OUTCAST OF MILAN

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume XX, Issue 100, 20 December 1904, Page 2

OUTCAST OF MILAN

PART 7j CHAPTER XIII. NEED OF BEST. , The duke of Milan was astir earlier than usual, and by eight o'clock the prince and Hugh de Castro were with him in his closet. " This day," cried Ludovico, " shall see me amply avenged. Upon Rosabel of Bergamo I shall lay my hand with authority ; and upon that dog of an outcast I will see the seal of death fixed !" "Aye," responded the duke, "we can have no further trouble. I did fear somewhat that the princess might so far oppose us as ic have recourse to her single right of refusing a husband. This would have been % difficult matter for us; but the edict of his holiness has removed that obstacle, and this lady's consent is not material. But we will not have a large assembly at the marriage ceremony. Only those whom we can Irust shall be there. " On the morrow the marriage shall be published, and celebrated khroughout the city." " How is the maiden ?" asked de Castro. •»' As stubborn a 3 ever," replied the duke. " Not a very pleasant wife," the captah remarked, turning upon the prince a ligh smile. I "It makes little difference to me," saic ; Ludovico, with an ugly twist of the mouth. I "I become master of the castle of Bergamo > and, if my wit does not leave me, I'll shen I the lady Rosabel that I can master a refacfc • ory woman. "I pity her, if she forces you to the test,'' ! returned de Castro, with a significant nod. "So do I," rejoined the prince. "Still," he added, with considerable self-assurance, "1 do not fancy that she will put me to much trouble. Her proud spirit will soon break down when she finds that every turn will i only draw more tightly the bonds of her owe suffering. "If her spirit doesn't break," suggested ' Manfred, with one of his fiendish leers, "let i her keep the strain up till her heartbreaks. It will be as well in the end." Hugh da Castro, villain as he was, could not hear this without a shudder. He joined freely in the crusade against Vendorme, for the youthful knight had wounded hia pride; but he had no heart for exulting in the misery of the beautiful princess. Still '. he was willing to lend his aid to the accomplishment of the marriage, because whatever added to the power of the prince enhanced the value of his own station. "And now," said Ludovico, "when shall the ceremony take place ?" "It shall be as soon as the hour of audience is passed," replied the duke. "Good." Then turning to the captain the prince asked—" Have you the keys to the dungeon ?" "Yes, my lord, I brought them with me.'' "Then I will go down and see if Vendorme is dead. I would like to know." "I had thought of that very thing myself," said the duke. "Do. you go and visit the dungeon, and in the meantime I will send a messenger to the princess." Ludovico took the keys from de Castro, and when he had gone the duke sent hi* page to inform Rosabel that he would be with her as soon as he had given audience to his officers. The audience on that day was short, and when Manfred returned to his closet he found his page waiting for him. "Will the princess be ready?" "The princess is not in her apartments, my lord." "Ha—where is she?" "She is not to be found. Her attendants have searched everywhere, but without discovering the least trace of her." "She