bles," Wilhelm responded with a sigh. Then, Master Flavel, with eyes and hands uplifted, as the purpose of Master Flavel to get informa- expressed his amazement.

"Poor gentleman!" he murmured audibly; to be exposed to this frosty atmosphere in such a defenceless condition!"

tion was precisely his own, he brought the dialogue near to the subject upon which he was in-" quisitive.

"You had the honour," he observed, "to know the great Ritter, Prince Merlin, who is just now our master?"

"Yes," replied Flavel.

"Then," continued the steward, "you had the honour to know a very distinguished personage, a nobleman illustrious at home, in-surely those northern countries possess names with which I can never become familiar."

"You mistake." said the steward. "It was in sultry summer weather."

"My dear Monsieur," gently exclaimed Master Flavel, "now there can be no question but that you are mistaken. To within a fortnight past, my lord the illustrious Prince Merlin, has been known to be engaged in a desperate campaign against the rebels of the northern islands, who refused to supply my lord's purveyors with tribute-honey for my lord's mead. How then Hum,”—muttered the steward, "what was could my lord have appeared here in summer?" that yes for?" Then he proceeded-" A noble- Sir," said the steward with a dignity becomman, I say, illustrious for his virtues and exten- ing in such a functionary when outraged by exsive possessions, to make no mention of a ven-treme contradiction, "permit me to entertain erable ancestry. This distinguished Brightness you with a brief narrative. In the latter days of you have had the honour to serve—eh ?"

"Yes," replied Flavel.

"Yes, Monsieur," said Flavel," and I could acquaint you with some particulars concerning my lord."

"You are a polite person, and I drink to your health," said the triumphant steward whose vanity whispered that his adroitness had led the stranger to the verge of developments. "And now, my dear sir, proceed."

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the last July my lord came to this region. It pleased him, riding alone, as I had the honour to signify to you, in his armour, ritterliche, to dismount and make his bath in a stream. Now, sir, there came to him, through the woodlands, certain facetious ladies, the excellent mistress of this chateau at their head; and, in their mirth, these ladies did bear off the clothing and other equipment of my lord. It was whilst in pursuit of his property that I beheld, with my own eyes, his approach, and that condition, near to natural nakedness, of which I spoke, and as to which you did me the respect to controvert me. this chateau I escorted my lord. I witnessed within ten days thereafter a nuptial ceremony, a "Pardon me," interrupted Master Flavel; "it marriage of my lord to the countess my miswas rather with the brilliant escort of two hun-tress-a marriage whereof I must not speak undred armed men, and with his banner displayed, derstandingly—and since that time, now three that my lord travelled. You are certainly mistaken on that point."

Flavel manifested no perception of the fact that he was expected to enter upon a narrative. "When his Brightness left his regretting country," continued the steward, "and came, led by some vow, doubtless, riding like a private per

son"

То

months agone, it has been my duty, as my pleasure, to attend daily upon the presence of my “Mistaken!" retorted the steward. "Sir, that lord, the Ritter, his Brightness Prince Merlin—a observation would alone prove you a stranger to plain tale-a plain tale, sir. I am gratified to this region. I pique myself, sir, and others have perceive that I have been perspicuous enough to not been wanting in complimentary remark, upon put to flight those opposite suppositions of your the fidelity of my observation and the accuracy ignorance. I am never mistaken, sir-never." of my statements." "I believe you, Monsieur," said the valet. "But, Monsieur," persevered the valet, "you" You possess a genius for observation and for have been misinformed by some one disposed to narrative, and your words carry conviction. Now practise upon your confiding disposition. My I shall empty a cup to your health, and depart." lord positively journeyed with such an escort as I have mentioned. You have been practised upon."

The steward became ruddy with passion. "Practised upon! Holy St. Julian, saint of travellers! Am I unable to behold with my own eyes? His Brightness not only came without the escort you speak of, but when I went out to meet him, he was well-nigh in a condition of natural nakedness."

The steward became suddenly aware that the interview had resulted in his giving information to his guest, and receiving none in return.

"Delay, my dear sir," he said, "and partake of a slight refection which I will prepare for you."

Flavel, losing some of his civility now that he had drawn from his host such knowledge as he desired, rejected the proffered entertainment, and was in a few minutes on his return to his master,

Captain Piper, burthened with news destined to your majesty the victim of a similar romantic adsurprise that gentleman extremely.

