THE WATCH-TOWER OF KOAT-VEU. 143 



"Continue, Sir," said Rita, coldly. 



Henry bowed and resumed : "according to the opiniqn of the few, 

 your prudence was the discretion of your lovers, so that when a 

 handsome musketeer was seen on guard at the king's door, or a 

 grandee at the 'petit levee' the mischievous gave it out that it was 

 immediately said, ' That is perhaps the reputation of her grace the 

 duchess which mounts guard ; or, see there's the reputation of her 

 grace the duchess which makes salutation to his majesty.' But the 

 majority, who had good reasons for being well informed, from being 

 quite certain of the purity of your principles, had vowed against you 

 a hatred or an envy so unchangeable that they requested me, newly 

 arrived, and whom you had never seen, to try my strength against 

 your terrible virtue. I confess to you, madam, that I at first hesitated, 

 having hardly three months to pass in France, and it would perhaps 

 require two to succeed, so, thanks to my indecision, you incurred the 

 imminent risk of remaining virtuous all your life, when supping one 

 evening at the hotel of Mr. de Saubin with the prince de Guemenee 

 and his mistress, I felt the greatest desire to possess the girl, but she 

 refused as did also the prince ; and Guemenee, turning to me, 'My 

 dear count,' said he, 'conquer the austere Spaniard, and Lelia shall be 

 yours if you succeed; but, if not, the race-horse which you have just 

 bought of Lanzum shall be mine. I betted ; and it was then I de- 

 termined to win your favour/' 



Whilst the count de Vandres was thus detailing the most offensive 

 impertinence with an easy free tone of voice, Rita played mechani- 

 cally with one of the knives which lay upon the table, her brows 

 were occasionally convulsed by an almost imperceptible emotion; but 

 she said nothing. 



" Madam de St. Froix," continued the count, " one of your most inti- 

 mate enemies, having given me some valuable hints relative to your 

 romantic and exalted character, my plan was soon decided. An old 

 instructor, the worthy astronomer Bumphius, lent to me this solitary 

 tower. I established myself here ; and, thanks to the address of my foot- 

 men, you very soon heard news of the recluse of Koat-veu. The 

 consequences of my wound, the fatigues resulting from excesses, had 

 sufficiently flanched my face, which was rendered still more youthful 

 by wearing rny hair without powder these are all the secrets of 

 philosophy which I borrowed to make myself appear youthful. The 

 sea breeze, the feeble light of the stars, an unhappy predestination, 

 monastic vows, melancholy, sadness, candour, and timidity, added a 

 new charm to my language. Love did the rest and I was happy ; for I 

 was indeed happy, Madam." 



Rita remained silent. 



" You also were happy, Madam, and will be so again ; for if it be 

 happiness for you to have snatched me by your love from the holiest 

 duties, to have revealed to yourself my proud and fearless spirit, and 

 finally to have ensured to me a brilliant futurity of fortune, nobility, 

 and glory, be satisfied Madam. Thanks to the instinct of a heart open 

 to sympathy, I had already fulfilled all your desires. For nearly 

 fourteen years that I have served in his majesty's navy, my monastic 

 vocation is, I assure you, considerably modified ; I have fifty thousand 



