himself for having done so, and apply his again to the aperture; on doing which, he distinguished two men, the hand of one upon the key, and to whose cautious efforts to open it the door at length gave way; and Osmond retreating behind it, determined at least to have a struggle for his life; for that it had been opened in this manner for the purpose of dispatching him while he (as it was imagined) slept, he had not the remotest doubt.

The men on advancing a few paces in the chamber, stopt, and the foremost of them, who carried a lanthorn, emitting just a sufficient ray to permit their persons to be visible, exclaimed, in a whispering voice, after listening attentively a few minutes.... Aye, aye, he is fast asleep little dreaming, I warrant, of what is about happening to him.'

No, I dare say not,' replied the other, in the same low key; but come, I'll be off, as you say you don't want my assistance; but take care you don't neglect making a proper use of the present opportunity for quieting him; such another may not occur again. In less than half an hour I shall expect to hear that you have settled his business properly.'

A significant nod was the only reply he received; and retiring, his companion secured the door with the same caution with which he had opened it; after which, with noiseless steps, he approached the bed.

Within a few paces of it, a sudden elevation of the lanthorn causing the light to fall full on his features, those of Mactalla became visible to the astonished Osmond.

All his former suspicions of him instantly revived. He no longer doubted his being an accomplice of the banditti....no longer doubted his having betrayed him into their power, and now undertaken the horrid task of murdering him.

Dear and amiable Marchesa,' he involuntarily exclaimed to himself, little did you imagine what a fatal present you were making me: but he shall not....no, the villain shall not quietly triumph in his wickedness; he shall at least experience the shame of detection.' And Osmond was springing forwards, when a kind of fearful

curiosity to see what steps he would take, on finding the bed vacated, suddenly withheld him.

Having placed the lanthorn on the floor, Mactalla gently opened the side curtains, thrust his head between, and continued for a minute in a listening attitude; then, drawing from his bosom what seemed to be a glittering dagger, he appeared to plunge it repeatedly into the bed.

Osmond's feelings, no longer controlable, he was again on the point of rushing on him, when again he was prevented by a sudden exclamation of.... Oh, holy St. Benedict! I am ruined....I am deceived! I have trusted in a villain, and he has undone me! Yes,' he continued, snatching up the lamp, and tearing open the curtains, he has made away with him himself, and that not a minute ago; for (laying his hand upon it) the bed is still warm ; but I'll be revenged....yes, I'll be revenged on you, you deceitful villain, though I should lose my life for being so,'.....hastily advancing as he spoke towards the door.

Hold, my friend, hold,' cried Osmond, interposing as cautiously as possible between him and it, and with forced calmness, the sudden transition from despair to hope, suspicion to confidence, occasioning him no less emotion than had his late dreadful apprehensions, and also no little remorse, for ever having doubted the integrity of Mactalla, notwithstanding the sufficient excuse he had for doing so.

Is it you.... is it yourself that I hear?' cried Mactalla, in a transport of joy, which had a doubt to his prejudice lingered in the mind of Osmond, would have completely dissipated it, elevating the lanthorn to his face as he spoke, in order to assure himself he was not mistaken.... Blessed be the Powers above for your being still alive and safe. I thought Felisco had done your business for you; for evil communication, they say, corrupts good manners: but if he had, it should have been the worst business he ever had a hand in.'

'Pray explain the recent scene,' said Osmond, advancing from the door, and motioning for him also to quit it, which I confess alarmed me not a little."

'I cannot tell you particulars now,' replied Mactalla; I can only tell you that in the course of the night you

shall be informed of what you are so desirous to hear.... 'tis now getting late.'

Late interrupted Osmond, not a little surprised. Is it possible I can have slept so long?"

''Tis very true indeed,' rejoined Mactalla; 'tis as I have already told you, late, and such of the gang as intend being upon the prowl to-night are already off. As soon as I leave you, repair to the hall, where you'll find refreshments ready for you. After partaking of these, express a wish for a little air; and on descending to the court, turn to the right, and keep in that direction till you come to an arched gateway: pass through it, and a little beyond it, at the left side, you'll perceive a narrow passage; there remain till I come to you. Should any one enquire by what means it was you got out of your chamber, say Felisco opened the door for you, which will be readily believed, as he often has charge of the prisoners.'

