to one, that either in placing his hand there, or in withdrawing it, it would have come in contact with Deborah's pocket, and he would then have discovered where the keys were concealed: but no-it was only on very particular occasions, that he dared to place his hand on the part men ́tioned and as it appears, that on the night of which this story is now treating, not one of those particular occasions presented itself-the thigh of Deborah remained untouched, the keys were not discovered, and vowing his rankest vengeance on every elf, gnome, demon, or spirit, who in their pranks had concealed his keyshe retired to bed, and Deborah soon followed him, rejoicing in the success of her stratagem.

The hour of midnight had struck from the tower of the chapel of the monastery of Arienheim, and Leopold and the abbot still sat carousing in one of the subterraneous cells of the monas ́tery,

"I could keep a person here concealed for years,' said the abbot, "and the world should hold him dead."

"But would he not be discovered by some of the fraternity?" Leopold asked.

"I alone," answered the abbot, "am in possession of the keys of the great door, which leads to these cells, and excepting for particular pur poses of my own, which to you I need not relate -they have not been opened for many a year."

"Do any of the fraternity know of the secret outlet" Leopold asked.

"A few are privy to it," answered the abbot, "but I keep the tale alive in the monastery of the hermitage being visited by the spirit of the last nermit, who was supposed to be murdered. If one of the brotherhood only views it at a distance, he crosses himself from fear.

Keep up the delusion," said Leopold,"we shall now require it more than ever. Gold I must have though I wade through seas of blood to obtain it-it is only by dint of heavy bribes, that I can ever expect to discover the retreat of Maria Orsini, and my debts already weigh me to the ground."

"One bold stroke, my son," said the abbot, "and all your difficulties are removed."

"And your monastery also enriched by it, holy father," said Leopold. True, true," said the abbot, with a significant nod, we have lately had some heavy claims on our charity."

"And some large draughts from your cellar," said Leopold, with a smile, "but it is now time we set forth on our expedition-by the time we arrive at the Castle, the inmates will be all asleep. It is, however, rather unfortunate, that the room in which Ortano sleeps, looks upon the very road, on which we must travel."

"You are positive," asked the abbot," that the outer door will yield."

L

"I have taken care of that," said Leopoldit took me some time to remove the rubbish which had accumulated in the inside; but perseverance conquers every difficulty, and I did not leave the spot, until I knew every impediment was removed."

66

Are the ornaments on the coffins massy," asked the abbot.

"One half of their value," answered Leopold, "will supply my immediate wants; the sums, which I have lately lost at the gaming table, are immense and the minions, whom I have despatched in search of Orsini, threaten to desist, unless more money be provided-but what will I not undertake to gain possession of that woman-blood, indeed, has already flowed profusely, but to no purpose; to the point, however the residue of the gold will purchase you some good hogsheads of wine." "Come," said the abbot," it grows late, the brotherhood will be at matins before we return-my absence then may excite surprize."

These cloaks which I have provided," said Leopold," will be a sufficient disguise for us— come on-success ever attends the daring-the dead can make no use of that, which we are going to take from them." The miscreants left the cell, bent on their work of villainy.

Ortano, on leaving the Seneschal, retired to his apartment, but he felt no disposition to sleep. The night was beautifully serene, the

moon silvered the grey and mouldering turrets of the Castle, and the snow of the distant mountains sparkled with its beams. Silence, twin sister of darkness, rested upon the earth, and no motion told of life, nor being. The heart of Ortano, was a stranger to fear and superstition, he could look danger in the face, even in its most terrific form, but on this night, his mind was vexed with various passions. Among other topics on which old Rupert had largely descanted, was the glowing beauty of Adeline-he had given to her all the charms which can grace the female form-and all the virtue, which can give a charm to beauty. His soul was fired with her praises, and he resolved to take every advantage of his intimacy with Leopold to gain possession of her charms.

He was standing at the window, meditating upon his plans, when his attention was suddenly excited, by two persons, whom he saw bending their steps towards the Castle. Ortano gazed on the objects with astonishment, and his curiosity was raised to the highest pitch, to discover the design of their midnight visit. He determined to leave the Castle, and watch the motions of the strangers.

With the light tread of the villain, bent on a deed of murder, he paced the silent halls of the Castle, and finally succeeded in gaining the drawbridge; here, however, he suddenly arrested his steps, for he spied the objects of his.

curiosity advancing at a slow pace, and looking round them every minute to discover if they were watched. Ortano concealed himself behind one of the pillars of the bridge, and his astonishment knew no bounds, when, by the light of the moon, he saw them apply a key to a small door in the northern wing of the Castle, which immediately opened, and the two persons having entered, it was gently closed again. For what purpose these two persons entered the Castle at that hour, and certainly without the knowledge of the family, and by what means the keys were procured, with which they gained admittance, set all conjecture at defiance. On the first impulse of the moment, Ortano determined to rouse the family, but on more mature consideration, it occurred to him, that some great event might be on the eve of disclosing itself, in which the interest of the family was particularly concerned, and that were any danger attached to it, he might be the instrument of discovering it. His mind was, however, so perplexed and confused at this strange and singular circumstance, that resolution was half chilled, and a hundred plans presented themselves to his fancy, each of which was rejected in its turn, to make room for another more preposterous.

They will perhaps take the same route back again, said Ortano to himself, and observing a small thicket close to the path by which they had proceeded to the Castle, and from which he