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who was on the point of depriving me of an existence； at that
time infinitely dear！ I had every reason to be satisfied with
life； I had youth； wealth； rank； and education； and the fairest
prospects presented themselves before me。 I saw those prospects
on the point of closing in the most horrible manner： Yet was I
obliged to dissimulate； and to receive with a semblance of
gratitude the false civilities of him who held the dagger to my
bosom。
The permission which our Host demanded； was easily obtained。 We
seated ourselves at the Table。 The Baroness and myself occupied
one side： The Sons were opposite to us with their backs to the
door。 Baptiste took his seat by the Baroness at the upper end；
and the place next to him was left for his Wife。 She soon
entered the room； and placed before us a plain but comfortable
Peasant's repast。 Our Host thought it necessary to apologize for
the poorness of the supper： 'He had not been apprized of our
coming； He could only offer us such fare as had been intended for
his own family：'
'But；' added He； 'should any accident detain my noble Guests
longer than they at present intend； I hope to give them a better
treatment。'
The Villain！ I well knew the accident to which He alluded； I
shuddered at the treatment which He taught us to expect！
My Companion in danger seemed entirely to have got rid of her
chagrin at being delayed。 She laughed； and conversed with the
family with infinite gaiety。 I strove but in vain to follow her
example。 My spirits were evidently forced； and the constraint
which I put upon myself escaped not Baptiste's observation。
'Come； come； Monsieur； cheer up！' said He； 'You seem not quite
recovered from your fatigue。 To raise your spirits； what say you
to a glass of excellent old wine which was left me by my Father？
God rest his soul； He is in a better world！ I seldom produce
this wine； But as I am not honoured with such Guests every day；
this is an occasion which deserves a Bottle。'
He then gave his Wife a Key； and instructed her where to find the
wine of which He spoke。 She seemed by no means pleased with the
commission； She took the Key with an embarrassed air； and
hesitated to quit the Table。
'Did you hear me？' said Baptiste in an angry tone。
Marguerite darted upon him a look of mingled anger and fear； and
left the chamber。 His eyes followed her suspiciously； till She
had closed the door。
She soon returned with a bottle sealed with yellow wax。 She
placed it upon the table； and gave the Key back to her Husband。
I suspected that this liquor was not presented to us without
design； and I watched Marguerite's movements with inquietude。
She was employed in rinsing some small horn Goblets。 As She
placed them before Baptiste； She saw that my eye was fixed upon
her； and at the moment when She thought herself unobserved by the
Banditti； She motioned to me with her head not to taste the
liquor； She then resumed her place。
In the mean while our Host had drawn the Cork； and filling two of
the Goblets； offered them to the Lady and myself。 She at first
made some objections； but the instances of Baptiste were so
urgent； that She was obliged to comply。 Fearing to excite
suspicion； I hesitated not to take the Goblet presented to me。
By its smell and colour I guessed it to be Champagne； But some
grains of powder floating upon the top convinced me that it was
not unadulterated。 However； I dared not to express my repugnance
to drinking it； I lifted it to my lips； and seemed to be
swallowing it： Suddenly starting from my chair； I made the best
of my way towards a Vase of water at some distance； in which
Marguerite had been rinsing the Goblets。 I pretended to spit out
the wine with disgust； and took an opportunity unperceived of
emptying the liquor into the Vase。
The Banditti seemed alarmed at my action。 Jacques half rose from
his chair； put his hand into his bosom； and I discovered the haft
of a dagger。 I returned to my seat with tranquillity； and
affected not to have observed their confusion。
'You have not suited my taste； honest Friend；' said I； addressing
myself to Baptiste。 'I never can drink Champagne without its
producing a violent illness。 I swallowed a few mouthfuls ere I
was aware of its quality； and fear that I shall suffer for my
imprudence。'
Baptiste and Jacques exchanged looks of distrust。
'Perhaps；' said Robert； 'the smell may be disagreeable to you。'
He quitted his chair； and removed the Goblet。 I observed； that
He examined； whether it was nearly empty。
'He must have drank sufficient；' said He to his Brother in a low
voice； while He reseated himself。
Marguerite looked apprehensive； that I had tasted the liquor： A
glance from my eye reassured her。
I waited with anxiety for the effects which the Beverage would
produce upon the Lady。 I doubted not but the grains which I had
observed were poisonous； and lamented that it had been
impossible for me to warn her of the danger。 But a few minutes
had elapsed before I perceived her eyes grow heavy； Her head
sank upon her shoulder； and She fell into a deep sleep。 I
affected not to attend to this circumstance； and continued my
conversation with Baptiste； with all the outward gaiety in my
power to assume。 But He no longer answered me without
constraint。 He eyed me with distrust and astonishment； and I saw
that the Banditti were frequently whispering among themselves。
My situation became every moment more painful； I sustained the
character of confidence with a worse grace than ever。 Equally
afraid of the arrival of their Accomplices and of their
suspecting my knowledge of their designs； I knew not how to
dissipate the distrust which the Banditti evidently entertained
for me。 In this new dilemma the friendly Marguerite again
assisted me。 She passed behind the Chairs of her Stepsons；
stopped for a moment opposite to me； closed her eyes； and
reclined her head upon her shoulder。 This hint immediately
dispelled my incertitude。 It told me； that I ought to imitate
the Baroness； and pretend that the liquor had taken its full
effect upon me。 I did so； and in a few minutes seemed perfectly
overcome with slumber。
'So！' cried Baptiste； as I fell back in my chair； 'At last He
sleeps！ I began to think that He had scented our design； and
that we should have been forced to dispatch him at all events。'
'And why not dispatch him at all events？' enquired the ferocious
Jacques。 'Why leave him the possibility of betraying our secret？
Marguerite； give me one of my Pistols： A single touch of the
trigger will finish him at once。'
'And supposing；' rejoined the Father； 'Supposing that our Friends
should not arrive tonight； a pretty figure we should make when
the Servants enquire for him in the Morning！ No； no； Jacques； We
must wait for our Associates。 If they join us； we are strong
enough to dispatch the Domestics as well as their Masters； and
the booty is our own； If Claude does not find the Troop； we must
take patience； and suffer the prey to slip through our fingers。
Ah！ Boys； Boys； had you arrived but five minutes sooner； the
Spaniard would have been done for； and tw