has not left the palace?" "It is feared so, my lord. Her jewels are gone; and moreover, her bed was not pressed during the night." "It cannot be!" cried Manfred. "She could not have escaped from the palace. Ii she is not in her own apartments, she must be concealed somewhere in the adjacent passes. Oho—she cannot escape so easily. I She is lurking in some dark comer. Ha—'here comes the prince." "Aye," exclaimed Ludovico, quivering from head to foot, as he strode in and stood I before his father, "it Is theprince, in a cloud 1 Let your page withdraw." The boy left the, apartment, and the duke then turned towards his son, with an explanatory gesture. "I know what you mean, Ludovico; but it will not avail. I have heard of her absence." "Of her absence! Of whom do you speak?" "Why—of the princess, to be sure. "Is she gone?" "She is missing from her chamber." t "0, holy angels guard us!" ejaculated the ,prince, wringing his hands as though he Iknew not what else to do. "I spoke not of jthe princess—l had heard nothing of her. I have been to the deep, dark dungeon, where our old enemies died, and where we left Orlando Vendorme." "And did you find him dead?" , "Dead? No! I found him not at all! ■ The place was empty. Not even a rat was I there to show me signs of life!" I "Holy Saints! No, no, Ludovico. You i trifle with me!" I "Trifle with you! I am not in a mood for trifling! Vendorme is gone!" "Merciful heavens!" gasped the duke, j "and Rosabel is gone, too! Are we both 'crazy! Are we blind! Do our senses play us false! No, no, —Vendorme could not have escaped. He could not force those ponderous doors." "Not adoor had been forced," returned the prince, "nor had a lock been harmed. I found everv bolt in its place, and every door fast." "Then some evil spirit is in arms against .us! Ha —here comes my captain. How mow, de Castro! You look troubled. What 'have you found amiss?" | "Only this, my lord," replied de Castro, closing the door behind him, and advancing into the room—"I think my fair minion, she who conveyed Vendorme to the dungeon, hath taken a sudden leave of me." 1 "What—was it Hippolita?" "Yes." "And is she gone?" "I think so.* "When? When?" "Sometime in the night." ( "Then," cried the duke, "I think we ■begin to have light. Were the keys of the passage leading to our dungeon where she could get them?" "How, my lord? Has—" "Don't stop to qrjjstion me, bub answer. ,Were those keys where she could get them?" "Yes." "Then, de Castro, your wench hath done more mischief than an army, could have ,'done. Our prisoner is gone from the dungeon, and Rosabel of Bergamo hath gone with him!" • De Castro stood like one upon whom had burst a thunderbolt.' "Gone!" he repeated, trembling when he ] tpoke. ' 'The outcast gone'." "Aye—and the princess, too," returned the duke, his tones mingling with the grating of his teeth. "De Castro, if you do not find the runaways, I'll hold you accountable ! I thought you could trust your wench. "Sol thought, my lord. Indeed, I did flic best'l could. Hippolita never deceived ! oie before. But—but—" \ " Well—but what!" "But, my lord, this work must have been [ too much for her." Her weak, foolish heart ! was not proof against sympathy for the gal- | !ant knight." | "I think-," said Ludovico, coming for- ' ward as he spoke, " that we had better | ;ease our arguments, and start in Dimmit-

