The Aberystwith Observer

ADRIENNE; out THE SHADOW OF THE PAST. [ALL RIGHTS HESEBVED.J CHAPTER XIL EADY was the last one to leave the room, and she turned the key in the lock and this time put it in her Pocket while she regarded Adrienne in silent amaze- ment. M. Lecour witnessed the action, and drily Said- Restore the key to its usual place, Jackdaw. In future it will be useful to this wilful girl as she will Please you of much of your attendance on our helpless guest. u, It I aint above attendin' to my own business," said Eadr, sturdily, and I aint gwine to put no sich service on my young mistis." "The menial service you most still perform, of bourse; but Adrienne will necessarily become the companion of many of the vacant hours of the poor It is well for him, perhaps, that she came either, but not so well for herself, for she will find it put a weary burden to find amusement for a poor 1Dlbecile like Prince Louis." If I can brighten his life, I am willing to under- age it," replied Adrienne, with aa expression of sin- P^ty which brought a satirical smile to the lips of 14. Lecour. He paused in the lower hall, and laid aSIde his crimson robe and his wand of office. Eady took charge of them, and turning to Adrienne, he sternly said— II Come with me and hear the history your dis- obedience has compelled me to confide to you." Adrienne followed with alactrity, for she was yet in a state of amazement at the extraordinary nature of the morning's revelation. M. Lecour closed the door behind them, pointed to a seat, and threw himself into a large arm chair. After a few moments of moody thought he aroused himself and said— I have been meditating on the possibility of in- sisting to you the sad secret of this house, made- moiselle, and therefore your rash act escapes the anger it would otherwise have aroused. The presence of Louis beneath this roof could not long have been kept 11 secret from you, at any rate." And is this really and truly the son of the un- fortunate Marie Antoinette ? How, then, has all Prance been deceived into the belief that he perished from the effects of the ill-treatment he received ?" "That was managed easily enough. A boy suffer- 9 from the same disease, which had almost run its course, was sought for and found in one of the public hospitals. While he took the place of Louis of France, the young prince was secretly removed to Marseilles, placed on a vessel bound for New Orleans. While his substitute breathed his last Louis was conveyed from his native land for ever." And why was this done?" To remove an imbecile from the path of his uncle, Who will yet rule France as Louis XVIIL" And you ? — what led you to undertake this Charge, rtion pere 1" A scornful smile wreathed his lip as he replied- It will doubtless shock you to hear that money was the inducement. A large bribe and a munificent Annuity were my rewards for the service." And how was it that you were the agent selected carry out their plans ?" "I am quite willing to tell you why I assumed this »!• involves a portion of my previous ™story. I was one of the fiercest of those democrats J*ho called for the blood of the Austrian woman and her facile husband. I was once the friend of Danton I possessed his confidence, and but for my counsels the massacres of September had never deluged the Itreets of P^ris with blood. Yes-I glory in the re- membrance of those tlays-the aristocrats fell beneath Jhe knife of the guillotine, and I do not regret my part hi the grand tragedy." He arose, threw his arms aloft, and walked to and "o in an excited manner. He laughed aloud as he Stopped suddenly in front of Adrienne, and said— You are shocked-you are amazed you feel Very much like the child in the fairy tale when she found herself in the den of the ogre. Yes, I am your ogre." No, mon ptre, I am not afraid of you, for I do 110t believe that you would "wilfully harm me; but I am terrified at this unlooked-for revelation." M. Lecour regarded her with grim composure, and tbere-Vras horrible sarcasm in the icy tones of his voice as he replied- Might makes right,' says the old adage. I am a Dad man, mademoiselle; a fatal man, but I am no I stand before you in my true colours, listen to what further I have to reveal to you." Adrienne bowed submissively, and he went on: "I stirred up the masses against the king. His head *ell, but the vengeance of the people was still un- satisfied the true curse of France lived in the Austrian Woman, on whose head I charged all the evils of her Vacillating husband's reign. On her trial, for the first time was I brought face *0 face with this royal heroine, and I felt that a truly peat soul inhabited