CHAPTER EIGHTH.

"Your words, Timandra, lift me From a dark vale of servitude, and seat me Upon a hill of happiness."

The Bondman-Massinger.

venture. Come in peace; for, as you perceive, force will not avail you."

"I do not understand you,” replied the Norwegian. "Neither do I care to oppose you. Lead on."

This apathy seemed to excite the surprise and comment of the troopers. After speaking among themselves, the company before him opened sufficiently to admit him into its midst. No force was used. The strangers seemed, indeed, to be The sun of that day was near its setting, when under the influence of a sort of surly respect for Merlin, who had withheld himself from the soci- their captive. In a few moments the dragoons, ety of his countess and her guests, and passed numbering full fifty men, were pricking on at a his time in unhappy reflections, sallied from the speedy gait, Merlin riding amongst them as carecastle on horseback. His purpose was not de-less of the result as if, like the Campeador, only terminate it was but for a greater privacy in his body left desolate of its spirit backed the his melancholy meditations that he rode abroad. bounding steed. The letters from Sweden had brought freshly When the party had issued from the gloom of before his eyes the wretched ruin wrought by the wood into a plain, where the light of day passion and folly. His heart ached; self-anger still lingered, and indeed gathered increase from and utter misery overwhelmed him as he reined a broad moon which began to deepen in its yelhis horse in the light of the declining sun. low effulgence as the west faded, a sudden check In his wobegone and despairing mood, he occurred in its progress. This was occasioned tracked that forest through which he had passed by a communication spreading from near the peron the day of his first approach to the Chateau son of the Norwegian to the extremities of the d'Amour. Had he been less engrossed he might troop. When the halt had been accomplished, have observed several suspicious circumstances several horsemen, making their way through the in the course of his ride. A shrill whistle sound-now confused ranks, rode up to him. ed from an eminence in his rear, and was res- "If it please you, sir," said one of these, "turn ponded to by the same shrill notes from several fully to the light." points in the wood. The trampling of horses upon the sodded earth was audible. The shadows of the large trees, and the presence of copse-wood under them, did not altogether conceal the motions of numerous horsemen. If an ambuscade had been purposed, it was certainly conducted with little caution. At length these suspicious sounds and movements, which Merlin had noted as a man may note the passing to and fro of those who attend him in a fever fit, were followed by explanatory actions. A party of horse met him full in front; a similar body coming from the forest united in his rear; even the wood on either side presented under its shadows and amongst its covert, numbers of armed horse

men.

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Stand sir," said one of the cavaliers in his

front.

Merlin not only complied with this request, but bared his head. His short auburn curls and his every feature were visible.

"We have fallen into an error," said the same speaker, who seemed to be a leader. Your extraordinary stature must explain and excuse a very natural mistake. You are at liberty."

An hour after this adventure, the Norwegian, upon whom it made but a slight impression, reentered the chateau. The promised interview with the damsel, Giselle, connecting as it did with subjects of a near interest to him, had not escaped his recollection. He proceeded at once to the turret-chamber appointed for the meeting. Giselle awaited his coming upon a bartizan, er balcony, on which the chamber opened.

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"Giselle," he said, seating himself by her side, speak to me clearly of the many mysteries The Norwegian, coming to a perception of the which beset me in this new and most unhappy

reality, said in some surprise but firmly : "What is it that you desire?"

The first speaker answered:

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condition of my life."

"It is impossible," replied the girl firmly. 'But ask, and what I am at liberty to explam that I will."

It happened, on a fair day, that Prince James Sobiesky and Prince Constantine his brother, "Tell me then," said Merlin, "who is this rode into the forests near Breslaw for their di- lady, whose miserable husband I have become? vertisement. You bear in mind, sir, what befel Many circumstances conspire to persuade t the princes on that occasion. We have made a that the Countess Hermione of the Chateat vow, which we are now able to fulfil, to render d'Amour is but one of those feigned names, and

