suspicion? Would not his movements now be watched ? What would be thought of his going, the very next day perhaps, to the house of this Government agent? Had I indeed be come such a leprous thing, carrying danger about with me like an infectious disease! And now I was on the way to Herr Dulcken's, and what evil might I not cause to fall upon the old man's head? When M. Biot had spoken to me of the use to which I might turn Mr. Delby, he had more than hinted that the last dark resource would not be scrupled at, to counteract it. Would not the same thing apply to any one who might even be suspected of acting as my means of communication? Yet what important knowledge regarding Stephanie might be hanging on the few particulars I had to relate! I was painfully engaged in balancing risks, when I suddenly recollected that I had left Herr Dulcken engaged with my pupil, not an hour before, and that I was still in time to find him at Mr. Delby's. I therefore hurried home, and, to my great gratification, saw the snuff-coloured cap hanging in the hall. tion from the German grammar would have extended, had I not taken the liberty of interrupting him. Neither do I know whether there was anything in my manner that excited his interest but, contrary to his usual talkative custom, he accompanied me to my room at my request, without lisping a single interrogatory. When I had shut the door and we had seated ourselves, I found it rather more difficult than I had imagined to know where to begin. Herr Dulcken fidgeted impatiently, took a huge pinch of snuff, and pulled out number one; but none of these actions tended in the least to reveal to me the proper point of commencement. 66 Thpeak, Mithter Morley, for goodneth thake!" he at length exclaimed, when numbers two and three had proved likewise ineffectual. "If there ith anything I hate worthe than the devil-and ringth, it'th tathiturnity." "It is about the cross you showed me." "The croth! Good Heaventh, Mithter Morley, have you theen the other ?" "No, I have not seen it, but I have accidentally learnt that it left Paris last night." And having succeeded in announcing the further difficulty to inform him of all that I had learnt through Winslow regarding the mysterious stranger. that missed its way, and fell in heavy showers over his shirt front, would have served, so far as quantity was concerned, to form and foster the habit of snuffing in any ordinary mortal for an indefinite length of time. "Ith that all, Mither Morley?" he exclaimed, when I had brought my story to a conclusion. "All I could learn." Herr Dulcken generally wound up his instructions with a few boisterous advices deli-important intelligence, I proceeded without vered during his transit from the study to the outer stair. Standing in my own room, with my hand on the half-opened door, I waited anxiously for the accustomed sound. How The quantity of snuff which he consumed much should I tell him? Should I speak of during the course of my narration was nothing nothing but the artist and his jewelled cross-short of miraculous. The mere refuse of it, nothing of the resemblance between his face and another I had seen? Might not this be the crisis of her life, when a word spoken would prove the taking of the flood that leads to fortune? Yet how tell of her without telling all, and involving him in the guilty secret? His blood be upon your head! A few days before, the same curiosity that had led me into so many snares had tempted me, as I passed the Morgue, to look within its death-receiving walls. That aged head-that livid purple wound whence life had oozed direct from the stricken heart, would they could pass from my memory even now! And if a few words of mine should lead this old man into the path of destructionshould create a new victim for the skilful dagger -and I should look upon him also lying pallid, with the fatal mark under the fifth rib, that had gained his admission into the solemn house of questioned identity, which of earth's rivers would be deep enough and black enough to stifle my sorrows, and hide my thoughts from heaven?...... No. If I erred I would err on what seemed to be the safe side. At length I heard the door of the study open, and the usual amount of instruction given gratis to all who might be within hearing. "Now, thir, remember thethe different clatheth of verbth; the firtht clath comprehendth thothe diththonant verbth which change their radical vowel into a long or thort o. The thecond clath comprehendth thothe verbth-: I know not how far Herr Dulcken's quota "Will Mr. Winthlow not be able to tell me any more of him?" "Nothing more. I tried to ascertain more from him with the view of informing you, but found that he had nothing further to add." "Well, God blethth you, my boy, for thith! An old man'th bleththing ith all I have to give you. You thall hear from me again. Thith ith not yet the time for ecthplaining mythelf to you. I mutht be off at onthe." "Off! Where do you intend to go to ?" "To theek the thouth, Mithter Morley. I'm going thouth." "But what of Master Delby, and the rest of your connection here?" nothing to me compared with thith. Don't thay "I