that delicate woman's body. My feelings underwent a strange revulsion as I looked Upon the worn face. the hair silvered by anguish, and Witnessed the simple dignity with which she repelled the insults heaped upon the daughter of the Cnesars. amid its darkest epochs the world has witnessed 110 such scene as that! A crowned queen of the greatest nation on earth arraigned as a common Criminal! her purity insulted, her dignity outraged, by lawless mob that claimed to be her judges! All the enormity of the crime we were about to Perpetrate flashed suddenly upon me. It came as a •evelation from another world, and I do not pretend to account for the sudden revulsion my feelings under- went. I felt that I must speak in her defence, or die. ventured to address the raging mob whose passions I had helped to arouse, and I faltered something which meant that armed men should find better employment than making war on a defenceless woman. Those few Words nearly cost me my life. The human tigers had feasted on blood too long to give up their victim, and a howl of rage was the reply I received. They would have thrown themselves upon me, and hurled me, too, to destruction if I had not at once retracted my feeble effort at defence. I was compelled to show that I was eager for the destruction of the unfortunate woman before the tribunal. They demanded of me a speech Setting forth her crimes against the dignity of the tealm over which she had reigrnrd. and I was base enough to obey the command. With reckless eloquence I gummed up all the evil deeds of which she was ac- cused, and asked death as their penalty. With ap- plauding cries, and clapping of hands, the sentence was pronounced. I looked but once at that fallen majesty. She stood calm and unmoved after all the horrors to which she had been subjected, the repose of the grave was evidently welcome. I saw it in the com- Posed resignation of her face; I read it in the deep sadness of her eyes. Oh! then I could have kneeled before her, and prayed for pardon for all the wrong I knew that I had done her; but it was too late-too "bite The evil was accomplished, and I was powerless to aid or save Ah, child do not expect that I shall attempt to Clear myself from the stain of blood. No; it clings to me for ever-it blights my days, and renders night terrible to me. Its curse is your heritage, as it has been my punishment, for the evil I aided to ac- complish Adrienne shivered and grew pale, but M. Lecour "Went on, apparently regardless of her emotion I asked to stand sentinel over Marie Antoinette I during the last night she was to spend on earth. I had Sufficient interest to secure this favour, and I watched her without ceasing throughout its dreary hours. I saw her prepare her death toilette from the meagre and Wretched materials in her possession. Look' behold the Queen of France, in the cell whose very atmosphere was heavy with the sighs of those who had preceded her in its narrow limits." He approached the picture which stood upon his easel, swept aside the curtain that hung over it, and pointed to the stately figure of the fallen queen. Tears rushed into Adrienne's eyes as she beheld the noble face, and silver hair-the delicate hands engaged in repairing her shoes for the last service that would be required of them. M. Lecour went on in a more subdued tone- I ventured to approach her, and said, in a guarded tone— I Citizeness, I would have saved you to-day, but the mob was too strong for nae. I spoke against you, 1 but I did it unwillingly. I would atone for the wrongs I have done you by any service you may claim, which it is possib!e for me to render.' She looked up with an expression of surprise, and steadily regarded me for a few moments. I do not what she read in my face, but she seemed moved as she replied- I have now but one earthly care-my children. They will be barbarously treated, perhaps destroyed. If you can do so, save the heir of France; take my forgiveness for any evil you have ever done to me, if you will befriend my helpless darlings.' I swear to do so to tile beefc ef my ability,' I replied; and I endeavoured to redeem that pledge. It was long-long before I had the power to do so. Danton, my patron, fell, and I was involved in his ruin. I was forced to live in concealment, and, in my turn, I endured1 all the horrors of the fugitive whose life is haunted by the remorseless bloodhounds of a sanguinary mob. The reign of Terror slowly passed away; a new era dawned upon the country whose soil was deluged by the blood shed in the name of liberty. I came forth from my hiding-pljtce, and sought the means of fulfilling my propflse to the hapless