him up to it, to give you exercise and occupation. You can guide him with a silken thread,"

"Your enthusiasm will lead you into some extravagance, if I do not interrupt it," said Victor, attempting a smile, that played over his pale face like a wintry sunbeam, appearing only for an instant, and then vanishing in the gloom. "You can send your horses to-morrow, if it suits your convenience. If I feel well enough, I may avail myself of your kindness."

"I trust you may," returned Dubourg, "but we must not speak of illness, for the surest way to invite the monster's approach is running to meet him, unlike other monsters who are always appalled by being looked steadfastly in the face. Let us speak of something more pleasant. Apropôs, why have you never fulfilled your promise of presenting me to your fair cousin and her father?"

The theme his friend had selected to divert sad thoughts, seemed ill imagined for the purpose. The pale cheek grew paler, as Victor replied with an effort at self-command, and with assumed carelessness. "Oh, the time is not yet come. I shall fulfil my promise at a future day, but at present there are circumstances that induce the comte to live more in retirement than usual. When these circumstances no longer present an obstacle, his daughter will appear in the fashionable world."

"And, meantime, what is so handsome a cavalier as yourself thinking of, Victor, not to take advantage of your privileges of acquaintance, to make an impression on the fair one? Ah! the reason is plain.

Doubtless she is old and ugly, and you do not think it would be worth the trouble to obtain a dispensation from Rome, which would be necessary in your union with so near a relative, and thus enable you to possess yourself of the treasure. But I perceive that it gives you pain to converse. Trust me, the remedy I propose will be a sovereign cure. You may drop me here," he continued, "for I prefer walking to driving in such a pleasant day as this. I shall inquire after your health this evening. Adieu! my friend."

Ar the hour appointed on the following day, the horses promised by his kind and considerate friend were at Victor's door.

As he descended to the court, he found the English groom, a specimen of the most approved proportions of diminutiveness for the fashionable tiger, arrayed in his neat tightly-fitting costume, buttoned redingote, belted waist, buckskins, and white-topped boots, walking the fine hunter to and fro, to curb his impatience until the happy moment should arrive to free him from the scorned restraint.

Victor, as he had explained to his friend, was a fashionable, though not a practised horseman. He vaulted lightly into the saddle, as this was a part of the exercise he had attained in perfection, and found that the fine animal well merited the praise enthusiastically lavished on him by his owner. He submitted to every caprice of the rider with perfect docility, and the silken thread which Dubourg had vaunted as sufficient to control him would, as it seemed to Victor, have well served the purpose.

Exhilarated and refreshed by the unusual exercise and excitement, he was returning from an hour's ride through the allées of the Bois de Boulogne, when he was overtaken by Dubourg. Victor checked his horse, and they rode slowly side by side.

"You find my prescription salutary, I trust," said Dubourg. "I can assure you I am no mean physician, especially when the health of a friend so dear to me is at stake. You look like yourself this morning; quite different from my nervous patient of yesterday."

"Yes," replied Victor, gratefully passing his hand over the neck of the fine animal he rode, who acknowledged the caress by proudly raising his head, as if conscious of the praises bestowed on him, "your horse has produced results already that the whole pharmacopoeia of the apothecary's treasures could not have effected. But he is better used to the spirited exercise I have given him this morning than I am. I must return home to repose after it."

As he spoke, they entered a narrow allée, the width of which admitted of the passage of only one carriage at a time. It was already occupied by a chariot, which Victor recognized as that of his kinsman, the Comte de Visconti. To his surprise, instead of drawing up on one side, as Victor was passing on the other, Dubourg, with an apparent awkwardness unpardonable in a skilful horseman, persisted in keeping his place by the side of his friend. His armed heel came in rough contact with the side of the spirited hunter. The horse reared and plunged, shyed suddenly, and Victor was thrown with violence to the ground.

The count hastily descended from his carriage,

and approached the spot where his nephew was lying, stunned and nearly insensible, but happily without farther injury. Dubourg was supporting Victor's head on his shoulder, and lamenting the sad accident in terms such as only the tenderest friendship could suggest. Beatrice, faint with terror, came trembling to the spot where the accident, which she feared was fatal, had happened.

At this moment a chariot drove up, and a lady elegantly dressed descended from it, and with expressions of kindly sympathy, softly inquired if she could afford any assistance.

"I perceive," she said, "that the young lady is very much agitated. I think I have the honor to address myself to the Comte de Visconti. My hotel in the Faubourg St. Germain is very near your own, and as there is only room in your chariot for yourself and the young gentleman who has met with the accident, (your son, I presume,) if it is agreeable to her, I shall be most happy to offer the young lady a seat in mine, and conduct her to your residence."

The count, who was too much agitated and perplexed by the alarming accident that had just occurred to perceive any thing not perfectly natural and suitable in this kind proposal, so gracefully and delicately made, accepted the offer, and with the assistance of Dubourg, placed his nephew in his chariot, and took his seat by his side. Beatrice put herself under the protection of the gentle-looking lady, who, with many soothing expressions of tenderness and condolence, followed her into the elegant vehicle that awaited her orders.