"That is my husband," said Ernestine, colouring, and pointing to Marcellin.

"Ah! you are married!" cried Eusebius, rubbing his hands; "good-'tis better, much better; all is well, and neither of you come to marry Margaret."

The lovers regarded him with astonishment; but he evidently thought he was alone, and did not perceive it. Ernestine, thinking she might take advantage of his re-occupation, quietly remarked, "From the pleasure you express at discovering we are not suitors to the lady, I should imagi e you have, yourself, some pretensions

to her hand."

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46

I marry Margaret!" cried he, in affright, jumping two or three feet into the air. My God! look at me! Did I say I ever thought of love, or marriage? and if I sought the baillie's daughter I should prove myself a greater fool than people think me, or than I imagine myself to be. No, no, neither I nor any one else in the village would demand the hand of Margaret. He must be very bold who would dare."

"And why? Is not the lady handsome? is she not rich ?" inquired Marcellin.

"Handsome?" repeated Noel, "there is not, in all our valley, one so fair as Margaret. Rich? is she not her father's sole confidant? and will have at her disposal--But what am I saying," continued he, seeing the eyes of the lovers fixed intently upon him. "Come, it is cruel, lady, thus to abuse a poor man's weakness, and lead him to reveal more than he ought." And retiring some distance behind, he relapsed into sullen silence. The party had now nearly passed through the valley, and Ernestine observed an abrupt turning of the road, not far from them, which evidently led towards the mountains indicated by Martin Simon; if, therefore, she wished to obtain any further information from the scholar, it would be advisable to speak before the increased difficulties of the road rendered conversation inconvenient. Gently approaching Noel (who had probably already forgotten his anger), she said, with a smile

"Will it offend you to ask how long Martin Simon has been in this country?"

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"No; I have his permission to relate all that is said or known of his family," replied Noel, "but I cannot guarantee the truth of any portion of the story."

"Never mind, speak," cried Marcellin.

"You must know, then," replied the scholar, "that M. Bernard, the father of Martin Simon, came into our mountains about sixty years ago. Those who remember, describe him at that period as a tall, fair-looking, yet feeble man, dressed in clothes that had once been hand-e, but were then in rags and tatters. He was first seen in that part of the country where Bout-du-Monde now stands, at that time the most desolate portion of the canton. No one knew who he was nor from whence he came, and he lived alone in a small cabin raised upon the spot where the church has since been built by his son. People believed him to be a wizard, and would not go near him, but for myself I always thought M. Bernard must even then have discovered -"The schoolmaster suddenly stopped.

"What had he discovered ?" demanded Ernestine, quickly. "Nothing," answered Noel, who felt that he had again been upon the point of revealing his secret thoughts. After a few moments' silence he continued, " Bernard thus lived for some time, and a shepherd who dwelt at the foot of yonder rock used for a trifle to supply him with food and clothing; at last, becoming less savage, the spirit of the mountains,' as the recluse was called, espoused the peasant's daughter, and from this union sprung the real master of Bout-du-Monde, Martin Simon, the King of Pelvoux."

"The King of Pelvoux!" repeated the astonished chevalier. "Is Martin Simon he who is called the King of Pelvoux ?"

"He is. Have you heard him spoken of?" inquired Noel. "Yes," replied Marcellin; "I have heard of a rich seignor who reigned like a king over the peasantry of this region; he is supposed to possess an immense fortune; some even think him in league with Satan, and call him a wizard."

"No, no, it is not so bad as that," said Noel; "but when they were seeking for the pretended gold mine, Martin Simon did not evince the same eagerness as every one else did; and I can account for the accusation of sorcery from the fact of his father never losing the title of the spirit of the mountains.' But this is certain, that Martin Simon is our baillie, and the richest and most important person in the valley."

"Did you not say he was owner of all the country ?" inquired De Peyras.

"No, not exactly," replied Eusebius, "but without him there would have been naked rocks, pine forests, and quagmires, instead

of the charming valley you will presently see. By the power of gold, firmness, and intelligence, he has made a delightful residence of what was before scarcely habitable. He commenced his improvements by purchasing a quantity of gravelly soil (poor enough, certainly), and after building a church, in which the monks of Lauterat perform mass every Sunday, he erected a house for himself, and laid out a farm there, choosing the most indu trious and steady from among the peasantry. He offered to build houses for their residence, allowing them at the same time a portion of land to cultivate, for which they should pay him a rental. This proposition was eagerly accepted, and thus Martin became the benefactor as well as founder of Bout-du-Monde. He is never severe with his tenants upon the chapter of arrears, and when the farmer, distressed for want of labourers, is unable to pay his rent, the King of Pelvoux supports his wife and family until the ensuing season, and yet appears richer than ever, while every one thinks well of him, and the villagers adore him."

