immediately obeyed his summons; and having accommodated him with a robe de chambre, desired to know whether he would like the refreshment of a bath. Osmond replying in the affirmative, was conducted to one lined with beautiful white marble, at the end of a gallery adjoining his chamber, and whence he was ushered to an elegant dressing-room, where he found habiliments of various kinds prepared for him....a very pleasing attention, as by this time his own were not such as he could have liked to appear in. On being drest, he was shewn to a saloon, where the Marchesa awaited him to breakfast. She received him with a smile of true benevolence, and led him herself to the breakfast-table, which fronted a range of lofty lattices, descending to the ground, and commanding a view of the most beautiful scenery.

You must be content, Chevalier,' said she, as they took their seats, to breakfast alone with me; for the Count finds himself too much affected by the recollections this place has revived, to be able to join us for the present.'

Osmond made a suitable reply to this speech; and the Marchesa, previously, however, dismissing the attendants, proceeded to say.... To tell you the truth, Chevalier, I am rather pleased than otherwise at his absence, being extremely anxious for the opportunity it has afforded me of having a little private conversation with you. Though still early,' she continued, smiling perhaps internally at the surprise which from the looks of Osmond it was evident this declaration occasioned him, · we nevertheless have had a long conversation this morning, by which means I have ascertained your possessing an ascendancy over him, that convinces me you are the properest person that can be chosen for disclosing the joyful tidings in store for him.'

Osmond started and clasped his hands. Joyful tidings!' he repeated, in a tone and with a look that, had a doubt been entertained of the sincerity of his regard for the Count, would at once have dissipated it.

"Oh how delightful is it,' resumed the Marchesa, perfectly appreciating his feelings on this occasion, and smiling with a tearful eye and ineffable sweetness on

him, when friendships take root in our early years, ingrafted on the ingenuous sensibility of youth; since friendships then contracted possess and retain to the last a tenderness and warmth seldom known in those that are formed in the riper periods of life, of which the emotions excited by the remembrance of our ancient and youthful connections is a convincing proof! for what heart is there of the smallest feeling that does not melt away at the recollection of those; and no wonder the dissolution of them being perhaps the most painful trial to which we are exposed here below.'

A deep sigh issued from her bosom as she uttered these last words....a sigh which evinced this observation the result of experience, not conjecture. After a short pause, she thus went on.... Yes, joyful tidings, I repeat, await my dear nephew, which you will readily allow, I believe, when informed that his juvenile friend, the Duke de Molina lives, and that his fair mistress, Lady Elizara, is still unmarried....the one as much his friend, and the other as inclined as ever to unite her destiny with his; of which, but for the precipitancy with which he was hurried from the kingdom, he would have heard ere this; as the very day after his rencontre with the Duke, Lady Elizara arrived in Naples, having contrived, by means of a domestic whom she bribed to assist her, to effect her escape from the mansion whither Salvilina conveyed her from Acerenza, for the purpose of compelling her to become his bride; and as soon as her brother was in a state of convalescence, so fully justified the Count in his opinion, and convinced him, that only a mind black as Salvilina's could have cast an imputation on him, that all his friendship for and wish for an alliance with him revived; to prove which, as soon as he was able to travel, he set out for this castle, with his sister, trusting he should find the Count concealed within it. His disappointment at not meeting him was considerably aggravated by our not then knowing where the dear wanderer was. He determined on going himself in quest of him; but honoured me by entrusting_Lady Elizara to my care. In the letter I wrote to the Count, to acquaint him with the death of my dear Lord, and en

treat his speedy return, I feared disclosing to him the happy termination of his troubles, lest the transports I well knew such a disclosure would excite should be too much, without a friend at hand to moderate them; for a frame and mind like his, enervated by sickness and longsuffering, I still see that too much caution cannot be used in acquainting him with the change in his prospects; and am therefore induced to entreat you to undertake the task, the weakened state of my own spirits at present, owing to various afflicting events, convincing me that I am totally inadequate to it myself.'

Osmond bowed. With delight, with pleasure, Madam,' he said. Oh what transport, to have the power of administering consolation to the afflicted mind; and still more to have the power of removing the grief that rendered that consolation necessary! How amply will my friend be now rewarded for his past sufferings; and how truly does he whose generous heart prompts him to take so lively an interest in the fate of others, merit the recompence they'll receive.'

