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you were going to plunge it into my heart: you will be punished as the assassin of the King of Navarre, and every one will declare that you merited your fate."
He drew the poniard, and was walking towards the door that led from the garden, when a tall and majestic woman, dressed in a long white robe, and her face covered with a veil, came from between the trees. Seizing the arm of the King of Navarre,—"Dare not touch the life of the Count de Nevers," said she, "I stand in need of him; and I think the fear of his revealing the secrets of this night will not appear equal to the danger of opposing my commands." The King of Navarre, in a submissive tone of voice, replied,—"Never, madam, had I any idea of disobeying you. I will preserve his life, and instantly convey him to a place of safety."--"That care be mine," said the lady: "Return quietly to the crowd, whom you can disperse by a word; but remember, let circumstances be what they may, that the life of the Court de Nevers must be saved. I have occasion for his services—let that be sufficient." The King of Navarre departed without replying; and the lady approaching De Nevers, who stood immoveable with astonishment and curiosity,—"Follow me," said she, "and rely implicitly on her who has just saved your life." The Count bowed in silent wonder. His protectress then conducted him into the ruins of a grotto, which terminated the garden of Marcel. It was perfectly dark; but the lady took hold of his hand, and, by continual turnings, contrived to make him avoid the stones and fragments, which were scattered about, and heaped up in different places.
At last they arrived at the end of the grotto. She stopped at a passage, so low that they were