"Pardon me, Master Noel," observed Ernestine, "but you have strangely contradicted yourself. If the father of Martin Simon arrived in this country poor and ragged, how do you account for the splendid fortune inherited by his son ?"

"Hoc opus hic labor est," replied the scholar. "Few people could explain that mystery, for neither of the two were ever very communicative; the only known fact is, M. Bernard used often to visit some distant place. His son does the same. And these excursions are more frequent as the wealth and prosperity of the village increases; but their object is concealed from all save Simon and his daughter."

"This is very strange," said Marcellin; "and are the villagers too devoted to their baillie to attempt a solution of this mystery ?" Noel looked grave, and replied

"As you say, the people are very reserved in all that concerns their benefactor. Some, however, pretend that M. Bernard was a man of high birth, who left his home in disgust, and that his visits to the country, or wherever it might be, were to receive his revenues; if so, his son, it may be supposed, sold a portion of his estates, and was thereby enabled to accomplish the improvements in Bout-du-Monde. Gold is certainly very plentiful with the baillie on his return from these excursions; the bag he now carries is full of the metal. There are other causes whispered as to the origin of his wealth, but they are fabulous," continued Noel, with an air of indifference, "and not worth speaking about.”

The lovers did not observe the forced carelessness with which the last words were uttered.

The attention of the party had been so entirely occupied by their conversation, that they arrived, without perceiving it, at the turning, when Marcellin, upon looking back, drew his rein, and suddenly exclaimed--

"We are pursued-we are lost!"

Ernestine trembled; and in these horsemen, who were not more than a quarter of a league distant, she recognised Michelot and the gendarmes.

CHAPTER IV.

THE KING OF PELVOUX.

Ar this view the lovers approached each other, and De Peyras called to the schoolmaster, who was a little in advance of them"Ho! there, Master Eusebius, where does this road lead to ?" "The village of Bout-du-Monde." "To any other place ?"

"No!" returned the scholar.

"We are certainly pursued," said Marcellin, regarding Ernesting with consternation, "and what is worse, we have been seen."

"Marcellin!" cried the young girl, wringing her hands in despair, "they will separate us, they will take me to my father; I could not survive such a fate; kill me, in pity kill me."

De Peyras looked around in the hope of discovering some means of escape, but to the right and left were high and precipitious rocks, and in front the winding road led onwards to the village. "Sir schoolmaster," said he at last, "how far are we from the valley ?"

"Virgil says-" responded the scholar.

Speak!" fiercely returned Marcellin, looking back over his shoulder at the rapidly approaching enemy. "About half a league," faltered Noel.

"You can get there in half an hour, then. Go quickly, and tell Martin Simon that now is the time for the succour he promised. We are pursued-you understand?"

"Ah! would you wish him to oppose the gendarmes ?" archly demanded Noel.

and you cannot imagine I would bear an order, unless it was legal; examine it again, nothing could be clearer. (Order to M. Theobald Arcace Michelot, who is delegated to arrest, wherever he finds them, the Lady Ernestine de Blanchefort, and the Chevalier Marcellin de Peyras. What the devil else is necessary? take care, Sir, how to refuse to assist me in securing the person of the chevalier, or dare to shelter the Lady Ernestine."

Despite this bravado, Martin was not alarmed. "You will not find it so easy to convince me as you imagine, Master Michelot," he said, maliciously; "yesterday at the convent I was not deemed worthy to know why a simple justice such as you appear had the right to arrest these young fugitives, and I had recourse to a subterfuge in order to save them. To-day it is different, and if, as you pretend, you are a man well learned in the law, you cannot be ignorant that this document requires the signature of the president of the parliament of Grenoble to be of any use here. You have travelled too fast, my poor comrade, and thereby neglected this important formality."

Many times during his journey had Michelot blamed himself for this very omission, but he would not yet give up the point. De voted to his employer (whom it was his interest to serve), and this being a case of personal importance to M. de Blanchefort, he was even less disposed than usual to be defeated, and determined only to yield to the last extremity.

"In such an urgent case as the present," he resolutely exclaimed, "the signature you mention may be dispensed with, for, by the time we obtained it, the warrant itself would be useless. Again therefore, I call upon you to assist me."

"And I will not allow an illegal proceeding to take place in my presence," retorted Martin, roused in his turn; "neither you nor your gendarmes shall touch this young man, and I will resist, force by force, if you attempt it."