Marie Antoinette. Her son was removed from the power of the vile shoe maker, who had wrecked both mind and body by the unparalleled ill-treatment he had inflicted on the unfortunate child. I found him under the care of respectable people, who endeavoured to restore him to health and happiness. I sought the post of atten- dant upon him, and as I had some knowledge uf medicine, the physician who waited on him, employed me to carry out his system of treatment more in- telligently than an ordinary nurse could have done. The htalth of Louis slowly improved, but his dulled intellect never brightened. He could be taught to repeat a form of words, but they conveyed no ideas to his vacant mind. I soon saw that the mischief was irremediable. A sprightly, intelligent child had been slowly tortured into semi-idiocy. It This conviction had scarcely fixed itself upon my mind when an agent from the Comte d'Artois nought me and proposed to me to remove the unfortunate boy from his path, when a way seemed opening to him to ascend his brother's throne. Enough-I was suc- cessful; but I warn you against betraying your knowledge of these facts, for if Father Eustace dis- covers the presence of the prince beneath my roof, it will cause evil to many." Adrienne started, and listened with even deeper in- terest than before. She endeavoured to conceal her emotion by asking: Why have you thought it necessary to surround the unfortunate youth with the outward semblance of royal state-to imbue his mind with the idea that he is really king?" Ah! that is the revenge my cynical pride induced meto take upon royalty degraded in his poor imbecile person. I am a republican still—a rabid one if you will-and it amuses me to make this wretched creature, dethroned of reason as well as of power, play the part of the roi faineant. It can do no harm to any one, and what was at first a jest has now become a habit and a necessity to the poor imbecile. If he were deprived of the empty state in which he lives, Louis would pine away and die. I should lose my annuity, and the power I possess over certain persons in Europe, to whom the re-appearance of this poor lad on the political arena would be fataL It is even said that a project has been formed to proclaim Louis king, with Buonaparte as military dictator. The little Corsican can do better than that, as he will soon prove by seizing Imperial power. I am far away from France, but am kept well informed of what is passing there, and I can dispassionately judge of the march of events. I am talking to you, child, as if you can comprehend all these affairs. Go--leave me; I have talked too much already. Take your new task upon yourself to-day, and be wary of the priest, if he should attempt to communicate with you." CHAPTER Xin. M. LECOUR imperatively motioned to Adrienne to leave him, and she rose to obey, asking How am I to comply with the prince's wish with reference to my dress, mon fire ? I have only two robes, an d both are black." "True; that must be remedied. There are loads of finery in the house, that once belonged to Madame Lecour. She was most extravagant in her toilette, and her figure was not unlike yours. Tell Eady to open some of her hoards, and deck yourself according to your fancy. I care nothing for the wardrobe which has so long lain useless, and you can take un- limited possession." With many thanks, Adrienne turned to leave him, but M. Lecour suddenly barred her egress from the door, and sternly asked: Do you comprehend the vital importance of the secret imparted to yow, Adrienne P Will you defend it, even at the risk of your life ? Ay, even if that wily priest tells you that your future salvation de- pends up an your faithfulness to the trust reposed in you, will you be true to it ?" This question placed Adrienne in a cruel dilemma, but the natural uprightness of her character showed her clearly that to tllis old man she owed her first allegiance, even if the other was her father; for M. Lecour had given her shelter beneath his roof, however grudgingly it had been done, and her whole soul re- coiled from the idea of domestic treachery. The would. guard his secret faithfully, and she firmly replied- I fully comprehend the weight of the trust reposed in me, and I promise fidelity, even unto death.' M. Lecour regarded her face with a look of intense scrutiny, before he replied- "I believe you, child. I believe you are of the true metal, and I am not afraid of treachery on your part." Thank you for that, man p&re. I will surely prove myself worthy of your confidence." Adrienne left the room, and M. Lecour regarded the portrait of Marie Antoinette with an expression of