designations, which the wit of woman is skilful words now remove my despair. This, even to invent when she desires concealment." this great as must be the difficulty of reinsta"You have guessed the truth," Giselle answer- ting my hopes fully, of undoing the work so maded. "It is not by her true name and designation, ly done-is such a relief as makes, of itself, the which her beauty, her power, her fortunes, and difference between misery and happiness. I have alas! her errors have made familiar to the world, no anger, no indignant rebuke, for the wildthat you know my mistress. But upon this point hearted woman, of lawless passions and a false I will not, for I must not, speak more clearly." misleading beauty, into whose snares I fell. Gi"Now by the Gods," exclaimed the Norwe- selle, I am again a man; erring indeed, but wiser gian, “you have spoken enough for my freedom. from error; wounded by the adversary, repenI have been wedded to a woman whose real tant for a too swift surrender, but again buoyed name is not known to me, but concealed by her by the uprising energies of my hope." craft. I will break the bonds of this marriage, The girl seemed not fully to sympathise with where there has been so vital a concealment. If him in his newly awakened fervour. they possessed the triple strength into which af "In informing you of these things," she said, fection confirms them, I would yet break them," my purpose has been not only to remove you where imposture had been practised in a matter from a state of dishonour, but to break a spell so sacred. You embolden my spirit, Giselle; disgraceful to my mistress. Have you deemed for now you have given me a hope of escape from a captivity which gnaws at my heart and consumes my very life-blood."

"And is it possible," said the girl, "that you have never suspected that escape lay open before you? That you had but to will a release to secure it?"

her your wife, and yet possessed no love for her, no appreciation of much that is noble in her nature? Leave the chateau as speedily as may be; but, stranger, whose presence has proved a fruitful source of folly and sin, and to me of bitter regrets, do not altogether condemn my misguided mistress. She possesses high qualities to redeem her misleading ones. Bear with you a

"Explain your meaning," said Merlin. The girl paused. Presently she said as the forgiving memory." result of swift reflection:

"The Countess Hermione is not your wife." Merlin sprang to his feet.

"What is it that you say?" he cried. "The Countess Hermione is not my wife! Giselle, if you should be by my side when my soul takes its flight from my body, jest then rather than

now."

"The Countess Hermione," the damsel spoke on calmly, "resorted to this miserable device to gild the grossness of an amour. She is not your wife. The priest who performed the rite on that wild and infamous evening, was Luigo Basili, my lady's Italian serving-man-a crafty wretch practised in disguises."

The Norwegian heard this speech to an end. He remained for a minute holding the girl's hand, and staring into the blue skies over which the starry wealth lay so brightly strewn. Then he said:

Giselle turned to depart. The Norwegian said to her:

Stay, maiden. You will not speak to me more fully concerning the countess; but this knight of Felseck, and the chevalier his companion-who are they?"

"I am inexorably silent," the girl replied. "I have acquainted you with all that it suited my views that you should know, and perhaps with more than a proper respect for my mistress can justify."

She left the turret-chamber.

CHAPTER NINTH.

"It must be confessed that, in reflecting on the adventures of Charles of Sweden, on the personal strength of King Augustus, and the travels of the Czar Peter, one would be apt to think we lived in the days of Hercules and Theseus."-Voltaire.

"It doubtless seems strange to you that I hear the story of so degrading a wrong without that The Countess Hermione, Sir Ludwig of Felnatural anger which, in such a case, is not only seck, and the Chevalier D'Imhoff were feasting exeusable but becoming. But, truly, there is in at a late hour. Some damsels in bright tunics, the freedom to which I now learn my title so their bare arms glittering with bracelets as they much to rejoice my spirit that I am forgiving of were arched or thrown abroad in artful gestures, all else. My good Giselle, I left in the northern their taper feet flying with a free grace in spite land, from which I came, a fair and nobly gifted of the high-heeled chioppines upon which they maiden, who did not scorn to repay my devotion were stilted, performed a Polish dance. The with a modest and constant affection. Of late I natural locks of these damsels were drawn spihave dreamed of her as fallen angels might rally, tier above tier, to a great height, and powdream of the forfeited gardens of God. Your dered until the topaz, gold or ebony, of their hue

had whitened into pearl. On this occasion, as if the freedom of the Chateau d'Amour had been restrained by the presence of her guests, the countess herself had controlled the flow of her brown hair, and wore it in a tower, on the embattled top of which a little banner drooped from a golden staff. Paikel, the Fool, with a diadem of paper, and a purple mantle, occupied the post of honour at the board, a throne-like chair, raised above the others, and coped with scarlet cloth which a metallic eagle gathered at the top into its talons. With his long peaked chin drooped to the yellow clasp of his mantle, Paikel sat sound asleep.

