Leander was at first very much vexed and disappointed,
but was somewhat reconciled and consoled when he felt the weight of his
golden treasure, and saw its length and thickness; and, on the whole,
was rather glad to come off with such flying colours from an adventure
that might have brought down a yet more severe punishment than that he
had already received upon his devoted head.
When Isabelle regained her own room she found a very rich and elegant
casket awaiting her there, which had been placed conspicuously on the
dressing-table, where it could not fail to meet her eye the moment she
entered the chamber. A folded paper was lying under one corner of the
casket, which must have contained some very precious gems, for it was
a real marvel of beauty itself. The paper was not sealed, and bore only
these two words, evidently written by a weak and trembling hand, "For
Isabelle." A bright flush of indignation overspread her sweet face when
she perceived it, and without even yielding to her feminine curiosity
so far as to open the richly carved and inlaid casket for a peep at its
contents, she called for Maitre Bilot, and ordered him peremptorily
to take it immediately out of her room, and give it back to whomsoever
owned it, for she would not suffer it to remain where it was another
minute.
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