ing her part in a
new play to be shortly put in rehearsal, and, at the moment the Duke of
Vallombreuse softly entered her chamber, was repeating, in a low voice
and with closed eyes, the verses she was learning by heart--just as a
child does its lessons. The light from the window shone full upon her
beautiful head and face--seen in profile--and her lovely figure, thrown
back in a negligent attitude full of grace and abandon. She made a most
bewitching picture thus, and with a delicious effect of chiaroscuro that
would have enchanted an artist--it enthralled the young duke.

Supposing that the intruder who entered so quietly was only the
chambermaid, come to perform some forgotten duty, Isabelle did not
interrupt her study or look up, but went on composedly with her
recitation. The duke, who had breathlessly advanced to the centre of the
room, paused there, and stood motionless, gazing with rapture upon her
beauty. As he waited for her to open her eyes and become aware of his
presence, he sank gracefully down upon one knee, holding his hat so that
its long plume swept the floor, and laying his hand on his heart, in an
attitude that was slightly theatrical perhaps, but as respectful as
if he had been kneeling before a queen. Excitement and agitation had
flushed his pale cheeks a little, his eyes were luminous and full of
fire, a sweet smile hovered on his rich, red lips, and he had never
looked more splendidly, irresistibly handsome in his life. At last
Isabelle moved, raised her eyelids, turned her head, and perceived the
Duke of Vallombreuse, kneeling within six feet of her. If Perseus had
suddenly appeared before her, holding up Medusa's horrid head, the
effect would have been much the same. She sat like a statue, motionless,
breathless, as if she had been petrified, or frozen stiff--her eyes,
dilated with excessive terror, fixed upon his face, her lips parted, her
throat parched and dry, her tongue paralyzed--unable to move or speak.
A ghastly pallor overspread her horror-stricken countenance, a deathly
chill seized upon all her being, and for one dreadful moment of supreme
anguish she feared that she was going to faint quite away; but, by a
desperate, prodigious effort of will, she recalled her failing senses,
that she might not leave herself entirely defenceless in the power of
her cruel persecutor.

"Can it be possible that I inspire such overwhelming horror in your
gentle breast, my sweet Isabelle," said Vallombr