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“ Indeed, Lord Arnold there is no magic in it, said the duca. " But we do strange things here, you know; deal in the black art, and so forth. In truth, I was informed of your presence 1n Flor- ence, and 1 am not the only dweller in the city of beauty and of art who happens to be aware of your at: ivul." " Indeed I" “ N thing surprising in it, in my opinion," ex claimed the young Earl Sidmouth, suddenly. “I never saw a. fellow stnred at so in my life Why, every woman that passes him seems to exchangt signals with him, runs under his lee and speaks him, then squares her yards by the lift‘ and braces, and makes 3.11 sail, either up the moon, or down to him who bothered St Antony for Iqan't see where they get to. Just before your arrival, Duca, he had just spoken two, who both 511 (lenly hauled their wind, [LS if some one was givmg them chase with a rope’s end, by way of making them smart.” By the Author of “Lost, in the Winnlnn.’ “A Leaftrom a Life," etc. “ Ha! " smd the duca turning to Arnold, with a. kgen. penenrating look, “ so soon in communion Wxth our brighn eyed donuus, whose souls are in their eyes and their hearts on their {1951 1} word of caution, my Lorq D‘E‘! 1a “yet a wulu u; uuuwuu, Luy u-uu uv A... More. Our women are beautiful and those who are pleasing to their eyes find them not niggardly in the favors they bratow, but than they have tie» with men who are hot blooded and wear‘ong knives. I would have you beware 1 An open piazza. is no place in which to receive billet-doux." " _L wish somebody would address me, with them hearts on their lips and their souls in their eyes l’f GXCiaimed the young earl "A fig for the stxletto I if any of the gentry came uthwart my hawse, I should side out with a bend, and treat them to [L taste which, like physio. WO‘lld be more for their good than pleasant to their Mate-1’ u _ _ . . . . 1 "‘3‘... “ Your caution is needless," returned Arnold abruptly. “ The persons who addressed me dld souupm} 310 such 9ngnd." . ‘ .. . :A‘_ The duca. smiled and shrugged his shoulders, at the some time he mentally determined to find out who were the two f angles who had sdoken to Arnold, and with what objectthey had done so. He said to the latter, huvmg smoothed from his face all appearance of interest in What Siiimoutn hod relmedâ€"“ I have no hesitation in mentioning to you the name of the lady Who is not only con- scious oi’ your presence here. but who is esirous of seeing you at her villa. She glves brilliant en- tertainments, the fashion and bounty of Florence are present on these OccasiODE, and I assure you you W111 be much gratified by your yisit. I am commissioned by the lady in question to ascertain your wishes upon the subject; for if the brevity of your stay, or a dis- inclination to mix in such gay scenes, would ren- der an invitation embarrassing the formal request for wur presence at her fetea you shall not be troubled with." ‘Decidedly. Iwould have endeavored, on a consxderationnbecause, you know, sir, the labor of men's brains is worth somethingâ€"to have in- duoed the Earl De la More to have advanced this nun a good round sum ; showing him that by no doing he would effectually close the fallow’s " Really, excellunza," exclaimed Arnold, “I am much honored in hnvmg my convenience thus consulted. Will you fav: 1‘ me with the name of the lady who thus distinguishes me 1’" “ La. Countess Containi.” “I do not know her." “She is well known in Florenceâ€"somewhat eccentric, beautiful, but enormously wealty. She is fascinating in manner ; and having formed an acquaintance with her, I shall be mistaken if you do not become a frequent guest at the villa.” CHAPTER XII. THE AGENT AND THE AWYER â€"LITTLE HELLâ€"- THE FELL CONSPIRACY. To complete the circle of the schemes con- cocted with the purpose of consummating the complete destrucnion of the house in De In. More was one to which we have not yet alluded, bus to which it is necessary to rever at once 1 because in this plan of operut10n~ skillfully designed and cleverly executed, there was a continuation of BBBEUAtS upon his happiness} upon his rank and upgn hie wegltul. 1A-: L:. .; Arnold mused torn few moments. At first his impulse was to decline it -not feeling: that he could mix in society until the question re- specting Seaton was cleared up; but he hesi- tated to do this for several reasons, the principal of which was his desire to avoid sus- picion and questions, which seclusion woull not fail to raiseâ€"for he, before the events which had happened at the Hell, had been as light and hes hearted as Sidmouth himself. Be there fore said: W "Of course you will go, De 121 More," exclaimed Sidmouth. xhall feel honored in receiving the inviba: tion thus graciously proffered to me. Shouad any unforeseen event arise to prevenc me availing myself of it, I hope it Will be considered an event over which I have not had control." 7 " You W111 go, De: la. More â€"be sure of that,” said. Sidmouth. “ I shall be there, Dues. ‘7" “ Of a certainty, my lord." “Then so shall Arnold. So let us have no more fuss, but let us weigh anchor. and taste the leasure, Duca, I am sure you have in your ocker for us." The three quilted the piazza fora. day’s amuse- ment trope furqighen by the_ cha. v At night, on his rehurn to Lhe Hotel de Flor- ence. Arnold in profound aurprise werceived a. letter addressed boll m. He tore it open, and found it to be an invitation to the V1118. Centurini, foguthat day wgek. ,, n, _ A41.I» Thexe WEE Vifigg-another paper upon the table, foldgd, addressed to him, wnich he tom 0‘ en and read “ Remember your appointment in the duomo. You have much to hear that will surper you. You are surr unded by Wiles designed to entrup youâ€"enemies who purpose your chest: uctmn. Bewnru! Fair sp ech b t too often is the cloak which covers a. fuul heart. ’ Arnold read and re-reud his note. It was im possible for him to divine its meaning and he re- tired 1:0 rest exhausted and b wildered with the events of the day. ' “ Wellâ€"aâ€"you see. that would have depended upon circumstances. Such was not the actual object of my client. You know, my dear foreign gentleman, that at times, very handsome Bums are given to persons, Who can do so. Again, others,whose Silence is worth purchasing, will remain as still as the grave, if they are properly â€"I say properlyâ€"renumerated, for the closed mouth." ” Well ‘2" " Wellâ€"the solution is easy enough. My client has two Weaknesses; spirits and the fair sex. He has a taste for luxurious indu'sence. and he has not at present money in the funds to gratify his appetites, but he Wishes to have it. New, if he Were to cause Lord Arnold to be apprehendeJ. and the noble were to be tried, found guilty, and hanged, my client would have no better Oppol‘tu» nity of inuulging his expensive fancies than he has at this moment. But, as it is quite possible that Lord Arnold De la More might entertain an objection to an exposure, and its conse- quent risks, my client entertained the not unreasonable notion, that, to avoid the disâ€" agreeable alternative, hlS lordship or his favher, the earl, would invest a sum sufiicient to enable my client to killhimselt as fast as possible ; 101‘ unless my client has the constitution of a rhin‘ ooerous, such must be the inevitable result of his proceedings. So, if get into the unlimited command_ of money " " Your visit; to Dé in More House, in Park Lane waajo afiegp sucy an ajrfajngement» '2" "How the efioi ts to undermine his peace had already commenced, and how the plot was aided by the accidental circumstance of Arnold falling Baseionatels in love wi h Amy, we have seen; ut we have yet to detail the progress 01 that portion of the general design by which the ti ole of the Earl De la More together with the vast wealth accumulated during a long minority were to be wrestsd from him. And wherefore ? From one Ialse stepâ€"one fatal error, to which the human race alike are subjected~and which, to retrieveâ€"if ever the attempt is successful ~is almost the labor of a life ;â€"â€"a life Wh10h, in its passage to the grave, does not reach its gaol di- vestcd of the traces stamped upon it by the con- sequences of the grievous mistake. ()ur scene once again is laid in London. One of the Chapel Streets of this vast metroâ€" oh's afiorils communication between the New Dad and the Edgewaie Road. About half way down is a narrow thoroughfare, leading to a locality familiarly k iown amongst acertain class by the not very attractive title of Little Hell. To this quarter, Giuseppe Manini, the confiden- tial st-rvant of the Contessa Contarina, accomâ€" panied by ashort man, dressed in black, shot with brown. at elbows and kneesâ€"wherever, in fact, there was an edge. In some blacks this tinge would have approached a kind of hue borne y that light down which floats upwards, when