C am well cbnvincecl that de Castro hath lone us no wrong willingly. If he has arred, let him make it good to us by finding that which is lost."

" I meant no accusation against our captain," said the duke; "and yet I have reason for offence. However, let us find the fugitives first, and then we may look into the other matters if we please. And de Castro, I shall not abate from my proposition. You must bring them back." " I will do my best, my lord—be assured af that."

" The first look shall be made at the ciouse of the armorer," said Ludovico. : ' We must have Michael Totilla upon the :ack ; for I am sure that Vendorme would lot have left the city without communicatng with him." De Castro shook his head.

"We must not trouble the armorer at present. We cannot approach him without sommitting ourselves ; and we are not prepared to do that. If we seek him and make inquiries touching Vendorme, we but expose our part against the knight." "The captain is right," said Manfred. "For our own safety we must move cautiously. Master Totilla, if I know him at ill, is not the man to give up his friend ; so ive should gain nothing from him. We'll leave him until another time, and make our arst inquiries of the palace guard, and then question the sentinels at the city gates." Ludovico saw the force of the reasoning, md he urged his point no further. If, upon thorough search, the fugitives were not to be found in the palace, he was willing that ie Castro should continue the work as hi pleased. As it was very evident that the three missing ones had gone together, inquiry was only made for the princess and Hippolita ; Mid very soon it was decided that they were not within the palace walls. Where next ? De Castro knew, if Hippolita had led the way with his keys, that ihe mnst have gone out by his own private passage ; so he called upon the sentinels who had been posted in the side court during the night. One of those men trembled, Mid his tongue faltered, when he met the gaze of his chief. The captain believed he bad found the delinquent, so he sent the athers away, for the purpose of questioning this fellow alone. "Hark ye, Bernardo," said de Castro, "I know what has transpired; and now if you will answer me truly, you shall be safe; but if you attempt to deceive me, your head must fall. Did nok some persons pass your post last night ?" The man trembled violently, but he could not escape the answer. "Yes, sir," he replied, sinking upon his knees, "but I could not help it." "Could not help ! What a thing of wood are you to be a soldier ! Up, and answer me. Stand up,—l have promised you your life if you asnwer truely. How was it ?" "Thus it was," said the guardsman: "Sir Orlando Vendorme made his appearance from the palace ; and as he came out so honestly, and was so famed a gentleman, I did not oppose him with force. By a wicked manceuver he got my spear away from me ; and, with his dreadful sword at my bosom, dictated his own terms. He had two companions with him—two women—and he had the key to the wicket—and I let them pass out." "Did you see the faces of those women!" "No, sir. They were covered with their mantles."

"Bernardo, you should have died at your post rather than allow such a thing. "I thought of that, sir ; but my life was sweet, and the knight would have passed all the same." , "Well, well,—l have not time to upbraid you further, but I have an offer to make. These persons must be found, and you are to help in the work. Your success will decide what more shall be done for you. Not a word of this to any living soul; but hold yourself in readiness in answer to my call." The poor soldier was glad enough to get off upon any terms, and he promised that he would do all he could towards capturing the fugitive knight. It was near noon when de Castro came to mane his report to the duke. "My lord," he said, "I have gained the clue; and I find another party mixed up in the matter. At the gate of the Saveso, some two hours past midnight, Gaspard of Saxony passed out, accompanied by one man and two females. Of course these must have been our fugitives." "Gaspardot Saxony !" muttered the duke, with a nervous quiver of the lip. "1 had my doubts of that fellow when he was here. What is he ? Who is he ?" "He professes to be a servant of that young Count of Hartburg," replied de Castro. "Yes—l know that; but 0, I wish I knew what is now hidden from me. Who, who is Theodore of Hartburg ?" "Ah, my lord, you puzzl* me beyond my power. But this is not the time for solving that question. It is very certain that Gaspard has pone off with our fugitives, and he must be found if possible. If we find his course, we shall find the course of the others."

"Right, de Castro. Into your hands I give the work. Bring back Rosabel of Bergamo ; bring back Orlando Vendorme ;—or, if you have the opportunity, kill him as you find him; and as for your girl, you may do as you please." "I shall be quickly on the road, my lord, with half a score of my best men; and if I do not fall behind my expectations, I shall bring the missing one back to you." ****** *

As the sun arose Gaspard and his party arrived within sight of a small village on the river Adda, distant some ten leagues from Milan. They had stopped upon the brow of a gentle eminence, where a soft breeze, laden with the balm of flower and shrubs, gave them sweet salute. Before them, and stretching away to the left, lay a billowy succession of fields and small vineyards, owned and cultivated by the inhabitants of the village; while upon the right flowed the river, beyond wnich a spur of the Rhetian Alps reared aloft their rocky peaks. "How is it?" asked Gaspard, turning to our hero.

"If there is safe shelter here," replied Orlando, "I cannot go further now. lam very weak, and must have rest. Still, there must be no danger. Rather than run a serious risk, I would keep on till noon."

