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had sunk into the arms of night, and the city of Paris was still, no busy crowds thronged the passages, and no splendid cavalcade drew forth the citizens with curious looks: naught, save the heavy tread of the mailed sentinel, was heard before the royal palace, as he slowly paced his weary march. The night was beautiful to look upon; the stars seemed to glitter more brightly than their wont, and the moon now reached her full, careered majestically along her star-lit path. A happy group were gazing on her glories, and one among them whispered in the ear of his companion, "Marie, thou art fairer than yon glorious orb, and thy sight more pleasant to mine eye than her light to the seatost mariner.” The speaker was Philip of France, (the third of that name who bore the Gallic sceptre.) He stood on a balcony of the palace, and his queen leaned against his bosom in the full confidence of a strong and fervent love. His countenance was marked with an air of amiable serenity, and his dark and expressive eye rested on the fair form that he supported. She was a creature of noble bearing, yet her proud look was chastened by a woman's grace, just verging from fragile youth, to the richer beauties of maturity; she possessed a highly cultivated mind, and a powerful affection for her husband and his offspring. The princes Lewis and Philip, by Isabella the lato queen, were the objects of her tender solicitude; for her husband's sake she bestowed on them all the attentions of maternal care, and found an ample reward in the gradually expanding intellect of Lewis, who was now in his fifth year: he had every thing in him which could delight a fond parent; he was beautiful, amiable, and talented, and his soul was as generous as it was pure. He now held his mother's hand, and shaking back the curls from his face, looked up archly in her eyes, and then started off to the other end of the terrace with a speed that rivalled the young hart. "Aha! my good lord," said he, to a form which he encountered, "have 1 caught you: where are those sweetmeats you promised me but yesterday, I will tell papa that his chamberlain does not keep his word, and then-but no, not that either, when I am king, and wear a sword, and a crown, and sit in the throne with all the great men about me, you shall not come in.'

"Pshaw! child," said the chamberlain impatiently," 1 will give thee toys another time-get thee away, I would be alone.”

“An thou can'st then," retorted the child, come away with me to papa and mamma-there they stand, in the shade of that gloomy turret."

Finding resistance vain, the chamberlain yielded to his importunities, and approached the spot where the king and queen were standing.

"Welcome, La Brosse,” said the king kindly, "thou wert not with us in council this morning --hah! wert pondering on some new scheme for the nation's weal? We forgive thee, but would have thee send us word when again detained from our deliberations."

"But sire, the reasons"

"Nay, nay, thou art a good servant, and we this once indulge thee; therefore no more."The group for a long time tarried, and the time flew on, scarce noticed, so deeply were they engaged in conversation, one while amused by the artless prattle of the boy, another listening to thẻ eloquent descriptions of La Brosse, who discoursed on every subject, as if conscious of his superior powers.

None heard more eagerly than the queen; she loved to enjoy these happy moments with her family, and the confidant of the king, when the cares of state were dismissed, and the true feelings of the soul drew aside the veil of hypocrisy, which power is compelled to wear. The evening passed, the terrace was deserted, and the king happy in the fidelity of his subjects, and the affections of his spouse, could rest in quiet, and not find thorns where his wearied frame would seek repose. By early dawn he had arisen, and soon greeted Marie, "A fair morn to thee, dearest; the balmy air invigorates, and the bright sun smiles again on happy France;-happy! what is happiness to a king? it has been thought beyond his highest hopes, and as the object only of his vainest dreams. Can'st tell me?"

"Ay, something whispers an answer to thy question; do not I answer it? do not I love theej and will not that dispel the clouds of sadness which gather on thy brow, even in the darkest day?"

"In faith, well answered, and right lovingly; but would thy smiles blunt the spears of rebel vassals, or thy frail form turn aside the falchion's edge? A faithful people is my coat of proof, but thou art the soul which animates the form which it protects."

"And thy children-the noble Lewis and the little Philip, they are thy weapons; of more value in a father's hand than even thy stout blade which has cloven many a helm, in tourney and in battle."

"Truly, fair one, thou divinest well; how fare the little ones? methought last night, the spirits of my son seemed buoyant above measure, and his eye sparkled with a hotter fire. Oh, glorious

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thought! When these limbs are tremulous, and this beard is blanched upon my withered cheek, will he not hold the sceptre with a noble grasp, and wear the coronet like a king ?”