mixed fear and awe, as he muttered- •' Enlighten me, oh, royal shadow, as to the course to be pursued in this crisis. Will it be best to keep him here in his seclusion, or permit him to become the puppet of another's ambition ? SpEak! Your sad lips have before unclosed to threaten or to warn. Why should they be silent now ?" He bent his head in a listening attitude, and watched the sad face; but to-day it was motionless-the effects of the Indian drug had died out in his veins, and the hallucination did not come at his command. Silent!" he exclaimed. Then I may follow my own will; so ho for France, and royal state! I accept the Corsican's offer, and swear vendetta against him i! he plays me false Adrienne went at once to the domains of the negress, and without preamble informed her of the permission given by M. Lecour to ohoose from the wardrobe of his late wif9 such attire as might suit her fancy. f:be old woman regarded her with even more intense amazement than she had manifested during the scene in the apartment of the prince. She rolled up her eyes till the whites were alone visible, and said— I 'clar' to Moses, you mus'have desarpint's power to fascerete folks. Give you my missuses' finery, mus' I ? I only hopes you'll be 'lowed to wear it in peace What do you mean ? Who is to interfere with my wearing them, since my grandfather has given me permission to do so P" Eady regarded her with a singular expression, as she said, in a suppressed tone- S'posen de ghose was to take it in her head to claim 'em, what den? You saw her put on de bridal dresses, an' why shan't she choose to put on some o' de res' ? Dey all b'longed to her onst." Ah! you admit the reality of that scene, then?" said Adrienne, aroused to vivid interest. Phantoms do not put on real garments, Eady, and that white- haired woman was no more a ghost than is the prince upstairs. You see, I have penetrated the secret of his presence beneath this roof, and it will be to your best interest to take me into your confidence respect- ing the mysterious presence in my room last night." Eady shook her head ominously- Our perlosofy don't teach us all de tings what goes on in hebben, or on yeth,fas I heard my olo marster read outen a book onst; an' it sounded mighty gran'! It was from a play, whare a sure 'nuff ghose comes to tell his son dat his brother have murdered him. Ef a ghose comes to dat young man, why carnt a ghose come agin, I axes yer, young mistis ? An' I tell you, taint no use to come after me to tell you nothin', caze I don't know nothin' to tell." With these words, Eady assumed an expression of dogged obstinacy, and Adrienne saw it would be useless to question her furrier. With the resolution to use her own eyes and senses to fathom the secret of the sable housekeeper, she silently followed her to her own chamber. Eady produced the key of the armoire, and un- locked the door next to the window. A row of shelves was before Adrienne, filled with linen bags, each one of which was found to contain an elegant and expensive dress. They were made in the fashion of a past day, but that mattered little in the out-of- way place in which they were to be worn. The voluminous skirts, pointed waists, sleeves tight to the elbow, with deep falls of fine lace, showed that many years had passed away since the mantua-maker's art had fashioned them. But the materials were of the richest texture, and most graceful designs, and Adrienne regarded them with the natural delight of a young and attractive girl, who is conscious that tasteful costume imparts a new charm to even the fairest form and face. She selected one of the plainest among them for present use. It was a lilac brocade, and with trim- mings of black lace, relieved by knots of pink ribbon. Eady then unclosed a drawer in which fine laces, filmy handkerchiefs, and gloves were laid away. The kid gloves were hard and spotted, rendered unfit for use by the dampness of the climate; but there were gloves of white and black lace, which fitted Adrienne's hands as if made for them, and from these she selected a pair of the latter. Eady looked on with a dubious expression a doubt evidently existed in her mind as to what might result from this appropriation. She muttered- I 'spose, since you've got one part 0' de fixin's, you mought as well have t'other, too;' and she next unlocked a drawer filled with slippers of every colour, trimmed with large rosettes, and mounted on high, narrow heels. There was a pair to match each dress, and the most of them seemed as if they had scarcely been worn at all. Eady said— Now, ef you can wear de madam's shoes, young mistis, you'll 'stonish me, for she had