"No, no," said Rosabel, who had been watching the knight for some time, "you cannot keep on. It would be madness to think of it. It is a miracle that you have held your saddle so long." "There is no need of going further," rejoined the Saxon. "I am acquainted in this hamlet, and if there is shelter to be found, they will find it for me.* But we will not all enter at present. I have no doubt that our enemies will come this way; and if they do, tb«y mnst not find our tracks. Do you remaX here while I go forward and make enquiries. I will not be gone long." Thus speaking, Gaspard rode away; and when he was gone Orlando slid from his saddle and lay down upon the grass. He was very weak, and he felt much pain in his head and limbs. He had endured much for one in his situation. Only a few short hours before he had been at the very gate of death from starvation, and all this labor he had endured upon the resuscitating power of a little bread and wine. Rosabel was quickly by his side, and as she brushed back his hair with her hand, she asked him if she could help him. He gazed up into her face, and, forgetful of his pain, he replied: "I am helped already. Thy sympathy, is a cordial that makes my soul strong. But you need not fear. lam only weak. Rest will cure me."

When Gaspard came back he jvas aocom-

paniccT by a man whom he introduced as his friend Marco Pazzoli. The newcomer was of middle age; of a light, active frame; dressed in the garb of a mountaineer; with a bow and quiver upon his back, and a short javelin in his hand. "This man," said Gaspard, "you need not fear to trust. He has spent his life imong the mountains, and he can take you to a place where no enemy can find you. What say you, Sir Orlando?" "1 will go with him," replied our hero, "for his face recommendeth him to my love." And as the youth spoke he struggled to his feet, and leaned against the horse; though he required help before he could reach his saddle.

"If you trust me," said the hunter, whose 3peech was frank and manly, "you will trust one who never knew what it was to betray a friend. I shall take you to the mountains, and give you shelter beneath a roof fashioned by the hand of God himself; and when you are once there you will be safe."

"I have thought this course best," explained Gaspard. "We could find shelter in the village, but we could not enter without being seen by many curious eyes, and if pursuers should happen this way, such a course might lead to trouble." "The mountain is the safest place," said Rosabel. "Let us not go to the village." "There is one thing more," pursued Gaspard. "It is the knight who needs rest; and when he is strong enough he will follow me across the Alps into Germany. But you, lady, need not remain here. A few leagues further on we will change horses, and before the setting of this day's sun you may be well into Tyrol." Rosabel did not hesitate. Turning to the hunter, she asked: "Is there room in the cavern for me?" "Yes, lady." "And for Hippolita?" "Yes."

"Then I go with Sir Orlando, for he may need a woman's nursing. When he is able to move off, I will move with him." The Saxon made no objection. "You have a kind nurse, sir knight," he said to our hero.

But Vendorme made no reply, nor did he show his face. His head was bowed, and he seemed deeply moved. Gaspard saw the emotion, and without waiting for a prolonged silence he turned again to the princess :

" Fair lady, you can go with the hunter, and you may be sure of safetj' if you are yourself careful. I have only one promise to exact from you, that is, that you will be governed by Marco's advice so far as exposing yourself to danger is concerned." "I shall be discreet," replied Rosabel.

"And you, Sir Orlando —may I not lay an injunction upon you ? I myself am as nothing, but I act for one who hath some influence, and that influence I may safely pledge in your behalf. And so I urge you thus: Go with our good Marco, and remain with him until you see me again. I will come as soon as I can."

Orlando promised that he would do so. "Only," he added, "I must judge whether accident hath befallen you. I will wait a reasonable time."

" Then all i 3 well. I haste away that [ may the sooner return." With these words Gaspard of Saxony put spurs to his horse, and was soon galloping away over the plain. Upon the edge of a sitron copse he turned and waved his hand, and in a moment more he had passed from 3ight. CHAPTER XIV. THE CAVERN. " Now, sir knight," said the hunter, "if you and the ladies are ready, we will be moving. We had better get away from here before the people from the village come this way." Orlando started to an erect posture, and for a moment he seemed like one just awakened from a dream.

" Marco Pazzoli, do you know that man ?" "Whatman?" " The one who has just left us." "Somewhat, sir." " Do you know his master?" "I have seen him."

" I mean the boy Theodore." " Aye—it was of him I spoke. I have seen him, but beyond that I know no more than you do. And now let us be moving. If you have further questions to ask, I will wiswer them whea we have reached our destination."