At the same time his companions closed around him, and seemed well inclined for the expected affray. Marcellin impulsively seized the hand of the mountaineer, and whispered.-

"I have wronged you! Bravely have you kept your promise! Tell me, where is Ernestine ?"

"She is in safety, and with my daughter. You will soon see her," replied Simon; "and remember, that before Margaret you pass

as brother and sister."

They were interrupted by Michelot (who had been struck by this air of mystery), and who now said, with apparent good humour, "Come, friend, let us no longer cavil; you are aware who the Lady' Ernestine really is, and if, by your contrivance, these young people escape, you may chance to pay dearly for your interference; I am sure," he continued, in a lower tone, "that a hundred pistoles will induce you to close your eyes to the slight informality in the

warrant."

Martin smiled disdainfully, and spoke in a whisper to the justice. Soon an expression of intense surprise appeared on the face of Michelot, succeeded by one of triumph on the countenance of each. Marcellin looked on with an air of defiance, which changed as the justice turned to the gendarmes.

"Sirs, in consequence of the discovery of the inutility of the warrant, and certain explanations given me by this gentleman, the affair must end for the present. You may return to your quarters, and I will take all future responsibility upon myself, in proof of which I accept the hospitality offered me by the King of Pelvoux." This termination was so unexpected, that the gendarmes could scarcely believe it, and they did not seem willing to depart; however, a few gold picces from Martin Simon, and a written discharge from Michelot, convinced them, and they hesitated no longer. The mountaineers shouted, and Marcellin, when recovered from his surprise, could not comprehend how Martin had appeased the angry justice; besides, the presence of Michelot was disagreeable, and he was annoyed at the future prospect of his company. The word was given to proceed, and De Peyras whispered to Martin

"I know you prefer acting as your fancy dictates, and I begin to think it is all for the best; but may I ask why (and he looked at Michelot) you have invited that miserable justice to accompany us?" "As you say, young man," replied Martin, laughing, "I always, act as I please; but be consoled, this mystery will soon be cleared up. And, by the way, do not treat the poor man so haughtily, for I have promised to protect him, and if I cannot give some explanation of my conduct, know that I reckon upon him as an active and devoted agent in your service."

"Him-Michelot ?" exclaimed the chevalier; "he who but a few moments since was going to arrest me, and who repeated every tale of calumny he heard about me to De Blanchefort, and thus prevented my marriage."

"Exactly!" replied Martin, tranquilly; "and yet I have resolved he shall be present at your wedding, and he will."

Then without appearing to observe the astonishment of De Peyras, he walked onwards towards the village.

The road was rough and stony, insensibly rising higher and higher, but giving signs of frequent traffic, while all around bespoke improvement. There an abyss had been filled up, here a stone bridge spanned a foaming torrent, and further on an enormous rock had been removed, which formerly barred the passage. Upon gaining the level of the mountains they entered a defile, the pine-covered heights on either side being so like each other as to form some resemblance to an enormous gateway; it was the entrance to Bout-du-Monde. The dim obscurity of the ravine enhanced the magnificence of the view in perspective before them. Not so large as the valley the travellers had already seen, this retreat was far more lovely, and looked like a beautiful English landscape in the midst of sterile and barren rocks. Each house, white and gay, was surrounded by its orchards of flowers and fruits, and seemed the abode of perfume, peace, and happiness. Martin enjoyed the astonishment and enthusiasm of his visitors, and exclaimed, "I have created this paradise, made these sterile rocks fertile, peopled these savage solitudes, and given shelter to man. My father found naught here but mud cabins, and shepherds dressed in rags and goat-skins." He paused, as if he had said too much; the strangers regarded him with admiration.

"You must have been very rich to accomplish all these marvels," cried Michelot.

"And very courageous to undertake such a work," observed Marcellin.

The mountaincer became thoughtful.

"It might have been wealth and courage, or it might have been something else," said he; "I am accused of sorcery, and really I think there has been a little in the history of this pretty valley: but, come, you will have plenty of time to examine all its wonders, as I count upon your staying with me for some days, De Peyras, and hope this will not be your last visit, M. Michelot."

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Quis novus hic nostris successit sedibus hospes," murmured a melancholy voice.

Martin trembled, and looked towards the schoolmaster, who was leaning against a rock. These words of evil omen sensibly affected him at a moment when he was suffering a secret presentiment of impending misfortune from some cause, and he passed on without again speaking.

CHAPTER V.

THE KNIFE GRINDER.

