580 THE WATCH-TOWER OF KOAT-VEN. 



more than six months out of two years ; it avails nothing to toss my 

 money out of the window. I always contrive to have several thousand 

 louis in hand, and, without even taking that into consideration, I have 

 an old miserly uncle, the bishop of Surville, who is immensely rich, 

 and always complains to me that his relationship as uncle is a mere 

 sinecure. Now see, Sir George, how you can oblige me very much. 

 The funds in France are not over secure ; and I have long wished 

 to be able to invest some property in the East India Company of 

 England ; now, as your father is Governor of India, be good enough 

 to arrange this affair for me. I will give you a bill at sight for 

 100,000 francs on Bourette, and you will be doing me an extraordi- 

 nary favour in transacting this commission in the East India Com- 

 pany's office." Sir George stepped back. " Refuse me not," cried 

 Henry with emotion; "may I not be one day prisoner of war in 

 England ? Come, be not selfish, Sir George ; do you hesitate in doing 

 me a service ? On my honour I promise you not to prove ungrate- 

 ful, should I ever be happy enough to meet the occasion of being 

 useful to you in return." 



There was so much delicacy in the manner in which this offer was 

 made that Sir George was unable to refuse. He seized Henry's 

 offered hand, while an unwonted tear stole from the eyelids of the 

 noble pair. They read each other's soul, and Sir George accepted. 

 For with hearts such as these there is neither benefactor nor obliged ; 

 the happiness of giving only measures the happiness of the giver. 

 Sir George started the same day for England, after having paid his 

 debt. Henry, left to his meditations, rubbed his hands with delight 

 as he exclaimed, " Par Dieu ! I knew I would possess the secret ; now 

 then is Cecile mine." 



But we must return to the little chamber on the third pair opposite 

 the Hotel de Vaudrey. The unfortunate Duchess of Almeda was 

 still its inmate. She had been made acquainted with all the circum- 

 stances connected with the duel of the count, and had early assured 

 herself of the nature of the wound. Indeed an inward and powerful 

 presentiment convinced her that he could not be snatched from her 

 vengeance by death. It would have been easy to kill him, had that 

 alone sufficed for the Spaniard's vengeance, that would have been 

 happiness itself compared with the fulfilment of her fearful designs, 

 and the day arrived when their execution was to be attempted. 

 " The Princess de Vaudeinont gives a ball the day after to-morrow 

 in her gardens," exclaimed Rita after a pause. * Yes, Madame." 

 " Listen then, Perez, to my project. The Count de Saint-Germain 

 has rendered magic fashionable, and a f&te is rarely given now with- 

 out its magician. You must see the intendant of the princess, and 

 tell him that an Italian will fulfil this office, that he seeks for no 

 payment, and wishes only to make himself known by the reputation 

 of his science. I will personate this Italian. My costume will be my 

 disguise. The whole court will be there. He also will be there ; 

 and I mistake much if he be not among the first to enquire into 

 futurity ; then, Perez, I shall say to him, * Thy star is fatal to them 

 thou lovest or whose fortune thou seekest to possess ; in three days, 

 thy friend, Lelia, and the Bishop de Surville are no more ; like, as 



