soundest views.

There was something so striking in this man's attitude at a moment
of deadly peril that Brackenbury was overcome with respectful

admiration; nor was he less sensible to the charm of his
conversation or the surprising amenity of his address. Every

gesture, every intonation, was not only noble in itself, but seemed
to ennoble the fortunatemortal for whom it was intended; and

Brackenbury confessed to himself with enthusiasm that this was a
sovereign for whom a brave man might thankfully lay down his life.

Many minutes had thus passed, when the person who had introduced
them into the house, and who had sat ever since in a corner, and

with his watch in his hand, arose and whispered a word into the
Prince's ear.

"It is well, Dr. Noel," replied Florizel, aloud; and then
addressing the others, "You will excuse me, gentlemen," he added,

"if I have to leave you in the dark. The moment now approaches."
Dr. Noel extinguished the lamp. A faint, grey light, premonitory

of the dawn, illuminated the window, but was not sufficient to
illuminate the room; and when the Prince rose to his feet, it was

impossible to distinguish his features or to make a guess at the
nature of the emotion which obviouslyaffected him as he spoke. He

moved towards the door, and placed himself at one side of it in an
attitude of the wariest attention.

"You will have the kindness," he said, "to maintain the strictest
silence, and to conceal yourselves in the densest of the shadow."

The three officers and the physician hastened to obey, and for
nearly ten minutes the only sound in Rochester House was occasioned

by the excursions of the rats behind the woodwork. At the end of
that period, a loud creak of a hinge broke in with surprising

distinctness on the silence; and shortly after, the watchers could
distinguish a slow and cautious tread approaching up the kitchen

stair. At every second step the intruder seemed to pause and lend
an ear, and during these intervals, which seemed of an incalculable

duration, a profound disquiet possessed the spirit of the
listeners. Dr. Noel, accustomed as he was to dangerous emotions,

suffered an almost pitifulphysical prostration; his breath
whistled in his lungs, his teeth grated one upon another, and his

joints cracked aloud as he nervously shifted his position.
At last a hand was laid upon the door, and the bolt shot back with

a slight report. There followed another pause, during which
Brackenbury could see the Prince draw himself together noiselessly

as if for some unusualexertion. Then the door opened, letting in
a little more of the light of the morning; and the figure of a man

appeared upon the threshold and stood motionless. He was tall, and
carried a knife in his hand. Even in the twilight they could see

his upper teeth bare and glistening, for his mouth was open like
that of a hound about to leap. The man had evidently been over the

head in water but a minute or two before; and even while he stood
there the drops kept falling from his wet clothes and pattered on

the floor.
The next moment he crossed the threshold. There was a leap, a

stifled cry, an instantaneous struggle; and before Colonel
Geraldine could spring to his aid, the Prince held the man disarmed

and helpless, by the shoulders
"Dr. Noel," he said, "you will be so good as to re-light the lamp."

And relinquishing the charge of his prisoner to Geraldine and
Brackenbury, he crossed the room and set his back against the

chimney-piece. As soon as the lamp had kindled, the party beheld
an unaccustomed sternness on the Prince's features. It was no

longer Florizel, the careless gentleman; it was the Prince of
Bohemia, justly incensed and full of deadly purpose, who now raised

his head and addressed the captive President of the Suicide Club.
"President," he said, "you have laid your last snare, and your own

feet are taken in it. The day is beginning; it is your last
morning. You have just swum the Regent's Canal; it is your last

bathe in this world. Your old accomplice, Dr. Noel, so far from
betraying me, has delivered you into my hands for judgment. And

the grave you had dug for me this afternoon shall serve, in God's
almightyprovidence, to hide your own just doom from the curiosity

of mankind. Kneel and pray, sir, if you have a mind that way; for
your time is short, and God is weary of your iniquities."

The President made no answer either by word or sign; but continued
to hang his head and gaze sullenly on the floor, as though he were

conscious of the Prince's prolonged and unsparing regard.
"Gentlemen," continued Florizel, resuming the ordinary tone of his

conversation, "this is a fellow who has long eluded me, but whom,
thanks to Dr. Noel, I now have tightly by the heels. To tell the

story of his misdeeds would occupy more time than we can now
afford; but if the canal had contained nothing but the blood of his

victims, I believe the wretch would have been no drier than you see
him. Even in an affair of this sort I desire to preserve the forms

of honour. But I make you the judges, gentlemen - this is more an
execution than a duel and to give the rogue his choice of weapons

would be to push too far a point of etiquette. I cannot afford to
lose my life in such a business," he continued, unlocking the case

of swords; "and as a pistol-bullet travels so often on the wings of
chance, and skill and courage may fall by the most trembling

marksman, I have decided, and I feel sure you will approve my
determination, to put this question to the touch of swords."

When Brackenbury and Major O'Rooke, to whom these remarks were
particularly addressed, had each intimated his approval, "Quick,

sir," added Prince Florizel to the President, "choose a blade and
do not keep me waiting; I have an impatience to be done with you

for ever."
For the first time since he was captured and disarmed the President

raised his head, and it was plain that he began instantly to pluck
up courage.

"Is it to be stand up?" he asked eagerly, "and between you and me?"
"I mean so far to honour you," replied the Prince.

"Oh, come!" cried the President. "With a fair field, who knows how
things may happen? I must add that I consider it handsome

behaviour on your Highness's part; and if the worst comes to the
worst I shall die by one of the most gallant gentlemen in Europe."

And the President, liberated by those who had detained him, stepped
up to the table and began, with minute attention, to select a

sword. He was highly elated, and seemed to feel no doubt that he
should issue victorious from the contest. The spectators grew

alarmed in the face of so entire a confidence, and adjured Prince
Florizel to reconsider his intention.

"It is but a farce," he answered; "and I think I can promise you,
gentlemen, that it will not be long a-playing."

"Your Highness will be careful not to over-reach," said Colonel
Geraldine.

"Geraldine," returned the Prince, "did you ever know me fail in a
debt of honour? I owe you this man's death, and you shall have

it."
The President at last satisfied himself with one of the rapiers,

and signified his readiness by a gesture that was not devoid of a
rude nobility. The nearness of peril, and the sense of courage,

even to this obnoxious villain, lent an air of manhood and a
certain grace.

The Prince helped himself at random to a sword.
"Colonel Geraldine and Doctor Noel," he said, "will have the

goodness to await me in this room. I wish no personal friend of
mine to be involved in this transaction. Major O'Rooke, you are a

man of some years and a settled reputation - let me recommend the
President to your good graces. Lieutenant Rich will be so good as

lend me his attentions: a young man cannot have too much
experience in such affairs."

"Your Highness," replied Brackenbury, "it is an honour I shall
prize extremely."