582 THE WATCH-TOWER OF KOAT-VEN. 



we shall see if the diet and discipline St. Lazarus will work an effect 

 upon you ; once in the bridewell, you can make up your mind. Let 

 her he secured." When this part of the ceremony was completed, 

 Rita's desk was examined ; the immense sums of money contained 

 in it made the little man's eyes sparkle with delight, as he exclaimed, 

 " Ah ! ah! a theft; for certain a robbery." Perez's solicitations for 

 his mistress were vain. They were marched between the soldiers 

 to their imprisonment. 



* * * * * 



In a magnificent bourdoir, ornamented with white satin hangings, 

 embroidered with large damask roses, and fringed with silver lace, 

 interspersed with large pearls, upon a large ottoman lay the divinity 

 of this fairy scene luxuriously reclined. Instruments of music were 

 scattered here and there, superb china vases, filled with choicest 

 flowers, were tastefully disposed around the apartment ; delicious 

 perfumes mingled in the air ; and the subdued light beaming through 

 the painted oriel window, gave to the enchanting scene the warm 

 blush of a summer sunset. 



" A letter from the Count de Vaudrey, for the Baroness de Cer- 

 nan," said a powdered valet, as he handed a scented billet to his lady. 

 Cecile took it eagerly : it was from Henry. 



" At dinner, at the Marshall de Castries, you said. * What would I 

 not give to know the secret cause of grief which preys on that poor 

 Englishman's heart! ' These words, unimportant to you, but precious 

 for me, since they expressed your wishes, I remembered. The secret 

 I have discovered. When may I tell it you ?'* 



This, then, is the cause of his duel with the Englishman," cried the 

 baroness, " and for me. I, who thought myself despised ! delight- 

 ful !" She ran to the table, and wrote, in haste, " Instantly /" rang 

 the bell, and handing the billet to the lacquey, said, " For the Count 



deVaudrey." 



***** 



The laconic answer was far on its way before she bethought her- 

 self on the indiscretion of her proceeding, and she was indecisive as to 

 the manner in which she should receive the count, when he was sud- 

 denly announced. 



***** 



" And this was Sir George's secret," said Cecile, seated by Henry's 

 side ; " the secret which you feared not to snatch from him at the 

 peril of his life ; and that to gratify a vain caprice and that for me." 



The count wasted not the time that he passed by the side of Cecile. 

 He was too well practised in the stratagems of love not to destroy 

 the weak barriers which Cecile had vainly hoped would ensure her 

 defence. The avowal which she hoped to command from him was 

 yielded spontaneously by herself. She discovered her weakness when 

 retreat was impossible, and had scarcely wiped the tear drops from 

 her lovely cheeks when the Baron arrived. 



" I come from Versailles, Count,'* said the baron, " and bring you 

 despatches from the marshal ; they are of importance. Madame de 

 Cernan will excuse you." "'Tis the order for my immediate de- 

 parture ; I am to join my ship at Brest, and there await my orders. 



