enquiringly up into the face of the young man, and
added: "Come, plead before me to this charge of
heart-stealing, as touching which you have been taken
in the act."

"Sir," then said the stranger with dignity, whilst
he slowly seated himself; "sir, you are justified in
thus misdoubting me; for though a gentleman should,
like the wife of Caesar, be above suspicion, never yet
knew chivalry a time but there were recreant knights.
Moreover, I can perceive that circumstances now
must shadow, and, as with refracting influence,
distort me, so that I may well stand here seeming to
be deformed, although my soul, if you could see it,
would show wanting no part of honour's fair propor-
tions. Hear me, then, patiently, for I plead less for
my own defence than for her vindication who has
just retired beneath your frown."

And the ingenuous but compromised Montigny
sketched the brief history of his passion, and when
he had done, the advocate, looking into his counte-
nance keenly, but confidingly, rejoined:

"You speak the truth, I know it by your eye,
wherein no falsehood might harbour for a moment;
yet, young seigneur, you have entered on a perilous
path; dare you walk in it? It is the way of honor,
and will prove to be the way of safety; but, beshrew
me, if I do not fear that it may prove to you a way
of pain. Whatever may be the ways of wisdom, the
ways of honour are not always ways of pleasantness,
nor is the path of duty always one of peace. If you
would wear the rose you must grasp it as it grows
amidst the thorns. And now, farewell -- yet, hold.
I hold you to your bond. The forfeit were the

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