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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a9c7edb --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #69553 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/69553) diff --git a/old/69553-0.txt b/old/69553-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 3e98784..0000000 --- a/old/69553-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4053 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Feudal tyrants, volume I (of 4), by -Christiane Benedicte Eugenie Hebenstreit Naubert - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Feudal tyrants, volume I (of 4) - The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans - -Author: Christiane Benedicte Eugenie Hebenstreit Naubert - -Translator: Matthew Gregory Lewis - -Release Date: December 15, 2022 [eBook #69553] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Barry Abrahamsen and the Online Distributed Proofreading - Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from - images generously made available by The Internet Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FEUDAL TYRANTS, VOLUME I (OF -4) *** - - - - - - - - FEUDAL TYRANTS, Volume I. - - ◆ ◆ ◆ - - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - FEUDAL TYRANTS; - - - OR, - - - _The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans_. - - - A ROMANCE. - - _TAKEN FROM THE GERMAN._ - - IN FOUR VOLUMES. - - - ◆ ◆ ◆ - - BY M. G. LEWIS, - - AUTHOR OF - - _The Bravo of Venice, Adelgitha, Rugantino, &c._ - - ◆ ◆ ◆ - - VOL. I. - - - ═══════════════════ - _SECOND EDITION_. - ═══════════════════ - - The portals sound, and pacing forth - With stately steps and slow, - High potentates, and dames of regal birth, - And mitred fathers in long order go. - - — GRAY. - - ══════════════════════════════════ - - London: - - Printed by D. N. SHURY, Berwick-Street, Soho, - - FOR J. F. HUGHES, WIGMORE STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE. - ── - 1807 - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - FEUDAL TYRANTS, - - &c. &c. &c. - - ═════════════════════ - - - PART THE FIRST. - - - ═════════════════════ - - ELIZABETH OF TORRENBURG - - ◆ ◆ ◆ - LETTERS. - ◆ ◆ ◆ - - -_Conrad, Abbot of Cloister-Curwald, to Elizabeth, the Widowed Countess - of Torrenburg[1]._ - -Footnote 1: - - The real name is _Toggenburg_; but as this would have sounded harsh - in English ears, I have taken the liberty of softening it a little; - and in several parts of this work I have changed the names of - places and personages entirely. - -Your resolution, noble Elizabeth, to remain in cloistered solitude, -passing your hours in tears for your husband’s loss, and in prayers for -the repose of his spirit, is dignified and worthy of the illustrious -race to which you have the glory to belong. Model of female constancy! -though years have elapsed since Frederick died, your tears flow as -freely as on the first day of your widowhood! Unequalled lady! does -there exist a virtue, whose seeds we ought not to depend on finding in a -heart like yours? Is there a sacrifice so great that a soul like -Elizabeth’s is incapable of making it?—In the bloom of life to tear -yourself from the pleasures of the world and the eyes of a thousand -admirers, that you may watch away the lonely nights by the sepulchral -urn of an husband far advanced in years; to fly from the charms of sway -and grandeur that you may humble yourself before the altar, kneeling in -the dust, and praying for the repose of the deceased-one, oh! what an -act of self-denial! an act, which reaches the summit of magnanimity, by -not being established on the foundation of love; for in truth, how could -love for the decrepit Frederick find a place in the heart of the young -and blooming Elizabeth, whose warmest sentiment must have been filial -respect towards a benefactor? - -Oh! Elizabeth, is indeed your state of widowhood your only motive for -taking refuge in a convent? - - - _Elizabeth to Conrad._ - -An expression used in the conclusion of your letter fully explains the -sentiment which I felt, and still feel for the Count of Torrenburg. - -Yes, Conrad; Frederick was my _benefactor_ in the strongest sense of the -word—and therefore is it, that though years have elapsed since his -decease, my tears for his loss still flow as freely as they did on the -first day. But whether sorrow for my widowed state was my only motive -for burying myself in a cloister.... Oh! Conrad, it was unnecessary for -you to use flattery in order to obtain a knowledge of the truth. Without -calling me “the model of female constancy,” or declaring me to be -without an equal, I might have been Induced to confess, that Frederick’s -death was _not_ the only reason which at first induced me to take refuge -in a convent, and which perhaps will induce me never to leave it more. -Oh! much, very much lies heavy upon this heart of mine! I suffer under -the pressure of misfortunes, of which but a small part is known to you; -yet even that little must be sufficient to make you comprehend, why I -feel compelled to abandon the world, and fly to solitude for relief and -comfort. Conrad! Conrad! would to Heaven it were _true_, that there is -no sacrifice so great, that I am incapable of making it! Alas! I feel -but too strongly, that great sacrifices are in my power, for which I -must prepare myself by supplication to Heaven, and the solitude and calm -of a cloister. - - - _Conrad to Elizabeth._ - -I know not to what sacrifices you allude in saying, there exist some -which are too great for you to make. Worldly possessions, I am certain, -are without value in your eyes: should then hereafter generosity or a -sense of justice require of you some trifling renunciation in this -respect, could it possibly cost you much pain, or would you long -deliberate what course you should adopt? In order to be rich and -powerful, Elizabeth needed not to become the heiress of Torrenburg. -Independent of her husband’s attachment, fortune had already rendered -her mistress of sufficient wealth to make it easy for her to afford -posterity an admirable example of self-denial. She who can dispose of -castles and villages[2] without receiving on the one hand any return but -ingratitude, and on the other but hatred and rebellion, may surely bring -herself in the course of time to restore those possessions (to which the -prepossession of her fascinated husband could in _fact_ give her no -right) to the forsaken innocent orphans, whose claims have so -undeservedly been set aside. How glorious a recompense _hereafter_ would -she earn by such an act! What gratitude, what tranquillity of soul would -she obtain at _present_! what rapturous admiration would she be viewed -with even by the latest posterity! How shining and how distinguished -would be the place allotted to her among the illustrious ladies, who -derive their blood from the Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans. - -Footnote 2: - - Elizabeth of March (who inherited from her husband the valuable county - of Torrenburg and other extensive possessions to the exclusion of his - natural heirs) bestowed considerable districts of her territory on the - people of Zurich, which excited great discontent among her vassals. - - - _Elizabeth to Conrad._ - -Conrad, what am I to think of you?—you almost adopted in your first -letters to me the tone of adoration; I was a “model of female -constancy;” I was “an unequalled woman.” In your last, the secret seems -to have escaped you, “that nothing but the prepossession of a fascinated -husband could have made me what I am.” - -I guess your views: you hope to draw from me some decision favorable to -the claims of the Damsels of Werdenberg; but in truth I am not arrived -at such high excellence in the science of self-denial. It is easy, my -good Abbot, to give away half our property out of pure _generosity_, -even though we meet in return with nothing but ingratitude; but it is -hard, very hard to bestow that same half on those who think they have a -_title_ to it, even though all the universe should admire and praise us -for ... having done our _duty_. - -My brother Oswald, who has arrived here within these few days, salutes -you, and recommends himself to your prayers. - - - _Conrad to Elizabeth._ - -I was certain, before I read the conclusion of your letter, that Count -Oswald was not far from you: uninfluenced, never could Elizabeth have -suffered her hand to trace such words! Go then, ye innocent victims of -slander, even from the generous Elizabeth have ye nothing to hope! she -terms you “the Damsels of Werdenberg,” without recollecting that -_another_ name would have belonged to you, had not fortune robbed you of -it in order to confer it upon _her_. Go then, go, thou gentle -Constantia; go too, afflicted and much belied Ida; increase the number -of the unfortunate ladies of Sargans, and live upon the bounty of the -vassals of your forefathers: the heiress of Torrenburg has nothing to -bestow upon you, not even unavailing pity; of justice I will not speak. -Under what climate of Heaven you now exist, Elizabeth knows not, asks -not, cares not! - - - _Elizabeth to Conrad._ - -I have long remarked one fault in you, my good Abbot; you generally -press your point too eagerly, and thus ruin the cause which you support, -with those whose natural inclinations would have disposed them otherwise -to do what you require. Not that this is the case with _me_; to convince -you of which, I now entreat you for the present, and _only_ for the -present, to be silent on a subject which (from causes as yet unknown to -you) pains my heart most cruelly. I am not ignorant of Constantia’s -abode; as to Ida ... yet why should I concern myself about the Damsels -of Werdenberg? If (as you assert) I have robbed them of a name which but -for me would have belonged to them, _they_ perhaps have deprived me of -_another_, which was more precious to me than my life; a name, which was -the long-wished-for goal of all my fondest hopes; a name, for which I -would have exchanged the high-sounding title of “heiress of Torrenburg,” -God knows how willingly! - -Suffer me to chuse another subject—you seem to be well acquainted with -the annals of the family with which I am become connected by marriage; -it is certain at least, that neither in your conversations or letters -have I ever heard you mention the knights and ladies of the houses of -Carlsheim and Sargans, without applying to them some striking epithet. -Even in your very last epistles, “the unfortunate ladies,”—“the -illustrious ladies of Sargans,”—were mentioned. Who were these -remarkable personages, and what were their misfortunes? If it lies in -your power to give me any account of them, you will oblige me by making -them the subject of your future letters. Otherwise I am necessitated to -request a temporary interruption of our correspondence, as I am not -desirous of reading more upon the subject which of late has employed -your pen. - - - _Conrad to Elizabeth._ - -The annals of the ladies of Sargans are in the possession of the Abbess -of Zurich, whose convent you at present inhabit. I can myself do no more -than furnish you with a short supplement to this family history, and -which I will readily transmit to you, whenever you think proper to renew -a correspondence, which ceases for the present with this letter. - - - _Elizabeth to Count Oswald of March._ - -I have offended our good old Conrad: the correspondence which I have -kept up for so many years with the faithful instructor of my childhood -is at length laid aside; and many a vacant hour as this instructive -intercourse has beguiled, I yet must confess, I am not sorry that it has -ceased for the present. Conrad latterly began to press me too hard upon -a subject, on which (in compliance, dear brother, with your advice) I am -determined not to come to any hasty determination. Ah! the point would -have been determined long ago, had I not been compelled to hesitate by -your friendly representations and the weakness of my own heart! - -And yet, dear Oswald, to confess the truth, the latter had more -influence with me than the former. Paint to me in as brilliant colours -as you chuse the advantage of being sovereign lady of such an extensive -territory; ah! can the empty pride of governing a turbulent ungrateful -people restore to me the ruined tranquillity of my heart? My wealth and -power were even beyond my wishes, unaided by the liberal bequest of my -dear, my partial husband; and long ago should Constantia have enjoyed -those rights to which (so at least they say) her claim is undoubted, -were it not that Ida must necessarily have shared in the good-fortune of -her sister; Ida, who stole from me the heart of Montfort! Ida, who -trampled on the fondest wishes of my soul! No! that thought is not to be -endured! The wanton arts of that perfidious girl forced me from the -bosom of my Henry into the aged arms of the Count of Torrenburg: now -then let her enjoy the fruits of her good deed! Gratitude taught me to -love Frederick, and to forget Henry; but to reward these traitors for -having so successfully betrayed me; to enrich them with all that has -been bestowed on me by the last will of the excellent possessor ... this -is a pitch of heroic virtue, of which I can be capable but in a very few -moments of romantic enthusiasm. In one of those moments, _you_, dear -Oswald, came to my assistance, rouzed me from my dream of heroism, -dissipated the vapours which bewildered my senses, and now you may rest -secure that I shall make no rash resolutions. - -I confess, the Abbot helped to give your advice effect, by preaching to -me such endless sermons about _justice_. What then, my good Conrad? the -conferring happiness on those perfidious hypocrites by whom my -confidence has been so cruelly abused, this sacrifice which but to think -upon makes all my long-inflicted wounds bleed afresh, all this would be -nothing more than an every-day performance of a positive duty? Is this -the way to estimate one of the most difficult tasks of self-victory that -ever was prescribed to the heart of a woman? - -Agitated as are my present feelings, I dare not trust myself to be much -alone. I seek every where for subjects of amusement, but find every -where ennui. You, my kind friend, are at a distance, and my epistolary -communication with Conrad, to which I have been so long accustomed, has -for the present ceased entirely. Yet the good Abbot, to whom I am -already under such obligations, is also in _this_ instance the cause of -my looking forward to some future means of rescuing myself from this -state of tedious indolence. - -In hopes of leading him away from a topic, which I am at present -unwilling to discuss, I reminded him of the antient histories of the -Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans; and I requested him to make them the -subject of his future correspondence—you know, the old man is generally -delighted to find an opportunity of talking over such matters; but just -now he is too much offended with me, and too much occupied with a -different business, to permit himself to be lured away from his point by -this little artifice. He has coldly referred me for information to the -Abbess of Zurich; and the want of other amusement has actually induced -me to apply to her on this subject, which, when I first took it up, was -merely a pretence for relieving myself from the pressure of Conrad’s too -urgent solicitations. - -The Abbess as yet has only given me distant hopes that my curiosity -shall be indulged; but by dint of repeated petitions, I trust I shall -persuade her to communicate to me these “important and remarkable -writings,” as the Abbess calls them. Should I succeed, I shall not fail, -oh! most learned of all knights of the present day! to lay whatever -seems worthy of attention before your philosophical eyes. - - - _Sigisbert, Bishop of Coira, to the Abbot Conrad._ - -Without attempting further to influence her conduct, let Elizabeth be -permitted to act according to her own pleasure: I know her motives; I -know that in the end we shall have reason to be satisfied with her. I am -informed also, that she has already taken some such steps towards -settling this important business as will bear but one interpretation. -Letters have been received from her by our friend the Seneschal, a man -whose superior for probity is not to be found in Zurich; in these -letters Elizabeth explains the whole transaction, requests him to act as -an impartial judge, and engages to obey his decision blindly. You know -well the venerable Albert Reding, to whose justice the whole country -refers every dispute of consequence; think you, he will decide to the -disadvantage of innocence? Not that I have obtained my knowledge of -these secret particulars from Albert himself, the delicacy of whose -opinions on this species of confidence is extreme. In truth, he carries -that delicacy so far, that he anxiously avoids mentioning the disputes -between the Countess and her vassals, and endeavours, when others speak -of them, to listen with a cold indifferent air: but I read plainly on -his serious brow that he meditates deeply on the subject; he weighs the -bequest of Count Frederick, and the situation of the unfortunate -sisters, and I can prophecy to which side the balance will incline. He, -who never yet gave an unfair judgment; he, who has never deserved to -have an appeal made from his decision, cannot surely pronounce -erroneously upon a business like this. - -Your intention of laying before Elizabeth’s eyes the whole history of -the rejected heiresses of Torrenburg is well imagined, and may produce a -good effect: but what shall I say to you respecting your imprudence, in -advising her to inspect the private annals of the house of Sargans? My -good but inconsiderate friend, are you then ignorant of the part which -your Abbey plays in these memorials of the days of yore? Is it -adviseable, think you, to lay before the laity the transgressions of the -church? Let us rejoice, that we walk ourselves in the paths of virtue, -without endeavouring to make our own merits appear more shining, by -contrasting them with the crimes of our predecessors. - -Yet I know well, that so mean a design was far from the thoughts of my -good Conrad; he has only erred through want of consideration. I shall -immediately endeavour, if possible, to repair your fault; already must -letters from me have reached the Abbess of Zurich, and I hope that -Elizabeth will not be suffered to peruse a single line of the papers. - -It is but a short time since these curious Memoirs were in my -possession; and I can assure you (if, as I take for granted, you are not -already conscious of it) they contain many circumstances, which for the -honour of the Abbey of Curwald, and (with grief I write it) for that of -some of my own ancestors, had better remain for ever unknown. - - - _Elizabeth to Count Oswald_ - -In vain do I strive to turn my thoughts from Montfort; the reflection -“what is to become of him” occupies my mind incessantly. Alas! there was -a time, when I loved him with such passion! when there was nothing which -I would not have given to purchase for him one moment’s happiness! and -_now_, oh! what a change! _she_, who once was ready to sacrifice for -this Montfort every thing, even the affection of a warning brother, who -saw deeper into the deceiver’s heart than herself; _she_ now hesitates, -by giving up a few superfluous miles of territory and some high-sounding -empty titles, to rescue him from the very abyss of misery and ruin!—and -all this change in her heart is produced by the sole reflection, that -Montfort’s prosperity would now be shared no longer with herself. Oh! -Elizabeth! Elizabeth! thou hast a groveling soul! thy passion for Henry, -so falsely called heroic, was nothing better than mere self-love! - -Chide me not, dear brother, for this want of resolution; I am conscious -the expression of such feelings must be little expected by you after the -temper of mind, in which you saw me when we parted: but you know not the -dreadful contest between affection and duty, which has but lately been -excited in my bosom—what! Henry imprisoned by his uncle, as a punishment -for having bestowed his heart on the portionless Ida? Henry, commanded -by the incensed Count de Montfort to purchase liberty by offering me his -hand? What then, do I live to see my nuptial bed made the alternative of -a dungeon? Oswald! Oswald! oh! what a humiliation for the proud -Elizabeth, let what is required of him be refused or accepted by -Henry!—as for myself, my resolution is fixed; but yet, through respect -for you and your counsels, it has not been fixed till after mature -deliberation. I will not have the appearance of acting either from an -impulse of extravagant generosity, or from that spirit of refined -vengeance, which induces us to crush our enemies under the load of -obligations: no; I will do nothing but my _duty_. I have submitted the -whole affair to the decision of an impartial judge: I will ascertain how -much I _ought_ to do for the Damsels of Werdenberg, and exactly that -much will I do, without desiring to be thanked by any one. What would be -my feelings, Oswald.... Heaven and Earth! what would be my feelings, -were I to hear Montfort thank me for having _kindly_ facilitated his -union with his beloved Ida! - - - _Elizabeth to Oswald._ - -My brother, we will in future chuse other subjects for discussion: -Montfort and Ida ought now to hold a place no longer in my private -thoughts, nor shall their names be ever again traced by my pen. To -banish these spectres which haunt my mind so fearfully, and bury them -for ever in oblivion, or at least only to remember them with contempt, -surely I need but to recall that memorable day, when my dear exasperated -brother forgave the lovesick-girl’s elopement, her elopement with this -deceitful Montfort; when he promised still to acknowledge her as his -sister, and condescended to make known to the traitor with his own lips, -that Count Oswald would not disdain to honour and esteem him as his -sister’s husband—and then let me remember, how Henry led the proud -Elizabeth in triumph to the altar; and how at the very moment that he -prepared to swear to her eternal constancy, the irrevocable word refused -to pass his lips, because ... because among her attendants he discovered -a face, whose features seemed to him more lovely than his bride’s. - -Oh! when I recollect these circumstances, my brother! the Damsels of -Werdenberg, the chosen friends of my bosom, were invited to place the -nuptial garland on my brow, and the false-ones tore it in pieces, and -trampled it under their feet. With what a look of horror and aversion -did Henry throw away my hand! He affected to be suddenly indisposed too! -oh! ’twas a mere pretence! his midnight flight from the Castle, and his -consternation at hearing, that those perfidious girls were gone, ought -to have left me no doubt upon the subject; yet I suspected nothing till -the cruel news arrived, that Ida’s fate was as closely connected with -Henry’s, as I once had flattered myself to have seen my own. - -Again I repeat it, I will discuss this subject no longer. My prayers had -once the power of soothing Oswald’s vengeance and saving the offender’s -life; shall my lamentations excite afresh that sleeping vengeance?—No! I -will be silent!—I thank you, dear Oswald, for all your kindness; still -love Elizabeth, but strive not to avenge her. - - - _Elizabeth to Oswald._ - -I doubt whether I act wisely in writing to you so often? a less -interesting occupation would conduce more to the tranquillity of my -bosom, and such an occupation am I earnestly endeavouring to procure. A -visit to the Abbess, for the purpose of renewing my entreaties -respecting the annals of Sargans, has exalted my curiosity to the very -highest pitch. I am sensible, that anxiety to learn the sufferings of -those who have been as unfortunate as myself, alleviates the weight of -my own afflictions. - -The Abbess appeared to be undecided whether she should indulge me with a -sight of these writings, which she had already been drawn into an half -promise to communicate. - -—“My dear lady,” said she smiling, “had you not rather obtain a personal -knowledge of those ladies, who are treated of in these moth-eaten -ill-written leaves, and whose adventures, or at least as much of them as -deserves your attention, I can myself relate to you concisely?—Look!” -she continued, at the same time removing a silken curtain which extended -itself over the whole western side of her closet; “look! here are the -portraits of the most remarkable among those celebrated ladies, -respecting whose lives some idle person has contrived to make you so -inquisitive. I confess, I _do_ possess the writings in question; but -believe me, daughter, they are buried under such a heap of uninteresting -papers relating to different matters, that to explore them would be too -tedious a task for the leisure of an anchoret or the patience of a -saint.” - -I stood silent, and listened, and looked; but in truth the speaking -portraits of these females, the most lovely and excellent of their day, -and the interesting fragments of their annals which escaped from the -Abbess of Zurich as she pointed them out to me by name, were by no means -likely to cure me of my inclination to know more of their adventures. - -You are not the only one of the family, Oswald, who possesses the talent -of persuasion; your sister too inherits some little portion of that for -which her brother is so remarkable. I conquered; and before evening -arrived, I had the satisfaction to see brought into my chamber a large -iron chest, which contained materials of sufficient interest to steal me -from my own sorrows, and transport me into a different world from that -in which I am existing—oh! how delightful is it for a wounded heart thus -to steal itself away from the theatre of its afflictions! - - - _Elizabeth to Oswald._ - -The morning broke, and found me still occupied in examining the -moth-eaten parchments; selecting those which appeared to be the most -interesting, and separating them from the rest, which I purposed to -reserve for a future opportunity. It was fortunate, that I did not delay -this examination till the next day. Scarcely were the nuns returned from -matins, when my treasure was redemanded of me. _The_ Abbess came to make -excuses in person. She talked of secrets regarding the Convent, and the -commands of the Bishop of Coira, though, as far as I can make out, the -_great lady_ (for such is the appellation which the nuns give the Domina -of Zurich) is totally independent of him. She might as well have spared -her apologies; I was angry, and scarcely could prevail on myself to -answer her with common politeness. She had broken her word with me; and -therefore I feel but little compunction for having over-reached her, and -kept back several of the writings, which I had previously laid aside. -They happen to be exactly those (at least I hope so) which the sight of -those portraits in the Domina’s closet had made me most anxious to -examine. - -One parcel consists of the Memoirs of Urania Venosta; she is pale, and a -black veil half conceals her features, yet the grief which is exprest in -her countenance (the picture represents her in the decline of life) has -still left her charms sufficient to make us guess, how perfect must have -been her beauty while yet in the full bloom of youth. - -Another packet contains some account of the unfortunate Adelaide, lady -of the Beacon-Tower; she was a daughter of the house of Carlsheim, and -had resolution enough to attend upon her unfortunate husband till his -last breath, which he was doomed to breathe out upon the scaffold! -Adelaide only left the place of execution to lay herself down, and die. - -I possess also the adventures of two Damsels of Sargans, who -particularly arrested my attention yesterday in the closet of the -Domina.—The picture represented them as two solitary pilgrims, both -imprest with beauty and innocence in every feature—features, which -seemed to be not totally unknown to me, and which even recalled those to -my memory, which my partial friendship once viewed with such fond -admiration, while gazing on Constantia and her perfidious sister!—They -were represented, as wandering on a barren mountain covered with snow, -and endeavouring with inexpressible anxiety in different quarters to -discover an out-let from this desolate pass, where they must inevitably -perish, unless some higher power should graciously interpose in their -behalf. In truth, I fancied that I could discover in the back-ground of -the picture a faint shadow, which seemed to beckon one the poor -wanderers to advance: probably it meant to convey the idea of a guardian -angel, or a saint, who had descended from Heaven to guide the distressed -pilgrims out of this fearful labyrinth. - -Besides these, I have kept back several other fragments of less -interest, which I shall not examine, till all those which I have -mentioned have been gone through, and their contents communicated to -you, dear Oswald. Into the bargain, the Domina (in hopes, I suppose, of -softening my resentment) sent me by the hands of a lay-sister the life -of one of her predecessors, who had also belonged to the family of -Sargans, and respecting whom she thought, that what she had told me -respecting her wisdom and piety, must needs have powerfully excited my -curiosity. I took the ponderous roll of parchment with many thanks; I -have already ran through it, and returned it, for it contained nothing -except that this worthy Abbess was not only a saint, but was also a -woman of great learning; that she had sacrificed to the Muses at the -same time with Walter of Vogelfeld, the Counts of Hapsburg and -Welsh-Neuburg, the Abbot of Einsiedel, and the Bishop of Constance, and -had carried off the prize from those distinguished Authors; and finally, -that she had instituted a weekly meeting of literati at the house of -Rudiger Manstein, the burgo-master of Zurich. - -These particulars possest very few charms for me; and the moment that I -was left to myself, I had recourse to my precious stolen treasure, of -which I shall immediately communicate to you as much, as I have as yet -had leisure to peruse. Oh! my kind Oswald, will you not blame me, when I -confess, that even this interesting occupation was insufficient to -banish Montfort from my mind? Yet to waste another thought on this -paragon of human perfidy is too great a weakness—I will return to my -parchments, in hopes to collecting from the sorrows of others resolution -enough to endure my own with patience. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - PART THE SECOND. - - MEMOIRS - - OF - - URANIA VENOSTA. - - -It affords the mind a melancholy pleasure to look back in the evening of -life, and contemplate the path which conducted us to that place of -shelter, where tranquillity awaits us, and which at length appears in -sight. Yet in such a moment we obtain but an imperfect view of the -scenes through which we past; and the sensations which we at the time -experienced, have already lost much of their poignancy. The chillness of -approaching night makes us almost forget our sufferings, while toiling -under the heat of the mid-day sun; and our eye glides easily along the -deep vallies in which we feared to lose our way, and over the lofty -mountains which it cost us so much labour to ascend—The whole now seems -blended together, and we perceive scarcely any thing but a level -surface; for the distance of those objects which we have left behind, -and the darkness growing deeper with every moment, delude our eyes, and -hide from us almost every thing, which once inspired us with such -well-founded terror. - -Alas! the _pleasures_ of our pilgrimage are lost to us, as well as its -difficulties and its dangers! we no longer see the flowers of the vale, -in which we loitered; we hear no more the murmur of the brook, whose -clear streams refreshed us when fainting with fatigue and thirst! we -retain of the whole but one sensation; that the whole is _past_!