" You are right," responded Orlando, gathering up hia rein. "We are ready to follow."

The hunter led the way down to the river, to a place where the water was shallow across a bed of solid rock, and where the horses forded the stream without difficulty. In a little while he struck into a narrow path, which wound around among rocks and trees, wd which no one unacquainted with its abrupt sinuosities could poasiblyhave followed. By and by they began to ascend a steep, rough acclivity, with the same torturous winding of path, until finally the guide stopped in a narrow defile. The way seemed to be straight on, as the road opened wide and clear in that direction, but he had a different route. Turning to the right, he crowded through a mass of shrubbery and tangled vines, and a little further on the mouth of a oavern was presented to view. "There," he said, as the party drew up before the entrance, "I do not believe that a, stranger could find this place. And, what is more* I think that even you, sir knight, were you carried back to the river's bank, could not find your way up here again." "You are safe in your opinion," replied Orlando. "But I suppose there are others who know of this cavern?"

"For ten years," replied the hunter, "I have found shelter here when passing my nights in the mountains, and three of my brothers share the secret with me; but during that time it has not, to my knowledge, been visited by any one else. Yet, before I found it, it had been used as a human habitation, but I think its former occupants have long since passed from earth. We may leave our horses here in safety, for they cannot wander far away." Thus speaking Marco dismounted, and when he had assisted the others from their saddles, he led the way into the cave. For % short distance they proceeded in a stooping posture, but soon the way grew higher and broader, until at length they emerged into a spacious vaulted apartment, which was lighted from an aperture in the roof. Leading from this were several smaller apartments, where beds were set upon frames of wood, and where were various other articles of furniture. It was a comfortable habitation, and the fugitives seemed to breathe more freely as they found themselves within the ample protection of its massive walls. "I think," said Orlando, resting his hand upon the hunter's arm, "that I must betake myself to one of the couches." He trembled as he spoke, and seemed ready to sink from weakness, and he might have sank had not Pazzoli snpported him. "Upon my life, sir knight, you are well nigh exhausted. You could not have ridden much further. But you shall have rest and nourishment, and if that can help you, all may yet be well." He led the youth into one of the smaller apartments, where a comfortable bed was already prepared, and having helped him to remove his outer garments, ho brought wine and a few dried dates, after which Orlando lay down, and was very soon asleep. When the hunter returned to the main cave, he announced to the females that he was to be their cook and their servant.

"I promised Gaspard," said he, "that I would make you as comfortable as possible" "First," interrupted Rosabel, with a show of anxiety, "tell me how is it with Sir Orlaudo?"

"You need not fear for him," repliec Marco, "He is sleenineaouudly. and whet

ho wakes he will 'be'muoli Improved. Ani for you, ladies, I have some broad and meal in my pannier, and there is wine and watei in the cave. As soon as I have preparec your breakfast, I will return to the towi and procure milk and fruit, and also brlnj some other little articles of comfort."

It was a grateful meal which the hunte) provided, and as soon as the girls had eatei they retired to places of rest which had beei pointed out to them. And so, at the hou] of noon, when Marco Pazzoli started dowi the mountain upon his errand to the village he left his charges all fast asleep. Just as the last rays of daylight were fad ing in the distant horizon, the hunter enter ed the cavern upon his return, and the soun< of his footfall aroused Rosabel and Hippolita who had slept soundly until now, but Ven dorine did not awake.

"He may be ill," said the princess. "I think not," returned Marco. "He il sleeping off a prostrating fatigue." "But—he should have awakened by thii time, sir."

