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Rh de Mancini, his former inexhaustible themes, seemed to have entirely escaped his memory.

Suddenly the whole party were alarmed by a violent knocking at the door. The sound of armed men with their heavy footsteps and clanging swords, mingled with oath and threat, were distinctly heard; and the bolt was scarcely withdrawn, before in rushed a party of about twenty, who appeared both prepared and determined to take possession of the place. Guido drew the slight rapier that hung by his side; but his guard was instantly beaten down by the leader of the band, who, however, in so doing, dropped the cloak from his face.

"M. D'Argeuteuil!" exclaimed Bournonville, "surely this is not the respect you show to the fine arts. Even during the ferocious siege of Rhodes, Demetrius honoured the house of Protogenes the painter. Will you, a Christian and a gentleman, allow yourself to be outdone in courtesy by a heathen?"

D'Argenteuil laughed. "Not so, my prince of colours. I knew not of your return; and this house commands the barrier which we have some reason to expect will be attacked to-night. Most of my men will disperse as sentinels; and you