—and we -wonder not a little, when the transient recollection of former events -occasionally flits before us, how such trifles could have possest the -power of affecting us with violence so extreme. - -Such are our feelings in the decline of life; feelings which you too, -beloved-ones, for whom I trace these lines, which you, my Amalberga, and -you, my gentle Emmeline, will experience at the appointed hour. Alas! -before that hour arrives, you must wander through a long and painful -way, counting many a step of toil, and many a tear of sorrow: I feel it -to be my duty once more to examine the road by which I have past myself; -and by explaining to you the obstacles which impeded me in _my_ -progress, I hope to enable you to overcome those, which may present -themselves before you in your own. - -The spring of my life was bright and lovely. I was educated with the -most illustrious young women of the age, and numbered the children of -sovereigns among my play-mates. The daughters of the Count of Hapsburg -lived with me like sisters; and even when Rudolf was elected Emperor, -and their father’s elevation authorized them to expect to share the -thrones of the first Sovereigns of Europe, still did our friendship -continue in full force. What have innocence and inexperienced youth to -do with dignity and grandeur? Things of this nature only furnished us -with a subject for mirth; we past in review the Princes, both young and -old, who solicited the good graces of the Emperor’s daughters; we -discussed freely their merits and defects, portioned them out among our -society, and amused ourselves with jesting at the unfortunate maiden, to -whom the worst lot fell. The number of these illustrious suitors was -seven; and as the Princesses with myself made exactly the same number, I -necessarily came in for my share in this allotment. - -Unfortunately, what at first was mere jesting at length became serious. -The Duke of Saxony, who at his first arrival seemed to limit all his -wishes to the possession of the Princess Matilda, (Rudolf’s eldest -daughter,) began to imagine, that her companion Urania was the superior -beauty of the two. As it was generally believed (both on account of the -uniformity which prevailed in our society, and of our never being -separated) that I was the sister of my friends, the Duke thought it a -matter of very little consequence, to which of the Emperor’s daughters -he paid his addresses; and he showed his election in my favour so -plainly and so publicly, that Rudolf ordered me to quit his court. My -removal was so sudden, that no step could be taken by the Duke in this -important business: my father had fallen in the late popular commotions -at Basle; I had never known my mother; I was consigned to the -guardianship of an uncle, who had purchased considerable possessions in -the neighbourhood of the Rhætian Alps, where he resided far from the -tumult of the court in freedom and tranquillity. - -Count Leopold Venosta received me with open arms. Painful as had been my -separation from the friends of my childhood, still I was not insensible -to the charm of being released from the chains of court etiquette, even -though the chains which I had borne had been so light and easy. The air -of liberty fanned my cheeks at every step I took; the peasants of Rhætia -(who had now almost universally shaken off the fetters of their lordly -masters) celebrated on all sides the feast of freedom, and invited the -neighbouring inhabitants of the Valteline to participate in their -happiness. Oh! what delightful scenes were these for a young and feeling -heart!—and yet I had not sufficient experience to perceive their whole -beauty and singularity.—Too often is liberty purchased dearly by the -effusion of blood; and joy at obtaining the so long wished-for blessing -is sullied by melancholy recollections of the means, by which that -blessing was obtained. In _this_ instance, it was the reward of -temperance and industry, which had at length succeeded in their efforts -to burst the chains of luxury and oppression. Knights and Monks, the -former owners of these possessions, had long indulged without reflection -or restraint every caprice of their voluptuous fancies, till they became -the debtors of their own vassals; who in the mean while had been -advancing silently towards their grand object through diligence in -labour and propriety in morals, and now were able to set at defiance -those, whose slaves and victims they had been so long. The impoverished -libertines found themselves without resource; they were obliged to rest -contented with bestowing angry looks on their enfranchised vassals, as -often as accident brought them in their way, and with indulging their -spleen in intemperate railing at (what _they_ termed) the caprice of -fortune. - -But Count Leopold belonged not to the number of these reduced Lords. His -opulence grew with every day; his possessions were increased by the -purchase of those, which the debts of his neighbours compelled them to -dispose of. Neither had the country reason to lament, that so much power -was concentrated in his hands. - -He allowed his vassals sufficient independence to prevent their sighing -after a greater share of freedom; he parcelled out some of his estates -into small farms, and bestowed them on the most industrious among his -people; he even induced several of the inhabitants of the Valteline to -settle upon his possessions, by allotting to them a portion of valuable -but hitherto uncultivated land, which liberally replaced to them what -little they abandoned in their own distracted country. - -Oh! believe me, my children, the occupation renders us almost equal to -the angels, when we employ our power in bidding some desart teem with -harvest, and making it the habitation of happy creatures! I have -witnessed many of these transformations, which the Princes of the earth -could produce so often and so easily, had they but the inclination. It -is in their power to copy the benevolence and might of the Creator; but -they chuse rather to imitate his chastising justice, to convert the -dwellings of men into heaps of stones, and to pour a deluge of blood -over the smiling fruitful vallies. - -Among the Lords of that part of Switzerland, whose chief possessions now -belonged to my uncle, the Counts of Carlsheim held the most -distinguished place. Ethelbert (the only remaining descendant of this -family, at least as far as we knew) scarcely inherited from his father -the tenth part of that property, which once belonged to his forefathers. -Grief and vexation had bowed the young man to the ground; he sought to -improve his fortune by entering into the service of foreign princes, -failed in the attempt, and returned sorrowing to repair the ruined -castles which still were his own, and to collect the fragments of his -fallen greatness. He had no reason to reproach _himself_ as the author -of his distress; yet the consciousness of his situation and the feelings -of wounded pride kept him in a constant state of humiliation, which -became particularly painful at the sight of those, who had established -their prosperity on the ruins of that of the house of Carlsheim. - -Influenced by these sentiments, did Ethelbert most studiously avoid all -intercourse with my uncle. On none of those occasions, which usually -bring knights and noblemen together, did he ever appear, if there was -the slightest probability of Count Leopold’s being present; and in spite -of all my uncle’s endeavours to form an acquaintance with this young -warrior, (for whom more reasons than one induced him to feel a lively -interest,) still would his efforts in all likelihood have failed of -success, had not a circumstance occurred, which absolutely enjoined -their meeting, and which was the first link of a connexion which ... -dare I say it?... which should never have been formed. Yet the -ordinations of eternal Wisdom ought not to be censured: I press my -finger on my lip, and am silent. - -In the bosom of a tranquil valley situated near the Rhine rose the walls -of a monastery, which in point of wealth was only inferior to the monks -of Saint Basil in Solothurn, and to the valuable endowments and -extensive possessions of the Great Lady of Zurich. Since time immemorial -had this district belonged to the Lords of Carlsheim; and they were so -conscious of its worth, that when they sold the rest of their estates -beyond the power of redemption, they had only parted with this as a -pledge. My uncle had already entered without success into various -negociations with Count Werner (Ethelbert’s father) on this subject; and -after the old man’s death, he had found his son equally determined never -to relinquish entirely his right to “the jewel of the land,” for such -was the popular name of the Cloister in the Wood. Various means were -proposed to my uncle (several by the monks themselves) for subduing the -obstinacy of the original possessor: but Leopold’s tender conscience -thought some unjust, and some unfeeling, and every thing remained as it -was. - -—“Let us not,” he always answered, when prest upon this subject, “let us -not rob this young man of the flattering hope, that by means of his -claims on this delightful territory he may one day be enabled to get a -firm footing in the land of his once opulent inheritance! I will not be -the man who deprives him of it; far more willingly would I lend him my -aid towards realizing his expectations, were I assured that he is really -the character for which I take him. In the mean while, let him continue -to feast his imagination with the hope of one day enjoying the treasures -said to be buried in the Abbey of Curwald, and with the rest of those -chimæras which have been painted to me in such brilliant colours for the -purpose of seducing me to seize _that_ by force of arms, to which -without Ethelbert’s voluntary agreement I can never possess a -satisfactory right.”— - -It is but too certain, that no means were left untried, which might -exasperate my uncle against Ethelbert of Carlsheim; who on _his_ side -suffered many an interested adviser to assail his ear with similar -representations. Things were carried to such a length, that feudal war -would certainly have been declared, and the dwellings of tranquillity -must have been deluged with an ocean of blood, had not Count Venosta’s -generosity induced him to give way on all possible occasions. - -To talk over calmly these and similar circumstances with Ethelbert in -person, such was my uncle’s object in endeavouring to throw himself in -his way; and the obstinate care, with which the latter avoided every -explanation, might as well be ascribed to a sentiment of false pride -which made him feel humiliated by Count Venosta’s superior wealth, or to -the insinuations of ill-disposed advisers, as to envy, or malignity, or -any other bad feature in his character. Count Leopold and myself had -always made it a rule to consider Ethelbert’s actions in the most -favourable light. It is true, we had both been long the inhabitants of a -court, the proper atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust; but on our first -arrival among the frank and honest children of Helvetia, we dismissed -those enemies of rural peace for ever, and determined to be open-hearted -with those whose hearts were so open to us. - -The circumstance which at length brought my uncle and Count Ethelbert -together, was a dispute between the monks of Curwald and their Abbot; -and which at last was carried to such a pitch, that it became necessary -to refer it to the cloister’s liege-lord. But who was this same -liege-lord? was it Leopold, who was in actual possession of the revenue, -or Ethelbert, in whom the legal right still vested? The monks appealed -from one to the other over and over again, and at length it became -absolutely necessary that a meeting should take place between them, in -order that the business might be finally adjusted. - -My uncle had never forbidden my interference in matters, which did not -exactly fall within the province of women; nor indeed would it have been -in my power to remain inactive on this occasion, in which the honour and -welfare of those persons who (after my uncle) were most dear to me, were -very deeply implicated. - -Christian, the persecuted Abbot of Curwald, was my father-confessor; the -Prior Matthias, who shared with him the unmerited hatred of the monks, -had been my instructor in botany, one of my most favourite studies, and -which the Rhætian mountains afforded me every means of cultivating with -success. I knew the excellence of both these men, and exerted all the -powers of female persuasion, which consist in tears and entreaties, to -keep my uncle steady in the interests of my venerable friends. I was too -anxious about the issue of this affair to suffer Count Venosta to go -alone to the place, which had been appointed for the interview between -him and his rival. Report had informed me, that Ethelbert appeared -disposed to protect the persecutors of innocence; I resolved, that he -should be made thoroughly aware of the real state of the case; nor could -I suppose, that any thing more could be requisite in order to obtain the -decision, which I so ardently desired to hear pronounced. I was still to -learn, that it is possible to act in opposition to a principle, of whose -justice we are thoroughly convinced. - -They say, that Female Innocence, forgetful of herself while she is -occupied with the interests of others, was never known to supplicate -without success. My uncle had exerted all his powers of argument without -producing conviction in the bosom of the Count of Carlsheim. He was -silent, and I was now permitted to advance a few representations on the -subject. I spoke not much; but I spoke with force and feeling, and I -flattered myself, that I could read in Ethelbert’s radiant eyes, that -what I said had not totally failed of its effect. He answered not; but -he cast on me a look so full of expression, that I felt my cheeks -covered with blushes, hastily let fall my veil, and retreated towards my -uncle: - -—“Count Venosta,” said Ethelbert at length, “here is my hand! decide the -business according to your own pleasure. So fair and virtuous a Damsel -would never support the cause of guilt! the discontented monks shall -keep their superior—and if the Abbot wishes to secure their obedience -for ever, let him only request his powerful advocate to exert upon -_them_ the same powers of persuasion, which she has just now employed -upon _me_, and he cannot fail to obtain his object. Methinks the Man -might make himself Lord of the whole universe, would he but use this -means, and though loaded with crimes might steal himself into Paradise, -covered by the protecting mantle of such a saint.—” - -These compliments seemed to me not less free than flattering. A look too -of my uncle’s informed me, that they were by no means to his taste, and -I quitted the room embarrassed and uneasy. - -I had the satisfaction to see my friends justified and reinstated in -their dignities, in defiance of their numerous foes; but I had also the -mortification to experience some consequences of my well-intended -interference, which were by no means agreeable. The first was a very -severe remonstrance from Count Venosta respecting the ardour, or the -importunity as he termed it, with which I had prest my suit upon -Ethelbert. - -—“Had Urania been a simple Alpine shepherdess,” said my uncle, “who, -concealed, among her native mountains, had never heard of the insolent -expectations, which men ground upon the slightest demonstration of -female good-will towards them, I might, perhaps, find some excuse for -the free tone with which she spoke to a stranger, and the tender -expression which she infused into her supplicating looks; but Urania, -educated in a Court, should have been more upon her guard. Handsome as -are his features, the Count of Carlsheim’s bold and ardent gaze was such -as by no means gave me a favourable opinion of his delicacy; and still -less was I pleased by the liberty which he took of addressing you in a -strain of flattery so undisguised. Hitherto I have been disposed to -entertain a favourable opinion of the young man; but I confess, what I -have seen of him to-day has shaken my goodwill not a little.”