feather beds are shook by active maids, and which is .recognized as flue. In the black worn by the individual under description, it was brownâ€"a sort or disagreeable brownâ€"the sight of which did not help to give a favorable Opini- on of the wearer. In fact, it would have been difficult to havr: picked out a portion of him demanding admiration. He was one of those men Whose very three knocks in the shape of a rat-aâ€"tat at their door made poor people in small houses sweat, and exclaim with a groan, “ here’s the pourratesJemmyl Say I’m outâ€" gone to see mother, in the country-shan’t be home this week.” He Was the kind of man whose appearance, if he entered the shop of a tradesmen in difficulty, would cause the unhappy insolveutfito‘mutter to himself, “Victoria, by the race of God: ” and 10 feel that a writ was inevi- table. He looked like the man from the country court ; the inexorable rent collector: the broker in a poor neighborhood, anything that was e5» peeia‘lly disagreeable in the aspect of a. visitor, nothing that was approaching the cheerful under any circumstances. He was a sharp lawyer. ‘ His name was Jar, and he lived in Thuvie’s Inn, commonly, we will not my appropriately, known as Thievea‘ Inn. " You say he is prepared to swam~ that he saw Lord Arnold De In More slay his father‘s game- keefgr, and that he is in a position to prom it. ‘2’ u 0 In " And it was your intention to have an- deavored to bring the young lord to the bar of jusitice ‘g” mfféiiotted at the side of Beppo, who, having deposited Seaton at Florence, was. according to order,gquin in_‘L0_ndon 0}} u. specinl‘miggion. As they walked on, Beppo said, ” You are quite sure with respect to this man ‘2 ” Jar grinned. “ He was introduced to me by a. customer upon whgpl I canfely," he replied, with a wink: HAPPY AT LAST. speech, as he would drink so long as the money lasted. and must die of excess before it had all run out." “ Ah 1 You did not see the earl ‘2" ” No! He was out of England; but the good lady, Madam 1vory,wh direcsed me to you,a.s- sure'i me that you would quite supply the place of the earl," “ I » buémessfsir, the maxim is, ‘ The best pay shoubd be best served.‘ Pay me well, I’ll serve you well " “ Work body and soul for me. and your pay shall exceed your most avaricious expecâ€" muons," exclaimed Munini,with forcible em- phasis,’ W" She was right. I shall pay you better than he would, and y0_u must seljve met"w ‘ Septilnust' was not religious. He had a confused remembenco of having been raised up in the faith of Anabaptist, but when deposited on the stool of the sharpest and the dirtiest of small prectitioners,he banished the religious teaching, given him by his parents and took up with that of cheating, tricking and getting the best ofewerybody. He knew there was s Su- preme Powerâ€"that is, he never disbelievcd in it : and he dreaded the fact that there was its onâ€" titheslsâ€"that sombre individual who especi-Llly uflected his mass, or had the reputation of doing so. He had heurd that the Devil walked abro 1d uponlem-th, occasionally flying off suddenly with the outrageously sinful: and he knew that if a list were made out of the worst sinners his name would be there in some part, penhups near the top. He had a floating remain- brence that there were legends in which his Satanic Majesty was represented as ofiering unlimited wealth to those who would work body and soul for him. When, therefore Gi- useppe Manini placed his selluw face close to hisâ€"glared at him with large black eyes pos- sessing unnatural brillisncy, and hissed into his ear the promise to richly renumernte him if he consented to work, body and soul. for himâ€" Jur felt a. cold vibration about his scalp, which proceeded, by way of the hope of ms neck, down 0 his Very heels The Devil on earth was surely a fuble,bnt (hen it might not be : and his mysteriousJook ng, snllowâ€"visageu companion, was by no means unlike the pic‘urea he had seen of the gvnblenmn in black, might have sought; him out as having a claim upon his imngortnd part. For tlie moment he felt? very unwell, and he grinned again, " Heine ! pa, 11g! ho, .119 l” Beppo gripped him by the wrist, and he thought? he should have dropped on the muddy pavement; but in anotner moment he fell; re- lieved on hearing the Italian say. “ I, too, have some business \Otmnsnct in which the earl is deeply involved, and I need the services of a crafty, subtle luwy»1‘,t0 accomplish the purpose I have in View. Your part will be quite legitimate as respacra your profession ; but I must; have the stricbent confidence in you, and you must pause at nothing t9 win the wise.” Septimfis Jar gave a sigh of relief, and another glance at. Mauir-i‘s face reassured him. He was not so like the Evil One. after all. 5‘ I Will do all you require,” he said, with a. cunning Ieer, “ but it is to be understood that my labor is not to be paid by the scale of the usual prgfes signal chm‘ges."_ “ Decidedly not. Be under no uneasiness about payment, that shall be ample. Tell meâ€" this man: Starkwhom we are about toIvisit knows the Hundred of Doddescomleigh well, does he not ‘3” "He was born in it, I believe.” “Therefore knows all lhe inhabitants ?" quickly. “ That’s a. pity," said Stark “ The greater part of them to a. certainty." "That is good.” “Ah! but as far as I can gather, their knowledge of him is not fragrant. He has a. reyumtion. it is true : but I am doubtful wheth er, if he were to pay 1!. visit; there, the in- habitants would not invite the authorities to receive himâ€"not with any viewof honoring his arrival.” “That is of small consequence. 1 care nothing for that : it is informabion I want." By tlns time they had reached the turning leading to the place they were about to visit. They descendedâ€"401‘ their way lay down a slight declineâ€"to the bottom, and than Jar paused beforea small, wretched looking house and knocked tWice. There was no answer. He pushed at the (1401‘ and found it give to his hand, “ Oh,l de say! You’ve got the rightful heir, of course,” said Stalk, laying an emphasis on rightful grinning knowingly as he spoke. Mauini hesitated. " To be sure 1 to be euro ! " cried Jar He dived into the dark and narrow passage and disappeared. Within umiunte he reappeared at the very maximum of his speed, ollowed by a. huge bull-dog, which appeared animated by the mOat determinedmtention to fasten on him,und pin him to the ground. He caught Munini by the arm and run round him, followed by the dog, at & tor-mule rate. but such was his fright and frantic speed, than be absolutely overtook the dog. kicked him violently, trod on him. and fell sprawling in the mm], of which in this quarter, there is always more than a sutficienc‘y. Another moment, and the dog, aware of his advantage pigu ed hi1}: to the ground “ Yod have exactly hit it, my friend,” ex- lucimed Jar. ” Yes," oqserved Beppo, " that will be one part of your duty, cert/minly : but there will be (mpg tgixig require}! of_ you.” I “Wait a moment,” he said to Beppo. “I wig just run up stairs and see if my client is Mnnini shouted explutives in Italian, and struck at the dog with his stick. ‘11:; Without producing the slightest beneficial effect. lhe worst of the m utter was nhut the shouts of beppo, and the wild bark of £119 dog, when pursuing .Jtu', had M- tmcned the attention of the ouher bulldogs m the placeâ€"for there was a colony of them thereâ€" aud they commenced barking and hurrying to the scene of mtgipu 69 take pare in it. At the same time, heads came out of Windows and men out: of the doorways among them, one from that at the door of which Jar had knocked. He had his ban is in his pockets, and,; seeing his 01 .g engaged, Whistleil softlyâ€"mot no call the dog off. but to express an emotion oi surprise under which at that moment, he labored. Beppo coughs sight: of him. “ Mndre (11 Die 1" he shouted, “ call 01f your beast â€" he Will kill him I" “ Oh, I see," said Stark. “Then what you wautme to do is to tog myself out decentlv, go down there and keep sober, come the reformed dodge, be Very ’specmble in my ’peamuce, and sound all the folks I know as to wheether they wi[1,0n being tipped, learn a lessen, and my it afprgujugige ” “ He is a lawyer!" screamed :Manini. “ So much the wuss for him,” replied the man, still as 1mpernumble. “ Ah ! ha I but, your lawyer 1 He is Jarâ€"Jar, manâ€"Jurâ€" you ‘knyw lawyer Jar 11’ He tgok u. sddden and fierce g p of t e dog’s neck with one hand, while with the other he seized his mil and drew it towm‘ds his mouth, and instantly indented his teeth in it as hard as he could. The dog retained his holdfor 2m in- stant, and then with a. howl let go. The moment he did so the man flung him somelittle distance, kicked him brutally 1n the ribs, and cried, assist- : d by several omna, “ get in, Seazer I Go, in you brute 1 Not know a. civil gentleman from