Hold,' cried Osmond catching him by the sleeve, in order to prevent his immediately quitting him, as upon laying the lanthorn upon the table to supply the place of the lamp, which had long been extinguished, he was about doing.... Can you give me any information of the other prisoners the banditti made last night?

'Me, no....I know of no other than ourselves.2 Osmond then informed him.

After staring at him for a minute with a vacant look.... 'You are joking,' cried he.

6

No, I am serious indeed,' returned Osmond; Mr. Raymond and his family are now in the same unhappy situation that we are.'

Well, I'll enquire of Felisco about them."

Who is this Felisco, whom you have so often mentioned to me....this man with whom you appear to be so intimate here?"

Bye and bye you shall hear all, Signor; but at present I cannot gratify your curiosity.'

"Well, do not fail to make the enquiries you have promised, and endeavour to learn the way to the north tower.'

Mactalla, as if impatient to be gone only nodded, and then vanished from the room.

Osmond remained for some minutes after him in a most painful state of anxiety and suspence, owing to the vague hopes and expectations which his words had given rise to; for unsatisfactory as they were, still Osmond clearly comprehended from them that a scheme was in agitation for their deliverance

As soon as he had a little collected himself, he quitted his chamber, but without taking the lanthorn, the gallery beyond it admitting the light of the day. He had not ad. vanced a great way down this, when the sight of some steps he had not noticed before inclined him to believe he had mistaken his way, and he was thinking of retracing it, for the purpose of trying to detect his error, when, casting his eyes forward, he beheld a staircase to the left, which induced him to advance; and though on gaining this he found it was not the one he had ascended to the gallery, still concluding it led to the hall, he ventured to go down it. As he proceeded, he could not forbear pausing to admire its singular form, expanding towards the top like a fan, and the richness of its sculptured walls and cornices, and which led him to believe it had formerly been the principal staircase....a belief in which he was confirmed on finding it terminated in an immense rotunda, covered with a majestic dome resting on rows of marble pillars, and from which several passages branched off in various directions. This magnificent apartment opened by means of several folding-doors, now more than half demolished, to the hanging wood, which, on his approach to the edifice, had caught the attention of Osmond, and over which the setting sun now shed a mellow lustre, that rendered still more picturesque their appearance. Osmond eagerly advanced to one of these openings, to inhale the fresh breeze that sighed through the waving foliage, and gaze for an instant upon the romantic scenery before him. Almost insensibly the contemplation of this calmed his spirits, and wrapt in the pensive musings it inspired, he might perhaps have continued some time, had he not suddenly recollected his appointment with Mactalla.

He re-ascended, as he thought, the stair-case he had come down; but a door at the top convinced him he was wrong.

Fearful of being involved in the intricate passages below, he knocked at this door, for the purpose of trying whether any one was within, that he might enquire his way to the hall.

A voice immediately replied....to which his heart vibrated....the soft, the melodious voice of Miss Raymond. With a hand trembling with agitation, he immediately tried to open the door; but it resisted his effort....there was a key in it....he tried again, and was more successful.

He found both mother and daughter near it, evidently watching with looks of anxiety and terror for the appearance of the person who had demanded admission. The most joyful surprise appeared in the countenance of both at seeing him.

'Good Heavens! Mr. Munro,' delightedly exclaimed Mrs. Raymond, eagerly approaching as he spoke, and presenting her hand with the familiar and affectionate air of an old friend, is it you I behold? How did you discover where we were?'

By chance,' replied Osmond, eagerly taking her proffered hand and pressing his lips to it, his eyes, however, a little wandering from her towards her lovely daughter; but a chance which I shall for ever bless, since it affords me an opportunity of quieting, in some degree, the apprehensions you must be under, by informing you that I think there is a hope of our being able to effect our escape.'

He then, in a lower voice, and as briefly as possible, gave her the particulars of his recent conversation with his servant, and ended by solemnly assuring her, except their deliverance could be effected as well as his, nothing should induce him to quit the place.

Mrs. Raymond listened to him with profound attention, and was evidently on the point of replying to this assurance, when Mr. Raymond prevented her, by exclaiming, in the most ungracious accent, from the lower end of the room, which was long, and had once been magnificent, and at which he stood by an open lattice, with his back towards the door....' Sir, you interferance rela