— - -I only answered Count Leopold’s warning speech by a respectful silence; -and I afterwards reproached myself for the manner in which I had acted, -though I was unconscious what I had done, for which I deserved to be -reproached. My heart was innocent; my intention was pure; the -consequences of the step which I had taken, however, soon convinced me -that I had really committed an error. - -Ethelbert of Carlsheim, he who, during whole years that my uncle sought -to obtain his acquaintance, was never to be found; he, who even now that -they were at length known to each other, seemed by no means eager to -cultivate a closer intercourse with the family of Venosta, from the time -of our first meeting presented himself before _me_ almost every day. If -I sought the neighbouring church, it always so happened that he had -chosen exactly the same hour for paying his devotions—if I sat in my -balcony, he was sure to ride past the Castle—at the rural feasts, for -which among our vassals an excuse was never wanting, and from which I -dared not absent myself through fear of mortifying the good people, -Ethelbert’s hand was always offered to conduct me to the dance. At -length it so chanced, that I was under the necessity of confessing that -it was to him, that I owed the preservation of my life. One evening as I -was proceeding towards the Castle in the twilight, a procession of -villagers, returning from a wedding, happened to cross my path, -accompanied by a variety of instruments which produced the most noisy -and discordant sounds imagiable. The white banners fluttering before the -eyes of my palfrey, and the clattering cymbals which stunned her ears, -caused her to take fright and set off at full speed; and in all -probability she would have dashed with me from the brow of a -neighbouring precipice, to which she was hastening, had not Count -Ethelbert fortunately heard my shrieks. He rescued me from my danger, -and in return had the happiness (as he called it) to accompany me back -to the Castle, and took an opportunity to make by the way a declaration -of the most passionate affection. - -Another time, late at night I was alarmed by a fire breaking out in my -anti-chamber, and the flames spread with sufficient rapidity to make me -swoon through terror. When I recovered, I found myself supported by -Count Ethelbert, who advised me to save myself by flight from the -threatening danger, and seemed perfectly ready to assist me in putting -his advice in execution. However, as I had now regained my presence of -mind sufficiently to see, that there was no absolute necessity for -taking such a step, my flight extended no further than to my uncle’s -chamber, whither I requested to be conveyed without delay. - -Leopold received my preserver with marked coldness, and concluded his -expressions of gratitude with enquiring—“by what strange though -fortunate accident he had arrived there so speedily and so exactly at -the time, when his assistance was most wanted?”—Ethelbert in his answer -talked much of the good angels who watch over the favourites of Heaven, -which my uncle heard without any great appearance of satisfaction; and -as soon as the Count of Carlsheim had taken his departure, I received a -very serious lecture respecting him. My uncle was inclined to believe, -that the accident which had lately alarmed my palfrey, and the fire -which had thrown me under Ethelbert’s protection, were both devices -intended to bind me to him by the chains of gratitude. It was at least -certain, that no sooner had my accident taken place, than the bridal -procession disappeared; and the fire had done no other damage, than -consuming part of the arras with which my anti-chamber was hung. - -—“If the Count of Carlsheim is anxious to win your affections,” said my -uncle, “why does he not take the straight road to obtain them? why does -he not explain his views respecting you to _me_? there was a time, when -I should not have refused you to him, and in which I intended to have -done an act of justice by making him once more lord over the possessions -of his ancestors, by giving him the hand of Urania, the future heiress -of Carlsheim and Sargans.”— - -I knew not, what intelligence or what observations could have induced -Count Leopold (who was generally so much inclined to think well of every -one) so soon to view Ethelbert’s actions in an unfavourable light. As -for myself, I gave these accusations by no means implicit confidence; -and I strove to find excuses for the conduct of a man, who every time -that I saw him made a stronger impression on my heart, and who daily -rendered it more difficult for me to suspect him of any thing wrong. - -Ethelbert of Carlsheim was unfortunate, and had been deprived of the -greatest part of those possessions, which ought to have been his birth -right; this alone would have been a sufficient reason for my viewing him -with interest; but how much was that interest increased by the -discovery, that he employed the little power, which he still possest, in -relieving the misfortunes of others; and that by the protection which he -granted the opprest, he had himself incurred the animosity of many -powerful foes? what could be more noble and more generous than such a -proceeding, and how was it possible to suppose, that a man who could act -thus, could ever deserve the most distant appearance of suspicion? - -Edith, Countess of Mayenfield, was compelled to fly from her castle, by -her bitter enemy the ambitious Abbot of St. Gall: she was a widow, and -there were suspicions (and those no slight ones) that she was indebted -for the removal of her husband to a present of wine from the cellar of -this dignified prelate. Willingly would he have also sacrificed the -unprotected lady, who was the more dangerous obstacle to the enjoyment -of his hopes, inasmuch as she was daily expected to produce a child, -which (if a son) would be entitled to the whole possessions of his -deceased father. - -Edith therefore was compelled to seek safety in flight; the time of her -delivery was near; she was beset with enemies on all sides; nor could -she doubt what would be the fate of herself and her offspring, should he -fall into the Abbot’s hands. In this dreadful situation she summoned up -all her courage, and under the protecting mantle of the night employed -the only means of saving herself from destruction, which the severity of -her fate had now left her. Her wearied horses refused to bear her -further, and she was still far distant from the place, in which she -hoped to find shelter and assistance. She doubted not, that the Abbot -would pursue her; not a moment was to be lost; she quitted her litter, -and resolved to prosecute her painful way on foot, unaccompanied except -by her orphan daughter, the young and lovely Minna. She ordered her -attendants to pursue their journey with as much diligence as possible, -hoping by this artifice to lead her pursuers astray. As for herself, she -determined to conceal herself in the depth of the forest, thinking she -should find there some retired cottage, in which she might recover -herself from anxiety and fatigue, and give birth in tranquil security to -her unfortunate fatherless infant. As to being betrayed to her tyrant, -she was too well acquainted with the honest and benevolent temper of the -inhabitants of these mountains to harbour any apprehensions on that -head. - -The paths through which she wandered were solitary. At length the -trampling of a steed was heard; and soon after a knight, unaccompanied, -presented himself before the unfortunate lady, who, supported by the -powerless hand of the youthful Minna, was scarcely able to prevent -herself from sinking on the ground: this solitary knight was Count -Ethelbert; he was returning from the chace, and had sent his attendants -forward. - -The Countess of Mayenfield found it unnecessary to represent to him, how -much her situation required assistance, or to explain her name and the -dangers which still menaced her. Before she had time to request his -services, Ethelbert was already occupied in serving her: his pealing -horn soon collected his attendants round him. A slight but easy litter -was constructed with all diligence; and before an hour elapsed, the -fugitives rejoiced to find themselves within the sheltering walls of a -castle, whose strength was capable of defying the malice of their -enemies, in case they should attempt to deprive them forcibly of their -friendly retreat. - -It so happened that Count Venosta also had dedicated this same day to -the chace: the sport had enticed him to a distance from home. Midnight -had long been past; and I still sat at my spinning wheel surrounded by -my maidens, waiting with most anxious expectation for my uncle’s return. -A thousand painful thoughts and confused images glanced across my -imagination, in which, as usual, Count Ethelbert was not forgotten; -suddenly the folding doors of my chamber were thrown open, and the -object of my thoughts stood before me, almost breathless through haste -and anxiety. - -—“Dear lady,” said he, “I come to ask a boon of you. A guest of no mean -rank has arrived at my castle, and there is no female there to bid her -welcome: a litter waits at your door; suffer me to entreat that you will -let it convey you to my residence.”— - -—“Sir Knight, are you in your senses? This extraordinary request....”— - -—“Is the boldest, the most unpardonable, that fancy can imagine: but -judge by the want of preparation with which I propose it, how urgent is -the necessity for its being gratified without delay.—” - -The Count of Carlsheim had by no means chosen the most fortunate moment -for obtaining any favour at all from me, much less one of so -extraordinary a nature. In solitude I had reflected calmly and seriously -on my uncle’s warning: the frightened palfrey, and the fire so easily -extinguished, came into my head; and the uneasiness in which Count -Venosta’s absence had obliged me to pass the last hours, by no means -inclined me to view these circumstances so much to Ethelbert’s advantage -as usual: at that moment I saw him with my uncle’s eyes; and of course -this proposal appeared to me as nothing but a most bare-faced attempt on -my lover’s part to betray me into his power. - -—“You are offended?” said Ethelbert, who read displeasure strongly -painted on my every feature; “well then! I must have recourse to a more -eloquent pleader.”— - -Saying this, he hastened into the anti-chamber, and returned with a -little beautiful child, whose countenance expressed the deepest anxiety -and sorrow, and whose blue eyes filled with tears strengthened the -impression, which was made on me by her unexpected appearance. - -—“Ah! dear good lady!” said the little mourner, while she sank on her -knees before me, and kist my hand; “I entreat you, do what this knight -requests of you! My mother and myself are alone in a gloomy castle, -where there are none but stern-looking men, with great beards and heavy -swords; and my mother is so very ill! and she asked so anxiously, ‘was -there no lady who would comfort and assist her in her sickness!’ and -then this knight who saved us from dying in the forest, answered, that -he knew a lady whom he loved as his sister, and that he would bring her -to my mother, if she could be persuaded to follow him; and then he took -me along with him, that I might help to prevail on you to come and be -kind to my poor mother: and now I am here, you _will_ be prevailed on; I -am sure of it, because you look on me so kindly! Come, dear good lady! -Come!”— - -I kist the pretty suppliant without thoroughly comprehending what it was -that she requested me to do, and cast an inquiring look upon Ethelbert. -He related his adventure with the Countess of Mayenfield in so -interesting a manner, that it was impossible for me to hesitate a moment -longer, as to what course I should pursue. Indeed, the history of this -unfortunate lady was not unknown to me, when Ethelbert mentioned her -name: her misfortunes had for some time been the general subject of -conversation, and had already cost me many a sympathising tear, and many -an ardent wish to find some means of giving her assistance. - -I was deaf to all the suggestions of prudence, and threw myself into the -litter, wishing that I could have given the horses wings, so eager was I -to reach the illustrious sufferer. My nurse accompanied me; a discreet -and benevolent woman, who was likely to be of much more use to the -Countess than myself. So completely was I occupied by my anxiety for the -poor lady, that I scarcely paid any attention to Ethelbert’s tender -expressions of gratitude, or to the representations of my nurse, who -hinted to me with some appearance of discontent, that I had acted with -rather too much rashness in this business; she assured me, that _her_ -presence at the Castle of Carlsheim would be quite sufficient without my -giving myself the trouble to go there; and she confest, that she thought -Count Venosta would have good reason to be offended at finding on his -return home, that I had quitted his house during his absence with a -young knight, in spite of darkness and an heavy fall of snow. - -We reached the Castle; the sight of us served to give new life to the -exhausted lady, who surrounded by none but men had met with but sorry -attendance. She embraced me, and called me by the tender name of sister. -I soon confided her to the care of my nurse, and quitted her chamber for -the purpose of making arrangements for her treatment; and I gave my -directions in a tone of as much earnestness, as had I been in my uncle’s -castle. Anxiety about the Countess made me take the whole business upon -my own hands; I saw nothing extraordinary in what I was doing, and could -by no means conceive, why Count Ethelbert’s people examined me with -looks of such surprise; nor why he was himself always by my side, -expressing the most excessive delight and satisfaction at every thing -that I did, and loading me with such a profusion of thanks, that it was -utterly impossible for me to ascribe them all to the interest, which he -felt about his unfortunate guest. - -Before day-break, Edith became the mother of a boy; and never did any -other mother feel equal rapture with hers, when for the first time she -prest him to her bosom. In this new-born babe she embraced not merely -her child, but the future conqueror of her foes, and the preserver of -her family. Nothing more than the birth of this boy was necessary to -destroy every claim of the avaricious Abbot of St. Gall upon Mayenfield, -and reduce him to the condition of a feudal dependent. Count Ethelbert -on _his_ part neglected not to spread abroad the news of the birth of a -young Count of Mayenfield, and to invite through his heralds both -friends and foes to convince themselves by their eyes of the existence -of this infant nobleman. - -Count Venosta had experienced no trifling anxiety on being informed of -my midnight excursion, the motive of which no one was able to explain to -his satisfaction. He determined to examine into the real nature of the -transaction himself; accordingly the first sunbeams saw him cross the -draw-bridge of Ethelbert’s castle, accompanied by his whole train of -hunters, whom he had ordered to hold themselves prepared for a serious -engagement, in case the nature of things should make it necessary to -come to hostilities. - -The Count of Carlsheim was already abroad, employed in business which -regarded the adventure of the past night. My uncle found me sitting by -the bed-side of the newly-delivered Countess, whose ardent thanks for -the assistance, which I had afforded her, instantly removed every trace -of anger from his brow; and the severe lecture which he intended to -bestow on me, was softened into a gentle remonstrance against my acting -in general with too much precipitation. - -Ethelbert returned; he shared with my uncle and myself the office of -presenting the new-born heir of Mayenfield at the baptismal fount, and -we gave the child its father’s name, Ludolf. From motives of propriety, -we were all anxious to remove the invalid (who earnestly entreated me -not to abandon her) to my uncle’s castle; but she was at first too weak -to bear the journey, and I was under the necessity of submitting for -some time longer to act as the mistress of Count Ethelbert’s castle. - -Now then affairs wore that appearance, which I am convinced it had -always been my lover’s plan to give them. Doubtless had he thought -proper, he might have contrived to show his fair guest all the duties of -hospitality without any interference of mine: but he eagerly made use of -the opportunity which presented itself, to draw me into a more intimate -connection. He endeavoured to convince me by his reliance on my humanity -of the esteem which he entertained for _my_ character; and at the same -time he hoped to inspire me with a favourable opinion of his own, by -making me a daily witness of the noble treatment which he afforded to a -stranger, who had no claim to his protection except her need of it, and -who could make him no other return for his kindness, except the -involving _him_ in her own difficulties and dangers. - -Ethelbert’s plan succeeded with me completely, and even my uncle began -to view him in a more favourable light. Both were equally interested -about the Countess, and swore to exert themselves to the utmost in -endeavouring to reinstate her and her new-born son in the rights, which -were still detained from them by the Abbot of St. Gall; the similarity -of their objects naturally induced a sort of confidence between them; -and Ethelbert lost no opportunity of turning this confidence to the best -account. Perhaps he already reckoned himself on the point of obtaining -that, which had long been the mark at which he aimed, though he had -never acknowledged it in words; namely, the possession of my hand: but -my uncle soon gave a fresh proof, that at present he by no means looked -forward to, or desired a connection between the families of Carlsheim -and Venosta. - -The history of my nocturnal journey (many gave it the name of an -elopement,) had not been kept a secret; the situation of the Countess’s -affairs made it necessary for her to receive several strangers; they -always found me at her side, saw that I acted as the mistress of Count -Ethelbert’s house, and the remarks to which all this gave occasion were -frequently by no means to my credit. Some asserted, that I was already -betrothed to the Lord of Carlsheim; others fabricated out of facts and -guesses such a story, as offended my feelings too severely to admit of -my repeating it here, and which no sooner came to my uncle’s knowledge, -than he resolved at all events to remove me from so unusual a situation. -The invalid was now sufficiently recovered to bear the fatigue of a -journey; and an abode in the house of the potent Count Venosta was -likely to furnish her both with more consequence and security, than she -could expect to find at the Castle of Carlsheim. - -My uncle and Ethelbert looked gloomily; my heart was heavy and sad: the -fair Edith of Mayenfield alone exprest in words, what no one else was -willing to declare to the other. - -—“Oh! Heaven,” she cried at taking leave of him, who had till then been -her protector, while she prest mine and Ethelbert’s hands fast together, -between her own “unite these two noblest souls, with which you ever -blest humanity: this is the best recompense for such generosity and such -disinterested friendship, as I have experienced from them both!”