The Norwegian, fresh from his interview with Giselle, joined the company. His countenance had lost its gloom. He came with a buoyant step, and even with the air of one for whom wine, women, music, and the dance have yet a charm unshadowed by the experiences of life. His arrival made a pause in the motions of the dancing girls, whom his melancholy and ill-temper had of late curbed in these exhibitions. But with some gay words he reassured them, and the nimble dance continued.

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"My friend," said the countess, after a time, when the Norwegian had done honour to Sir Ludwig, and the chevalier his companion, in a goblet of that imperial wine from the hills watered by the Theiss" my friend, you again fascinate me-so happy is the change which seems to have visited you."

“And you, beautiful countess," Merlin replied in a gallant tone, "have never ceased to be fascinating."

The countess seemed surprised, then thoughtful, then troubled.

"There is then an obstacle in a course which seemed quite clear," she muttered. Then she added more audibly: "Do I indeed possess a place in your truant heart?"

Merlin evaded the question.

"Stupid, Monsieur, stupid"-replied the knight of Felseck. "A virtuous country gentleman who has studied the Lives of Plutarch, but stupid."

"And Frederick Augustus," said the Norwegian, "the Elector of Saxony, the predecessor of Stanislaus on the throne of Poland-do you reckon of him also so lowly? Fame has been fond of that heroic king. His physical endow ments, his deeds against the Turk, his princely munificence, his romantic adventures worthy to have been sung by a troubadour before a Court of Love in a contest for the prize of the golden violet, have indeed made him seem to his times a crowned knight of a more chivalric age."

Sir Ludwig buried his large features in a tankard of aleberry, flavoured with spices; when he had finished his draught, he replied:

"Augustus is no king, Monsieur. Possibly he might have continued to be one, had he possessed a reasonable hereditary phlegm and the staid sobriety of a Flemish coach horse. Augustus is not undeserving of your acquaintance. He has a heart for a fair woman, the thirst of a boon companion, a firm seat in his saddle, and can wind a mot on a hunting horn, or single the champion boar from a sounder of wild swine, and then spit him with his spear, with the best jager that ever spurred in the greenwood. Augustus, Monsieur, is much too engaging and excellent a person to be a king as kings are.”

"What say you, sir, of Czar Peter?" Merlin asked. "He is winning renown by his policy. Do you not think nobly of this empire founderthis illuminator of barbarous races, who achieves in a few years the work of centuries?"

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A mere mechanic fellow," replied Sir Ludwig. "Peter is by no means a gentleman. His genius is pertinacity. He has done something to be sure. He has built a town amongst the nests of the sea-fowl, and he has cut off the beards of a great many of his people. The world call this founding an empire and civilizing barba

"Countess, tell me why it is that Paikel sits rians. The Czar, Monsieur, if I had leisure to above the feast like a king."

Sir Ludwig answered in place of the lady. "The jester has forgotten his art. It is proved that his wit is dead or in a trance; that his last merry flash preceded your arrival at this castle. He has become hopelessly stupid, and accounting him fit for nothing better, we have made a king of him, after the Polish mode, which you are aware is elective."

"Kings then are excessively stupid?" "Otherwise, Monsieur," Sir Ludwig answered. "our jest would be pointless. But do you doubt a proposition universally sustained by facts?" Stanislaus," said Merlin, "the present king of this land, is reported a brave, wise, and good

man."

dilate, or you patience to follow me, would ap pear to be no exception to that proposition to which Paikel is indebted for his crown."

“You have said nothing of the king of Sweden," Merlin persevered.

Sir Ludwig growled like some monster of the forests when the hunter comes upon his lair. “That king,” he said, “is one of those damnable disturbers of the repose of better men, who worry the world with no more reason than the house dog shows when he assails the cat, chasti the maids, and bites the men. You, countess who knew him in Sweden amongst the pleasures of his court, and you, D'Imhoff, who dealt with him, at my side, at Clissau, and elsewhere. vechi what I say. Instead of able thoughts he por