thall thettle that by letterth. They are a word to Mithter Delby. Leave me to make my own apology. Good-bye, thir, God blethth you! I'm going thouth!" So saying, Herr Dulcken wrung my hand with all the violence of hearty affection, beckoned me away as I attempted to follow him to ask a few more explanations regarding his intended Another week passed away. The rather exciting episode that had originated in my acquaintance with Winslow, terminated for the present with the disappearance of Herr Dulcken, and left me again alone with my oppressive secret. How shall I record the darkness of this time-the daily conflicts, the nightly resolutions, the morning defections? To-day, dead hardness of heart; to-morrow, the levity of forgetfulness; the next, and still succeeding morrows, the agony of re-awakened conscience. Of course it occurred to me a thousand times that the utmost vigilance of espionage could not prevent me from penning in the solitude of my own chamber a circumstantial account of the plot that had come to my knowledge, and from conveying it, by means of some of the domestics, either to the post-office or into the hands of some government official, or even, perhaps, directly into the imperial possession. But one small consideration baffled all my calculations on this score-where were my proofs? There was only one single circumstance that could have cast a shadow of evidence on the story. The fact of Stephanie's residence for some days in the house of M. Biot could easily be proved: but the French explanation of such a circumstance was too palpable for me to build anything upon it. In the entire absence of proof, therefore, I had no doubt that one of three things would result from such a communication: Either my story would be looked upon as the mere hallucination of a disordered mind--and certainly those living in the same house with me, if interrogated on the subject, could not but give evidence to the deep melancholy into which I had lately fallen; or it would be looked upon as a malicious invention of the Titus Oates kind; or, what was more probable than either of these suppositions, the accused themselves would turn the tables against me, with such an array of proofs, as would completely outweigh my unsupported statements. With such tangible evidence in their hands, how easy it would be for M. Biot and his friend in power to concoct a story which should turn mine into ridicule, and make me appear at once a deep conspirator and an impudent hypocrite!" Reasoning, reasoning, reasoning. It seemed to me that the powers of my mind were wearing themselves out through perpetual friction. Every succeeding fit of internal disputation ended, like the preceding one, in bewilderment of thought and stagnation of purpose. The influences were so new to me, the possible results so numerous, that, inexperienced as I was, I felt myself unable to cope with them. I believe that, when a man is doubtful as to the course he ought to pursue, when many bewildering contingencies hang upon his choice, when the barrier between present and future becomes, as it were, prismatic, and the various lines of action are refracted into results of every possible hue-I believe that the great point, above all premises, and above all logical connection, is, that utter forgetfulness of selfish interests, that entire self-sacrifice and self-abandonment which will adinit the Great Spirit (of whom we are the organs and instruments) to work in him and by him, without clog or encumbrance. At this time, however, I was grovelling on the lower ground of expediency. So the black cloud remained still closing in on me; and thus, from want of the true motives, in my best deeds there was no virtue, and my worst were what they were. Yet, when the moment for action came, I think I acted rightly, more influenced, however, by fear of future remorse, and willing blindness to consequences, than by the open-eyed valour of conscious integrity. Such action is hurried, unreflective, without virtue and without praise. Yet it is sometimes right-by accident. The time for mere motives ceased at last with the arrival of a note from M. Biot. It was short and significant: laconic as his style of conversation." "Be ready!”—that was all: but it was more than enough to startle me from lethargic passivity. There was no time to be lost. Perhaps I would be required to start the next day— sooner, even ! I was still sitting, with the pregnant missive in my hand, when Winslow stepped into my room. "Hallo, Morley! you look like a fellow in a melodrama-letter convulsively clutched in the right fist-fixity of the eyes expressive of alarm; and, not to descend to particulars, air of tragedy in the whole appearance! Nothing wrong, I hope?" "Something annoying, certainly; but I am delighted to see you, notwithstanding. How is the portrait getting on?" Oh, famously. I expect to finish it in a very short time. M. Mounier is so much delighted with the performance, so far as it has gone, that he promises to use all his influence among his connection to procure me constant employment; and, from his position, I should think his support not to be despised." A new