'His nature is indeed truly noble,' rejoined the Marchesa; and could he but acquire a little steadiness, he would be every thing his friends could wish; as much their happiness as he is now their pride: but as long as he permits his feelings to triumph over his reason, he must continue a source of uneasiness to them.'

Hope every thing from the restoration of his happiness, my dear Madam,' said Osmond. A mind despairing of the accomplishment of its wishes, could scarcely be otherwise than unsettled.'

'I hope much, but not every thing, from it,' replied the Marchesa, with vivacity, since I hope a great deal from you. Yes, my dear Chevalier, from the high opinion my nephew entertains of you, and the influence you possess over him, I am persuaded you can do more towards rendering him the perfect creature nature designed him to be, than either time or the change in his affairs. I rely,' she continued, on your preventing any farther hostilities between him and the Marchese Salvilina, which I much fear he will feel an inclination to renew. When he discovers that the meditated attack up

on the castle was intended for the purpose of rifling it of its richest treasure, its brightest ornament, Lady Elizara....'

'Heavens, is it possible?' exclaimed Osmond.

'The pirate, doubtless from a hope of being able by such a measure to avert, if not entirely, at least in some degree, from himself the punishment he has incurred, confessed all to my people.

The Marchese, convinced that by stratagem he should never be able to wrest Lady Elizara from me, determined on having recourse to violence for the purpose. I am sorry to say this is a country in which a man can never be at a loss for ready instruments to execute any villainy he may plan. Speedily, therefore, he met with such desperadoes as he wanted; meaning, as soon as Lady Elizara was again in his power, to quit the kingdom for some time with her.'

Has your Ladyship yet come to any determination respecting the wretches that have been so fortunately thrown into your power?'

You may be sure I think them deserving of exemplary punishment; but am so sensible it cannot be inflicted on them without publicity being given to an affair on many accounts it were better to have buried in oblivion, that I believe I shall let them escape it. To the obligations you have already conferred on me, Chevalier, you would add by condescending to take the subject into consideration, and becoming the arbiter of their fate yourself.'

With pleasure, Madam,' replied Osmond; my having heard your Ladyship's sentiments will be a guide to me how to act.'

The ship they captured is already released,' said the Marchesa, and of course my nephew's attendant Antonio.'

Osmond expressed great pleasure at this circumstance; fears of creating suspicion in the mind of the pirate, and thus of causing the overthrow of the plans he had been at such pains to arrange, having prevented his interfering about him.

After a little further conversation respecting the atro

cities of Salvilina, Osmond inquired whether Lady Elizara was then in the castle?

• She is,' replied the Marchesa; 'never having left it since her brother committed her to my protection, nor never will, I trust, till she has resigned her present

name.'

• Her Ladyship knows, I presume, of the Count's re

turn?"

'Yes; but is too well aware of the necessity there is for preparing him for an interview with her, to appear before him unexpectedly: and now, Chevalier, with your permission,' added the Marchesa, breakfast by this time being over, I will return to him, and endeavour to argue him into a proper state of mind for joining you, and hearing the delightful intelligence you have to communicate. In the mean while, if disinclined to take a ramble about the grounds, you'll find in an adjoining apartment, books, musical instruments, and implements for writing, to amuse yourself with.'

In such a mansion as this,' respectfully bowing, ‘I am convinced 'tis impossible any one can be at a loss for amusement; rising as he spoke to open the door for her Ladyship.

CHAP. XV.

'Who can behold such beauty and be silent?
Desire first taught us words: Man, when created,
At first, alone, long wander'd up and down,
Forlorn and silent as his vassal beast;

But when a heav'n-born maid, like you, appear'd,
Strange passion fill'd his eyes, and fir'd his heart,
Unloos'd his tongue; and his first talk was love.'

OTWAY.

ON the Marchesa's withdrawing, Osmond quitted the saloon, impatient to take a nearer survey of the beautiful scenery it commanded.

Immediately before it stretched a gently-swelling and extensive lawn, covered with a short, soft, thick grass of