sesses an aspiration, which a schoolmaster in the master of an invincible army, as if it was Stockholm put into his head. He is as obstinate the most interesting one imaginable. When the as Alexander the Great, whom he learned from boots and coat were sufficiently discussed, the the pedagogue that he resembled, or as the devil, potentates parted, and Europe breathed freely or even as the Czar; consequently he follows again. Kings, Monsieur, are very absurd creahis aspiration. He has the power of a brave tures. If Augustus ever possessed those chivalnation at his back; consequently he is enabled ric virtues and refinements of which you spoke, to follow his aspiration successfully. I trust that they have been trodden in a great degree out of Peter and this king of Sweden will grapple in him by adversity and a dull modern custom; and the wilderness, like bear and dog, and never perhaps if restored to his crown he would prove loose hold with life. I had the honour, Monsieur, no better than his royal brothers. We have to attend the person of Augustus, the Elector, of deemed Paikel stupid enough to be entitled to a whom you are so good-natured as to speak ap- crown. And certainly he makes an unusually provingly, and for whom I must admit that I do good king, for his stupidity is pacific. It would myself entertain some indulging sentiments-I be better for the world if royalty slept oftener had the honour, I say, to be with him on two as Paikel sle ps-less mischief would go with marked occasions: at Berzin where he met the crowns; better for kings themselves, for the slumCzar, and at Altranstad where he met the king ber that disables mischief drowns sorrow." Sir of Sweden." Ludwig's visage wore something like a sad grav“Sir Ludwig, you delight me," cried the Coun-ity as he ended; the expression lingered, howtess Hermione. "Do we not walk adroitly on ever, but for a moment. the verges? Do not beware-for beware is one of the miserable self-guarding words of tame persons."

Merlin, to whom the public events of several months were almost wholly unknown, and who, since the developments which Giselle had made, had renewed his purpose to follow-and that at once-the king of Sweden, begged the knight of Felseck to acquaint him with the movements of the Swedish army. Sir Ludwig informed him that Charles had marched toward Smolensko, but that, although every where victorious, he had turned from the Smolensko route and gone southward to combine with Mazeppa the Hetman, and was doubtless now in the Ukraine country.

"Countess," replied Sir Ludwig, who availed himself of the interruption to bury the lower portion of his bearded face in the tankard, "I admire you excessively. Beware is an odious word, which you never have been so absurd as to tolerate when disposed to an aberration. We must chase it from our vocabulary like a bat from amongst the lights of a Paphian bower. Monsieur, when the Elector, then king of Poland, met the Czar at Berzin, Europe awaited "The route which the king opened," continthe result of their deliberations. Now it is a ued Sir Ludwig, "is now beset by the Muscofact that both were drunk for the three days of vite forces. The wave has closed behind him, their personal interview. We brought away the and his general, Lewenhaupt, will have to cleave king of Poland, in a horse litter, in a bewildered it anew to come up with him. He must have a condition. It was only after a considerable in-wild work of it.”

terval of time that he was able to relate, or even

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How far has this general, Lewenhaupt, gone recal, the circumstances of the meeting. He upon the course of the king of Sweden?" Merhas several times assured me that no politic dis-lin asked.

cussion at all was held. The Czar, who is ha- "Perhaps he has passed the Berizine," anbituated to the use of aquafortis, is supposed to swered Sir Ludwig. "And, Monsieur," the have endured the debauch better. Again at Al-knight continued, "if it be your purpose to fly transtad, the king of Sweden, in that interview the charms of your countess, and join the banwhich politicians had with great pains brought ner of the king of Sweden, as has been suggestabout, and from which the peace of the world ed to me, you will find the wake of Lewenhaupt might be hoped to receive a guaranty, informed as thoroughly closed as that of his master. A Augustus that he had not laid aside his coarse cavalier, weakly attended, if he possessed the blue coat with gilt brass buttons, or his piece of enterprise and prowess of Sir Roland himself, black taffety which served for a cravat, or his could not make his way in that direction. Your jack-boots, for six years, except when he went better route lies southward by the marshes of to bed and not always then." Rokitus, and by Owruez. You should aim, pur

"What charming information," said the coun-suing this route, for Kiovia on the Boristhenes.” tess." And the unfortunate Elector, dethroned

by the wearer of the boots-how did he receive the statement?"

"My questions are not idle," said Merlin; for I purpose, sir, with this lady's will, to depart for the Swedish camp, and that speedily"Of course he discussed the topic selected by even so soon as by an early hour to-morrow."