ven; "Eternal powers!" exclaimed the mar quis, raising his clasped hands to Hea Louisine-my niece-the providentially-preserved daughter of the murdered Vermandois !-Yes, she shall have justice; my interest, my exertions, shall sift the mystery, and restore her rights!" Du Plessis sunk upon his knee; he grasped the hand of the marquis, and bathed it with his tears-" As a father, my lord, I thank you," he sobbed, "for as a father have I ever loved her." Policy must mark our proceedings," said the marquis, again attentively listening to the recital; "no expression, no unguarded word must betray our cause; still within the convent of Bena Copia our united charge must tarry, till inquiry sifts each circumstance, and justice confirms the decision." "True, "True, my lord," replied Du Plessis. "The holy sanctuary of religion is the best, the only asylum for the lady Louisine; in the world, no power could avert the designs of treachery, or guard against the machinations of prosperous vice." "We will away to Paris," said the marquis, after a pause of reflection; "a few days will calm the exertions of fatigue, and enable you to encounter the undertaking." Du Plessis sighed; he felt that though age had spared the energies, yet had it frozen the powers of youth. In the cause of the wronged orphan of the illfated duke de Vermandois, he felt he could act the hero's part, had not infirmity reminded him man's strength and vigour blooms but once. MIDST the jarring conflict of passions, Theodore forgot not his promised return to the Castle de Vermandois, forgot not that even love was to yield submissive to duty, forgot not that every obstacle was to sink before the order of Montauban; but for one moment did feeling take the reins; but for one moment did he pause at the feet of the lady Juliette, did he press, with undying fervour, the hand he had redeemed, and then, fearful of taxing fortitude beyond its utmost stretch, he darted down the aisle, and fled the the chapel. He feared pursuit-he feared inquiry he feared ideal trials; nor till distance closed upon the lofty turrets of the abbey, did he feel that fatigue will claim cessation; then he stretched his Iwearied limbs upon the flower-bespangled scarpet, and soon, in magic dreams, shut -out the labours of existence. Juliette was the fairy-form which tinged illusive fancy, was the wood-nymph who decked Arcadia, who beckoned on to bliss; and when he awoke, the smile of pure delight Liglowed on his features. He started; for the sun, with rapid. strides, was stealing from this" nether world; and though he felt refreshed and armed to meet new toils, yet did he regret the hours of which oblivious sleep . had robbed him. Impatient of delay, he !pressed: forward, and by the moon's pale beams, pursued his lonely tract. Scarce did the leafy boughs wave in the pas sing breeze; no sound was stirring, no busy hum of animated nature; deep was the gloom of overhanging craggs, and drear the lone aspect of the woodcrowned mountain. Cheered by the kindly glow of hospitality, within a mudbuilt hut, Theodore shared the scanty pittance of a goatherd's toil; and stretched upon a bed of sun-dried rushes, awaited but the opening day, which no sooner, dawning from the east, night's humid curtain from the heavens withdrew, than quick arising, he repaid with liberal hand the humble service of his host, and then resumed his journey. Seldom does time present afford a field for contemplation; it is from the past, or in the facility of anticipation, that man |