Page:The Lady's Book Vol. V.pdf/8

 THE TRAITORS DOOM.

of their supplanting her own offspring if she should have any,) on the throne of Fran that although the sudden decease of Lewis might havc 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 Phi- lip on the memorable morning: that these were but vague suspicions, and unfounded on any demonstrative or presumptive evidence. So artfully, and at the same time with so much ap- parent 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 ne- cessity 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 inac- tive till some stronger and more tangible evidence could be adduced.

That very night the king sat for a lgng 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 wel- come upon him, now closed in unbroken sleep: he groaned when the image of his queen rose before him in beauty and majesty; his heart ex- panded to the bright and pleasing dream, but he frowned it down, and strove to banish the recol- lection of his ever having loved one, who now trampled under foot every tie of blood and ho- nour. He was aroused from this unwelcome train of reflection bya page, eatering from the antechamber, and requesting audience for a stranger on weighty and serious business. A moment after a furm 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 to- night.” At this command the cloak was suffered to fall, and the king saw a manof tmfddle 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 protrud- ing 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 thé halter; and I've come for gold.”

“Thou shameless villain, get thee gone, or 1 will have thy scarecrow body swung to the ter- race 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 different— marry, 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 Jundred 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 wife~ was not over fond of a brat not her own—so we made a bargain”—~

“Villain, monster! as [ 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 weil as just: till then these walls must keep thee safe from harm.”

The king then summoned a guard, and de- livering 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 used 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, spread- ing 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 con- firmation 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 ali Paris was in motion to behold this unparalleled exam- ple of female depravity, and the triumph of jus- tice 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