ave already resolved on, but which you think
will be grateful to me. Is it not so?

"Your Majesty is penetrating."

"And this recompense, what is it?"

"That which will cost you nothing, though you alone can accomplish
it--the release and pardon of Augustus Glinski. Obtain this from the
king--which to you will be easy--and with my own hand I will
assassinate the assassin (for such you will doubtless deem him) of the
Duke of Lithuania."

"I will not ask what are your motives in all this, nor how you have
divined my wishes, but revenge the death of the Duke of Lithuania, and
far more than the liberation of the young Augustus shall be your
reward."

"I ask, and will accept no other. But his rescue must _first_ be
obtained."

The queen had no objection to urge against this condition; although
she had hitherto, for reasons which may be easily surmised, avoided
any appearance of interest in the fate of Augustus. She acquiesced,
therefore, in Hakem's demand; surprised indeed that she should have
obtained the gratification of her revenge at so slight a cost.

What the influence and the reasonings of the minister could not
effect, was very speedily brought about by the blandishments of the
queen. Augustus Glinski was pardoned, and restored to a portion of his
father's wealth and dignities.

The warrant for the release of the prisoner was conveyed to the hand
of Hakem, together with a message that he was now expected to perform
his part of the engagement.

Hakem, bearing this warrant, and accompanied by one of the officers of
justice, proceeded to the prison of Augustus, and having liberated
him, carried him forthwith to the house of the chancellor; the young
man, who as yet hardly apprehended that he was master of his own
movements, permitting himself without remonstrance to be led by his
new conductor.

The chancellor and his daughter sat together in the same apartment to
which we have already twice introduced the reader. Had his daughter
been happy, what a release for Laski had been his enfranchisement from
public office! "Banishment from court!" he exclaimed to one who would
have condoled with him--"make way there for a liberated prisoner!" But
the grief of his daughter, who strove in vain to check her flowing
tears, entirely pre-occupied his mind. These tears he never chid; her
sadness he never rebuked; he shared it, and by renewed kindness strove
to alleviate it. They sat in silence together, when Hakem, enter