a. tramp you're a. pretty beast, you are l” " They must be prevented, you , my dear Mr. Stm‘k,”excmimed Mr Jar. a little hoarsely, “ from appearing for the other side; so that the earl is to find the greatest possible difliculw in proving that he is himself." The man slowly drew near and looked down. than he saw Jam’s face, and heard him yell, “ for God’s Baum, Bulwmkle,ca.ll off your dug I Call him otf 1-113 117 murder gne {011 1 011 1011 I" Mr Jar was an conducted into the house in state,jund some gm was produced to assist him in recovuring. He was covered With mud, but for- tunu. 01y for him, the d ;g1md,seized him upon the collar of his coat, whmh was much born ; the lawyer himself was not, ho NGVfir, iuj uredvonly frightenedâ€"dreadfully frightensd. When some- thing like equammity was restored, pipes were introduced, lighted, and the gin circulated ; then at the special desire of Beppo, the company of Mr. Stark was requesteq. _ _ After some delay he made his appearance. He was recovering from IL debauch obtained by the proceeds of a burglary ;â€"his hair was rough and unkempt, his face (llrty, his beard black, his eyes bloodshot, his dress disorderly. Munini shrqu from him ; a more fearful rufliam he had never encountered. Still he was necessary to the pur- ImSe he had in View, and it would not admlt of belqg lastltlloqs. “ I shall not want you,” returned Beppo, quickly. “ What I shall want of you is to give me the names and the history of those persons residing in or near the earl’s estate, who are likely to recollect the circumstances which may have happened in the first years of the eurl’s mfnncy. They must either be boughtto swear Whatever we may put into their mouths. or they in .st be made to emigrate. You understand." After preliminmy introductions and some ex- planation» were entered into, Starkâ€"quite uncon- suiOuS that Beppu and 1315 companions down at De In More Park, with a, very dilferent object, had removed the body of Seutonâ€"guve his ver- sion of what he considered to be the murder. It was in substance, the sums as that which he had repeated to the earl, but grossly ex- aggerated. When he had concluded, Beppo ” The cause mu~t be won or lost at no distant date,” urged Beppo. “ What IS the cause ?” he asked. “ Why, to prove that the present is not the rightful E url Re In 1\Iurq,”rep1_i§d Manini. “ Leave that to me,” returned Giuseppe. “ You are acquainted with all the earl‘s tenants at Doddnscomleigh.” “ Ishould think so." “ Are there nny who can remember What took place forty yours ago ‘2” “ A few. Most on e’m Were babies about that time. I was.” “ These few are oid people, of course ?” “ Of course." " They are to be got away, I presume, or silenced ‘2" “ Yes ; but I ain’t going to do no scrugging job, I can tell you.”‘ "Don’t you know him," answered the man‘ 00.01! . ” Well, I'm blast I” cried Bulwifikié ‘v’vi‘ch x ot_11'erl\vl{istle; “‘Iu’s higqself, and no mistake I “Leave that to me,” replied Beppo; " I will supply you with money; but understand, as I will fur some time require your services, I shall only let you have enough to keep you sober and respectable. When our cause is gained, and we triumph, than you shall receive a. very large sum of money‘" The ruffian shook his head. “ When I” he repeated. with emphasis; " it may last till doomsday I I’m for short life and a. merry ouel shan’c wait 1” T‘And how’ll van de if‘Z’V’Wjeerinéi'y asked Stark. sEidâ€" “ We must at present let the matter rest. a1- together." “ But What 8.111 I to do for a livuig ‘r‘ I can’t starve I” cried Stark. “Why ‘2” exclaimed Beppo and Jar t0< ge‘t'h'e‘ar. v . n ‘ .q‘ ,. LU" , “ Because I knows of one who’d ha.’ been a. stunner for that gam e. ” ” Who is he ‘2" asked both in a breath. “ A couple of qui", and I’ll drop it to you," the cunning rufl‘mn exclaimed, as he witnessed the eagarness pf both. Upon it being explained that a. couple of quid, translated, read two sovereigns, they were handed over to him by the Italian, although Jar was driving the bargain. Stark, on finding this sum was readily given, was sorry he did not ask for more. and would have made the attempt. but that J M, reading the expression of his features, said “ if we don't consider the pen-on you may name to be suitable for our purpose, you will regurn the mpuey now placed in yqur hands); Stark made some remarks to the efiect that such restitution was simply unpracti- cable. but confined his cotr pensation to the amount he received. Having pocketed it, he bent down towards Beppo and Jar, so that their three heads nearly touched,and he said, “you see the last Earl De la. More was, when a young ’un, just store he came of use, a wild chap, rather ; and there was a pretty girl in our village, named Ruth Ellenor. It was said that she was fr ml of the young ear]. and th» young earl was fond of her, and both was fond of one another. When the earl was in London, just afore his marriage, Ruth was in London too, and it was said she married a London tradesmen, named Standever just about the same time thatthe earl married. This tradesmen u'ed about sixteen months after the marriage,and Ruth came back to her mother. and in regular due time she had a childâ€"a boy." “ Good I" said Manini. “ Capital I” cried Jar, rubbing his hands. “ Well," continued Stark, “ about the same time the Countess De la More had a childâ€"a. boy too ; and as she was delicate, the earl got her to send for Ruth Standever to the castle, and she was wet nurse to the two boysâ€"consequently they were foster-brothers " “ Admirsble, my friend l”exclaimed Menini. “:And this foster~brother~where is he ?" " Why, he was a little racketty when a boy, we was boys together, but he was unlucky and Government sent him out to Botony Bay. But he served his tune out, and has been back here a little while. looking out for a lay. I'll bring him to you any time you like to name." “ Is he ike the earl '2" “ As two peas. He’d make just as good a one as the other.” “ What is his present name ?" ‘ Walter Standever.” “ And his mother ‘2” “ She is at Doddescomleigh." “ Any other family ‘3" ” Oneea daughter, who’s not been seen for years Mrs. Standeveris old, and might be flur- ried mtu the belief that she changed the chil- dren by accident. I knows a woman, the. right age, who’llswear she saw it done, if you tip her to rights." ‘ 11 . 1,,,,.u "and.an vu LABuuu. “ Secure her I it shall be done I " exclaimed Maniui. “ But. first bring to me, {Lt the chambers of Mr J at, your friend Walter Standover. He will enter the scheu _I qupppse ‘2” v n,,-_ _-.. “Tiénfifiéfivfii:1363;31th Let's seeâ€"this is Mopdqy. What do you sayâ€"Friday night, at 61311.9?” “ You are about to try your skill in disguises ; this woman will be a match for you at that game. I am afraid you do not know her rightly Wat-1’. ' “ I know her cruel subtletybut too well." “ go you know the Duca. di Bergamo ?" u 0 In “ Ah I you have something to learn, I see. Well, he is a man scrupulously to avoid. There That will do. I Will be there.” said Maniui. “ At the sums time, I will turnish you with money and instructions ; but, mark me, you must keep sober.” “ All right I” said Stark. ‘ And so they rose and took their departure, under the guidance of Mr. Bulwinkle. who, not afflicted with retiring modesty, made it quite understood that he "stood in,” being prepared to render service if it was required of him, and quite as ready to have his share of the plunder. This was promised him, and they quitted the placeâ€" Jar to return to clmmbers, to execute and form documents; gind_ Beppo to hold a conference with “ I shall not walk int?) the web, fur'my eyes are spread open to avoid it ; nor shall I let the spider perceive me, Bowley ; for which purpose do I apply to you for a. passport in another name." " Remarkable skill in artifice has La Contessa. I had once a passage with her, but she decidedly defeated me,and to her success I probably owe the fact of not being at this instant an inmate of Paradise or limbo, at least. You are going to Florence, you say ‘2" i. I am.” “ The contessa resides there yet." ” She doesâ€"at the Palace Contarini.” “ 01' the Villa Contarmi 01 the banks of the firnloTa very cabinet of bijouterie. I have visited at 1.’ ” And I, unhappily." “ T be sure and will again." The earl shuddered. “ Never 1” he said. emphatically. ” So I said once in respect to a syren who had tricked me, but my ‘never’ was of four-and-twenty hours duration. Why, De la More, you are walking with your eves open, and your wings folded, into this creature‘s Web. Do you presume the spider will not seeyou and visit you ‘1” A11 drea di Lioni‘ CHAPTER XIII. PARISâ€"THE AMBASSADORâ€"THE AGENT â€"THE GRISâ€" ETTE. Let us return to the movements of Warren Earl De la More. uU u» vav Upon his arrival in Paris he made his way to the residence of the British ambassador, with whom he was well acquainted. having in years past been on terms of intimate friendship with him, and upon inquiry at his hotel, he fouid him at home and alone. The lacquey, un anuoun :ing his lordship to the British minister, received instructions to admit him instantly into the sanctum where the repre- sonsutive of her Britannic Majesty usually re- tired to cogitete upon diplomatic moves to which he had been subjected, and'to constru ,t strata.