— - -Edith’s expressive eyes were directed towards heaven; Ethelbert and -myself blushed as we gazed on each other, without being able to -pronounce a syllable. Methought, Ethelbert _should_ have spoken on this -occasion;—but he was silent. - -The Countess was long our guest. Open feud was declared between her -defenders and the obstinate Abbot of St. Gall, who was worsted in every -skirmish without ever being entirely subdued. The contest was carried on -for a considerable time: in the mean while my uncle (to whom age -advanced with steps so lingering, that no one could easily have guest -his years) discovered, that the charms of the fair widow were still of -great power: yet perhaps it was I, to whom the idea first suggested -itself, that an union between them would be productive of happiness on -both sides. I soon observed, that my hints were far from disagreeable to -either party; and I exulted in the hope of soon beholding my friend and -my benefactor united in a new course of domestic happiness. - -When I imparted my designs to Count Ethelbert, (who was now a frequent -visitor at our castle) he listened to me with the greatest astonishment. -His countenance at this moment assumed an expression, which I had never -seen it wear before. - -—“Lady!” said he, “am I awake, or dreaming?—An union, which must deprive -you of your fairest expectations, and will put a stranger in possession -of all those rights which ought to be your own, is such an union -contrived by yourself?”— - -—“And when did Count Ethelbert,” I answered with a look of surprise not -inferior to his own, “when did Count Ethelbert discover the least trace -of selfishness in my character? it is impossible, that such mean -considerations should really hold a place in his bosom; or is this only -intended as a trial of his friend?”— - -He bit his lip, and was for some time silent. My eyes were fixed upon -him steadily; and it was long, before he could recover himself -sufficiently to assume a different air, and explain to me, that in an -affair in which he had not personally the slightest concern, he could -only be anxious about my interest; and he advanced many arguments to -prove, that the most noble and generous soul might feel very differently -on occasions which regarded his friend, than he would have felt in -affairs, which only related to himself. - -I believed every thing that Ethelbert told me; in fact he was soon after -complaisant enough to allow, that my reasons were not entirely without -weight, and at length even went so far as to declare that on -consideration it appeared to him very possible, that an union between -the Count Venosta and the widow of Ludolf of Mayenfield might be an -advantageous event for _all_ parties. He also promised, that as soon as -the next expedition against the Abbot of St. Gall should have taken -place, he would come to my assistance, and use every power of entreaty -and persuasion to forward this connection, which I so ardently desired. - -This expedition was directed against one of the Castles, which our -common enemy detained from its rightful owner; on the morning appointed -for its taking place, out forces set out before daybreak, in pursuit of -a victory of which they reckoned themselves secure. - -My friend and myself had already seen our heroes return victorious from -their excursions too often, to make us think it necessary to accompany -their departure with signs and expressions of anxiety. We had exactly -ascertained the time, when we might expect them back, and had laid a -plan (with the assistance of such warriors as were left behind) for -receiving them with all the pageantry and honours of conquest. A -procession of knights and ladies was intended to welcome them on their -return, and at the head of the joyous band was to wave a banner adorned -with mottos and emblems; this gorgeous ornament was to be embroidered by -our own hands, and our needles were plyed with unwearied industry, in -order that it might be finished at the appointed time. - -While engaged at this delightful and now half completed task, -infrequently termed the lovely Edith in jest “my most venerable aunt;” -and in revenge she embroidered upon a vacant shield the united initials -of Ethelbert and Urania. By degrees our discourse took a more serious -turn. She declared to me her surprise at Ethelbert’s persisting in not -publicly declaring his love for me, a circumstance which had long been -the cause of much secret uneasiness and curiosity to myself. She assured -me also, that she had no wish more ardent in becoming Countess of -Vonosta, than to be authorized to insist on an explanation from the -bashful knight (as she called the Count of Carlsheim,) and to become the -instrument of accomplishing his happiness and mine. - -It was at this moment, that a sudden noise in the court of the Castle -interrupted our work and our discourse. We sprang from our seats: the -trampling of horses would have led us to suppose, that our lovers were -returned, had so speedy a termination of their business been possible. -We bade our maidens hasten to enquire the news, and flew ourselves to -the window in order to learn (if possible), with our own eyes, what had -happened. - -Instantly the Countess started back with a loud shriek, and fainted; nor -was my own condition much better on beholding in the court a single -warrior covered with blood, and holding two unmounted horses, whose -trappings spoke too plainly the fate of their riders! - -—“What has happened?” I cried from the balcony, in a voice half choaked -by anxiety. - -—“Ah! noble lady!” answered the messenger, “my lord your uncle ... the -Count of Carlsheim too ... an ambuscade among the mountains ... both -taken prisoners ... help! help for heaven’s sake!”— - -Our people hastened to assist the soldier, who seemed to be desperately -wounded, and could scarcely hold himself upright through loss of blood; -the agony, which this news occasioned me, instead of overpowering me -like my friend, gave me additional strength, and I lost not a moment in -hastening to attempt the rescue of our knights. I directed the -preparations myself, and before an hour had elapsed, all the warriors -whom my uncle had left behind to protect the Castle, were completely -armed and ready to set out. I determined to head them myself; and being -accoutred in a light suit of armour, I hastened to bid farewell to my -afflicted friend (whom I had committed to the care of her women), and to -comfort her with the hope of my returning crowned with success. - -—“What, Urania?” exclaimed Edith wringing her hands; “and do you too -leave me?—Heavenly mercy! what will become of me! take me with you, -Urania, or stab me before you go! foreboding terrors weigh down my -heart! dreadful as my sufferings have been already, I feel that I have -still much more to endure! Urania, we shall never meet again!”— - -I prest my trembling friend to my heart with affection, recommended her -the kindness of her attendants, and then hastened, where I was far less -invited by courage and resolution than by urgent necessity and despair. -We gave the reins to our coursers, flew over the plain, and soon reached -the winding pass through the mountains, where our brave friends had been -subdued by treachery and malice. Ah! what a dreadful sight! the place of -combat floated with blood! various were the occasions presented to -induce our pity to stop, in the hope of rescuing from death some of his -yet lingering victims: but still more weighty considerations compelled -us to close our ears against the cries of suffering humanity, and pursue -our progress without delay. However, I failed not to leave some of my -people behind to discharge those offices, which I would so much more -gladly have fulfilled myself; and I charged them (in case any thing of -importance could be learned from those who still survived) to lose no -time in bringing me the information. - -It was from them, that I learned the road, which the forces of the Abbot -of St. Gall (whose number trebled ours) had taken with the captive -knights. It was not yet evening, when I reached the fortress, which had -been pointed out to me as the prison of my friends. - -We prepared for storming the walls. I possest among my followers several -experienced warriors, who supplied my want of intelligence in affairs of -this nature, and who seemed to derive double strength from witnessing my -resolution, the resolution of a distracted woman! It was not long, -before we saw a white flag waved by the besieged; and soon after (having -received our solemn promise for the security of his invaluable person) -we beheld on the battlements the robber of my beloved friends, the -oppressor of the unprotected innocent, in short the execrable Abbot of -St. Gall. - -I had taken off my helmet to cool my burning cheeks; and my ringlets -still adorned with flowers, which in my haste I had forgotten to remove, -streamed freely in the wind of evening: the Abbot therefore easily guest -at my sex and name. - -—“You are welcome, fair damsel of Sargans!” said the monk with a -malicious smile; “the friends, of whom you are in pursuit, are no longer -inmates of these walls: then forbear to persecute the innocent! lay -aside that heavy armour, which so ill befits your sex, and enter to -partake with us, poor monks, of a friendly though frugal -entertainment!”— - -I was already preparing to return the insulter such an answer, as his -insolent speech demanded; but ere I had time to speak,—“treachery! -treachery!”—was shrieked in my ears by an hundred voices. I looked -round, and saw the glittering of hostile swords. My people were beaten -back, and the ground was strewed with their corses—the soldiers of the -perfidious Abbot had stolen upon us through secret passages, had taken -my followers by surprise, and were hewing for themselves a way to me -with their faulchions. Terror deprived me of my senses! what would have -become of me in this dreadful moment of confusion and fear I know not, -had not my faithful Gertrude, who had followed me to battle with -undaunted courage, been close to my side; and ere I fell, she caught me -in her arms. The loss of my helmet made it easy for me to be recognized -by my pale and feminine features. She seized the casque of one of the -Abbot’s soldiers, who happened to be struck down near us, and concealed -my face with it; she then wrapped me in his cloak, on which the Abbot’s -coat of arms was emblazoned; and under favour of this disguise she -succeeded in extricating me from the throng, and in conducting me in -safety towards the side, from which the combat seemed at that time to be -retiring. - -I recovered myself, and we hastened to seat ourselves on horseback. -Gertrude convinced me that my presence was now quite unavailing, and -that my being taken prisoner would be unavoidable, if I suffered the -least delay. In truth, my nerves had been too much shaken by this last -dreadful piece of treachery to admit of my adopting any other resource -than flight, the woman’s constant refuge. - -The darkness of the night enabled us to escape; and we arrived in safety -at the castle, which (while unacquainted with my own want of strength -and ability, and the power and perfidy of the foe with whom I had to -deal) I had left with such sanguine hopes of victory. We were obliged to -traverse the narrow pass through the mountains, where the fatal -ambuscade had been stationed in the morning: as I hastened through it, -methought the groans of dying men sounded in my ears, and my hair stood -erect, and my blood ran cold, as I listened. Woman’s weakness re-assumed -it’s rights; and she, who so lately had dared to trust herself among -hostile faulchions, now trembled at a sound, at a shadow, which only -existed in her over-heated imagination. - -I reached the Castle more dead than alive. We found the Castle-gates -closed. We called in vain for admittance; no signal was attended to; -every thing within seemed to be silent as the grave: no glimmering of -light was visible in the high-arched casements, and we were compelled to -pass the night in a small ruined chapel at no great distance from the -Castle. - -Convinced, that nothing but the fear of being surprised by the enemy -could have induced the Castle’s inhabitants to observe such obstinate -discretion, we waited for morning with the utmost impatience and -anxiety. Perhaps the enemy might pursue the fugitives hither, and make -himself master of the Castle, before our vassals could be summoned to -its defence? perhaps, it might already have been attacked, and might be -at that very moment in possession of the foe? I had left the Countess of -Mayenfield but ill-protected. My anxiety to rescue my uncle and Count -Ethelbert had induced me to leave no one behind, except our women, the -old seneschal, the warder, and a few domestics. - -At break of day we again approached the Castle; we then perceived (what -the extreme darkness of the night had before prevented our discovering) -that the draw-bridge had not been raised. We crost it, and on -approaching the gates had the satisfaction to see them opened for our -admittance by the Seneschal. We were received by the weak old man with -every appearance of alarm: the first questions which were asked on both -sides related to our return unaccompanied, and to the ghastly appearance -of the old man; but neither of us could restrain impatience sufficiently -to give an answer. I hastened into the court yard, anxious to embrace my -friend, and consult with her, what precautions should be taken for our -future safety; but the first thing, which met my eyes on entering, was -an heap of bleeding corses! - -I started back in horror, and wished to ask, what dreadful events had -taken place in my absence; but fear and agony choaked my words. Besides, -I was soon summoned to the assistance of Gertrude, at whose feet the -Seneschal (who probably had exhausted his little remaining strength in -opening the gates) had now fallen senseless. - -Yet while so many scenes of terror are reserved for my pen, why do I -dwell with such minuteness on the first? I will not describe, how the -whole shocking mystery gradually unfolded itself; I will rather state at -once and briefly the total sum of my misfortune. - -The only object which after the loss of Ethelbert and my uncle was still -dear to me, my friend, my Edith, she too had been torn from me during my -unfortunate expedition. Scarcely had I quitted her, when a troop of -unknown enemies had forcibly gained entrance; had either slain or -mortally wounded the few male inhabitants of the Castle; had confined -the women in the upper apartments; and when they retired after their -bloody work, had conveyed away with them the Countess of Mayenfield and -her weeping children! The robbers closed the doors after them and fled, -leaving the Castle in that fearful solitude, which had occasioned me so -much anxiety and surprise. The Warder and the Seneschal were the only -men, whose wounds had not already terminated their existence; but -fainting through loss of blood they heard not the signals, which I made -to obtain admittance. It was morning, before they were sufficiently -recovered to examine into the circumstances of the former day; and while -the first had dragged his feeble steps towards the Countess’s apartment, -the other had sought the Castle-portal, with the intention of obtaining -assistance from the neighbouring villagers. - -The Countess’s women, with their hands still fettered, now threw -themselves at my feet, and enquired, what was become of their beloved -mistress, whom I had imprudently left behind under such inadequate -protection. Grief for her loss overpowered our apprehensions of further -danger; and had our foe thought proper to make use of the present -opportunity, he would have found us an easy prey. - -About mid-day, some peasants in the neighbourhood arrived, and brought -with them the young Minna of Mayenfield, whom they had found weeping and -bewildered among the mountains. - -—“Oh! dear, dear lady!” she exclaimed, while she threw herself into my -arms “my mother! oh! what have the villains done with my mother!”