The Fate of a Crown

, the bright sunshine pouring in at my open window

hope of finding her abroad at that hour until I caught a glimpse of her white gown through a small arbor. The vision enchanted me, and after pausing a moment to feast my eyes upon her loveliness, I hasti

ou like D

ness. "He seems eminently worthy of the con

ightly, "and not a rebel of us all would hesit

ok my breath away, and I did not wish to grieve her. To gain tim

t be quite frank, your brother puzzles me. But I t

r head as if

s Francisco but me," sh

and himself?" I

at me with a g

his talents, and the suspicious Piexoto trusts him implicitly. Francisco's intimate friend

ed gr

tes." It was the least I could say in answer to the pleading look in her eyes

she announced; "for he told me so

ther has

his return to c

claimed, amazed

emed a

Francisco Paola is Dom Pe

o realize that extraordinary conditions prevailed in Brazil. Perhaps the thing that caused me most astonishment was that this apparently conceited and empty-headed fellow had ever been se

ring merrily of the flowers and birds, the dewdrops and the sunshine, and all those inconsequent things that are wont to occupy youthful lips while hearts beat fast and glances shyly mingle. When, at len

l carried me to his study, where he began to acquaint me thoroughly with the standing an

ed the door softly opened

ed coldly to her father, and then seated he

brow. He hesitated an instant, and

need you to

n him with a f

oto are not finished

e will act as my secretary, hereafter; th

r eyes flashing, but her

harged?" s

alue to the Cause. But they are wearing out your strength, and some of our friends th

e of freedom. But my services, it seems, are not agreeable to your leade

as about to reply angrily; but the wom

you beware! But why should I speak? I am not trusted, it seems; I, the daughter of de Pintra, who is chief of the Revolution

abe

trayal comes, look to your buffoon, the Mini

arily I recoiled, for the attack was unexpected. Then my l

the door closed, and rubbed his fore

nderstood, has been suspected by some of my associates. She has a history, has Izabel-a sad history, my friend." For a moment Dom Miguel bowe

ger the scorn and abuse of her husband, Izabel came to me and confessed the truth, asking me to give her the shelter of a home. That was years ago, senhor. I made her my secretary, and found her eager to engage in our patriotic conspiracy. It is my belief that she has neither seen nor heard from de Mar since; but others have suspected her. It is hard indeed, Robert, not to be suspicious in this whirlpool of intrigue wherein we ar

sat thoughtfully co

rets to her, since I have myself refrained from doing so, out of respect for the wishes of my associates. But do not misjudge Izab

he Cause and how thoroughly the spirit of freedom had corrupted the royal army, the court, and even the Emperor's trusted police. And I learned, with all this, to develop both admiration and respect for the

etly and departed without even the servants having knowledge of their visit. During th

and fortunes. One by one I came to know and admire them, and they spoke freely in my presence and trusted me. Throu

I first met him. To his silly jokes and inconsequent chatter none paid the slightest attention; but when a real problem arose 71and they turned questioningly to Paola

t of his connection with it. Indeed, he exhibited a queer mingling of folly and astuteness. His friends appeared to consider his flippancy and self-adulation as a mask that effectually concealed his real talents. Doubtless the Emperor had the same idea when he

favorably, and his closest friends 72were, I d

a recognized member of the conspiracy, I found that she was thoroughly conversant with every detail of our progress. This information must certainly have come from Francisc

ject, I wondered, could he have in accusing Izabel to her own father, in falsely swearing that

the husband she had learned to hate and despise. She still remained an inmate of her father's mansion, cold and impassive as ever. Dom Miguel treated her with rare considera

I found myself working for the good of the cause with as much ardor as the most eager patriot of

leaders had so far been preserved, since they came masked and cloaked to the rendezvous, but so many of the details of the conspiracy had in some way leaked out that 74I marveled the Emperor's heavy hand ha

rise that in view of the government's information of our plot we were not summaril

ed here, but its branches penetrate to every province of the country, and were an outbreak to occur here the republicans of Brazil would rise a

s are, and capture them, there would be

ided into three sections. Only one-third of the leaders could be captured at any one time. Bu

ir. What then? Who would carry out your

sat thoughtful

not for myself I fear. Lest the Cause be lost through premature exposure, I have taken care to guard against that, shoul

ntel, smiling meantime at

tantly. He drew a 76rug from before the fireplace, and stoopin

n might descend, and peering over his shoulder

and took the ca

me," h