de cunningest little feet in de worl' Adrienne Fat down, and, taking off her own shoe, drew on one of Madame Locour's slippers as easily as if it had been made for her. She laughed as she held out her foot and said— It is small enough for Cinderella, but you see it fits me perfectly. I half believe your mistress was my fairy godmother, Eady, and endowed me with a body to match her cast-off finery, because she knew it would be my only chance to obtain a suitable wardrobe. If she comes back in ghostly form again to dispute possession with me, I believe I will really do battle with her for my finery." Hush-h-b, chile don't talk sich, idle talk it makes my flesh creep to hear you run on so. Ef she do come back, young mistis, it won't be to hurt you, I am sure, and you won't say nothin' to him, even ef you do git badly scared." She pointed impressively towards her master's room to give stronger emphasis to the pronoun, and Adrienne seriously replied- "I shall not break the promise I gave you this morning, Eady; but I warn you that I shall be on the qui vive to make discoveries myself, and I plodge myself to nothing in regard to them. Since you will not confide to me the real secret of the White Terror, I shall make every effort to fathom it myself. Once mine, I shall make what use I please of my know- ledge." While thus occupied, the time sped away, and Pierre came to her door with the announcement that M. Lecour demanded her attendance in the presence. chamber, this grandiloquent name having been given by the old recluse to the apartment occupied by his ward. With swift stepa Adrienne proceeded towards the prince's chamber she came as a radiant vision of youth and loveliness into the old ante-room, passed Eady with a smile, and glided into the royal presence with a graceful obeisance. Louis sat expectant and impatient before a small table Bet out with silver and fine porcelain. M. Lecour, in his robe of state stood with his robe of office, and as his eyes fell upon the young girl, he trembled and grew white as death. Making a violent effort, he mastered his emotion, and his set face seemed more marble-like than ever, as he motioned to her to receive the dishes brought by Eady, and place them before the prince. Adrienne accomplished this service with ease and grace, and Louis chuckled with satisfaction. He said- "Well done, la belle comtesse; you have earned your title fairly, and now you shall have your reward. You shall eat with my royal self." That will be a useless and troublesome inno- vation, mon roi," objected M. Lecour. If you would eat your food in peace, do not ask a woman to sit down with you. Then you must wait upon her, and at present it is the duty of the comtesse to attend to you." If it is my pleasure to have it the other way, who shall refuse me? Am I not king? Is it not your duty to obey me, monsieur ?" It is my pleasure to do so, mon rOt, replied M. Lecour, with a mocking reverence. Since it is your will, la comtesss shall eat with you. Mademoiselle, take your place opposite to Prince Louis, and see that he wants for nothing." Adrienne would gladly have excused herself, but there was no alternative, and she assumed the place indicated. Louis immediately commenced heaping a plate with the daintily prepared viands, which he offered for her acceptance. At a sign from M. Lecour she took it, and before Eady could bring on a second plate for hia own use, the prince drew the most tempt- ing dish before him, plunged in a spoon, and com- menced eating as if half-famished. After despatching that, he seized upon the next, and proceeded thus until Adrienne had reason to congratulate herself that he had thought her worthy of being first served. He swallowed large libations of burgundy, and nodding to her over his glass, said— "Not good for you, la comtesse; too much like blood—too much like blood. But I was nursed on it -the red flush is too familiar. Ah-h-h Bad he again fell back in an attack of catalepsy. After a few convulsive struggles, Louis sat up, looked stupidly around, and commanded dessert to be brought in. This consisted of oranges and nuts, and again he was polite enough to supply the wants of Adrienne before taking any himself. The dinner was at last over, and M. Lecour knelt and offered a bowl of water and a napkin to the mimic royalty to whom is was his whim to do homage. Louis condescendingly said— My lord chamberlain, I am pleased with you to- day; very much pleased wi h your consideration in permitting la comtesse to become the companion of my solitude. Leave us now to be read to by her. She shall reveal to us how the Princess Schehezerade kept her head on her shoulders