her seat at a card-table, kissed her hand, and received her brother-in-law, with a profusion

a slight inclination to the company, he came very close to the ho

th, for she threw back her head, and, laughing rather more

regret to hear that she needs them. Come with me to my cabinet, and you shall receive them from my hand. I will even taste them in

een and heard what was passing, and in the stern expression of the Duke de Bouillon's face he had read something of more significance than a whispered request

during your interview with my uncle, I will remain in the little room adjoining. You may

with his usual moroseness. "He is the only son you have in Paris, and, as the repre

from my son, and your highness may speak without reserv

ed around, to see that there were no other occupants of the room. He peered curiously at the heavy folds of the s

cannot be overheard?" said

hat, unlike walls of ordinary construction, they have no ears. S

and hearken to my words. You know th

at attacked us not long after his departure from the palace. It is said that La Voisin is a toxicologis

ked in poisons is proved, and she will assuredly mount the scaffold for her crimes

ountess, carelessly. "They have only to inquire of he

y in her face. "The question has been a

tary as it was, however, Eugene had seen the motion, and now his lar

he Countess de Soissins," said he, haughtily. "She cannot ha

est names in France," returned the duke. "She was

Brinvilliers; they have taken her to the chambre

dente, stretched upon the rack, and then she

de succession; to have foretold the fut

wing horoscopes and brewing love-philters,"

e effect upon the King of France," replied the duke. "It is also tr

d the countess, with the fe

Luxemburg, who bribed the valet of his majesty; the

lympia. "To end her agony, the poor delirious wretch has co

ree persons as her trustiest confidants. Two of the three were her accomplices; the third is merely accused of having mad

said Olympi

cused of crime, she has not been sent to the Bastile; his majesty

ile!" echoed the coun

ne been-se

Luxemburg was arrested, and he i

a seat, for her trembling limbs refused to support her.

m I to be

n sent by Louvois to the king, and-" "And

sty has s

t, she burst into a loud, frenzied laugh. "He has signed! He has signed!-And you-you-"

hield her from harm, Eugene threw his arm aroun

be the assassin of her son. No blow shall reach her, unt

d of your existence, without any extraordinary display of valor, but I have no desire to deprive the countess of so valiant a knight. I c

murmured the m

duke, compassionating her fearful condi

oken the name of the Countess de Soissons, she shall become a fugitive from justice? No, mother, no! Remain to confo

ns of accusers. Be you innocent or guilty, you are prejudged, and will be condemne

clasping her hands, she burst into a flood of tears, repeating o'er an

escape, the lettre de cachet is not to go into effect until to-morrow morning. But the morrow is close at hand: hark!-the clock strikes eleven, and you have but one hour. If after midnight you are found within the gates of Paris, your doom is certain. The spies of Louvoi

e had remained motionless, almost breathless; her face white as death, her large orbs distended to their utmost, gazing, not upon

The philter! What!" cried she with sudden energy, "he warns me? He grants me-one-one hour!" And then, overpowered by the reality of he

g her arm, "you have but three- q

Eugene, "decide quickly

ep sigh, suffered her arms to

chalice of humiliation

ust

le a strange look shot athwart the countenance of the duke. The groan was

oyal family, it is because he is secure of her conviction. Rather than become his victim, I will endure the shame of flight. Time

me!" cried Eugene, raising his r

rged De Bouillon, "you

oning all her resolution to her aid. "T

you were on your way, Olympia," was the duke's

e, "will never leave you unt

nd may be deposited for the present. I myself will gather up my jewels and such clothing as cannot be dispensed with. Eugene, my son, go at once to the stables: order my travelling-chariot, and see that eight of my swiftest ho

rew over her shoulders a travelling-cloak bordered with fur, and Olymp

sisters to bid you

daughters. May I request you to bear a message to the king also? Tell him that whenever he will pass his royal word that I may return without danger of incarceration, I shall be ready to a

staircase by which Eugene had passed to the street that morning. The servants had assembled to bid her adieu, and, as they tendered th

absurd charges preferred against me by the senseless rabble that are in their pay. During my absence, I leave you in f

eys in their liveries of sombre gray. The countess took her seat in the carriage, and

cept this commission?" ask

you?" ask

her," was the simple reply of her devoted

, "and I begin to feel considera

m more than the Duke de Bou

she had been starting for a tour of pleasure. "Tell the king

tley assemblage, that had been so suddenly deserted by their mother; then along the dimly-lighted streets where Eugene's heart beat with painful apprehension lest the crow

ts; the servants had dispersed, and returned to their usual employments, all except one, who crept stealthily out, and,

gone?"

and relays have been orde

ute did

, by the way of Rheim

our four lo

f the minister of war. In the porte-cochere stood Louvois himself, who, motioning them not to dis

as many horses as you list-I pay for their carcasses; but see t

nform the king that his royal commands had been obeyed, an

upon the high-road, the two horsemen galloped past, and so completely did they distance the unh