- gems to oust the Russian, forestall the Austrian, kz op under the Prussian, support the Turk, run neck and neck with the Papal nuncie, and main- tain the superiority of England all over. No Visitor, as a. rule, was admitted to this chamber the exceptionalmase» Were few, and of rare occur- rence ; in fact, it was uuderstood that when his lordship, the minister of England. retired into this closetâ€"as the chamber, in common pa. lance was termedâ€"he was considered to be not at cine. Such, in truth, was the answer which Lord De la MJI'B received upon his first application to be admitted ; but he was not to be :denied, and iii- duced the se vent who received him to bear in his name, on a chance of being admitted to a private interview, which he declared to be urgent and important. r LL. -‘.. 0n ushering the earl into the sanctum, the serâ€" vent, briefly announcing Earl De In More, retired and :L tall, elderly gentleman, advanced in years but the very ideal of a state minister, rose frnm atanle, at wuicu he was seated Writing; and, extending hishand to the earl, said, “ De In More Ian) glad to renew an acquaintance which has been interrupted for years,checked iron] some fault of mine or yours. If I am to blame, behave me, the business of my country has so absorbed my constant attention. that I have not had an up- vortuuity of cultivating and improving an inti- macy with a. dear friend ; if the cause rests with you, sit down, and explain to me why I have not seen you, heard from or of you, for an a“ “ I respond to your kind welcome, Rowley,” replied the earl, “for I am glad again to see you after so long a separbion. I doubt if either are to blame, than we have not met or corre- sponded for so long aperiod. At all events, the fault should sit: lightly upon our shoulders, for your putriodsm has left you but, small opportun- 1ty of enjoying those pleasures and comforts which renders the W01:1(1"W01:th_1ivlng for t’ "fi‘aaaavzggrgnhga"Lséa'ijéwtey u Well, then, we will assume the fault to be yours : and now tell me, why you have given me the out in- tentional or accidental ‘8" A “ Do you rem mber our last meeting,Rowley?” asked the curl, in & subdued voice, a sllght quiver being perceptible in it. Lord Rowley placed his hand over his eyes to think. and then he With- drew in. and pressed that of his friend.- .u .,,_,_a umL- " Len us tnlrk of the present.” he said. “ The past has bitterness for the best of us, even though it gilds the agreeable and aoltens the afflicting Wlmt brings you to Paris? Not the simple desire to see me, of course, but per- haps some matter in which I can be 01 service to you.” “ You have guessed it." answered the earl. “I am on my way to Florence, upon an errand of e singular and important character, and I come to you to help me.” “Command me." “I have taken lipassport from London to Paris only, and I would have you grant me one for Florence in another name." “Another name ?" “Yes. I have a powerful motive for preserving a strict incognitq.” The earl reddened to the tips of his ears. “The occasion of our disuuion is not to the purpose at this moment," he said hastily. “ Let it suflice, she became my relentless enemy: but I believed by n fearful stroke of ufl’liction that befell me, her nmlignity was sated. I have been in error. She has been quiet only to perfect schemes to compose my destruction. She has commenced putting into operation the plan she had been so long preparing ; already am I begin- ning, to feel the deadly character of her machin- ations, and unless I am active and prompt, as well as secret, in my efiorts to counteract her arts, I shall be enmeshed in her web, and utterly destroyed, Without the power to save mygalf.” “VHELiWDi-fli More, you are about to resus- citate matters long since buried. Will this be Wise?” "Rivowley, I am forced to the course I pursuing: I am compelled to the step 1 taking! " And perhaps not. Have you taken counsel on the policy of your present move ?" “ Of my own heart." “ In pars vnul matters, generally the worst guide you can follow Will 3 on submit your case to me ? I will give you my best advice-quite conscious, by the way. that it; is a. donation freely,fmuklyand usually sincerely offered but very rarely upcepted.” ‘ _ ‘~ “ I am anxious to explain my position to you ; and most ready to profit by your counsel.” “Proceed!” “ You remember the Contessu Contarini ” “ Of Florence. Grace Dieul A W0 u an not lightly to be forgotten. What a. wonderful diplomatist she Would have made, she would have eclipsed the subtle intrlguante, the Princess Lievenv Ah! I remember you managed to make her your enemy. How was that ?â€"in has esr‘aped is a. connection between him and the contessa. I do not altogether comprehend ; he is not her cavaliere servante, yet he is her humble servant ever. Should he know of your arrival, itwould be the same as though you were to confront the contessa and say to herd with a bow, ‘ Your servant, contessa ! Here I am in Florence, at 'our service." And should one of her domestics ollow you, wherever you went, she would not be more accurately apprized of your mt vements than she will, should the Duca. di Bergumo be- come acquainted with your presence in the capi- tal of the Grand I ‘uchy of Tuscany. New, De In. More, make me to know what you consider to be the proofs of the contessa’s renewal of her efforts to avenge what I suppose she esteems her wrongs." “Her wrongs 5’” “ Well, that is not to the purpose. Every wo- man has her wrongs, no matter how much she may deserve the treatment she receives, her own culpability is never taken into account. If she does not have her own way preciselyâ€"dress us she pleases ~indulge in every species of gairty for which she feels inclinedâ€"she is wronged. Every check to her whimsâ€"every curb upon extravagant fancies is put down as a. wrong. Summed up, they made a total of iniquities which she rarely fails to nurse, dendle, and hold up before your eyes whenever occasion offersâ€"even when it does not offer. These are her wrongslâ€"no women is without them. Ask them. They are, at least, honest in this. They will say Yes, at once. Oh! to be sure the contessa has had her wrongs ; but she is one or the few women who uvenges them with relent- less anim sity and persecution-But I interrupt your relation. Go on, De In More, and remember, the less reticence you display, the greater per- haps my power to serve you.‘ ‘ ,,_,. "ALLA; The Earl De la. More, when he ceased, related to him the circumstance of his son, Lord Arnold, falling in love With Amy Seatonâ€"of his own de- cided Opposition to itaof the struggle between Lord Arnold and Seaton in the copseâ€"the mysterious dislippearance of the bocy of the gamekeeper~the story of Starkrthe subsequent startling departure oi Amyâ€"the flight of his son, and his fruitless efforts to discover himâ€"of the discovery by the police detective of the departure from London of the won an he had encount- red by the but, and as far as he could judge, Amyâ€" and‘ subsequently, the appearance of Seuton, yet suflerlng from the effects of his wound, together With his obtaining a. passport for Florence in company with an agent of the contessa. As yet, there is nothing defln te in the attack, but there was the strong foreshadowing ofwhut was in store.” 7 “ The conessa. has commenced putting into operation game plot she has formed, and my friend wouu hasten at once to Florence to en- deavor to cruntemct her schemes. He will pro- ceed thithe in disguise, lay per ha, and endea- vor. by fllding out at her headquarters the springs she me set in motion, to intercept them bexore the: reach the objects intended to be injured um) death by themâ€"do you under- stand '1” " Clearly’ “ I Wish >3 accompanv him, to advise, suggest; to act it mht not be known to any one that he is in Florewe, In short, I place the whole affair in y ur skilful hands ; the earl Will put you in possession )f the circumstances that have hap- pened withmt reserve. You will then know what to do or tle best. and as you counsel so will he be guided.” “ When are we to leave Paris ‘1’" “ By the irst train in the morning, if possible," said the earl. A“ In short,” aaidLord RoWley, “ the outworks are being assaulted previous to the storming of the citadel." keeper." ‘ He ?