— - -I could only answer with my tears. The child too was in such dreadful -agitation, that it was long before I could obtain from her an -explanation of the manner, in which the Countess had been conveyed away: -as for herself, the ravishers became weary of her incessant tears and -shrieks, and abandoned her among the mountains. How painful must the -unhappy mother have felt this parting with her only daughter! nothing -could have induced her to submit to it, except the threat of her -persecutor to deprive her also of the baby at her bosom. - -The evening was far advanced, before I could recover myself sufficiently -to take some precautions for our security, and make such enquiries, as -appeared to me highly necessary; the gates were carefully fastened; the -draw-bridge was raised. As our strength was unequal to the task of -burying the dead, we were obliged to throw the corses into a ruined -well, situated in a back-corner in a remote part of the Castle: and this -melancholy duty being performed, we employed ourselves in collecting -every circumstance, which might assist us to guess at the authors of our -late misfortune. - -The Seneschal, before whose bed the consultation was held, produced many -weighty reasons for asserting, that the Abbot of St. Gall (to whose -account we were inclined to set down any wickedness) in the present -instance was perfectly innocent. As to the person, at whose door he was -disposed to lay the blame, he obstinately refused to give the least -hint; but he made no scruple of avowing that he was not without -suspicions. - -The little Minna, who now never stirred a moment from my side, and to -whom we were not paying the least attention, interrupted us to -say,—“that she had never heard the Abbot of St. Gall speak, and that she -was sure, that the voice of the chief robber was not unknown to her, -though she could not recollect where she had heard it. She had even said -as much, while in his power; but the only reward of her recollection had -been a blow, which struck her senseless at his feet. Shortly after she -had been forced from her mother’s arms, and left among the mountains.”— - -—“Alas, my child,” said I, “you were probably deceived by some fancied -resemblance!—But what must now be done? where is the messenger, who -informed us yesterday of the fatal ambuscade?—Perhaps, he may be able to -give us some insight into the author of this second attack.”— - -—“Ah! would to God,” answered the old Seneschal, “that I had either -examined that messenger more circumstantially, or at least had watched -him closer! yet who could have imputed treachery to Dietrich, or suspect -a man, who seemed to be at the point of death, of an intention to -escape?” - -—“To escape?” I exclaimed; “has Dietrich fled? when and how did this -take place?”— - -—“We were all busy in making preparations for binding up his wounds, of -whose pain he complained bitterly, but which it seems none of us ever -saw. We left him alone for a few moments, and in the meanwhile he -disappeared. We sought him long, but he was not to be found; and we -finished by conjecturing, that courage and fidelity had induced him to -follow you in spite of his wounds, and to endeavour at contributing to -his master’s rescue; though we doubted not from his apparently weak -condition, that he must have died by the way.”— - -—“And why should not your conjecture have been well-founded? Dietrich -was ever one of Count Venosta’s most faithful servants.”— - -The Seneschal assured me, that during the hostile attack which followed -close on the heels of Dietrich’s disappearance, circumstances had -occurred, which made him view the fellow’s escape in a very different -light. He was proceeding to explain himself more clearly, when the sound -of a trumpet threw us all into the most violent alarm! every one -hastened to the place, where duty or inclination called them: the Warder -ascended the watch-tower; my terrified damsels fled to conceal -themselves; in the mean while, I and the little Minna descended to the -lower battlements, in order to inform myself at once of the extent of my -danger. - -—“Almighty powers!” I exclaimed, on casting a fearful look on the plain -before the fortress, which was now covered with warriors; “is it -possible?—my uncle’s banner?—Count Ethelbert’s soldiers too!—surely this -must be a dream!”— - -Count Venosta now advanced before the rest, in order to answer in person -the usual questions, which the Warder asked from the tower; but I had -not patience enough to wait for the termination of this ceremony. The -Castle-gates were thrown open; the draw-bridge was let down; and I -already was clasped in the arms of my beloved uncle, ere I had yet -convinced myself, that his delivery was real. - -—“Yes! my dear child!” exclaimed Count Leopold, as soon as I had -recovered myself from the first tumult of delight and astonishment; -“yes! I am free, and knowest thou, to whom we are both indebted for life -and all that we possess? ’tis to this hero, whose character I have so -long mistaken, and from whom my suspicions have till now with-held the -only gift, which is worthy to reward his merits!”— - -—“What!” I replied—“Count Ethelbert? he, who was made prisoner at the -same moment with yourself?”— - -—“Heaven be thanked, that he escaped!” interrupted my uncle. “While the -Abbot’s soldiers (after their successful ambuscade among the mountains) -were conveying me to their lord, Count Ethelbert was employed in -collecting his remaining vassals, whom he had left behind to protect his -castle: with these he hastened to my succour, and this morning saw my -deliverance effected. Oh! my Urania, help me to discharge my debts to -this excellent man! none but yourself can do it!—Draw near, Count -Ethelbert, and receive the hand of the sole heiress of all those -possessions, of which your ancestors formerly were the lords; the hand -of one, who boasts a still more precious title, the hand of that -beloved-one, whom you have so long adored in secret.—Why advance you -not? stretch forth your hand, and clasp that, which Urania has not -hesitated to extend towards you.”— - -Ethelbert was still silent for a moment: at length he advanced a few -steps, his left hand placed on the hilt of his sword, his right upon his -bosom. - -—“Count Venosta,” said he, “have I demanded of you the hand of the -heiress of Sargans?”— - -—“I understand; you allude to my intended union with the Countess of -Mayenfield.—But fear not, that I need recall my words: when I have -restored your paternal possessions, I shall still have enough remaining -to confer a rich dowry on my wife.”— - -—“I speak not of that: I only ask, have I ever entreated you to make me -the lovely Urania’s husband?”— - -—“No, and I can well guess the reason of your silence! your fortunes are -fallen; your heart is proud; you dreaded a rejection: but surely now -there can exist no difference between us. You are my preserver; I offer -you in gratitude my dearest treasure, and you love Urania with too much -passion to reject her hand.”— - -—“Yes, Count Venosta; yes, I love her!—but my pride requires that all -the world should know, that I became your nephew through your own -free-will; without your having been moved to pity by lovesick -entreaties, and without my having been obliged to enter into humiliating -explanations.”— - -—“My friend! my preserver! why pain me by recollecting at such a time -... but you shall be satisfied!—Now then, all the world may know, that I -freely offer my niece’s hand to the Count of Carlsheim, supplicate him -to accept it, and wait his answer with impatience.”— - -—“And you, lady?” said Ethelbert. —“Urania! pronounce my doom!”— - -I was silent; I blushed and cast down my eyes. Oh! this noble pride, -which made him hesitate to accept the hand of the richest heiress in -Helvetia, lest he should be suspected of having sought it through -interested motives, would have gained him my heart, had it not already -long been his! my uncle was the interpreter of my looks; I did not -contradict him; my lover clasped me in his arms for the first time, and -I heard myself called by the title, which was dearest to me in the -world. - -These moments were heavenly! alas! how soon were they interrupted by the -most bitter recollections!—my uncle turned from the scene of our -happiness, and enquired—“where he should find the Countess of -Mayenfield!”— - -Oh Heaven! what did I suffer at hearing that question! what did I -suffer, when compelled to answer it! vainly should I attempt to describe -Count Venosta’s situation, when informed of the loss of his beauteous -Edith! - -Men express grief and resentment in a different manner from us, helpless -females. My narrative of Edith’s carrying off was followed not by idle -complaints, but by active exertions to recover her. The wearied soldiery -again seated themselves on horseback, and were ordered to scour the -country round in pursuit of the ravishers. I was myself too much -interested in the business to oppose my uncle’s orders; but Count -Ethelbert, who retained more presence of mind than the rest, enquired, -whither we should first direct our course in hopes of delivering the -Countess? - -—“Doubtless,” answered my uncle, “the place most likely to be converted -into her prison must needs be the nearest fortress belonging to the -perfidious Abbot; no one can doubt, that this misfortune is a work of -his hand.”— - -Here I interrupted him by stating, that I had heard the Seneschal very -positively contradict this supposition; and I entreated, that before the -expedition set out, the old domestic might be examined, as he seemed to -possess more information on the subject, than he had yet imparted to -_me_. Unfortunately, we found on enquiry, that shortly after my uncle’s -arrival the Seneschal had expired of his wounds; and Count Venosta (who -in the violence of his despair preferred acting upon uncertainties to -remaining entirely idle) immediately entered upon his search after the -unfortunate Edith. At the end of several months of fruitless enquiry, we -were obliged to abandon all hopes of success. - -It was during this period of anxiety, which seldom permitted my uncle -and Ethelbert to lay aside their armour, that I received the name of -Countess of Carlsheim. The ceremony was sad and solemn, prognosticating -the days, which were so soon to follow it. - -I was now the wife of my lover, and enjoyed that sort of happiness, -which most women enjoy who marry a warrior-husband; I was the object of -a wild tempestuous passion, whose expressions were sometimes so rough -and violent, that they might have been mistaken for those of hatred. In -truth, I had fancied, that the happiness of marriage was somewhat -different; but alas! what girl does not fancy the same, and find at -length that she has been deceived? - -No information could be obtained respecting the Countess of Mayenfield. -The Abbot of St. Gall persevered in asserting his claim to her -possessions; and the deep melancholy, which took possession of my uncle, -betrayed but too plainly, that his love for the dear lost-one was -stronger, than he had dared to acknowledge either to her, or to himself. - -—“My children,” said he one day to me and Ethelbert, “Edith is lost to -me, and with _her_ the joys of life! It was folly in me to expect on the -brink of the grave, that I should be so singularly fortunate, as to feel -my eyes closed by the hand of affection. I have suffered for that folly; -I feel that my powers of life are hourly growing weaker, feel that the -day of death is at hand. The few evening hours which remain, before the -night of the grave closes around me, will I dedicate to solitude and -repose. All that I possess is now your property; I only reserve for -myself the pleasant vale of Munster, and the Castle of Upper Halbstein -on the banks of the Rhine. I will hide myself in the distant shades of -the _first_, when opprest by serious melancholy thoughts, and repair to -the _second_, whenever more lively moments make me wish for the society -and comfort of Ethelbert and his beloved Urania.”— - -I opposed this determination of Count Leopold; but my husband did not -second me. He saw, that this arrangement was greatly to his advantage; -and I had already found on several occasions, that he was not quite so -incapable of attention to his own interest, as I had formerly supposed. -It by no means occurred to him, that Count Venosta proposed to do too -much for us; on the contrary, he lost no time in giving solidity to my -uncle’s kind declarations, and only appeared to lament, that the deed of -gift had not included his whole property. The waving shades of the vale -of Munster and the proud castle on the Rhine seemed to have acquired -double charms in his eyes, since Leopold declared his intention of -retaining them for himself; and their value was increased beyond bounds -on Ethelbert’s being given to understand, that my uncle did not intend -to leave them to us even at his death, but destined them for a bequest -to that beloved woman, whom he could not resolve to give up all hopes of -recovering. - -Count Venosta (that honest open-hearted man, who withheld no sentiment -from those, whom he looked on as his children) was amusing himself one -day with the youthful Minna, whom the recollection of her mother -rendered inexpressibly dear to him. Ethelbert remarked, as if by -accident, that the child already had acquired the sedate appearance of -the station, which she was hereafter to occupy. - -—“What station?” asked my uncle with surprise. - -Minna, who had been accustomed to hear her future lot pronounced by my -husband almost daily, answered with her accustomed candour—“What other -shelter can a poor orphan expect to find, except a cloister?”— - -—“What?” exclaimed Count Leopold, while he prest her still closer to his -bosom, “you poor? you an orphan, while Venosta lives? No, no, my child; -I know too well, what I owe to the memory of your excellent mother! Let -who will forsake you, never shall you be forsaken by me!”— - -Count Ethelbert had never been partial to the Damsel of Mayenfield; from -that day he began to hate her. - -Minna too on _her_ side seemed to harbour towards my husband a secret -aversion; whose expressions she would have been unable to restrain, had -he not also inspired her with sentiments of the most unbounded terror. - -—“Ah! dear Countess!” she said to me one day, when she found me weeping -at having made new discoveries of his evil dispositions, discoveries -which almost every day afforded; “you know not yet, what a bad, bad man -he is! Scarcely do I dare to tell it you; but that voice which I heard -among my mother’s ravishers.... I am certain, _quite_ certain, that -voice was Count Ethelbert’s—I had _then_ never heard it speak but so -gently and so kindly.... But the first time that I heard him rage, I -recollected it that instant. How could I have been deceived? Oh! I -remember too well the terrible sound! But I have been silent till now, -for I tremble when I but think of the cruel manner, in which he used me, -when (while imploring him to take pity on my mother) I let fall, that I -was sure of having heard his voice before.”