idea crossed my mind at this moment. "Did you not say the other day that he is private secretary to the Minister of......?" "I did. Do you know anything of him?" "Oh, no! But-but I should like very much to have a private opportunity of speaking to him." "You would, eh! Well I don't see why you shouldn't. But don't be mysterious; unless you have got some extraordinary invention to communicate to the Government, which is a secret to all but yourself." Seriously and solemnly, Winslow, I should like, if possible, to see him privately this very afternoon. I will not explain to you my reasons, simply because I fear to lead you into danger. "For your own good," I said, "ask me no questions, but just tell me if you are willing to assist me in the matter." "Assist you, my dear fellow! I'll be off this instant to M. Mounier's. Don't tell me a bit about it. I respect your secrecy." But I have accidentally become possessed of a secret | through it, without hazarding a hair of your that the Government ought to know as soon as head. Cheer up, old fellow. Au revoir." possible." It was about three o'clock when Winslow left It was now Winslow's turn to look melo-me, and in appointing four as the hour of rendramatic, and he did so to perfection. It took dezvous with M. Mounier, I knew that I had him several moments to recover his breath, and not left myself sufficient time to see the former then the whole force of his astonishment came again, in the event of his returning immediately forth in one puissant word-" Diable !" to inform me of the result of his mission. speed was all my aim, and I felt sure that such a message would not be rejected. I spent the next half-hour in anxious deliberation as to how much of the story I should tell, and finally concluded to inform M. Mounier of the use which had been made of Stephanie to entrap me, thinking that the safest way to anticipate all future misconstruction in regard to her, was to give the right version of the story, omitting, however, the nature of the connection between M. Biot and Guissac, and exhibiting Stephanie's share in the matter as the mere result of compulsion on the part of her father. I resolved to say nothing regarding what I knew of her private history, and as for the coincidence of her resemblance to the Greek Artist, I laid that aside as totally irrelevant. I would make no revelation whatever without first exacting from M. Mounier a solemn promise on his own personal responsibility that no harm should come to Stephanie on account of her part in this matter. "Well, if you should see him, and he should agree to allow me an interview, where do you think he and I should meet. I don't want to go to his house; for, to tell you the truth, I am strictly watched just now. You have been so long here, you must know all the nooks and corners, and will be able to recommend some silent depth where we could confer in absolute privacy." "Yes, I guess I know a power of depths, but as for silent ones, that's a different story. If you want privacy, you must go up instead of down. Yes, by Jove, that isn't a bad idea. I'll tell you what I would do, if I were in your place. I'd fix the place of meeting on the top of the column in the Place Vendôme. You could take up a position so as to command a view of the entrance below, and in that way you could see when you had the place to yourself. "I do think it a happy notion. But perhaps M. Mounier's person is well known. I cannot tell you what a risk I run if my movements are anticipated. Could you ask him to disguise himself?" "I will. What time do you fix upon then, always supposing that I find M. Mounier at home ?" "Say four o'clock. But how shall I know him?" "That is another consideration. Suppose you fix upon a watch-word." "Very good. What shall it be then ?" "Suppose we say-let me see-something uncommon-the very thing! Iveron Stavroniketa. There will be no mistaking that, I should fancy. Poor Iveron!" "Any more of him?” "Nothing. But let us drop him just now. I'm off. But I say, my dear fellow, you'll teli me all about it after it's over, won't you?" "Yes, I promise you that." "Well, here I go; and in very deed I rather like the idea of such an employment. "Oh-just one thing before you go. If in your way you see a little man, with green spectacles and a tail-coat, and Galignani's Guide to Paris in his hand, dodge him to the best of your ability, so as not to let him see where you are bound for." "Better and better !" cried Winslow. "This is a jolly game. You'll see if I won't carry you I also resolved that After so far making up my mind, I strolled out in the direction of the Place Vendôme, doing my very best to get up, and also maintain, an air of perfect nonchalance. I lingered over the attractions of the shops, and even entered one, and made the purchase of a handsome cane, with which, on coming out again, I tried to appear vastly pleased. I felt it impossible to drive away the feeling that the public in general knew of my having a secret, and that my enemies in particular were watching my steps. Therefore, as I proceeded, I twirled my infant moustache, and switched my trowsers with the said cane, and