suspected her of the fact, so thoroughly did she contrive always to conceal her own thoughts. Chameleon-like, she seemed as though she could take any shape she pleased; and to adapt herself to those around her was her constant and serious study. By these means, although she never rendered a service, yet all her associates accounted her their friend. A sort of universal popularity was the reward of her incessant toil: the confidence of the Queen towards her was almost, unbounded; yet a close observer of the human countenance might not so implicitly have trusted her.

The face of Beatrix had a very singular expression. Her eyes were large and round; but there was a restlessness in their light that was unpleasing; they were almost black eyes, and yet they sometimes looked golden. The eyebrows were straight, and nearly met in front; her forehead was broad,

nc w: ter DR SL and well irnei: mi Sec. of the most dazzling Wireless ver seen Jene her short and survei meer in. wegh a slight depression of the urners of the mouth pire a smrtar expression to this otherwise Candsome due. It was impossible Du to book Tree : but the second book was not as satisfactory as the first. Her frie could scarcely be called good, for ber thrus was considerably too short, and she was threatened with, to her the direst of calamities, the danger of growing too fat. Nevertheless, in the eyes of Beatrix herself no perfection could equal that of her whole person; and, as her ambition was as great as her vanity, all her energies were devoted to the realization of some scheme by which her interests might be solidly secured.

Beatrix was poor, and her soul idolized riches. She was an orphan, and an only

child, and was unsupported by family ties. A rich marriage therefore was her only hope; but at the court of Eleanor, few men sought for wives ;-unless bribery could effect it, there seemed little chance that love should work the miracle she sought. The love of place and power she well knew was inherent in the breast of many a brave knight whose lips breathed only chivalry and devotion. Influence at court therefore was to her the master-key by which she hoped many a hard heart could be unlocked.

To acquire this influence at the court of Henry was by no means easy to one of her sex. The King had hitherto been totally inaccessible; and, apparently indifferent to female charms, he spent little of his time in the society of the Queen and her ladies; and the violent and uncertain temper of Eleanor made it difficult for any one ever to be sure of leading her as they

chose. Years of close study had, however, so completely unveiled the nature of the Queen to her companion, that she acquired the art of managing her, without even engendering a suspicion on her part. The patience, perseverance, and industry she had used, the humiliations and privations she had endured, were incalculable. At length, the wily Beatrix had her reward; she felt that one of her prime objects was attained, and that she thoroughly knew the Queen. It was a difficult task thus to follow a mind which had so many turnings and windings that it could scarcely have recognised itself; but Beatrix had hitherto steadily worked out her plan, and became so necessary to Eleanor that they were never many hours apart.

By a strange fatality, another link existed between them. Both were secretly, but violently, attached to the same person. The Queen, however, being in utter ignorance

as to the sentiments of her friend, Beatrix obtained an immense advantage over her royal mistress. As yet, however, neither had succeeded in captivating the affections of the object of their mutual adoration, the fair-haired and blue-eyed Etienne de Blois. The stern beauty of Eleanor, and the more eastern-looking charms of Beatrix appeared to be equally unattractive to him. The Count Etienne was son of the Count de Blois, who had so much distinguished himself in the first Crusade: but the sense and merit of the father had not descended as heir-looms..

The young Count Etienne might be brave in the common acceptation of the word-most gentlemen are brave. He would follow his sovereign to battle, or risk his person at the tournament or the chase; but bravery of soul he had none; and to carve out a line of distinc

tion by his sword, or by his pen, or by