THE travellers were greatly surprised at the profound respect, iningled with a tender affection, shown by the villagers towards Martin Simon. The King of Pelvoux, on his part, seemed to regard them as one family, of which he was the head, and to each as he passed he gave a word, a kind look, or shake of the hand. The house of Martin was larger than the others, but neither more elegant nor better decorated. Built near the church, in front it opened upon a space cut in the rock, where the villagers used to assemble occasionally on a Sunday, while behind it the same eminence rose high, smooth and slanting, forming an effective protection against the avalanche. On either side a wall, nearly the height of the first story, supported a terrace in which fine fruit trees were thickly planted. A number of the villagers, led partly from curiosity and partly in honour of their baillie, followed the travellers, and upon arriving at the house the door was opened, and a young girl with dark complexion, blue eyes, white teeth, and sweet but inanimate features, presented herself. The men raised their hats.

"There is my daughter," cried Martin, complaisantly, to his visitors; "there is my good Margaret."

The carriage of this young girl was almost majestic, and her figure extremely fine. She looked serious and reflective, and her manners were cold and calm in the extreme; but her disposition was good, and she possessed a certain grave intelligence inherited from her father, together with principles so inflexible, as almost to approach puritanism. Her simple costume consisted of a short brown cloth dress, and under petticoat of striped red and black, which showed her embroidered stockings. Nothing about her indicated that coquetry so natural to young girls; Margaret seemed to despise the frivolous amusements generally pleasing to those of her sex. She regarded the strangers who accompanied her father with a rapid and penetrating glance, but upon seeing the eyes of Marcellin fixed intently on her face, she coloured, and looked down. Martin advanced towards her, and said in a low and mysterious voice

"Well! is he come ?"

"Not yet, my father," she replied. Martin's face brightened.

now

Let us hope he will not visit us," he said, "his presence just But tell me, dear child, have you followed my directions with regard to the strange lady. Have you attended to her wants?"

"I have done my best, father; but she is uneasy on account of—" Margaret stopped, not knowing which of the two travellers caused the anxiety of Ernestine.

"Now we are here safe and sound," exclaimed Simon, laughing, "confess that you, also, have suffered some uneasiness, my little proud one! but we have three guests instead of two, that is all! Come, let me present you."

Margaret pronounced their welcome with grace and natural dignity, and Michelot and the chevalier were politely bowing their thanks, when Martin pushed the latter gently towards his daughter, exclaiming "Come, not all this ceremony; we are plain people, M. de Peyras; embrace your-embrace Margaret."

Marcellin, attributing this invitation to the simple customs of the country, gallantly approached, but the young girl remained motionless, and when the lips of the chevalier lightly touched her cheek, a bright red spread over her face, and she drew back as if in terror. Her emotion did not last, and was unobserved. While Martin dismissed the mountaineers who had accompanied him to the rescue of De Peyras, his daughter conducted their guests to the dining-room, where a substantial repast awaited them. Situate upon the ground floor, this apartment, with its painted wainscot, clean wooden floor, and muslin curtains, wore a charming aspect. There were two portraits upon the walls; one, that of a mild, pensive looking man, in the costume of the mountaineers; the other, a fresh and ruddy-complexioned woman, in the dress of a shepherdess. A service of white and gold china was placed upon the polished table, and the strangers were more and more surprised at the simple and unpretending elegance which prevailed throughout the arrangements. But De Peyras did not long look around him. A voice was heard, whose accents thrilled through his every nerve. "Marcellin," it cried, "is it you? are you here?' And, at the same moment, Ernestine abruptly entered, and threw herself into his arms.

Dressed in a similar fashion to Margaret, the young girl still wore some portion of her own female attire, thus making a toilet of mingled richness and simplicity, which well became her slight and elegant figure. The chevalier, upon again meeting his beloved, from whom he had been nearly separated for ever, did not evince as much delight as might have been expected.

"Ernestine," he said, "I thank you for sending so promptly to my assistance."

"Alas!" she replied, "you must not thank me. When I arrived here I was incapable of speaking, but Master Simon had already scen the schoolmaster; it is to him, therefore, your gratitude is due, and to his generous daughter."

She looked towards Margaret as she spoke, who, at some little distance, was attentively regarding them. Ernestine took the hand of the chevalier, and placed it in that of her new friend.

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There," she murmured, smiling through her tears, "you have saved him I love."

"If I had a brother," replied Margaret, in a melancholy tone, "I should love him as you do yours."

The word brother caused Ernestine to colour, and look down in confusion. Marcellin also felt embarrassed before the young girl, so pure and high-minded, who regarded first one and then the other, seeking, in vain, to discover why her words had so visibly affected them. Quickly regaining his composure, the chevalier observed, in a half-gallant, half-serious tone

"Madile. Margaret is not aware, then, of any other affection than that between a brother and sister."