did many other silly admiring puppy; and at length, at ten minutes things to make myself appear an empty, selfto four, I found myself at the foot of the famous column. Passing a one-armed veteran who had charge of the entrance, and depositing the usual small donation, I began the ascent, and, after something like a long, laborious nightmare, out of which I would hardly have been surprised to awake of a sudden into a new region altogether, emerged into the light of the same afternoon which I had left some ninety feet below. And there lay the great city, white and beautiful, and I thought of the many joys and the many griefs with which a thousand thousand hearts were throbbing beneath me. What a drama of class distinctions was being enacted there! What a long game it had been, and how lively yet! What a rush of history filled my mind, as I looked upon the whole Paris of the revolution ! And above me stood the great image, overlooking it all, like the genius of Satanic glory. And what an atom was an obscure man like myself! Was it possible, I thought, as I looked all around, that the destiny of the city was hanging upon a few words of mine! I felt proud for a moment. It was a November wind that was shaking the trees in the gardens of the Tuileries, and through the ever-changing lacework of their nearly naked branches, I could distinguish the white statues of gods and old heroes. I knew that that of Vindicius was there, and my pride vanished when I remembered that I was merely about to play the same part as the poor crouching slave. It was not long before I perceived a figure making directly for the little gate at the foot of the column. It was that of a gentleman in a light travelling dress and cap, having one or two books under his arm, and wearing, even as I thought from my lofty point de vue, the general air of an English traveller. I was not mistaken in his direction, as he stopped, said a word | or two to the guardian, and disappeared beneath In a short time he was beside me, but his whole appearance was so like that of a genuine tourist that I would have hesitated to address him as the expected M. Mounier. There was no hesitation on his part however. He spoke at once. me. "Are you Mr. Morley?" "I am." "I am M. Mounier. I forget that long word of recognition you fixed upon. I have just learnt from M. Winslow that you have something of importance to communicate to me." "My time is short," said M. Mounier, sharply. I repeat, your safety depends upon a circumstantial avowal of all you know regarding this accursed conspiracy." I was compelled to turn round and falter out an answer as best I could. I told of my first meeting with M. Biot; of my adventure on the night of the fete Napoleon; of my first visit to the house of M. Biot-in short, whatever I could remember in connection with the plot; omitting, however, all mention of such circumstances as bore only on Guissac's secret crime, Stephanie's history, and my own feelings towards the latter. To all this M. Mounier listened with perfect composure, nodding his head complacently at each new detail, as if it were either a repetition of what he knew already, or a confirmation of his own previous suspicions. Only once did he seem at all startled, and that was when I repeated to him the statement of M. Biot, that a Government official was one of the conspirators. At this point he turned pale, and laid his hand on my shoulder, exclaiming : "My God, is it possible! Take care, Mr. Morley," he added;" you will be required to repeat all this in the-hearing of an august personage, who will penetrate into your very motives." I assured him of the truth of what I was relating, and went on with my story. "Have you never," asked M. Mounier, when I had concluded, "heard M. Biot make any alI thought he spoke rather severely, consider-lusion to this Government agent, which might ing that I was about to oblige him. lead me to discover who he is?" "I have," I replied; "but, at the same time, I can only communicate it to you on one condition." "What is it?" "That you will become personally responsible for the safety of a young girl, who has been innocently involved in certain affairs of which I have been cognizant." "I suppose you mean the girl from the Rue de Valois du Roule, who has been staying for some time with M. Biot." I stared at him in absolute amazement, and made no reply. "You are a scholar, sir," said M. Mounier, "or, at least, from your situation you ought to be; so you will know what I mean when I say that I am only one of the eyes of an Argus. Our police are as vigilant as they used to be, and we have had our eye on the Rue de la Ferme des Maturins for some time. You have just saved yourself, Mr. Morley, by requesting this interview. But, in the mean time let me hear what you have to say, and, as you value your own safety, I charge you conceal nothing." I felt as if the great pillar on whose summit we stood was swayed to and fro like the mast of a storm-tossed bark. The height of my position and the suddenness of this revelation had conspired to make me giddy, and I clung for a few moments to the pedestal, trying to stay my thoughts by