Part 25 (1/2)

Then this woe of honour to the Ereat wealth, a young Hungarian noblewo Such was his dislike of their ht deformity, that for four or five years he shaeon-keep, allowing her daily the re diet possible

”When, some few days since, the royal stewards appeared in front of the moat, and claimed admittance, the Count was ht that all was discovered, and that he was going to suffer for it It was not until the King and Queen came that he was reassured, and he has not been able to hide his embarrassment froe?” I asked the old wo Baron,” she answered, ”is at Vienna or Ohnutz, at an acadeirl, has been in a convent from her childhood; the nuns have promised to keep her there, and as soon as she is fourteen, she will take the veil”

My first i revelations, but it soon struck me that, to tackle a man of such i I at once senthis Majesty to return, but giving no reason for my request He came back immediately, post-haste, when the housekeeper repeated to hi could hardly believe his ears

When co to a decision, his Majesty never does so precipitately He paced up and down the room twice or thrice, and then said to ular nature; I am unacquainted with law, and what I propose to do may one day serve as an example It is my duty to rescue our unfortunate hostess, and requite her nobly for her hospitality”

So saying, he sent for the Count, and assu a careless, almost jocular air, thus addressed hie to the Empress Eleanor, I believe, M le Bleink-Elmeink?”

”Yes, Sire”

”She is dead, but the Enise you, would he not?”

”I iht of you as a likely person to be the bearer of aneeded, and of grave, secretive te in readiness, as I intend to send you as courier to his I to write to hi me back his reply toto the Count, but his youth and perfect health allowed hied to pack his valise and start He pretended to look pleased and acquiescent, but in his eyes I could detect fury and despair

Half an hour after his departure, the King had the drawbridge raised, and then went to infor

”Mada in this unfortunate lady's nuptial bed She is now about to be presented to you I ask that you will receive her kindly, and afterwards act as her protector, should anything happen to me”

Tears filled the Queen's eyes, and she treeon, and in default of a key, broke open all the gates In a few uards, entered the Queen's presence, and was about to fling herself at her feet; but the King prevented this He himself placed her in an are semicircle round her

She see without being able to utter a word At, length she said to the King in fairly good French, ”May reat and unexpected boon! Do not forsake me, Sire, now that you have broken ainst the unjust violence of my husband; and permit me to reside in France in whatever convent it please you to choose My august liberator shall beco, and under his rule I desire to live and die”

In spite of her sorrow, Madaht or thirty years old Her large blue eyes, though she had wept, h-bred features denoted nobility and beauty of soul To such a charure scarcely corresponded; one side of her was slightly deforrace of her attitude when seated, nor her agreeable deportment

Directly she saw her, the Queen liked her She looked half longingly at the Countess, and then rising approached her and held out her hand to be kissed, saying, ”I mean to love you as if you were one of my own family; you shall be placed at Val-de-Grace, and I will often co herself somewhat, the Countess sank on her knees and kissed the Queen's hand in a transport of joy We, led her to her room, where she took a little refresh day All her servants and gardeners caladness at her deliverance; and in order to keep her company, the Queen decided to stay another week at the castle The Countess then set out for Paris, and it was arranged that she should have the apartland

As for her dreadful husband, the King gave hiood long while

CHAPTER LVII

The Silver Chandelier--The King Holds the Ladder--The Young Dutchh so when the courtiers had not yet made their appearance, and when carpenters and work his work done

The King noticed a work tiptoe on a double ladder, and reaching up to unhook a large chandelier fro