My Lord The King;

CHAPTER IV . THE SHADOW OP DEATH . " Betfeare , Monsieur . Mademoiselle is bettare . " The speaker is a little French doctor , who is just coming out of one of the rooms in

the Hotel de l'Europe , in Antwerp , and the inquirer is our friend Harry Mennell . The Hotel de l'Europe , a first class house , as all the world knows , is situate close to the Cathedral , whose gigantic tower and spire , carved like ivory work , overlook the

Square , which is planted with trees , and ornamented with a splendid statue of Rubens , whose wondrous pictures of the crucifixion adorn the sacred fane under whose shadow it stands . It is a week since the accident related in the last chapter , and Harry had been laid up for two or three days himself with a severe cold , caught through sitting in his

damp clothes—heedless of self—trying to comfort Mr . Mauleverer when he would not be comforted , and waiting hour after hour at the cabin door to hear some tidings of his daughter . It was fully four hours before they got into Antwerp , and then they took poor

Marian to the hotel , where she had lain ever since , sometimes delirious , sometimes sensible , but very weak and languid . It was during this time that Mr . Mauleverer first became aware of the danger his dausthter was in of becoming seriously attached

to the young stranger who had saved her life , when , in one of these unconscious moods , he heardherrepeat to herself , "Harry Mennell , what a pretty name ! " as if speaking to some one , and then , after a pause , " He loves me ; he loves me !" Presently she came to herself , and then she burst into tears , for she was very weak .

" Well my darling , are you better to day V said Mr . Mauleverer , coming noiselessly to her side , and speaking in low , gentle tones . " Yes , father ; thank you . How pretty these chimes are , " she added , as the Carillon broke out in the Cathedral belfry , and the melody of a hundred tongues in sweet

, musical cadences came floating on the breeze . "When shall I get better , papa , and be able to go and see the Cathedral ; we can just get a peep of it from the window , can we not 1 "

" Oh ! very soon , dear , I hope . Only be patient , there ' s a darling . " "Papa , ' said Marian presently , whilst a soft blush came over her pale cheek , flittuir , away g host-like almost ere it came . " ] hope Mr . Mennell was no worse . Have you seen him 1 "

" Yes , my dear , I have seen him , " replied Mr . Mauleverer gravely . He is all ri ght now , I believe , and was asking after you only to day . " ' * Shall I see him , father ? I should like so much to thank him for saving my life !"

" Well , yes , my dear , I daresay you will see him ; when yon are better . " Then there was a silence , and presently Marian said , "Do you think the angels sing like that V as the beautiful chimes broke out again upon the evening air . " It sounds so like the music of heaven , doesn ' t it ?"

"I don ' t know , darling . ' ' "Perhaps I shall know soon . I have been very near death , have I not , father ? I don't think I should mind it now , except the leaving you . " "Don ' t talk like that , dear . You are going to get quite well againsoon . And

, now I must go down to the table d'hote , and you must try and sleep a little . ' ' At the table d'hote , a clay or two afterwards , Mr . Mauleverer met an Oxford don , fellow of Exeter , Mr . Mennell ' s college , a former friend of his in the old days ; and

Harry Mennell , ( who was not staying in the house , but who always dined there , in order to make an excuse to ask after Marian ) saluting Mr . Mauleverer as he passed to bis seat , caught the eye of Mr . Wendover , and returned the slight salutation of that

gentleman with a haughty bow . Harry had been concerned in a little practical joking at Mr . Wendover s expense , and the latter had been the occasion of his

rustication for the third time , and of his finally leaving Oxford . " Do you know that young man , Mauleverer V asked his companion . " Not much , " said the other . " Good family , I believe ; little money , 1 fancy ; got rusticated three or four times

at Oxford , but he may be a different man now . " " By the way , " he continued , " 1 hope I'm not saying anything against a friend of yours . " "Oh no ; I thought him an agreeable