— - -I was now better acquainted with the character of the man, whom I had -once looked upon as an angel of light; and I recollected several hints -of the old Seneschal, which seemed to imply a suspicion similar to that -of Minna. Yet the fact appeared to me in a light too dreadful to admit -of my giving it implicit confidence; and I judged it prudent to -contradict it with my lips, though in my heart I could not help -dreading, that the accusation was but too well-grounded. - -Alas! it was not long, before I was thoroughly convinced, that my -husband was capable of many a deed, of which during the happy days of my -love-sick delusion I would have asserted his innocence with an oath, and -have suffered the weight of his guilt to have been charged upon my own -conscience! Alas! it was not long, before I had but too much reason to -confess, that there was no impossibility in his having been concerned in -that perfidious act, which his innocent accuser had alleged against him. - -The persons, who had been the original means of bringing me acquainted -with the Count of Carlsheim (an acquaintance which I already began to -consider as a misfortune), the Abbot and Prior of Cloister-Curwald had -been maintained in their rights by my good uncle; and under his powerful -protection they lived in harmony with their monks from the time of my -interference. However, no sooner had the jurisdiction of this monastery -been made over by Count Venosta to my husband, than discontent and -rebellion began to resume their influence over the younger monks, who -felt themselves opprest by the restraints imposed on them by their -virtuous superiors. Often did Abbot Christian, when I knelt before him -in his confessional, return my confidence by an acknowledgment of his -secret sorrows, and explain his melancholy forebodings of what would be -his convent’s future fate, in a manner that touched me to the very -heart. But I was myself too weak to assist the venerable man; my husband -was deaf to my entreaties; and Count Venosta was at too great a distance -to admit of any good effects being produced by my applying to him. - -It was long past midnight, that I once happened to be sitting alone in -my chamber, expecting my husband’s return from a carousal at a -neighbouring Baron’s; and I was endeavouring to prepare myself for the -painful scenes, which seldom failed to follow such entertainments. -Suddenly Gertrude entered the room with a terrified countenance, and -informed me that having seen from her window which overlooked the garden -some dark-looking figures, whose appearance was made still more terrific -by the contrast of the newly-fallen snow, she had descended to examine -what they really were; and that she had found it necessary to admit into -my anti-chamber the persons, who had given her so causeless an alarm. - -—“Do not be terrified!” said she, “they are only poor afflicted spirits, -who hope for relief from your hands.”— - -I was too well acquainted with the friendly anxiety of my faithful -attendant to spare me pain, and prepare me for unpleasant news by the -manner in which she related it, to be deceived by her assurance, that I -had nothing to fear. I waited for the appearance of these strangers with -a beating heart. What was my surprise at recognizing the excellent Abbot -of Cloister-Curwald, the venerable Matthias, and several other of the -most respectable monks, whose evident consternation already seemed to -implore my assistance, before they yet had time to give their petition -words. - -—“Oh! dear good lady,” exclaimed the Abbot, “we are undone! the dreaded -storm has burst, and we must all be the prey of death, unless _you_ can -find means of preserving us! This morning while officiating at the -altar, we were seized in the name of our liege-lord, the Count of -Carlsheim, and imprisoned in a subterraneous dungeon. Our appeal to the -Bishop of Coira was treated with derision; and we collected from some -suspicious remarks of our jailor, that our doom would be finally -determined, long before our appeal could be made to a superior -jurisdiction. Alas! we know but too well, what _can_ be done in -convents! The fore-warnings of approaching death presented themselves on -all sides; the noise of revelry resounding from the chambers above us -increased our anxiety! What had we not to fear from the rage and -malignity of these intoxicated monks!—Fortunately, one of my secret -friends found means to gain admittance to our dungeon, and explain to us -the real and pressing danger of our situation. It seems, that the -enemies of order and of virtue are protected by the Count of Carlsheim; -he was himself assisting at the dissolute entertainment; and probably at -this moment we should no longer have been numbered among the living, had -not the friend who brought us this intelligence, secretly assisted us to -escape from the convent, and accompanied us in our flight. Now then our -life is in your hands; save us, dear lady, either by softening your -husband through your entreaties, or by pointing out to us some place of -concealment. To you alone could we have recourse; had we sought any -other refuge, we must surely have been overtaken before we could have -reached it.”— - -—“Save you by entreaties?” I exclaimed, while I hastened to unclose a -door conducting to my baths; “entreaties to Count Ethelbert? Instant -flight is your only chance for safety! Follow me, father! Follow me, and -lose not a moment!”— - -I hastened onwards, and conducted the trembling monks through a long -subterraneous passage, unknown to all in the Castle except myself and -the faithful Gertrude. The outlet was in the mountains; and here I -quitted the fugitives, convinced that they would easily find their way -through the intricate passes, with which the Prior Matthias was -perfectly well acquainted, having frequently traversed them in his -botanical pursuits. - -Half of the night was consumed in this employment. On my return, I found -the furious Ethelbert waiting for me in my apartment, and immediately a -tremendous storm of rage burst over my devoted head. Convinced that my -friends were now in safety, I attempted not to conceal my share in the -transaction; and when he loaded me with insults, I replied to him by -reminding him of the promise which he had formerly given me, to protect -the opprest Abbot in the preservation of his rights, a promise which he -had so shamefully broken. Truth and justice were on my side, but power -was on that of my adversary. There was no one to hear me, and judge -between Count Ethelbert and myself; he was the strongest; the reward of -my remonstrances was the most unworthy treatment, and my chamber became -my prison. - -The vassals, who loved me, exclaimed against such an act of violence, as -soon as they understood by means of Gertrude, how cruelly I was treated; -but Ethelbert’s art soon succeeded in giving another colour to the -transaction. He justified his severity by accusing me of a shameful -intrigue with the banished Abbot of Cloister-Curwald. His assertions -were so positive, that they soon produced the desired effect; and it was -without any violent agitation, that the peasants a few days after saw me -conducted away under a strong guard, no one knew whither; nothing gave -me more pain in this abrupt departure than being deprived of the only -comfort which was still left me, the society of my faithful Gertrude, -and of my young friend, the Damsel of Mayenfield. - -One man alone, one of the most distinguished inhabitants of that -quarter, a man who breathed the true spirit of Helvetic courage, and of -love of freedom, Henric Melthal alone dared openly to blame the -proceedings of my tyrant. He spread his own noble sentiments around him, -and communicated his feelings to his companions with a success, which -might have rescued me from my bondage, had not Count Ethelbert resolved -to withdraw me from public attention without a moment’s delay. - -On the other side of the mountain of Halsberg, near the lake of Thun, -stands an old Castle belonging to the family of Ravenstein, a family -which has been in alliance with the Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans -since time immemorial. At the period of which I am now treating, it was -entirely deserted. The owner resided in a remote part of Italy, where he -had lived on terms of intimacy with Ethelbert; and having himself no -occasion for this mouldering castle, he consigned the use of it to his -friend the Count of Carlsheim; the use to which the Count applied it, -was the only one for which it now appeared to be adapted, the -confinement of the innocent. - -Tedious and fearful was the way which conducted me to my destined abode; -but the place itself, which I looked upon as my eternal prison, far -exceeded all the horrors, which had struck my imagination so forcibly -while approaching it. It was an antient fortress, perched high on the -brow of a precipice like an eagle’s nest, which now received the -unfortunate Urania. The peculiar form of its architecture announced it -to have been raised in the time of Charlemagne; and the incessant -howling of the storm, and raging of the billows seemed with every moment -to threaten its downfall. I saw it from a distance seemingly suspended -on the very brink of a steep and barren rock, which overhung the Lake, -and I shuddered, when my conductors pointed it out as my future -dwelling! - -Fool that I was! I flew with rapture into the arms of Ethelbert, where I -expected to find an earthly paradise and was deceived: with agony, keen -as that of the dying, did I enter Ravenstein Castle ... and was deceived -again! Ah! will short-sighted mortals never succeed in comprehending, -that that which _appears_, and that which _is_, but rarely coincide? -Yet, when we have experienced these deceptions twice or thrice, the -experience makes us in future calm and resigned; and we acquire from it -that indifference which raises us above the frowns and smiles of -fortune, and enables us to repress with equal strength groundless -apprehensions and unavailing wishes. - -During the first days of my confinement I was in truth most wretched. My -situation was rendered almost insupportable by the want of every -convenience and comfort, and by the tediousness of unbroken solitude. I -sighed after society of any kind, even though it had been such as (to -judge from its outward appearance) would have promised me but little -entertainment. - -Some days had thus elapsed, when I observed through the bars of my -closely-grated window, that a boy apparently between three and four -years old, was sometimes suffered to amuse himself by playing in the -neglected garden, which I was myself forbidden to visit. The innocent -gaiety of the child made an impression on me, which frequently filled my -eyes with tears. - -—“Happy unthinking creature!” I exclaimed, wringing my hands in the -bitterness of grief, “this garden appears to you a paradise, because you -know none better. You are poor, forsaken, perhaps menaced by a thousand -dangers which every moment brings nearer; but you see them not! Regret -for the past troubles you as little as anxiety for the future; and it -were difficult for a monarch with all his power to make you more happy, -than you are even now! Oh! that I were like you. Oh! that at least I -could clasp you in my arms, and learn from your sweet smile the art of -smiling though in prison!”— - -My wish to become more intimate with the happy trifler was too ardent to -remain concealed. I entreated my jailor to gratify me with a nearer -sight of him, and after a few difficulties I was at length permitted to -receive the little Ludolf in my gloomy chamber. - -—“Ludolf?” I exclaimed, when the child first told me his name—“Ludolf?” -I repeated still more anxiously, while I examined his features, and -fancied that I could trace a resemblance, which excited hopes in my -bosom so sweet that I trembled to indulge them. - -What then was my emotion, when the lovely boy convinced me that this was -not the first time of our meeting, by naming as his mother, “Edith of -Mayenfield!” - -Yes! this dear, this long-lost friend was like myself an inmate of this -place of terror! I breathed the same air with her; I was allowed to -hope, that every succeeding day would afford me an opportunity of -beholding her: the pleasure, which I felt from these reflections, was -too great to admit of my observing, that Count Ethelbert’s confining me -in the same place with a captive, whom he had secured in a manner so -treacherous, was a proof that he designed my imprisonment to be eternal. -Whatever might have originally been his motives for treating us with -such severity, it was at least certain, that he would not permit either -to regain her liberty, lest she should discover the mystery of his -inhuman conduct, or take measures for rescuing from his power her -companion in misfortune. - -Considerations of this kind did not at first suggest themselves; I felt -nothing but the joy of being once more united to my friend, an event -which I now looked forward to with the most eager expectation. Heaven -knows, it would have been no trifling comfort to me, had I met with the -most insignificant of created beings, would but that being have listened -to me with compassion, and endeavoured to soothe me in the paroxisms of -my despair; but to dare to hope that Edith would now be my comforter in -this dreary prison, oh! who can express the countless sources of -satisfaction, which that single thought contained! - -But alas! the completion of my hopes was not so easy as I expected. The -Countess of Mayenfield was confined not less closely than myself; and -our jailor was not to be prevailed on to depart in one single instance -from the instructions of his inhuman lord. Yet methinks this man was not -cruel by nature. Perhaps, it grieved him to be compelled to treat us -with so much harshness; but he made it a point of conscience to adhere -in the most punctual manner to the oath, which (as he frequently assured -me, in answer to my complaints and reproaches) he had been compelled to -give to the Count of Carlsheim. - -—“You see,” said he, “that where ever it is in my power, I refuse no -indulgence. I received no particular command respecting the child’s -imprisonment, who was delivered to my custody at the same time with his -mother, and therefore I allow him to enjoy all those advantages, from -which I am compelled to debar her and yourself. Neither was it forbidden -me to furnish the Countess of Mayenfield with such sources of mental -amusement, as might beguile her solitary hours. She has a variety of -books, has her spinning-wheel and her embroidery frame; if she chuses -it, she may lay these aside, and employ herself with her pen; this -indulgence, lady, shall also be granted to _you_; and methinks, it must -be almost the same thing, whether what you have to say to each other is -imparted in writing, or in person.” - -Here then did our jailor kindly open a door for those communications, -for which we had so long thirsted; we returned him our most ardent -thanks for the hint, and lost no time in making use of it. We wrote to -each other daily; and as the conscientious feelings of this trusty -domestic of my tyrant would not allow him to deliver our letters -himself, they were confided to the care of the little Ludolf. The lovely -boy soon became attached to me; he was ever ready to visit my narrow -chamber; and besides the information which Edith’s letters contained, I -gleaned from him in conversation many interesting anecdotes, which -however serious their subject, frequently assumed so whimsical an -appearance through his infantine mode of relating them, that it was -impossible either for his mother or myself to refrain from smiling. -Heavens! we smiled! little did our tyrant imagine, that in the gloomy -walls of Ravenstein Castle his captives would have ever found cause for -mirth! - -Edith’s letters contained explanations of many circumstances, which till -then had appeared to me quite unaccountable. These precious memorials of -the most sacred friendship are still in my possession. You, my dear -children, for whom I write this narrative of my sufferings, will find -them after my death, as documents serving to corroborate the veracity of -my statements. Oh! how will you blush for your ancestor, when you read -that Ethelbert had never been the character, which we (poor deceived -ones!) believed him to be, and that from the very beginning his whole -conduct had been an artifice! - -Its true, my person at first was the object of his desires; but much -more so were the possessions, which I was expected to inherit. Anxiously -did he seek to bring about our union; but circumstances, with which -Edith herself was unacquainted, forbade the explanation of his wishes, -and compelled him to wait, till my uncle should actually force him to -accept my hand. Fear, lest my expectations of being raised to power and -wealth (on which his own depended) should be overturned by Count -Venosta’s second marriage, induced him privately to remove