â€"wherefore ‘2” “ Somenld grudge. It is, at leashmr more probably than that a. nigh bred gallant. young noble rhould commit the act of an a.ssta.asin._n " LAxggtvl-yl'. Now let us see how the case stands. That man, Stark, is a. liar unda Scoundrelâ€" no doubt the man who stabbed the game- “ Such an impressmn in the mind of one so clear sighted ma yourself, is a. vast relief to my soul, bome down by the weight of a. Jear that my boy Wgulg he guilty, in a fit of frenzy, of so dastardly 23. ee . ’ AV“ Thank you, Haneyâ€"$171th §Buginy friend,” exclaimed» the earl, ganja. stagtipgjn his eyes. ” That, in his passion, he felled him to the ground, I doubt not,” said Lord Rowley : ” but he then passed on Without looking at him, I would swear. However, let us go on. Your gamekeeper has been in the pay of the contessa; all your doings of the few past years are known to her ; the girl, ‘ daughter, may be a cockatrice on to decoy a capture your sonâ€"weak, like all sons of the sea, In respect to the fair sex â€"â€"â€"â€"" “I cannot fancy that to be true. Rowley," " Iwould rather' believe it is not, We must not overlook her sudden disappearance from the cottage. The flight of your son I look upon as a natural consequence. He, I my, went abroad. Roughing for a While will wipe 01f all painful impression, and he wxll return ready to meet your views in ".11 allianceâ€"for a marriage with this girl is not to be thought of. That would never do 2” After farmer summing up the case as it stood. he confessed there was reaa -n to believe that the oontessa intended mischlef, and that she must be fought git}; he} ow_z_1 we‘aponlg. , ha, AL ,1 A LL:~ The repeat. being glided, the ambassador and the earl sallied forth. They strolled down the Boulevards, and passed down a. turning leading to the Quarter Latin, or Students’ Quarter, and in une ot the narrow streets th. y paused Ixefore a tall house. Having obtained admiasion, they proceeded slowly and quietly up to the third flight, and stopped before a. door at whichLord Rowley gave three g: ntle taps. The door was shortly opene t by a pretty little grisette. Who greeted his lordship _with a gmilmg air. The apartment was small , it had a. bed, a tuble two or three chairs, and a small libraryâ€"â€" chiefly works of theological or scientific char- acter. It was heated by a. charcoal stove, and some Russian matting was upon the brick floor. It was snug enough, but it; had quite the air of a. seglfet hiding pace, 0f coufae not. as nought, as all men of his age and station would think. 0, rare exception, where art thou ‘2 “But, Dela. More,"suid be, “you cannot do this unaided. You know Florence well?" “ Alas, too well 1" _ ” That is something: but it is needful you should have a. companion more keen, acute. subtle. and unscrupulous than yourself. I know such a. man WhOse aid Would be invalua- ble to you. We will take some refreshment. and then we Will seek him‘ You may place im- plicit confidence in him. He is bound to me to the extent of his life; he can serve you well and faghfully, and will‘d‘o so, under my in ' bion.” ,3 -L The eafrl thanked him w rmly. He jumped at the proposition. It was exactly What he required â€"wha.t. he wished, but he knew of no one to trust -â€"no one, in truth, competent to help him, and he was much gratified at the prospect of obtain- ing such an Indivulual. . ‘ 1 , u” ...,, - K__. Refreshment was served up, and during the time it was being urtaken of, indiiferent. sub- jects were discusse , and topics of the day 00m- mented on. No one would have believed, to have heard Earl De In More converse upon current questions, how much his thoughts and mind were occupied by the subject on which he wag personally engageq. ‘ i. . ,,,1,,, A":- Thrif’i’s good," hé respohded. “Pmy, is your Worthy uncle. Monsieur Jean de Foix. thhin ?” ! yes, monsieur. He is never denied to you. You are hisfiiend, whom he esteems. He is always mud to see you. 0111 but I will fly to hiy,m.}d_ engunce yo‘ur {pp proadh." Recewmg them into the room, and dusting the chairs with her apron. smiling on both plet- tily, agreeably, and cheerfully, she placed seats for them, and ran off to acquaint her uncle with the arrival of visitors. She soon returned, and led the Way through a couple of rooms into a sleeping mmrtment, and closmg a door carefully after her, she approached the wall, which was marked With onken panell- ing ; touching a. spring, one of the panels flew open, and disclosed a. small apartment. beyond. Into this the earl and Lord Ruwley made their way - the penal gliding back to its place, leaving thggirl Genevieve, in the bedropmr. The tenant WLS a tall, thin man, with a. pale face, rather cadaverous in aspect. His hair was very short, his eyebrows were thin and light, he had next/hair mustachois, beard, nor whiskers. and he was dressed n a. closely fitting black gown, something like a. priest’s cassock, or a professor's under robe. Hi; eyelids appe trod red from close study, and his sspect was that of a man of science who buried hislife in perusing works of an ab struae nature, ind of pondering incessantly to find out vyhatit vyns not possibie to discryver. “ I do, my 0rd," h 1 replied in the same tone ; "I know horas well as I know the Duea (1i Ber- gmno. Iknlw her principal agvnthBepuo, her body domesic Juanuo, her gondolier, Stefano. I know Pshul my lord, I need tell you no more than txat I know all it can possibly be of advgnmge' tr: knowrespeqtiqg her,” “ Good I” replied Lord Rowley. “ No mark me, De Foi); my friend. Earl De In More, in timespust cfeuded the Contessa. Contariui, and roused her latred." “ h‘he new forgives, " exclaimed De Foix “ nor forgets untl blood has flowed over the conceivâ€" eqligjury." " Ah I m§ Halâ€"e Gynevfeiiejl " he exclaimed; “1mm you 2'1 KATA"! y'éé;it is my poor little person, at your seyvigehgo‘od mogsjegr,“ she repliegl. He made a. p.0fouud bow and an earnest gesâ€" turu to Lord valey, as tho gb he was under the very deepest: mligation to him ; expressed his plusure at thehonor of this vxsit, and Waited in silence his commands, preparing to obey tLem so far 0.9 he could. There wasbhe same convulsion of features, only this tine more apparent, in the face of ezm de Foix. Stll he had. such command ove his emotions that the muscles or his face appeared only 130 sufie‘ {120;}! a, twitqh. » ‘ “That is moughl" exclaimed his lordship. “I am awnrethat you are acquainted wit-h all parts of ltily; that Tuscany is familiar, and your intimacy with Florence especially close. You klOW muhy of its inhubimnts,buth among the higher classes and the lower, and know how tcuvail yourself of their interesm when you require it. You know the Ducu, di Ber- gamo?” Jean de Foix’s eves fell, his eyebrows con- tracted and his teeth slightly grated together: the movement of his features was slight but it unfolded maul}. “ I do know him, my lord." “I do not mean by repute or superficially â€"but you me acquainted with his inner m3.- puria, De Fdx," said Lord Rowley, express- ive y. “ f am, mylord. His craftiness is not better known to himself." "You know the Contesaa. Contarini, De Foix?” “ This is myfriend, theEm-l De la. More, Un- derstand me, Jean de Foix. you must serve him as you wouldxerve me; in doing so faithfully yqluvwilll flugfile way to_ the; centre of my 13mm ’ ' “ Let me 11ft answ'er for the zeal I will" dismay inuh_i§ lordship’a segvige," rgtgrnefl _D_e Eoix_. _ V “ No," exclaimed De Foix; “we will le ave by the mail train to-morrow night. You will, my lord, leave the Whole of your wardrobe in Pans at your hotel ; I wi:1 provide you with a. costume in which you will be good enough to attire y( ur- self at the residence of my lord. Rowley;the wardrobe you will >requ‘re in Florence W111 be duly at the station of the Chemin De Fer before the start. You, lord nowley, he said, turning to the ambassador, will be g or! enough to obtain from M. Drouyn de Lhuys a passport for le Comte de St. Brieux and. his secretary, Pierre de Meyenne. That is all we shall require. Such servants as We may need we may engage at Genoa. My lords, I will be at the embassy at seven to-morrow evening, and be not sur- prised,Eerl De la. More, if you find me in no point resemble the Jean de Foix now before you,” Lord Rowley laughed. . “ Come” said he to the earl, ” we will leavelDe Foix to his preparations, At seven I shall ex- pect you." Earl De In More was electrified. Instead of the wan, thin being he had seen In the Quartier Latin, “At seven, my lord, I shall be with you." he re- Dlied, and touched the spring to admit them thruugh the panel into the sleeping chamber. He kiSsed the hand of Lord Rowley, which was extended to him to shake. Genevieve was ready to receive them, and conducted them to an outer apartmrnt, where a young Frenchmen, With a. handsome face, was seated coslly by the inevitable stove. He sprung to his feet and touchedhis forehead. He wore a. blouse, and seemed a frank, pleasing young fellow. “ Hm ! Genevieve, who is this ?” “ Jacques Farrier, mousieux." " A11, no