"There is also that of a father's towards his child, and the child's for its parent," returned Margaret, in a grave and ingenuous voice. De Peyras was silent for a moment, and then again addressed the young mountaineer.

"You are too beautiful," he whispered, softly, "to be ignorant of yet another sentiment."

The haughty Margaret drew herself up, cast an irritated glance upon the chevalier, and then quitted the apartment.

"You have offended her," exclaimed Ernestine, with vexation; "cannot you refrain from these gallantries ?"

Marcellin smiled complaisantly.

"Ernestine de Blanchefort is so much engaged with her new friends, that she quite forgets her old ones."

Upon seeing the justice, the young girl screamed, and rushed towards her lover.

"That man again!" she exclaimed; "Marcellin, you have deceived me; we are not yet safe; he will betray us."

"God preserve him, if he dare to attempt it," cried De Peyras, in a menacing tone.

Michelot was somewhat discouraged by this threat, and again addressed Ernestine.

"You are unjust to me, lady," he said, bitterly, “and my friendship for your father causes you to mistrust me. It is true, that the commands I received from M. de Blanchefort were not in accordance with your own wishes, but greatly to my satisfaction I now see the possibility of arranging this affair, and I shall be the first to congratulate you upon a union, alike pleasing to yourself and parent."

This positive assertion much surprised the lovers.

"Michelot," exclaimed the chevalier, "speak frankly; do you really mean that you have serious reasons for believing we shall obtain the pardon of M. de Blanchefort, through the intercession of our mysterious protector?"

"Your mysterious protector himself assures you it will be obtained," cried Martin, who entered at this moment, and bad heard the last words; to-morrow Michelot will proceed to Lyons, with a letter from me to the lieutenant, and a few days afterwards (that is to say, allowing sufficient time for his return), your marriage will be celebrated in the church of Bout-du-Monde, with the full consent of your unpitying father."

"Oh! do that, Sir," implored Ernestine; "obtain the consent of my father, and I shall bless you all my life." De Peyras looked grave.

"And you will not acquaint us with the means to be employed in accomplishing such a miracle," he said.

"That is at present my secret," replied the King of Pelvoux, rubbing his hands, "and I will not reveal it until I have succeeded, for, if I took you into my confidence, you would, probably, raise objections, and make a number of difficulties, which, if left alone, I shall easily surmount. If I serve people, it must be in my own fashion, no matter how whimsical the manner may be."

Margaret now entered, followed by the domestics; and Martin, placing his finger on his lips, invited his guests to be seated. Margaret did the honours of the table, with cold politeness; Ernestine was thoughtful; Marcellin engaged in looking around him; and Michelot alone did justice to the fare. One seat was left vacant; and De Peyras observed that Martin frequently turned his eyes in the direction of the door, as if he expected some fresh arrival; he therefore inquired of his host, who carelessly replied, that the place was reserved for the schoolmaster; but the old man must have forgotten the dinner hour, or was afraid of meeting strangers, he being timid as a child. De Peyras had no reason to doubt this explanation, and again renewed his observations. Perceiving that Martin drank from a golden cup, which appeared to have a half-effaced coat-of-arms engraved upon it, he was going to examine it, when the mountaineer, who had apparently been engaged in an interesting conversation with Michelot, suddenly raised it to his lips. Marcellin coloured like one detected in an act of rudeness, and shortly afterwards the goblet was removed, and a glass placed in its stead. This circumstance occupied the chevalier's thoughts until dinner was over. The guests then rose, and were about to seek that repose which the fatigues of the morning rendered necessary, when a noise was heard without, and approached nearer every moment. The shrill voice of the scholar could be easily distinguished, and it was answered by one, rough, deep, and unknown to Martin's visitors. The two spoke louder, as the dispute became more violent, and the guests listened in silence.

"Naturati fugam," cried Eusebius, always faithful to his Virgil; "hence, vile wretch, impudent liar; there is nothing for you in a house where you behaved so shamefully the last time you were employed. Do you take the residence of the King of Pelvoux for a tavern, old drunkard? but I am less surprised at your coming, because the sortes vigiliana' announced a disagreeable visitor to the baillie. I thought the warning referred to the stranger already here, Hi prohibite minus.'"

6

"Ah! there, what the devil are you saying?" responded the other voice, in a strong Auvergne accent; "since when have you been charged to prevent gentlemen from seeing the baillie, if it suits

Ernestine pouted and looked grave.

Michelot, who had been quietly sitting in a corner of the room, advanced, and bowing to the lady, said, politely

"You said, yesterday," replied the voice of Eusebius, "that you were coming here, and the master will not see you, I am sure; so turn your steps in another direction, wine butt."

"Wine butt! wine butt!" grumbled the other "take care what