closing my eyes and pressing my forehead on the cold bronze. "Nothing beyond what I have told you.” 66 Might not one of those three gentlemen you met on your first visit to M. Biot have been he? Did any one of them speak so as to display a more than ordinary acquaintance with Government affairs?" "Nothing of the kind struck me,” said I, “in regard to any one of them. But you may easily know if the gentleman in question was among them, from their names, which were, as I have told you, M. Tartas, Count Gagini, and Sig. Pierotti." "Ah, yes; but these may have been false names, assumed only for the occasion, to deceive you. Would you favour me with a minute description of each, so far as your memory may serve you." I began to do so, and had not got far on in my description of M. Tartas, when he suddenly exclaimed: "Did he wear the ribbon of the Legion of Honour?" "He did." "Did you observe if he halted in his walk?" "I had no opportunity of making such an observation; but, now you remind me, he had his cane in the room with him-a thick ratan with a massive gold head." "I thought so," muttered M. Mounier, with a strange smile. "Is it possible that villany has been hid so long!" We were both silent for several minutes, M. Mounier leaning his back against the railing, and looking fixedly up at the giant statue, and I watching his face as if my fate hung upon his will. I at length ventured to speak. "I have now told you, sir, all I know of this business. May I now ask if I am clear of it, and what steps will be taken to ensure my own safety?" "If we could arrest them all immediately, Mr. Morley," replied he, "you would be safe enough. But you have only given me such information as might lead me to identify four of the band. Can you not remember any of the other names you saw affixed to that document?" "Not one. I have such a confused notion of a number of ini's and elli's and ano's, that I could not venture to affirm anything regarding them." "Then you see our only course is to lead them on still farther. We must have them all. Besides, I have only your word for all this. The proofs are not sufficient to condemn any of those you have mentioned. That unsigned note from M. Biot may have been written by yourself for aught I know. I believe you, I confess; but I am only a subordinate agent. Again, if these suffer, the girl must to a certain extent share in the punishment. We have no proof, as yet, that you had not really joined them through her fascinations, and that you may not even now be a recreant through fear." those who have conspired against the life of my master. Have you anything further to relate to me?" 66 Nothing." "Then farewell for the present. I will descend first. You had better wait a few minutes, in case of spies. If my person were recognized, your being seen in my company might clear you of this affair more speedily than would be agreeable to you. Adieu." So saying, M. Mounier disappeared into the winding descent, doubtless recking little of the many proud commemorations of victory that were circling around him at every step, or of the trembling heart that was beating so sadly between them and the great victor's image. BERTH A. BY MERLIN. "Would she give me vow for vow?" TENNYSON. There are two graves beneath one cypress bough- A bond that each should to the other be Between us came. Our bond forbade all talk "Can I do nothing?" I asked, horrified at his allusion to Stephanie, "to prove my willingness to serve the French government in this matter? I am willing to do anything, if only it will be accepted as the price of her safety." "You forget, sir, that you are not in a position to dictate terms for her safety, while your own is in question. I should be sorry to see the girl suffer innocently, and will use all my influence to prevent it; but in the mean time you will at once prove the truth of your statements, and secure yourself from being involved in the fate of the conspirators, by following implicitly the di- Childlike we played with toys of keenest edge, rections I am about to give you. The great And childlike knew no danger in the game, matter is to secure the person of Antonio Cas-Till, envious of our vow, the jealous God siano. Could we surprise M. Biot and him in the act of personal communication, there would need no further proof in regard to the latter. Your course, then, shall be, to act towards M. Biot as if you were still under his power, and to start at once for London when he sends you intimation to do so. You need not communicate with me any farther on the subject, and you must preserve the strictest secrecy, even towards your friend Winslow. Your departure will be noted, and Cassiano will no sooner be in Paris than his arrival will be duly reported to me by the police. You will probably be arrested along with the others; but this will be a mere form, and you will be kept separate from them during the short confinement that will ensue. Carry this out implicitly, and I will be answerable both for your safety and for that of the girl. Fail in any one particular, and both you and she must share the inevitable fate of Of love, and I perforce forbore to speak |