elapsed, when one morning Meta complained of faintness. Upon examination it was found that internal hemorrhage had commenced, caused by the violence of the fever. All that skill could suggest was put in requisition to check the attack, but it was of no avail; she died-she died sweetly, gently, lovingly, in the morning, while the sun was beaming brightly, and the river was running placidly on its course; when birds were singing and the world was alive to cheerfulness and joy.

It was a time for her to die. I held her hand clasped tenderly in mine, when the spirit left its home; and then, I had only the hand, but no Meta-ah, GOD! no Meta.

- Hegewisch remained for some time silent, and then went on in a different tone and with the air of one relieved from a dreaded task:

I had yet to sustain another shock. My kind physician sought an early opportunity to speak to me in private. "My young friend," said he, "from the bottom of my soul I pity you. What I am about to say, you must hear, and, if you can, forget. I was your father's early friend and companion. We were together always. I attended him upon his death-bed. I tell you—you, his son-that the baron died by poison."

"And the Lady of Rennewart?" said I convulsively.

"In the same way, without doubt. I did not attend her." "And Caspar?"

"We have said enough. Adieu."

Here was room for a world of horrible surmises. So long as Meta lived, I thought only of her. Under the pressure of this horror, a new feeling took possession of me: it was a desire for vengeance.

I dared not deliberately imbrue my hands in a brother's blood; so I turned all my hate upon his coadjutor and abet

ter, Father Hegel. I did not try further to solve the mystery connected with the late terrible events. I guessed enough. And therefore my revenge sought out the monk.

I deliberated upon many plans, but in none could I please myself. I tried to invent some new and devilish torture to which to subject his vile body while I should stand gloating over the spectacle. I thought of seizing him secretly, and starving him slowly to death. No scheme which man or fiend could suggest, did I fail to turn over in my mind. At length I determined to kill him before the very altar, while he was offering, with his unholy breath, some prayer to Heaven. Then I could send his soul to hell-doubly damned by hypocritical offerings to the GoD he was mocking.

The monk was accustomed on certain occasions to celebrate mass at a chapel near our castle. I watched for the time and for the season; both came; and I sat out one morning to perform the sacrifice. I was late in gaining the chapel, and as I came up I perceived a crowd around the entrance. I made my way hastily to it, and beheld Father Hegel lying in the agonics of death. He had fallen in a fit of apoplexy. There he lay, his sensual features full of blood, while the distortions of his countenance showed his agony. In a few moments he was no more; and I was cheated of my revenge. I did not rave till then. I turned away, and before the temple and the altar cursed God. I rejected all belief in a Savior, and blasphemed the Holy Ghost. Hell was not black enough to darken my heart. I had borne everything till now -and now, everything was insupportable. I ran with incredible swiftness back to the castle. I gained her room. I locked myself in-I threw myself upon her bed. I grew wild and delirious; I began to be in pain; I flung the door open and shouted for help. My mother and several of the servants came. That night the fever attacked me, and for weeks I

was prostrate under its burning rage. I could never have recovered without the attention of a tender parent and devoted physician. Yet I did recover, but, as you see me, with these hollow cheeks-this repulsive countenance—these sunken eyes.

I determined to leave my home, for the fiend followed me wherever I went, whispering that Caspar lived. So I took leave of my mother-one bright, moonlight night, when she was fast asleep-by kissing her many, many times. You know she was the only one left who cared for me: but-I went on my way. I have spent most of the time since at the universities. I do not know why, but study and toil of mind are best for me. Once my mother discovered where I was, and I had to go back with her, but I made my escape, and came here to Leipsic.

I have tried very hard to feel. I have wished that something might excite me; that my life might be in danger, so that, instinctively, I should put forth my strength to save it. I avoid no danger; I keep open house; here is my treasury, [the student pulled out a drawer, without lock or key, nearly filled with gold pieces] but nobody robs the strange fellow, ha-ha-ha! They are afraid of me. I sleep in yonder; and sometimes I lay all night and think of Meta and myself at the old chateau. And my heart seems less dead-and then, I sleep-to wake, always the same-always the same. Now leave me !

I took my departure in silence.

Thus ends the story of Wolfgang Hegewisch.

END OF BOOK THIRD.

ΒΟΟΚ IV.

Ω ΦΙΛΣΠΑΝ τε καὶ ἄλλοι θεοί, δοίητέ μοι καλῶ γενέσθαι τἄνδοθεν, τἄξωθεν δὲ ὅσα ἔχω, τοῖς ἐντὸς εἶναί μοι φίλια.

PHEDRUS, 279, B.

Oh thou beloved Universal Numen, and ye other Divinities, grant that I may become more beautiful within, and that whatever of externals I may possess may be all in harmony with my inward (spiritual) being.