"With majesty indeed; but we cannot look into the cloud before us; who can tell what may come to blast thy hopes, and turn thy exultation into sorrow. God grant that day may be far hence":

But

They were startled by a loud shriek, proceeding from an adjoining apartment; and the next moment a female domestic rushed in with pale and horror-stricken countenance; she attempted to speak but was unable to utter a syllable, while she beckoned with her finger to the royal pair, who stood almost petrified at the sudden and alarming interruption. Believing that some robber or assassin had been discovered, Philip drew his sword and followed the domestic. all was silent; not a sound was heard, and no intruder to be seen. On a couch lay the two young princes undisturbed by the confusion around them;--" There!” cried the female, pointing to the couch. The king raised Lewis in his arms, but he fell back heavily, a cold and senseless corse. His long and glossy ringlets were flung in beautiful disorder over the silken pillow, his eyes were gently closed, and a sweet smile still lingered about his lips, as if in mockery of death, but the pale and marble brow, and the icy nerveless hand, told too truly that the pure spirit had forever fled.

The care worn countenance of age assumes a look more ghastly, when the king of terror strikes with his sceptre; but who can gaze on the beautiful habitation of the young and unsullied soul, but with feelings of delight; it is a sadly pleasing contemplation thus to behold the bud nipped and withered by that icy and relentless hand. The queen threw herself by the side of the body, in an agony of grief, and the little Philip who was still by his brother's side, raised his lisping voice and said, "Dear mamma, why don't you wake Lewis? he looks so pale it almost frightens me, but then I know he loves me. This simple appeal touched the spring of the father's sorrow, and covering his face with his hands, he rushed from the chamber, and gave vent to his anguish in a flood of tears.

Prince Lewis was borne to his resting place, amid the tears, and sympathies of thousands for the bereaved parent, who saw the child of his affections laid in consecrated earth, with sorrow for his untimely fate, and wonder at the suddenness of his death. Even while he bent over the tomb, a harrowing thought, undefined yet dreadful, passed gloomily over his soul, and a voice whispered in his ear a word that was full of horror; he looked around, no one was there but his weeping family and attendants, and he shuddered to think that the thought within him had taken form and passed his own lips. The procession left the chapel, and again the word was whispered that it was not to be mistaken, but the dense throng defied his utmost attempts to discover whence it came. With heavy heart

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be reached the palace, and retiring immediately to his private closet, ordered the chamberlain to be summoned. La Brosse was soon at his side. The king looked inquiringly into the countenance of his confidant, as if to read there an answer to his yet unspoken question, but the marble features were silent.

"La Brosse?" said the king.

"I am here, Sire; is there aught within my power that can heal thy wounded heart? most gladly would my life purchase thy tranquillity," "There is that within me, that rends my soul, preys on my vitals, gnawing to my very heart's core; I endure a torture more cruel than very flames could inflict;-suspense-suspicion-dost understand ?"

The chamberlain recoiled, and remained in an attitude of attention.

Philip pursued. "Didst thou hear a foul whisper floating on the air, that spoke of treason, v when our son was entombed with his ancestors-or when some damned fiend amid the darkness, coupled it with a name so pure, that angels might not blush to bear? Speak out and fear not."

"My master," replied the chamberlain, “do not, I pray thee, compel me to speak of this matter; sooner should my tongue be plucked out by the roots, than it should utter a syllable against one who holds thy affections, and doubtless does most nobly deserve them."

"I warn thee, trifle not; we would know all, and by the throne of heaven, we will; it is a deed that we will sift to the very bottom, let what will oppose, and though one half the world cry out for shame if thou hast any love-nay not love, it is forsworn-but, if justice, honour-can sway thee in one point-blanch not, but speak all— all that thou knowest-can'st prove or even thinkest."

"Sire, though I love thee, and owe all to thee, from childhood upward-my name, my office, my very life, I cannot yield to thy request-it will do thee no service, but harm thee in the tenderest point."

"Be that my care: wilt thou behold my palace entered with a murderous hand, and not point me to my revenge, but let me still foster à viper in my bosom that may one day dart its poisonous fangs even into me?-Still silent! Then, ingrate, it is time duty should be taught thee. What ho there! guards!" shouted the king passionately, but the chamberlain looked up imploringly, and the order was retracted. With trembling limbs, and faultering tongue, the dismayed courtier promised to divulge all that he knew, and while the narrative proceeded, Philip sat with clenched teeth, and his countenance grew pale and cold; för love, when attacked by suspicion, quickly yields, and hatred, bitter and inexorable, fills its place. La Brosse asserted nothing positively, but hinted the inferences of his own observation, and instilled into the mind of the king suspicions unfavourable to his consort. That he had often observed in her a strong aversion to the young princes, and that her ambition contemned the idea