doubt; but who is Jacques Ferrler ‘? What is he ‘2" The earl was now directed to don his secretary's garb, which was Simply the dress of a. gentleman but so nut and arranged as to make him look an entirely diflerenn individual. As he surveyed himself, inn. full length cheval glass, he could hardly help looking behind him for the person there reflected, and. was quite satisfied with the change which hud‘been effected. _He‘ietumed to the salon, and as the clock cuimed SBVBD, the door was thrown open, and a servant announced “ Le Comte de Brieux.” “ An artist, monsieurâ€"w, Rue Veuve. St. Au- gustinâ€"and an honorable person.” said the young person, throw ing his head up proudly. " That is well, but is he not something else ‘1’" “ Something else, monsieur ‘2" “ Aye, to you," " To me ‘2” returned Genevieve. turning scarlet. “ Well, yes monsieur is so good. I should not conceal the truth from himâ€"Jacques is my fiancee l" “ And you will be married some day ‘2" “ Ah monsieur, as soon as Jacques can muster BathOuSfllld trance, for uncle says it would not be prngent to merry with nothing to hegin vyithz". Towards evening Lord Rowley sum noned his fnend EarlDe In More into a boudoir and there introduced hun to the handiwork of a. menu- quiet, who, in u. twinkling, clipped his hair close, fitted him with awlg out of a large parcel hehud with him, trimmed and shaved 1115 Whiskers into an entirely different, shupe,‘ dyed them and 1115 eyebrows, Which were also clipped and made to :Zum out of their natural curve, and. then he re- 11 ed . As our story has. however, but little to do with the marriage festivitiesâ€"though it may have with the marriedâ€"we leave them to their enj 0y- mgpts, and keep on with the thread of our nar- m we. “ Ah! monsieur, truly so. He has saved a. hundred truncs since uncle counselled us to be thus cautious.” “ And he loves you ‘2" “ Ah ! mousiour.” The young girl turning, with swimming eyes, togggques,w1._\0 sp:uug to her sidp. ‘ 7‘ H9 ié Hgilfl V Jacques Ferrfér is 11511931: and in- dustrgqua. eh if Genevigve l" “ Monsieur," he said, “ I love, I adore her with myvmy soulâ€"my mind. She is so good, so pure! Ah 1 but she is almost beyond my hopes.” “ And you love Jacques, Genevjeve, eh ‘2‘, ” Ah ! monsieur." She threw herself in the arms of her lover, and he kissed her ruby lips tenderly. The actiou‘was very significant. Lord Rexvvley smiled. All this being acquiesced in, Jacques was sent to collect; some of his frlends, and Wlthin an hour from that time, the marriage was celebrated at Nutre Dame, in the presence of the ambassador, the earl, Jean de Foix,â€"whose appearance was the same as that he had presented. the highs beâ€" lowâ€"and a few friends or the bride’s and the bridegroom's. ” Jacques Farrier,” he said, “ you will come to the embassy at ten to marrow morning ; I shall by that time have made some inquiries respect- ing you. I will then place une thousand francs in your hands , as the dowry of Geneveive,und Will proceed With you to the Cathedral de Foure Dame, Where Genevieve and a bridesmaid or two. and her uncle, Will be ready to receive us. I shall see her married; and thus, Genevieve, as your uncle ls about to leave you for n. time, you will have some one able and willing to protect you during his absence." ‘ At ten on the following morning, J ucques Fer- rier was true to his appointment, and Lnrd Row- ley having acquainted .him that the inquiries made respecting him were satisfactory, placed in his hands the sum of two thousand frames, which he told him Was for the mutual advantage of himself and Genevieve, and told him also that he would for a time be under surveillance, until the girl and her uncle were assured of his affec- tion and proper treatment of her. He was fur- ther informed that he must leave his parents mxdress, and reside at the abode of Jean de Foix, in the Quartier Latin, until the return of the latter to Paris, when other arrangements would be made. J-.. _._,._.u a W The young couple would have ‘thrown themA selves at his feet, but he prevented them; and promising to Leftiend the young artist if be deâ€" herved it, he went out of the uplnrtment, followed by their blessingsâ€"but; not: until Earl De la. More had infilsted upon adding a. thousand francs to the umbasgador’s generous gift. Announcing himself, he stood perfectlymotion- less, while Lord lsowley said, “ Ascertuin for me all particulars respecting the character and habits of one Jacques Farrier, 15, Rue Veuve, St Augustin, and let me have them by eight in the morning. You Will then letwe Paris by first train starting for London, and on your arrival there. take lodgings in the neighborhood 01‘ Park Lane. as near to De la More House as you 021.11; make acquaintances with the male servantâ€"or female, for they! know most, and chatter mostâ€"and let me know from day to day What is going on there, who comes and who goesâ€"there must be no exâ€" ception, you undei stand 7 from the highest to the lowest, the noble, the tradesmen, the aervant,the beggar ; and endeavor to ascertain the motive, ostensible and secret, with which such visit is paid. Use your accustomed sugacity, Morkfluick, and rely upon my appreciation of it.” Mark quick bowed, and disappeared. “ Now 10 my diplomatic labors,” muttered the ambassador, plunging once more into the Work in which he had been interrupted by the arrival of Earl De 18. More. "Asâ€"éoBHéifihB?’wéi’é’dfiéé ' filoré in the street, the ambassador hailed a. fiacre, and they return ed to the embassy. CHAPTER XIV. mm DEPARTURE FROM PARISâ€"FLORENCEâ€"THE That same night Lord Rowley had an inter- view winh the French miniscer xor foreign affairs; and he subsequently returned to the embassy, and displmved to the Earl De 121 More two pass- ports which he had obtained, on a plea of secret service. He was thoughtfulâ€"yet appeared desir- ous of keeping some anxiety with which he was Oppressed, from the notice of the earlâ€"end so mr as he mlght have considered it important, he suceeeded. “ I have written for you," he said, “ a very strong letter to Sir Henry Bloomer, the English minister, resident, in Florence, He will, with the exception ofJean de Foix, be the only person there acquainted with your real name and rank. I must warn you to keep down your pet: ician feelings. It will he neces- sary for you to hold them 111 the tight- est subjectmn: for De Foix will acthis part to perfection. He will neverlremember that you are in reality an earl. So long as you a .t in concert together, you will be to all intents and purposes his secretary ; and you must not forget tnisâ€"he will treat you as such even when aloneâ€"that is. seemingly alone: tor in Italy it is difficult to know when you are out of reach of ears you deâ€" sn'e not to fill with What you may utter. He will tell you when you may speak freely in safety. Never attempt to do so unless he,,_ should first say it will not be dangerous. I counsel you thus for you will have the most difficult part to sup- port, being unused to act in disguise: and be careful at no time, while in Florence, to lose sight of that fact. You Will have to come in con- tact, face to face, with those who have eagle's eyes, and detect assumed characters only too quickly. Be prepared to master all emotion : and present always to the searching glance, an expression of countenance at once blank andjm- perturbable.‘j “ There is no necessity for it. Thus much I will tell you. I have a. suspicion that he is a nu- tive of Italy, although he adopts as 1115 true name that of a native of Brittany. With his ear- ly life I am unucquain ted. Of the latter portion of it I know all. He is a most valuable agent of mine : has been extremely serviceable and very truthful : at the sametime more skilful than any other secret servant 1 ever employed. Partly political the actions of the past, it. can serve no useful purpose to tell you more than that you will find him eminently serviceable, and one more calculated to afiect the ouject you have in Illetw l{21111.11 any other person 'you could have se- e'c e .” Winn this assurance the earl was compelled to be satisfied, and he retired to rest, prepared to- morrow to enter upon the new phase his alfairs were mkiiig. _ Immediately after he had retired. Lord Rowley rung the bell : and when the lacquey ap- peared to answer it, he said, “Send Mark quick to me." The man bowed and diss ppeared. In less than three minutes a man clad in d'ecinedly English cut clothes, made his ap~ pearance. His face was round and fleshy: his nose somewhat full, and like his lips, large The expression of his features was What might be termed jolly: and his general appear ance that to an ordinary observer would have denoted a. man of very moderate qualifica- tions ; but tnere was a quick movement of his small, bright black eyes, Whi‘2h revealed that he was possessed. of acuteness and