own sword for defence, and the Hidal
go had score of servants within call, who, as soon
as they heard the cashing of swords, rushed in to
the assistance of their master, and the Count was
speedily disarmed and secured, but not till he had
slain two of his enemies and wounded several 9TH
ers. The old Hidalgo, who had received slight
sword thrustin the left arm, ragged like tiger The
Count was thrust down into loathsome dungeon
where he lay for many dreary weeks. While he lay
there, Estella was married to the old Hidalgo She
was weak and without a protector, andhe half per-
suaded and half forced her to become his BRIDE
Even when he lay in his dungeon Count Robert
could hear the reoicngs upon the occasion, and the
Hidalgo to oaggravate this suerings had taken care
that he should be informed of the marriage His
cheek blanched, and he bit his lip when they told
him Of the happiness Of his rival. He was silent,
but in his heart he vowed terrible revenge 1t
was, in truth, hard that heshould suffer the double
loss of his freedom and his promised wife, and a
more gentle man might have vowed revenge aye!
and have kept his word While the marriage rev.
els were still going on the Counts prison door was
unexpectedly opened one night just as the clock in
the tower was telling the hour of midnight. One
of the maids Of the newly married wife had got pos
session of the key to the dungeon when the warder
was drunk, and by command of her mistress had
come to set the prisoner free. A purse of gold was
provided him, and horse stood ready saddled in
an adjoining wood to facilitate his escape from the
|neighborhood of the castle


"Ah had you but brought me sword! p ex-
claimed the Count, returning the gold He follow
ed his fair guide by back way through the castle
and crossing the moat in light shallop, which the
maid seemed accustomed to manage and was soon
concealed in the shadows of wood where noble
horse stood ready for his service


''Tell your fair mistress" said the Count, as he
prepared to mount, ''that I thank her from my in
most soul. Liberty is sweet sweeter than aught
but love. Tell her that, before many days, shall
set her free from her bondage "a bondage more
loathsome than mine has been. He shall have un-
expected guests, and wilder revels than any with
which his castle has yet rung before yon moon has
filled again..


He pointed, as bespoke, to the crescent moon just
sinking behind the hills. He pressed uponthe fin
gers of his fair guide rich diamond ring in itself,


fortune for one in her condition of life, and gal
lantly bestowing on her cheeks kiss, was off for
France. The castle in which he had been confined
was at the foot of the Pyrennes, and before the
sun had risen he had crossed the boundary and was
safe in France. You may be sure his revenge did
not sleep long, Before fortnight, he crossed the
boundary again, but this time not as fugitive
some three score attached and resoute men follow
ed at his heels. The moon had not yet quite filled,
for the Count, whether for good or i'll, always kept
his word to the letter.


1t wanted good hour to midnight when the
revels at the castle were rudely disturbed by the
clash of angry Steel Taken by surprise, the ser
wants of the Hidalgo, though outnumbering the re-
tainers of the Count two to one, were soon over
powered or slain. The Hidalgo, bearing his young
bride along with him, and followed by four Of the
bravest of his men, was driven to the battlements.
Count Robert followed him, sword in hand, burn
ing with revenge. He was magnanimous foe, and
finding so few with the Hidalgo, he called four OF
his retainers to his side, bade the others stand a
loof, and leave them to fight it out. The old Hi
dalgo saw at glance he had nothing further to ex-
pect from the cemency of his enemy, and he fought
with the desperation of tiger. His men were
soon disabled, and as they fell, at sign from Count
Robert, they were tumbled over the battements in
to the moat below.


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