Page:New Peterson magazine 1859 Vol. XXXV.pdf/306

 CHARLES.

BY FRANK LEE BENEDICT.

CHAPTER I.

The brightness of a spring sunset bathed the turrets of the grim old chateau of Vincennes, and waved banner-like over the broad forest beyond.

There was s chamber overlooking the wide expanse of woodland, and situated at the side of the castle, where it was entirely hidden from the court-yard with its restless throng of servitors and armed men. Heavy purple draperies hung before the casements, through which the suntight faintly streamed, making s gloom in the apart- ment more oppressive than the grey of evening. Gorgeous tapestry lined the walls, and in that atrenge tight the figures stood boldly out, a if endowed with vitality and holding communion amid the silence.

At the farther end of the room was a couch, upon which Jay a young man buried in slumber, He seemed to have flung himself carelessly down and fallen into that restless sleep which was not repose, for his features worked convulsively, and his hands knotted themselves together, like one beseeching forgiveness for one mortal sin,

‘The face was that of = mere youth, but so worn and pallid by illness and evil passions, that it appeared never to have been young, The thin lips were bloodles: and the temples throbbed with feverish violence. At intervals the tread of heavy feet came up from the court-yard below, but the martial sounds, instead of arousing him, blended with his dreams, and brought new images of terror; for, at every repetition, he would start wildly, sometimes uttering a faint mean, while a cold dew broke out upon his forehead, and stood there tike drops of rain.

While he slept, the hangings before a secret door were flung aside, and e young girl entered the apartment with cautions steps, shading her eyes with her hand to accustom them to the gloom. When ehe saw that restless form upon the couch, she stole toward it, and sat down pon a low seat, bending over the sleeper with painful solicitude. For a time her presence appeared to have produced a tranquilizing effect, for the youth's arms folded themselves upon his breast, the heavy breathing ceased, and once a smile stole over the whiteness of his lips. He murmured a name in his dream, as one might utter a blessing, and, at the sound, a rich color shot over the face of the watcher, and her large eyen filled with tears.

But the peaceful vision gave place again to those terrible reflections, and he threw up his hands with a wild gesture, while his teeth ground themselves together in renewed suffering. The girl drew back in affright, for the face was fearful to look upon; then abe leid her hand upon his forehead, anying softly,

“Waken, Charles. It is I”

He sprang from the couch, glaring round the room, but unable to fasten bis eyes upon any object.

“Who is there?” ho gasped. . “Am I never to be at peace?”

“It is I—Clemence,” she replied, in the game low whisper, twining one arm about his neck, and trying to draw him back upon the cushions.

After au instant he recognized her, and the wildness of hia look gave place to a smilé of tonderness, which, a moment before, hin face seemed incapable of expressing.

“Clemence,” he said, strainiog her to him, it you, my bird? Ob! I was seeing such horrible things!”

“They are gone now, Charles; lie down again and I will ait by you.”

“Don’t leave me,” be said, grasping her hand in his trembling fingers, ‘don’t leave me alone.”

I will sit here and talk to you, Charles, only be calm, It was nothing but a dream.”

Charles IX. flung himself heavily back upon the cushions with a shudder of relief. “It was fearful,” be muttered, “fearful! See, my face is wet as if I had been out in a tempest.”

The girl smoothed the matted hair back from his forehead, and pressed her hand upon the fevered pulses.

“You will be better in a moment, Charles, Do not think of it.”

“But it was so real, Clemence! I saw a sea of blood, its crimson billows were rushing ever me, and dead men floated by, brushing me with their icy arms, and cursing me with their glaring eyes as they passed.”

“But it is over now. Do not tremble so, Charles, it is past.”

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