penetration in rather an extensive e‘legree. "1 W111 strive to follow your instructions,” re- plied the earl. "It would be madness togdo otherwise, seeing how much I have at; stake. Tell me, as I shall be thrown much with him, would it not be as well to be in possession of some of the antecedents of Jam: ae Foix? By the aid of such knowledge I may be enabled with more strength to sustain my assumed char- uctel.” ‘ OPERA. he perceived a. well-proportioned men enter the room, elegantly, though showily dressed. His features wore a. smiling air, his luxuriant locks shining and curly, his whiskers beginning almost with-a. single heir. increased until they entirely covered his chin. Upon his upper lip was a. mu-‘tuohe Whose proportions equalled those of the King of Sardinia and threw into a shade the quivering ends of Napoleon the Second. The other appointments were fun1t1e<s. and he looked the count ‘0 perfection. The eerl could not credit that this was Do Foix ; he believed it: to be the reel Comte : i Brieux, eud that the spurâ€" ious one would presently emiveâ€"u ontretemps which would prove especially awkward. Ho was rees ‘red by the new comer saying,â€" â€"Eva Wehrle of Cincinnati had a. pet Spitz dog, and on deciding to commit suicide she first. hanged the bruie. The two dead bodies were found suspended side by side. “ M Pienre d6 Mayenue. I p resume you have perfected your arrangements. My people have borne the luggage we shall take with us the stu~ tion : and as I find the train for Lyons leave at a quarter to eight. it will be las well to finish your interview with Lord Rowlev, and we Will then be on to our destination. Not a tone, a. gesture, an inflexion of the voice bore the smallest resemblance to those of Jean de Foix,and the earl could n .1: help in the gratify echou he felt; at his admirable disguise, catching hi§ hqind my! pgessing Le Comte de Brleux, however, snatched it away and put his fingerkto his lips Lord Rowloy laughed. “ In your admiration of the ability of others, De In. More.” said he, “you must not forget the claim upon your own. Remember you; waigning l” After t1 interchange of some suggestions in respect to future communication, the friends took leave of each other, and were soon in a first class carriage, and alone, and being whirled to their destination. . “ You may,” said De Foix ; “ but I pray you tube careful how you exerei e that privilege. If you sh uld do so at any time in a. manner likely to lead to a. discovery, I shall vanish from your side. no more to return no it, as completely as though at best Iwere but an apparition." The earl assented, observingly. “ I wish to know if your acquaintance with the contesm led to any event which has raised a spirigflof hatred in vour heart. and of revenge in here â€"-What is characteristic of a watch? Modesty, for it keeps its hands before its face and runs down its own works. No wonder the mule is a kicker. Were I a mule, I, too, would kick. I know just ex- actly What kind of a mule I would be. A bay mule. One of those sad eyed old fellows thatylenn back in the breaching and think. With striped legs like a zebra. And a dark brown streak down my back, and a paint brush tail. And my mane cut short, and my foreiop banged, and a head as long as a. flour barrel, and I’d be worth two hundred and a half in any market, and I’d wear a flat bar- ness and no blinders, and some day when some man hitched me up to a dray, and piled on a ton and a half of pig iron, a cord of wood, six barrels of flour. and a steamboat boiler, I would start OH with it patiently and haul it steadily until I got to the top of the grade on the new road around North Hill, and right about there and then a falling maple leaf, fluttering down in a spark of gold and crimson, would scare me all but to death, and the authorities would have to drag the Mississippi river six weeks to find all of that load and some of that driver, while in three minutes after the emeute I would be tram quilly browsing on the grassy heights that smile above the silver flowing river. That is the kind of a mule I would be.â€"Hawkeye. â€"Professor in Physicsâ€"“ What’s Boyle’s law?” Diligent Juniorâ€"” Never trump your partner’s ace.” “ I mwy speak a few words in mm real per on hqrg, I presuine ‘2” “ Askme not new. There may come a time when you may know all! Ihave buried my own griefs and wrongs. and live now and act; only for Othera. Be, however, assured of this,thnb£you could not have selected one more directly in- terested in thwarting the designs of this cruel and heartless women than myself." He sank back in the carriage, us though to prevent further conversation. V r Theytravelled on without stopping, until the steamer from Marseilles landed them at Genoa Then the oomte obtained servants. dis- patched a messenger to hire a suite of roirms in Florence, and, at the close of the second day they entered the city, the queen of ' nature and of art, in which was centered so much of deep interest to the heart and to the welfareoi De In More. By some means of which the earl was not cognizant, it was known all over Florenceâ€"to use a questionable expves- sion;that the Comte de St Brieux.a wealthy count of Brittany, was on a visit to Florence, and that very day the card of the wealthy, the noble, and the distinguished were left at his res- idence in the Piazza del Duomo. Alone, the Earl De 19. More, as Pierre de Mayenno, prev sented himself at the British embassy, and, with some little difficulty obtained an interview with Sir Henry Bloomer There were three or four perso.:s in thu room when the earl handâ€" ed his letter to Sir Henry, and who all watched intently for the shape his features might take, while he perused the ~1issive: but there was no ind=cation that the contents in the slight- est degree affected him. He read with com plete impassibility of countenance every word ; and when he had ended, he looked up at the earl, who endeavored to look cold and im- movable too, and said, “You are M Pierre de Mayenne?‘ The earl bowed. “ Secretary to M 1e Comte de St Brieux, newly arrived in Fll irence ‘2" Again the Earl bowed. Sir Henry Bloomer took up a pen, and wrote, with the greatest rapidity, a few words upon a sheet of notepaper_ He folded it up closelyâ€" put it into an envelope and sealed iiiâ€"addressed itâ€"and. handling it, said. "You give this to the Comte de SI. Brieuxgyou will say that he will be 11‘1ng to open it immediately you reach your 0 e . ‘ There was a slightly perceptible difference in the enunciation of the last seven words. The quick ear of the earl caught them, but he ex- hibited no outward sign that he comprehended the spirit of what was said to him. He took the letter, and, with a bow, retired, as he heard Sir Henry say to one of the gentlemen present, " If what you aver be true, signer,my friend here, the Duca_diBergamo,is laboring under a false im- pression A Difficulty Requirinz Government Interference. There is trouble among the Mennonites. These people own separate lands, but instead of building on their respective ;homesteads, combine to form a village, which they build on: the farm of some one of their number. There are over forty villages on their reserve west of Emerson. Recently a Mennonite living near the western end of the reserve, not many miles from Nelsonville, made ap« plication to the Dominion Government for a patent for his land. he having performed the necessary settlement duties, and pending the receipt of the patent, he sold his homestead to a Canadian farmer living near. On his farm is situated the village for that section, and of course in selling his farm the entire village was included in the sale, as whatever buildings are on the land belong to it. The head kaisers of the reserve, we understand. have been endeavor- ing to have the Government refuse the patent for the place, but of course if the Mennonite demands it the Government will be obliged to give it to him. The Government has sent Mr George Newcombe, formerly Dominion Lands agent at this place, up from Ottawa to endeavor to have the Mennonites settle the matter amicably among themselves, and he will probably arrive here the latter part of the week. It would be a. good thing for Southern Manitoba if every Mennonite on the reserve would sell out to live Canadian farmers. It would improve the reputation of Southern Manitoba wheat and add material- ly to the trade of Emerson and West Lynne. â€"Emerson International. The earl looked under his eyebrows, and saw the duca, to whom Sir Henry was extending hiq hand referentially, and, at a. glancejelt: he should know him again Whenever they met. He obâ€" served. too, that the eyes of the ducts. were upon him with a most penetrating expi ession, but he still kept his rigidity of feature and his cold, con. strained manner Their eyes met, but the earl turned his away, with the aspect of