"Nay, lady," said the hunter, shakinj his head, and yet allowing a light smile t( creep around the corners of his mouth, "i fancy you would not have been yet awaki had not my entrance aroußed you." "But the knight slept before I did, sir." "Not long, lady; and moreover, yot must remember that he was more in need of sleep than you were." As the princess made no reply to this, Marco proceeded to make preparations fo; supper. But Rosabel was not easy. Shi sat awhile and watched the movements a her cavern host, and then arose and tool one of the candles which he had lighted With a noiseless tread she approached th< apartments where the knight lay, and ai noiselessly did she enter. She was carefu to make no sound which might disturb th< sleeper, but she forgot her candle, and as iti rays fell upon the knight's face, he awoke. " Help ! help !" he groaned, struggling t< free himself from the clothing. Impulsively the maiden started to his side, and tenderly brushed the raven locki from his brow.

" You are safe," she said. "Do you na know where you are ?" He raised his head, and as he gazed upoi the beautiful face that bent over him, h< seemed to recover his senses.

" Lady Rosabel! Ah—l remember. Wi are in the cave. Gaspard of Saxon] brought us hither." As he spoke he raised himself to a sitting posture, and presently he stood erect. " Are you better, sir ?"

"Much better, lady. My head is mon steady. I think food would help me now." " It was for that I came," returned Rosa bel. "It is now evening, and our host ii preparing supper. Will you join us ?" " Aye, most willingly." And he walked out with her, leaninj upon her arm. The meal was a nourishing one, and when Orlando arose from the board he felt verj much like his old self. His head ached n« more, and he could stand without difficulty But he was not strong. He walked a fev times up and down the large cave, and thei shook his head as he sank upon a seat. " I need more rest," he said with a smile " but there is nothing beyond that. A few days will restore to me my strength."

"Let that be your only care," returnee the hunter. "If you will look to youi health, I will attend to the other wants." At any early hour the knight agaix sought his couch, and shortly afterwards Rosabel and Hippolita followed his example. It was on this evening, after they had retired, that Hippolita begged of the princess that she would never tell Vendorme how she had worked against him. " I did not realize what I was doing," she urged. "I knew not how to disobey my master, and 1 followed his directions with fear and trembling. And yet—O, yet, lady, had I known what was intended—had ] known the fate to which the young hero had been doomed—l could not, I would not, have done as I did. 0, I hope and pray that he may never know all. Let the last act make recompense for the first." " Rest easy, Hippolita," replied the prin cess, placing her hand kindly upon the girl'3 head. "Sir Orlando shall not know that you were ever led to work knowingly against him. If you are true and faithful henceforth, he shall only bless you for tha service you have rendered him. And, furthermore, in promising this I am not departing from my own choice ; for, truly, I think both the knight and myself owe you much. And so, we will be friends."

Hippolita went to sleep with the name ol the princess, mingled with blessings, upon her lips. On the following day, Orlando was strong enough to walk without fatigue ; and by the time the shades of night gathered over the mountain again, he felt almost as well as ever.

Another morning came, and when the knight arose from the table, he smote his hand upon his breast until the cavern resounded with the echoes of the blows.

" I am myself once more," he said ; " and am ready now for work. When will Gaspard return ?" "In a few days," replied Marco; "and perhaps sooner. He may be here to-mor-row. However, you will wait till he returns."

" I don't know about that." " I think it will be be«t." Our hero had no desire to dispute or argua with his kind host, so he walked away to the entrance, and did not come back until the board had been cleared.

During that forenoon Orlando did not once speak with the princess, but walked apart by himself. After dinner, however he approached her, as she eat alone. "Lady," he said, his voice trembling as he spoke, "I should esteem it a privilege if you would grant me a few moments of your time."

"As many moments as you desire, sir," she replied. "I would ask you a few questions." "I will answer them to the best of my ability. But first, sir, will you be seated?' He sat down by her side, and after a little hesitation proceeded: "First, lady, I think that Hippolita was deceived by those who sent her to my shop. I know y/m have already made some explanation of this; but my poor head was in such a whirl at the time that I may not have understood it."

