ing of the third day, that, as he and Jeanne were together, a page entered his chamber, to announce that Count Otho of Burgundy desired an interview with him. There were few persons with whom he would, at that moment, willingly have conversed, and Otho certainly was not one of that few. He knew not what reply to give, he felt uncertain, and turned to the Countess, as if for counsel.

"Please you, my good Lord," said the boy, perceiving him hesitate "Count Otho saith, he will not be denied; that his business is peremptory, and, that though it will not occupy great space of time, it admitteth not of delay."

At this very instant, Otho himself, tired of the length of time he had been detained, and, perhaps, unable to wait longer, appeared at the door. His manner and appearance were hurried, and he was evidently the bearer of tidings concerning some matter, for the event of which he was much interested.

He took upon himself to motion the page from the room; haste, and the nature of his business, seemed to warrant this; then, having made a

low but hurried obeisance to the Countess, he

went up to Robert, and took him by the hand.

Seigneur," he said, "there are, perhaps, some, who, angered at an attempt to drive them from their lands, would trouble them but little with the injuries done to the claimant.-Nay, Seigneur, start not!-I but prelude this to let you see that Otho is not of their number;-and now let us quit the subject, for time chaseth us sadly."

"How!" replied Robert.

"You have not seen the King since that fatal day?"

"Fatal indeed!” replied Robert, with a slight smile of shame and displeasure." No, Seigneur, my foot hath not since then passed the threshold of these chambers."

"And you know not what since hath happened?-Philip's anger against you exceeded all bounds.-Louis of Flanders hath been ever with him."

"Ay! so much learned I from my good friend the Abbot."

"But you have not heard—yet first, Seigneur,

those signatures are false-your grandsire did not write them.-But sure as I am of this, so sure also am I that you are not the forger.-I know not who devised the plot-but some plot there is, methinks I have a clue to guide me in my search but of this in future time. At present to the point. This morning Devion died, from the effects of the torture she endured.In her last moments, so, at least, it is reported, she repeated her confession of Saturday, and added to it other matter, the nature of which hath not yet reached me.-I know not what it was,-howbeit this I know,-the King deemeth it of such high import, that 'tis resolved to have you arraigned of treason, and tried before your peers. He hath already issued commands to that effect. The Prothonotary hath been employed in drawing up the order for your arrest."

"Ha! in sooth, hath he so? And thinketh Philip I will tamely wait to be entrapped,-then trampled on.-Ungrateful man! Thanks! but what are my poor thanks to such as you, most generous Otho!" said Robert, embracing him.

"What are they worth to one whose high reward is in his own high thoughts! Jeanne! thy brother's folly will, I fear me, drag—Tut!— I am too nobly born, too proudly placed, too firmly seated in the people's favour, to be handled thus! What! Baptiste! Ho!"

"Oh! d'Artois!" replied Otho, “leave such thoughts; your influence with the people is well known. Whether 'twas foreseen that you would use their favour to this end, or it was accident, I guess not; but some Flemish troops, arriving yesternight in Paris, are now garrisoning the Louvre, and stationed in every avenue and corner near the Palace. These, together with the King's body guards, are sufficient to keep an unarmed multitude at bay, should they rise to succour you."

"Then will I gather mine own vassals,

and"

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Long ere they be ready for the field, they'll want a leader. In less than five hours hence, the mandate of arrest is to be issued. Ere this, indeed, it had been done, but happily De Creci

has left Paris; and his signature being necessary, the King was forced to wait for his return. He hath sent for him."

D'Artois turned aside with impatience, and struck his heel against the floor.

"You must escape from Paris, and that instantly!—this night-this very night!" "Escape from Paris! I escape-I flee!"

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Ay! you must cede to force. Let the King's rage ferment and boil till its own violence hath destroyed itself; then may your partisans have hope to serve you. As yet, 'twere useless to address him."

"Oh yes, Robert, yes," exclaimed the Countess, now joining her supplications to Otho's counsel." Thou must flee, in sooth thou must, dear Robert. More anxious am I now to get thee hence, than I once was to keep thee here. Haste hence, and when I think that thou hast

*Before a Peer of the realm of France could be arrested, it was necessary that many formalities should be observed. One of which was the signature of the King's mandate by a certain number of the fellow Peers of the arraigned, and most particularly by the Grand Constable.