THE WATCH-TOWER OF KOAT-VEN. 363 



of simple exterior. On the third floor, in a bedchamber of humble 

 appearance, a woman is seated before the table. She reads ; a small 

 mirror is by her side. She is wrapped in a long black mantle, and 

 has her face concealed by a black velvet mask. She appears medi- 

 tating 1 deeply, and ever and anon trembles with inward emotion. 

 She raises her hand to her forehead and presses it forcibly. Her 

 eyes flash through the openings of her mask as she exclaims, in a 

 deep tone, " Begone, faint heart." The book she is studying is 

 strange it is a treatise on poisons, by Ben-Afiz, an Arabian physi- 

 cian, translated into Spanish by Jose Orbey, a work replete with 

 so fearful a science that the Inquisition condemned it to be seized 

 and burnt wherever it was found ; and Philip V. expended an im- 

 mense sum of money in purchasing copies for the purpose of de- 

 stroying it altogether. She rises, opens a large desk and withdraws 

 from it a casket; it is filled with bank drafts, payable at the principal 

 towns of Europe. The sum is enormous. Then raising the cape of 

 her mantle she drew from her bosom a small steel chain, to which 

 were suspended more jewels than would be required for the decora- 

 tion of the most costly diadem. She sighed heavily, and, passing her 

 hands over the jewels, she exclaimed, tc Shall I have enough?" 



The door of the apartment opened ; a man entered and bowed re- 

 spectfully ; he was followed by one of those beautiful mountain 

 greyhounds with long silken hair. The stranger removed his cloak 

 and large slouched hat. His face was thin and much tanned by the sun. 

 It was Perez, dressed in deep mourning. In two months he appeared 

 to have grown older by ten years. The woman in the mask was 

 Rita, late duchess of Almeida. "Well, Perez, what news?" "I 

 have obtained the list, Madame, which you required." " Give it 

 me,'' said Rita, somewhat hurriedly. She read. It contained names 

 and addresses. Bishop of Surville Lelia the chevalier de PEperie, 

 &c. " And their houses, you have entered them, Perez ?" I shall soon 

 succeed, Madame. 5 ' " Have you attended to our disguises my 

 dress ?" " To-morrow they will be here. But, Madame, you must 

 indeed you must remove this mask." Rita answered not. " All 

 must be completed, and these are useless pangs you cause yourself. '' 

 Rita was still silent. " That which is done is done besides, it would 

 be too late now " 



" Tell me, Perez," interrupted Rita, " did you see my funeral? 

 was it magnificent?" "Splendid, Madame.'' "And suspicion, 

 Perez ?" " Not the slightest, Madame. You know that after the 

 dismissal of your servants, whom you had assembled in your chamber 

 to recompense before your death, myself and Joanna remained alone 

 with you until the priest arrived. The chamber was darkened. You 

 appeared dying. He administered to you, and after his departure we 

 alone watched you, and, according to your express wishes, alone ac- 

 companied the coffin into the chapel-vault adjoining your oratory. 

 The next day the coffin was on its road to Spain, accompanied by 

 Joanna and the upper servants of your household, who conveyed it 

 to the chateau de Libsyra, the mausoleum of your family." 



"Has he received my letter, Perez?" "Yes, Madame; that as- 

 tronomer handed it to him ten days since ; I chose the man because 