of their supplanting her own offspring (if she should have any,) on the throne of France: that although the sudden decease of Lewis might have taken place in the natural course of things, he had reason to believe that the queen knew of it, at the very time of her last conversation with Philip on the memorable morning: that these were but vague suspicions, and unfounded on any demonstrative or presumptive evidence. artfully, and at the same time with so much apparent frankness were these sentiments advanced that the king warmly proffered his thanks; but his rage was ungovernable, as the thought of his wife's infamous guilt crossed his mind, it seemed as if the furious commotion within him could only be calmed by the death of his betrayer, and his thirst for vengeance only satisfied by her blood. But he was not entirely blind to the necessity of producing stronger proof to warrant any violent means; the eyes of the world were upon him, and the pride of the king for a time triumphed over the feelings of the man. He knew that some report of the deed was bruited abroad, and the nation would be his judges in the award which the guilt should receive. It was therefore deemed more prudent, to remain inactive till some stronger and more tangible evidence could be adduced.

That very night the king sat for a long time, revolving the unhappy occurrences of the few past days; he thought on all his fond hopes, wrecked in the full prospect of success-of the laughing eyes which had once shone daily welcome upon him, now closed in unbroken sleep : he groaned when the image of his queen rose before him in beauty and majesty; his heart expanded to the bright and pleasing dream, but he frowned it down, and strove to banish the recollection of his ever having loved one, who now trampled under foot every tie of blood and honour. He was aroused from this unwelcome train of reflection by a page, entering from the antechamber, and requesting audience for a stranger on weighty and serious business. A moment after a form entered the apartment muffled in a cloak which concealed his face, even when his cap had been removed: he bent his knee before the king.

Rise," said Philip, "and with thy commission make good speed, for we are not in a mood to hear a tale of every day occurrence; if there be aught of weighty import, unburden thee of it right hastily, but if not, thou may'st retire. But uncloak thee, we have no masquerading here tonight." At this command the cloak was suffered to fall, and the king saw a man of middle stature, broad and brawny, with wild, matted hair, and a visage that bore every trait of villany, from shaggy brows, and deep set lurking eyes, to the seamed and crooked mouth, armed with protruding teeth. Philip started at this apparition, and laid his hand on the hilt of his dagger.

Don't be afraid," growled the stranger, “I will not harm thee, for then gold could not save me from the friendly embrace of the halter; and I've come for gold."

“Thou shameless villain, get thee gone, or 1 will have thy scarecrow body swung to the terrace railings :-gold! and why? what hast thou done for gold? would'st thou tempt me to hire thy poniard, and pay thee the price of blood?"

Humph! not just so-nor much differentmarry, a good guesser; but there was a prince Lewis, a fairer child than my mother ever called me."

"Hell's fiends! get on-speed thee, or I'll dig thy heart out."

"It would tell no secrets, and therefore I would have gold, one hundred marks on this hand, or my tongue will not budge.”.

"Take them, and the curse of God go with them, may they burn thee, but go on."

"Well, the queen, that is Marie, thy wifewas not over fond of a brat not her own-so we made a bargain”

"Villain, monster! as I stand here, I will dash' thee to atoms, at such another word-look well to it."

"Well, then, most gracious sovereign, your most faithful queen, was anxious to remove the present heirs of the crown, and between us, as I said before, or was going to say, we sent the Prince to heaven!"

"Great God, is it then so! can'st prove thy words, and show her guilt as black and hideous as the caves of the abyss?"

"I will swear it in the face of France."

"Then, before France, ere a fortnight has passed, shalt thou confront this guilty wretch, and if thou dost make firm thy words, thou shalt find a monarch can be generous as well as just till then these walls must keep thee safe from harm."

The king then summoned a guard, and delivering the prisoner into their hands, gave orders to keep him securely, but treat him with kindness and supply all his wants.

The unexpected death of the heir apparent caused a great sensation throughout the whole of France; many were the rumours as to its cause, and many a hard word was spoken, and evil suggestion made of its supposed author, spreading like wildfire, till it became the story of the village gossip, and was spoken of even in the precincts of the court, in no undertone. A confirmation was soon found in a proclamation by herald, in the name of the king, attainting queen Marie of high treason, and appointing a day for the trial. The period so anxiously expected at length arrived, and at an early hour all Paris was in motion to behold this unparalleled example of female depravity, and the triumph of justice over the feelings of the husband. A spacious arena was enclosed, as for a tournament; stages were erected, the higher for the accommodation of the nobility, while below the dense mass of the populace waved like a troubled sea, while ever and anon their deafening shouts rose upon the air. Either end of the lists was provided with bars or barriers; in the centre between them was a low scaffold hung with sable drapery and a post rose from a large heap of faggots. Directly opposite