"She was instructed to tell you a falsehood, sir," replied Rosabel. "I had no knowledge of her errand at the time." "So I thought. And she it was who first conceived the idea of setting me free?" "Yes, sir; for she alone, of all who were willing to befriendme, knewof your danger." "And you, lady, knowing that she purposed to open my prison door, took advantage of the occasion for your own escape ?" "You do not put the question fairly, sir. The event resulted in my escape; but my escape was not the prime object. Hippolita, when she found to what a dreadful late she had been instrumental in leading you, resolved to set you free if she could; but she could not do this without my assistance. She sought me, and I helped her." Orlando bowed his head, and after a little he resumed:

"And thus, lady, we are both escApeq !rom Milan. As for myself, I am as t ivanderer upon the desert. Whither mj feet shall turn when I leave thiß place I de not know. If I can serve you, you may com: oiandme. If I can aid you, lam as you) slave. You have but to speak."

Rosabel was silent. "Perhaps," continued the knight, "yoi have your course marked out—you havt friends whom you will seek?" The princess had been sitting for som« time with her eyes bent upon the rock at her feet. She raised her head, and aftei gazing for a moment into her companion'l face, she said, in a low, tremulous tonei J'l was young rny Jathjr djedj an. 4

the duluj o! Milan was mldd gatifdhm ovoi taa. From that timo 1 have bcon so com pletely under tho central of tho tyrant tha" I have had no opportunity to make m&nj friends in tho outer world. When the dread ful marriage with Ludovico wfta urged upot uio, I began to look about for help. Mi thoughts turned first to Bergamo, but J knew not whom I could trust thoro; fo: those who held stations of authority woul< not dare to orosa the path of the duke. Ii every direction J turned my attention, bu' tho needed help I could not find. Miutll;| the dark day was close upon mo, and m] whole future of joy or sorrow hung upon th; chances of an hour, It was in that hour ', met you. I need not recount what thot passed. My scheme of redemption failed and I was cast back upon the mercy of tin tyrant; while you, for having triod to hell me, were banished from your native city. "Aye, lady—l remember all that." "Again," pursued Rosabel, "was th< dreadful fate upon mo. On the very evening when Hippolita came to me, the duke ha< been before her, and informed me that I wai to wed with his son on tho next day; and furthermore, he showed to me an edict fron the Pope of Rome, ordering the marriage, s< that even my power to give up my propert] to the church, and enter a convent, wai taken from me. In an unexpected momen' the opportunity presented itself of escape with you. What followed I need not tell I can only say—we are here, and whithoi next my feet shall tend I know not." There was a palpable tremor in the knight's frame, but he had nerved himself for thi task, and he was determined to go on to th< end.

"Lady," he said, "I remember very well what has transpired, even to the words tha' have been spoken; but I cannot forget thai you have been acting under powerful extraneous influences. You came to me firsl for help; you came helpless—defenceless and the words which you then spoke wen spoken under circumstances over which yor had no control. In short, I dare not pre sume upon the past. But now, lady, we ar* free. Ere long the Saxon will return to con duct us away. If it be your wish—" "Say on, sir?' "I was about to say—if it be your wis! that our paths should henceforth diverge you have but to speak." "Nay, sir," said Rosabel; "you have n( right to put that duty upon me." "But I must put it upon vou." "Why so?" "Because, if tho choice were left with ma the word would never be spoken. Pardoi me if I offend." "What word would never be spoken?" "The word of separation between thee and me." Rosabel of Bergamo placed her hand with in Orlando's embrace.and looking up into his face she said: "As I once told thee beneath the roof o: thy lowly shop, so now I tell thee again—tell thee when I am free to act as I please.' * * * * * * Half an hour afterwards the~princess called her attendant. "Hippolita," she said, holding our here by the hand as she spoke, "that you maj know the full meaning of all you see anc hear, and be thus enabled to serve me mor< I have thought it fit that you should betaken fully into my confidence. Know, then, that to this gentleman mj heart is given, and my hand is pledged." To Be Continued.