by amusing the caliph; what wonderful new stories she invented for that purpose. La Comtesse can imagine berself the princess who was so severely tasked, and may be she cen tell something out of her own head to make the time pass pleasantly." She will no doubt do her best, mon roi, for she washes to be of use to you." Good child-good child, and pretty, too—pretty i —pretty Thus muttering, he threw himself back upon his seat, and M. Lecour placed a cushion under his head. Eady rapidly and silently cleared the table, and brought forward a small stand, on which was placed a large volume elegantly bound. M. Lecour addressed Adrienne in a low voice- It is my custom to read to him till he falls asleep, and then, with Pierre's assistance, he is removed to his bed for the night. When he is in that state, ring I' the bell for Pierre, and you are released until to- morrow." He pointed to the bell-handle near the head of the couch, and, with a deep reverence towards Louis, he left the apartment. The Prince had closed his eyes, and seemed scarcely conscious of what was passing around him. Adrienne opened the volume, and, finding a mark between the page, 6he commenced her task at once. At the sound of her voice, he aroused himself up, and drowsily said— Don't begin there where my lord chamberlain left off. I know the book by heart, and I choose you to turn back to the first part." If you know it by heart, how can you find any interest in hearing it read ? Had I not better get some- thing else to amuse you with ?" tt "No; I can't think of new book people. These are all I have ever known about, and I like them best. It is like going on a visit to old friends to hear cf them again, and I shall like to !isten to your voice telling about them. It is a very sweet and pleasant voice, and you're very pretty to look at, too." Adrienne did not blush at this openly-expressed ad- miration; her heart was too full of sympathy for the unhappy wreck before her, to attach any importance to his words. She simply said— I am glad you have taken a fancy to me, for I hope to be useful to you, monp-rince. I can tell tales to you as well as read them, and when you get tired of the wonders of the Arabian Nights, I can repeat to you the history of a remarkable personage who came on earth eighteen hundred years ago, to preach love, forbearance, and good will towards men; who gave us the assurance of the life to come after this, in which the sins and infirmities of earth shall be removed from us." Louis listened with half-awakened interest; be-sud- denly enquired— In that new world shall I get rid of these helpless limbs of mine, and be able to walk as other people do? Ah! that would be fine Yes, there your spiritual body shall be without spot or blemish-beautiful and active and your mind shall resume the highest functions bestowed upon it at its creation, though accident may have dulled it while in its earthly tenement." The speaker had scarcely expected him to under- stand her, but he evidently did, and he aroused him- self from the lethargy that had been creeping over him to enquire- Why has not someone told me of this before ? It is much for a poor creature like me to look forward to a transfiguration like that. It might make one willing to give up this life, but not to have my head cut off. No, no. I have seen that. The king, my father, the queen, my poor mother, lost theirs, but I must keep mine. Oh—h!—h that vision of blood comes again to blast my sight." He fell back, and again the convulsions distorted his poor face, and large drops of perspiration burst out upon his brow. Adrienne hastened to bathe it with cold water, and Louis in a few moments recovered his usual ex- pression of dull serenity. Fearful of arousing the terrible memories which had evidently left their in- dellible traces upon his mind, feeble as it was, the youiv; girl at once commenced her task of reading aloud. The prince closed his eyes, and remained perfectly quiescent, only occasionally making some faint sign that he was still awake and listening; The light from the window in the roof began to fail, and the reader paused with the intention of lighting the wax candles which Eady had placed upon the table before leaving the room, but Louis arrested her and said— I like the twilight, and I shall like to hear you talk. Tell me about that wonderful personage of whom you spoke just now. Was he a man, anti where did he come from ? and where has he gone to ? I am sure we need him as much now, as the people did among whom he lived. That is true, for we cannot live as we should without him but he left his teachings with us when he went up to heaven; they