indiiference -â€"a.n uneasy impression, however, crossing him that a. suspicion had been already raised in the mind of the duca. that the earl was not what he seemed. The combo persued it, and immediately sl‘ratched a dozen lines upon a sheet of Tpuper, and handed it over to the pseudo Pierre (16 May- enne, excluimm , “ M Pierre de Mayenne. you will copy that, and convey your copv, after I have signed it, to Sir Henry. He quitted the embassy, and made his way to the hotel : and there when 810116111 his chamâ€" ber and convinced, as well as he could be that he was not observed, he opened the note, addressed by Sir Henry Bloomer to the Comte de St Brieux. It mu thus: 7 r _ “ M. 16 Comte," he said. the enclosed nnte was handed to me by Sir Henry Bloomer. You will be good enough to write a. reply which I will bear to him.” WfiJJBEscéfilléa 1nd)" the apartment where the Comte StiBriauxr was epgaqu in Writing, "-Rgtgrfivhere in two hours Come openly : bring in your hand :1 portfeuille :present to me It letter: await the rest." THE MENNONITES‘ THE MULE‘ Scottish American Journal. NEW KILTULLIEGOBRADH, Ontario. Oct. 14 1882 Ma. EDITOR: Ye’ll aiblins hae concludii lang syne that ye had slippit a’ thegither not 0' my recollection, but. man, am that be the 6489, I can only say ye were never faurer wrang u' your days Weal. wee], as I was tellin’ye, I has been traivellin’ an’ losh keep ye, man. but I’ve seen a. wheen fairlles. I crackiv wi’ 23 Clack- mannan man. mairit on a squaw ; I saw dizzeua 0’ half breeds ca’in’ chemsel’s Mo‘ Lean an’ McDonald, 311’ Stewart, un’ Ross. but what; cowed ailâ€"what I may lairiy say ca’d the cluits frae me, sue to speakâ€"was an illfamt big aboreeginie, belangiug some am said to a. tribe 0’ $003 an’ he acwally tell't me wi’ his ain mouth that he was christened “ MoSpurtlef' The fac’ 0’ $119 muit'mr is thafifor msir than sax months I hae been traivellin’ unborn this continent; in ither words, I gaed to Mania tabs, and bidet there wi‘ Jock Fntrquharson, oor Luezio’a man. Leszie, ye ken. alcho’ she aye gangs for our dochter, was a bit gangril lassie we brought up. an’ I’m sure she' a. credit to baith 0’ usâ€"â€" I mean to Mirren, m}, wife, an’ mysel’. Maybe ye’ll no behave me, but, afore she was nwal she could kiru nn‘ mak’ up the milkin’ o’ aeeven kye. an’ guid kye they were. â€"Since 1879 France has imported more wine than she has exported. In 1870 2.109,; 000 hectolitres were imported, in 1880 5,958.- 000, in 1881 6,553,000 hectolitras. The bulk of this wine was from Spain, the rest being from Italy, Turkey, Hungary and Por- tugal. Noo,1’m no whatgye wed c9358. narrow mindit man; in fact, Mirren thinks whiles I’m owsr brain and leeberal in my notions. I om even mak’ ulloosnce for pair craiturs being Ms- homeiuns, un’ Mormons, on’ Methodists, an’ sic like; I can account, in some smn.’ menu me. for the existence 0’ Tories and Demo- crats ; I can conceive that it lies within the leemits 0’ possibeelity for an Englishman, or an Irishman, or a bit jabberin’ French body, to be uoo an’ then the marrow o’ a third class Scotchmsn; I can forgie a man for gettin’ hlm' fn‘ whiles, gin he mak’s a pint 0' at- tendin’ upo’ the ordinances, an’ ktepin’ the Sawbuth; I say I can das a that, but when it comes to a skreigin‘ bluid thirsty cannibal 0’ an inâ€"taed Soo Indian germ aboot ower the prairies, dressed with a blanket nn’ twa or three feathersâ€"stmkin’ like a. foumart wi’ creesh and red paint‘emin’ deid horses and dowgs. in total ignorance o’ the Shorter Cate- chism ~sn’ yet, in the face 0’ 3’ this pagan- ism, to stan' up sn’ tell me to mv vets teeth that his name is McSpmtlel I say its msir than I can thole. It’s the next thing to rob- in’ a kirk ! â€"According to the Medical Times and G3- zette, the sanitary expenses for the post 01 London amounted last year to less than $13,- 000. The death rate has been low.‘ During the thirteen weeks of the last quarter it. averaged but 186 per 1,000. ‘ At noon Saturday an old lady sat half asleep in thelsdies’ room of the Grand Trunk passenger station in Lewiston. A strange man came in. He thrust his hands into his pants pocket, probed his vest pocket and ex- plored his coat tell pockets. He slapped his hand on his leg, and assumed a look of des- pair and exclaimed : “ I’ve left my key at home, but I must get in thele somehow! ” He pulled an iron implement out of one pock ‘ and began work on the ticket window. A”: prying awhile it yielded to his efforts. and us got into the ticket office. He rummaged round a short while and then walked oooly out. The baggagemaster discovered that the room has been entered a few minutes after.- wsrd. The fellow had secured 345 in money, but had not disturbed the tiol egg. The ticket-seller was at dinner at the t me of the robbery. We think this will pass for one of the coolest on record. The November meteors ere nowdue, but unfortunately one must sit up until the small hours of the morning in order to see them well. They have their radiant point in Leo, the sickle-shaped constellation .which those who saw the great comet early in"October will remember as the comet was then just below a little to the right of it. No'consid- erable shower of meteors belonging to-this swarm is expected until 1899, but a. fair number may be seen every year at this time, when the earth crosses the track of the swarm. Some readers may remember the magnificent display which these meteors made in 1833, They tell in showers also in 1866 and 1867. It is a particularly interestâ€" ing fact that the November meteors, like those of August, follow in the track of a comet. The connection between meteors and comets is one of the most startling discoveries of modern astronomy. One comet~that of Bieleâ€"which broke in two in 1846, seems to have been dissolved into a. swarm of meteors, and in 1872, when the comet was due and astronomers were looking for it, there came dashing out 0! that quarter of the heavens where the comet should have been a. fiery shower of meteors. The great comet which for the last two months has been shining in the eastern sky has, according to many ob- servers, a. divided nucleus, and it is not im~ possible that it too will be changed "into a meteoric swarm. ONE OF THE COOL-EST ON RECORD Let them 03’ themsel‘s Kickin’ Horse, or Sittin’ Bull, or Spottis Tail, or Oronhyatekha or Anld Aim Tea. Kettle,or ocht else they like, but in my humble judgment an ac’ 0’ Fear liumeni should be passed to proeebit 3’ In- dians an’ Half-breeds {me layin’ unsanoti- fled Inn’s upo’ faimily cognomens that hue been respeckit amang ' the nations 0’ the earth free time immembrial. I hope that when the Honorable Sandy Mackenzie gets into power at the next election that he’ll tak a hand 0’ this enin’ evil, an‘ pit his fit doun on’t wi‘ a.’ his micht. I was speakiu’ to Davie Walker, 0’ Toronto the ither day. an’ I understan’ free him am if Prowdence ‘ll favor us Wi‘ guid Wather the year, we’ll hae a maist exlraox-nat‘ season at the “ stunee." Arrangements has been made, or are to be made, for 3119 o’ the grandest bonspiela ever held upo' this~ continent. or ony ither ane. Nae doubt the Guelph chiels, wi’ a’ the conceit they has, as everybody kens, ’11 Want to get a. fling wi’ the Torontos or the Scarboros‘, but they need us. fash their thooms its no’ in them. Next time I write to ye I’ll gie ye my min’ upo' fine or twa maisi‘. momentous subjects. Yours truly, We’re haein’ an unco time ower here the 1100 anent the Minister 0’ Edieation forbiddin' the use 0’ “ Mal-mien ” in the eehules. It seems that 8, bit Airchbishop body 0’ the name 0’ Lynch ohjecka to some 0’! Watty Scotts’s histericel rmferencee, and Mr. C toks, that’s the Minister, ye kenâ€"no‘ a Free ter- ian minister, but the Minister 0‘ Edicfitionâ€" anxious to mak’ friens wi’ the “ Marmion " o’ unrighteousness a wee More the elections. has jist fa’iu doun More Mr. Lynch an’ said, “I’m thinkin’ ye’re quite richt.” There‘s a maiet prodeegioue collieehnngie 3111111 on i’ the papers about it’ an’ guid kenn what’ll be the upshot. I wndna wonner gin the Minister had to gie up his place to somebody wi’ a stiffer buck-bane. We had a gran’ hairst here this year. I‘ll has mair than a. thoosan’ bushels 0’ Wheat forbye oor ain eatiu’. Bmley was guid, as weel‘s wheat. but its awful laigh in price, in spite o’ the Naitionul Policy that was me gar a’ thing gang as heigh as the lift 1 Turnips are no’ dsein’ that ill. an’ I hope beef ’ll gang up to ten cents leevinjv Wecht. Gin it due that; I’ll tak’ a tin haime'vwi’ Mitten next year, and anoe mair see auld Kiltulliegor- ruch. ' Jiet let me kin when my subsciiption’s out for the twa. papers 59’ Sen’ to me Cape o' Guid Hope. The friena there write that they dinna ken 1100 they Wad (1318 without them 1100. », LETTER FRAE M'BPURTLE‘ THE NOVEMBER METEORS‘ From the Lewiaton Record. From the New York Sun MCSPUBTLE.