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The noise startled the banditti, who becae, to exaht have overheard their councils Blanche saw theer looks: but, before she could raise

herself, they discovered and seized her, and, as they dragged her

towards the chamber they had quitted, her screa reached the rooan to consult what they should do with

her 'Let us first knohat she had heard,' said the chief robber 'How

long have you been in the passage, lady, and what brought you there?'

'Let us first secure that picture,' said one of his co Blanche 'Fair lady, by your leave that

picture is mine; co their ave up the ated her, concerning what

she had overheard of their conversation, when, her confusion and terror

too plainly telling what her tongue feared to confess, the ruffians

looked expressively upon one another, and two of them withdrew to a

remote part of the room, as if to consult further

'These are diamonds, by St Peter!' exclai the miniature, 'and here is a very pretty picture too, 'faith;

as handso chevalier, as you would wish to see by a summer's

sun Lady, this is your spouse, I warrant, for it is the spark, that was

in your co with terror, conjured hi hi of what had passed, if