Woman's Choice —The Story Of A Hero.

day ' s morning . Fare you Avell ! And IIOAV for tho Avorld that shall yet listen for the tramp of my steed , and quail at the flashing of my sword 1 " With a half smile at his playful boast , struggling Avi tb the tears that filled bis eyes , Bertrand du Guesclin Avent on his A \ 'ay .

Some ten or fourteen clays after the abrupt departure of his first-born , Sir Oliver du Guesclin Avas busily engaged in tho ball of the chateau , giving various directions to bis principal esquire respecting the preparations to be made for their approaching tournament at Ploermel ,

At the upper end of the apartment stood his favourite Guy , Avith a falcon on his Avrist , bending his graceful head to Avhisper soft flatteries to a young lady . Even the frightful head-dress of the middle age , Avhich resembled a huge extinguisher , or the

paper fool ' s cap of a village dame , could not detract from the exceeding loveliness of her countenance . Every feature Avas small , delicate , ancl perfect in form ; her eyes Avere large , and of the softest blue ; her hair like pale gold . So perfect was the

outline of both face and figure , that the Avant of charac ter in both Avas scarcely perceptible , or only became so on intimate acquaintance .

All good gifts are , however , rarely showered on the same person , let poets fable as they AviJI j ancl bountiful as Nature had been to Claire du Val , it must be confessed that , fair , gentle , ancl gay of mood as she Avas , she lacked the hi gher gifts of intellect ,

and Avas vain to excess of her really beautiful person . The flattery of her handsome Avooer Avas destined to be of far briefer duration than the lady desired , for a horn Avithout announced tho arrival of a guest , and in a few moments the entrance of a

body of men-at-arms into the court declared the neAV comer to be a person of rank and distinction . Sir Oliver advanced to meet the visitor as he entered the half , and greeted him Avith Avarm cordiality .

"Welcome , my Lord of Ploermel , " said Sir Oliver ; " welcome to my poor house . This is , indeed , an unexpected pleasure . " "Business led me in the direction ofyour chateau , Sir Olh'er , " replied the stranger , AVIIO was a dignified and graceful man , in the prime of life , " and 1 would not pass

your toAA'ers without a brief visit to ask after my ancient friend ancl my fair kinsAvoman . ' " Your niece is even IAOAV present , " said Sir OliA'er eagerly . " Claire , my child , come hither ancl greet your uncle . This gentleman , clear friend , Avho has perchance

outgrown your knowledge , is my son Guy . " _ " , "Indeed , " said the Lord cle Ploermel dryly , " I should haA'c judged him to have beenmy niece ' s affianced , by the brief glance I took at them on entering . "

Guy looked cmbarassed , and Claire blushed deeply . " We shall see you at the tournament , young sir , I suppose , " added the visitor , " with your gallant father and brother . I hope my young favouriteBertrandis not

, , absent from home . I long to see what the lapse of nine years—for even so long LTVO I been absent from France—has wrought for him . "

" Alas , my good lord , speak not of him I beseech you ! " said Du Guesclin , mournfully : "he disgraces the noble name he bears by his A'ices . There is no mad riot into which his youth hath not run ; his associates have been the rangers of the forests ;

ancl he hath consequently become a brawler and a loA'er of all IOAV and unknightl y pleasures . " "Indeed ! " said De Ploermel , gravely . " You surprise ancl shock me , my good friend . I thought I discerned the germ

of many noble qualities in his boyhood ; let us hope that he may yet redeem that promise , ancl make the lustre of his manhood efface the folly of his youth . A Avord of advice may do much . Will you suffer me to speak Avith himto endeavour to restore

, him to a souse of duty and honour ?' " He is no longer beneath my roof , fair sir ; I have banished the reprobate from the home bis violence disturbed , ancl mean to bestoAV his inheritance on my younger and Avortbier sonGuy . "

, "And my kinswoman , the Lady Claire 1 " asked De Ploermel , scarcely manifesting the surprise be might have been expected to feel at such an announcement .

" She is IIOAV the betrothed of my son Guy , his brother being unAvorthy of her , " ansAvered Dn Guesclin . " And can the maiden so readily transfer her affections ; or were they neA'er given to her betrothed T said De Ploeimel . " What