are found in the same book which tells of his life and death." "Where is this book ? Why has not my lord chamberlain told us of this thing before ? It has been very remiss in him not to do so, when we need it so sorely, too." Let me supply that need, my prince, and do not reproach my grandfather with his negligence. People who live in the world are often indifferent to this wonderful revelation; but to the weak, the suffering, and the oppressed, it is a consolation and a hope." Then give it to me, la comtesse, for I am suffer- ing, I am weak, though the royal blood of France is my heritage. I know very well what I should have been, though my brain is shattered, and my body helplefcj and deformed. When I sit here alone, I have glimpses of former days; I remember, as a dream, the stately palace in which my infancy was passed; the rush of the people that came against it—the proud bearing of my mother, though she was pale as marble. I can also recall the awful scene at Versailles, when she carried her children upon the balcony as a pro- tection against the mob that raged for her life and the journey back to Paris amid all those terrible people, comes before me. Oh that was the first blow to me-something in my childish brain gave waf, then, and it has never been exactly right since." Louis sat erect, his eyes grew brighter, and a new life seemed to be breathed into his languid frame by the sympathy and companionship of one near his own age. Gradually Adrienne succeeded in lulling the pain- ful memorie3 that surged out of the melancholy past of this victioi to man's inhumanity. She returned to the subject on which she had first spoken; and with simple words, and soft intonation, related the incidents of the Saviour's life to the attentive listener. When she had finished, Louis said— It is beautiful, and it seems to me that I have been taught the same things before all the dreadful troubles that came upon us. You must tell about thC Good Man every day, la comtesse." I Adri enne readily promised to do so; and wearied by this time by the unwonted efforts at reflection which he had made, Louis sunk back like a child, and almost immediately fell asleep. Fearful of arousing him, the young girl sat perfectly still in the gathering twilight, watching the faint flickering of the smouldering fire upon the hearth, as it flashed up into a blaze at intervals, and then quilkly died out, leaving the shadows in the room deeper than before. It was a strange scene-the lonely room with its rich furniture and royal trappings the pale, slumber- ing prince, robed in purple and fine linen; and the fair young girl, seated on a taburet at his feet, dressed in the style of a past generation which so well became her, as she sat with her hands clasped over each other, thinking of the singular developments of the past hours, and wondering what strange thing would next happen in this mysterious old house. Eo A large mirror occupied the space over the mantel, and in this was reflected the heavy folds of drapery that concealed a long narrow recess, from which opened a dormer window. Suddenly the curtain was lifted, and from the setting "sun a stream of light flowed into the apartment. Startled from her reverie, Adrienne looked up, and sat as one spell-bound within the mirror she saw distinctly reflected a I tall figure, clothed in a loose white robe, with wide hanging sleeves, which fell from her throat to her feet. Her face was colourless as that of the dead, and floating around it was a halo ef silvery hair. Over her whole person was thrown a filmy veil, which looked as airy and transparent as the wreaths of mist that float away before the morning sunshine. A single glance thrilled the frame of the beholder with awe, for she at once recognised the White Terror which had appeared in her room on the previous night. Yet A drienne could not believe it to be a super- natural appearance, and she started up with the purpose of rushing toward it, and testing its reality by grasping the form with her own hands. Swift as her motions were, when she turned twilight again reigned throughout the room, and the curtain hung in motionless folds in front of the window. With rapid steps Adrienne approached it, and with trembling hands lifted the drapery that shrouded the recess. There was only the empty space within; the fading sunset shed its parting beams upon the white- washed walls, and Adrienne passed her hands over them, hoping to discover the means of egress found by the form which had undoubtedly so lately stoodtthere. She then tried the window, which opened nearly to the floor, but found that securely fastened. (To he continwd.)