Hoping to obtain a few moments of quiet to to indulge in sad reflections, she made her way as rapidly as might be through the numerous laughing groups, who were amusing themselves by a thousand jokes and contortions. Gaining the side of the vast building, she seated herself in the most retired position she could find, under the shade of some rich curtains in a deep window embrasure. Few people came that way, for the chandelier that hung over head was not lighted, and the mirth and festivity of the company had taken quite another direction.

"Leaning her aching head upon her hand, a dreamy, languid feeling of oppression creeping through her frame, she abandoned herself to gloomy conceptions and unavailing regrets. Some time had her reverie lasted before she was aware of the vicinity of two masks, who paused at last close to the place of her concealment. The taller one who wore a sword, passed it rapidly along the curtain, as if to assure himself, without attracting notice, that no one was behind it; but Cherizette leaning far back, and seated high up in the window embrasure was not perceived in the deep shadow.

66 6 Can you be certain he comes here to-night?' began the shorter of the two figures, with a singularly harsh and unpleasant utterance.

"Has he not to meet- -,' The name pronounced in a still lower key than the other words, escaped the ears of Cherizette, who reproached herself for listening, and yet felt extremely indisposed to leave her quiet corner.

"It is true,' growled the other, the grey and red domino and cloak as usual; but he shall meet me too, for in these days it is not often one can find so good an opportunity. Faugh, how hot the air is in these crowded rooms." So saying, the short and apparently deformed speaker removed his mask for a few seconds, that he might breathe more freely, and disclosed in the half light to the astonished Cherizette (who could not forbear peeping through a portion of the curtain that had been torn) the sensuous and brutal features, the disgusting ugliness that had sometimes haunted her dreams after a debate of her father's friends at Paysbeau; and if description, more than once repeated, spoke truly, those could be no other than the features of the sanguinary Marat. The next sentence, however riveted the attention of the young girl.

"I have at last rid you of that accursed Girondist, De Ruisseau.'

"Speak freely,' continued the other, we are safer here than in the council, or even at our own homes, and our plans must be clearly laid.'

"Overcoming the feeling of terror that oppressed her, and collecting all her energies for fixed and strained attention to the short discourse which followed, the jailor's daughter listened to a number of my. sterious hints, to which she could attach no clear signification, but gathered sufficient information to make apparent to her that a conspiracy was on foot, participated in by Marat, to denounce Robespierre, then in the zenith of his power; nay, that the dreaded leader was to be there himself that very even

ing to meet some personage, of whose name and rank she was unaware, and only learned she was a female dressed in red and grey.

"She saw at once that any application to Marat would only accelerate the doom which appeared to await the unfortunate Charolard, and manifestly increase the danger. Everything appeared to depend upon her ability to find out and gain an interview with Robespierre, who was to be habited in the disguise of a Capuchin Friar, but to make a sign which would discover him to those who were in expectancy.

"In her haste to gain a position which would enable her to command the entrance to the Hall of Assembly, Cherizette found herself entangled amongst a crowd of rough masks, who were occupied, with much tumult and noise, in playing practical jokes and endeavouring to discover each other. Another female was trying, like our heroine, to get through the phalanx of busy mischief-makers in vain, but such was Cherizette's anxiety that she did not perceive her until, with a loud laugh, one of the masks rapidly tore off her domino, disclosing be neath it the blushing face of a beautiful blonde in great agitation. A general rush and much uproar and confusion ensued. Cherizette found herself thrown backwards, and her disguise was partly taken off; she at last recovered her domino and made her escape, covered up in a rich cloak, which taken from some one else, amidst shouts of merriment, had been wrapped round her. Occupied in getting this garment into something like order, she

was passing on towards the entrances, when a tall mask, habited (strange coincidence) in the garb of a Capuchin quietly arrested her progress, and led her rapidly away to a corridor which she had not previously noticed.

66 6

'You are unusually excited, citoyenne,' commenced the unknown in a gentle voice. Has any

thing occurred to annoy you? is the Citizen Ruisseau in waiting.'

"Who would have imagined that proud and graceful figure drawn up to its full height, that slender and elegant form enveloped in the rich folds of crimson and grey silk, was but the jailor's daughter of Paysbeau; as to the dress of a Capuchin Friar, one could be surprised at nothing that lurked under such a disguise.

"One sudden glance at her dress had explained the mystery to Cherizette. For Marat or for Robespierre she had of course alike no sympathy. Her feelings were all centred on Charolard, and the last words of the mask had roused her whole nature. She resolved to trust everything to her invention and quickness, perceiving she was mistaken in consequence of her borrowed plumes for some one else, and the energy of such necessity might well make an actress for the moment of unparalleled power out of a girl like this. After a moment's reflection, she spoke in a low but firm and composed voice,

66 6

'You are not aware then, Maximilian Robespierre,' she said, that the Citizen Ruisseau has been treacherously and unjustly denounced, and lies

at this moment awaiting his sentence in some dungeon in the provinces.'

"Calm yourself, fair citoyenne,' he replied, ‘I had indeed heard something of this matter, but a word from you—what proofs can you obtain that he has not joined the detestable faction of the Girondists; surely you are hardly yourself to-night-your attitude, your voice, both seem forced and somewhat frigid.'

With an intense feeling of satisfaction in having succeeded so far, and in perceiving that she was not mistaken, but that her companion was indeed the tyrant leader himself, Cherizette continued more naturally.

66 6

"I have heard tidings to-night, Robespierre, to which no woman, even one far more courageous than myself, could listen with composure. By the instigation of your friend Marat, you will be denounced to-morrow at the National Assembly-spare that indignant movement, Maximilian, and bestir yourself. I tell you there is urgent need. Every hour increases the strength of your enemy's party. Can you wonder now that anxiety and alarm should have somewhat changed me.'

"Retire with me, citoyenne, to this ante-room, and furnish me with details and names as far as you can,' he replied. Fear not, Robespierre will laugh at these petty plans, as he has done before at the vain malice of his enemies; and as for Marat, to you I may hint that this last indiscretion has doomed him. But what reward shall Maximilian

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