the dreaded -Edith. He had chosen the time for carrying her off admirably well. A -secret understanding with the Abbot of St. Gall, (whose enemy he profest -to be in public) enabled him at once to get rid of Count Venosta’s -vigilance, entice me out of the fortress, and thus leave Edith totally -without protection. It also afforded him an opportunity to establish -himself in my uncle’s favour, by rendering him so essential a service as -the restoring him to liberty; a service, which my too grateful uncle -thought could only be rewarded by the gift of my hand, without allowing -Ethelbert time to solicit it. - -Alas! my fortitude fails me, while endeavouring to unravel the whole web -of artifice and villainy, which our persecutor had woven to ensnare us -with no less cunning than success. He contrived to cheat the Abbot of -the prisoner, whom he had first himself betrayed into his power; Count -Venosta of his possessions, his mistress, and his niece; poor Edith of -her liberty; and me of the happiness and tranquillity of my whole life! - -Never had Count Ethelbert felt for me one spark of real affection. Even -the passion, with which my person had inspired him, was subordinate to -his desire of becoming master of my large possessions. No sooner was -this point accomplished, no sooner had the daily sight of it deprived -what little beauty was mine of the charm of novelty, than the continual -presence of a virtuous wife appeared to him a check upon his pleasures. -He therefore seized with eagerness the first opportunity of delivering -himself from my presence; nor did he forget to sully my reputation by -imputations so disgraceful, that I appeared to the world unworthy of -either relief or pity. Even my good uncle wept, and resigned me to my -fate. - -The Countess of Mayenfield had learned the greatest part of the -circumstances, which she related in her letters, from the wife of the -Castellan of Ravenstein; this good-hearted matron (who died a few days -before my arrival at the Castle) had a son in Count Ethelbert’s service, -by whom she was informed of most of his lord’s proceedings. The -conversation of this compassionate woman had beguiled many of the heavy -hours of Edith’s imprisonment; nor had she ever neglected an opportunity -of evading the too conscientious adherence of her husband to his oath, -and of furnishing to the noble captive many alleviations of her sorrows, -all of which vanished at her death. - -Oh! had I but found her still in existence on my arrival at Ravenstein, -what might we not have hoped from her friendly aid! what would have been -too difficult for three women to accomplish, of whom the one possessed -power, the second prudence, and the third resolution! Surely it would -have been easy for us to have obtained our freedom; at least, I should -not have been so long deprived of the happiness of clasping my faithful -Edith to my bosom. - -Often in our epistolary conversations did we lament over the great loss, -which we had sustained in being deprived of this worthy creature! yet -the Countess comforted herself with the pleasure of knowing, that I was -near her and in a place, where she looked upon me as enjoying both more -happiness and more safety, than would have been my lot in the arms of -Count Ethelbert.—As for myself, I wept, and prayed for better times. - -And better times arrived! We had long suspected, that we were not the -only unfortunates confined at Ravenstein; and in the truth of this -suspicion we now were fully confirmed, though our curiosity was by no -means fully satisfied. - -The Castle, as I before stated, was built on the summit of a lofty rock, -whose point appeared designed as a mark for the assaults of all the four -winds of heaven. Storms here were frequent and tremendous. In the middle -of a tempestuous night, when the whirlwind was raging with its greatest -violence, suddenly a remote wing of the Castle burst into flames! the -wind set towards our quarter; the sparks flew in at our grated windows; -our danger increased with every moment, and every human being seemed to -have totally forgotten us. No one had consideration enough to unlock our -dungeons; no one showed the slightest disposition to come to our -assistance. The general attention was directed towards the eastern wing -of the fortress, which was entirely in flames. - -Our terror is not to be described; yet certainly mine was far inferior -to that of Edith, who had not to fear for herself alone. The -preservation of a life, which was infinitely dearer to her than her own, -occupied all her thoughts; she trembled for the life of her son! - -She was desperate; she felt, that his destruction was inseparably united -with her own, and resolved to dare every thing to preserve him. In the -wall of her dungeon was an opening, barely large enough to suffer the -child to pass through; she fastened her bed cloaths together; she -resolved to let him down by them to the ground, and charged him, as soon -as he should have reached it, to release himself and fly, or else to -find some hiding place, where he might remain till the danger was past. -The risque was dreadful; nothing but despair could have induced her to -adopt such a resolution. - -Edith’s endeavours to preserve her little darling were not unsuccessful. -He reached the ground in safety; but scarcely had she parted with him, -when the increasing heat (for by this time the balconies of the -neighbouring buildings were in flames) and the volumes of smoke, which -poured into her chamber, overpowered her senses, and she sank without -animation on the floor. - -My situation was exactly similar. At the moment when I fainted, the only -thought, which employed my mind, was the hope of an happy meeting with -Edith in another better world; an hope which (I fully believed) was -accomplished, when on once more unclosing my eyes, I found myself -breathing pure air in a light and spacious chamber, and perceived by my -side the friend whom I loved so tenderly, and for whose sight I had so -long and so anxiously sighed in vain. - -—“Oh! Edith!”—“Urania! my Urania!”—we both exclaimed at once, while we -sank into each others’ arms; “What has happened? are we rescued from -captivity on earth, or released from the fetters of mortality? Where is -it that we meet, in freedom, in captivity, or in the life beyond the -grave?”— - -Too soon were our doubts removed: too soon were we compelled to feel, -that we were rescued from death, but not restored to liberty. The still -smoking ruins, which met our eyes from afar, told us but too plainly, -that we were still within the walls of Ravenstein; and the unremitting -vigilance, with which we were observed, made us well aware, that we had -reaped no other advantage from the transactions of the night, except the -delight of seeing and embracing a long-lost friend. But alas! what cruel -reflections embittered this delight. Edith sorrowed for her son, and -reproached herself for having suffered herself to part with him in -despair, when had she detained him with her in the dungeon, he would -have been preserved as well as his mother. - -I felt scarcely less sorrow for the loss of the beloved child, than -Edith herself; I would gladly have comforted her, but alas! where was -comfort to be found? Even should he have escaped from the flames, which -were raging with such violence at the moment when he quitted his mother, -how difficult still did his preservation appear! We failed not on the -day after the fire to examine the place, whence Edith had caused him to -descend. The opening was not situated very high in the tower; but close -to the place, where he must have reached the ground, there yawned a -tremendous precipice; the depth of which when we vainly endeavoured to -measure with our eyes, the flesh crept upon our bones, and cold drops of -terror chased each other down our foreheads. - -Bitter was our grief, but no one heeded our lamentations; our guards -attended to nothing but the adventures of the past night, and we -collected from their discourse, that the fire had been kindled by a lady -confined in the eastern wing of the Castle. Her object, as they -supposed, was to find some means of escaping during the confusion, which -her rash action had necessarily produced; she had not only failed in her -design, but had suffered so severely by springing from a lofty window, -and by the wounds which she had received from the fragments of a falling -tower, that she was not expected to outlive the night. - -The Castellan too, in his endeavours to prevent the escape of this -prisoner (whose confinement seemed to be a greater object of anxiety to -him, even than that of Edith and myself) had met with a fatal accident, -and was every moment expected to breathe his last. We desired to see him -before his death. With a feeble voice he entreated our pardon for the -injustice, with which he had been compelled to treat us; but he called -Heaven to witness, that the dreadful oaths which had been exacted from -him, had deprived him of the power of acting differently. Yet did he not -think it necessary to enjoin our future jailors to treat us with greater -lenity; and they, being in all probability fettered by the same oaths -with himself, esteemed it their duty to retain us in a captivity no less -strict than before. - -All we could obtain from them was, that we should not again be -separated; and also that we should be permitted to visit that -unfortunate lady, of whose existence in the Castle we were this day -informed for the first time; who had made use of such violent means to -obtain her liberty; and who (as our guards assured us) was on the point -of paying with her life, for having dared to commit so desperate an -action. - -Curiosity, hope, the fear of finding some beloved acquaintance in this -wretched captive, or the desire of giving some alleviation to the -sufferings of an expiring partner in affliction, which of these motives -induced us to make this melancholy visit, I cannot pretend to decide. -When we received the permission to enter her dungeon, we were assured, -that we should find nothing that would diminish our own distress, and -the event justified the assurance. - -They conducted us to a wretched pallet, on which lay a female, whose -features were totally unknown to us, but whose appearance excited in us -the deepest sentiments of pity; of that painful pity, which knows itself -unable to afford relief! On hearing our footsteps she raised with -difficulty her half-closed eyes, and with a smile of anguish extended -her hand towards us. We exerted ourselves to afford her every little -alleviation of pain, which our narrow means could furnish; and in -executing these mournful services, our tears sufficiently declared the -feelings of our hearts. - -—“Forgive me!” said she, when after two or three hours our endeavours to -relieve her had produced some little effect; “I wished to rescue myself -from captivity, and had nearly brought the same fate on you, under which -I am now groaning. But long suffering is the mother of despair!”— - -Shortly after she seemed to be nearly delirious; she counted the years -which she had already past in this dreary dungeon, and those during -which she expected to be detained in it by her tyrant; then she raved -about her son, for whose arrival she had so long waited in vain, and she -entreated him to hasten to the rescue of his unfortunate mother! - -Towards midnight she declared, that all pain had entirely left her. With -an appearance of gaiety she thanked us for our attentions, and entreated -to know the names of those, to whom she was so much indebted. The -Countess revealed herself, and the captive in return bestowed upon her a -look of interest and compassion. - -—“Edith of Mayenfield?” repeated the invalid; “oh! I know your story -well: you too have suffered much; not so much, its true, as _I_ have -suffered, yet enough to know what it is to incur a villain’s hatred.—And -your name, gentle lady?” she continued, addressing herself to me. - -—“I am Urania of Carlsheim and Sargans,” was my answer. - -—“Urania of Sargans!” shrieked the stranger in a dreadful voice, while -she clasped her hands violently together; “Urania? Ethelbert’s beloved -Urania? Oh, Fortune, this blow was still wanting to make me completely -miserable.—Away from my sight, abandoned woman! away, and leave me to -die! But with my last breath I swear to be revenged! Even from my grave -will I shriek to Heaven for vengeance! Tremble, detested girl; thou -shalt not triumph over my corse unpunished!”— - -I stood like one petrified near the bed of the sufferer; astonishment -and terror almost deprived me of my senses, and nothing but the -consciousness that she spoke in the heat of frenzy, could have preserved -me from sinking on the earth. - -—“Noble lady,” I said as soon as I could recover myself, at the same -time advancing towards her, and offering to take her hand; “recollect -yourself, for pity’s sake! I never saw you till now, and can never have -offended you. You surely cannot have heard me aright. I am Urania, the -unfortunate Urania Venosta, who rejected by a cruel husband, and -undeservedly branded with shame, have been condemned in this Castle to -wear eternal fetters, which the flames of last night in vain attempted -to break.”— - -—“Ha!” said the stranger in a gentler tone, “is it so?—Are you then -Ethelbert’s _rejected_ wife?—Unfortunate, let me clasp thy hand in mine; -we are sisters in calamity.”— - -Already was I advancing to take the hand which she held out, when Edith -uttered a loud scream, and hastily drew me back. She had observed the -captive’s countenance change suddenly, and we now saw, that she grasped -a poniard till then concealed in her bosom. From that moment the senses -of the wretched stranger were irrecoverably lost. Her eyes full of rage -were constantly directed towards me; she foamed at the mouth; she loaded -me with execrations, and I was compelled to retire, that she might have -a chance of regaining some composure. - -The meaning of this dreadful scene was to me an absolute enigma. I -lamented the poor wretch’s condition; though a secret horror, whenever I -recollected her words and manner, took complete possession of my soul. -In this painful situation did I pass the night; the morning had scarcely -dawned, when the Countess of Mayenfield rejoined me, and informed me -that the unknown lady was no more. Edith was quite exhausted by the -terrible occurrences of the past night. I enquired, whether she had made -no discoveries, which might unravel these mysterious circumstances: but -she answered by an assurance, that it was impossible for her to give me -any light upon the subject. - -In mournful silence did we follow to the grave the corse of our wretched -partner in captivity. She was interred in one of the back-courts of our -prison; and we were conducted after the burial into a gloomy apartment -in a quarter of the Castle, which had escaped the violence of the -flames. Our present dungeon was in no respect better, than our former -had been; and the small portion of freedom, which we had enjoyed during -the few last days, now appeared to our stern jailors too great an -indulgence, and we were accordingly deprived of it. - -We heard the door barred on the outside; we sank into each other’s arms, -and wept bitterly: then we rejoiced, that at least we had been suffered -to remain together, and then we wept again. We endeavoured to escape -from present miseries by recalling former happiness, and indulging -future hopes; but alas! this resource was but of little avail. Yet among -all the agonizing reflections which tormented us, nothing was so painful -to remember, as the loss of our little darling, Ludolf! - -I will not pain your gentle hearts, my children, by dwelling on our -sufferings in this forlorn situation, during which our only support was -the soothing of mutual pity. A change at length took place in it, but we -had little reason to expect, that it would turn out to our advantage! -Our guards informed us one day, that the Count of Carlsheim had sent a -new Castellan to superintend the government of this half-ruined -fortress; and they added, we should soon find cause to regret under our -new overseer that treatment, which we had complained of as being so -harsh and rigid. We trembled, as we listened to this prophecy. Aversion -and spite against this new instrument of Count Ethelbert’s vengeance -were plainly exprest in every feature of our former jailors, yet did -they scarcely dare to express their dislike of him aloud: what then had -_we_ to expect? How dreadful must that man be, who could strike terror -even into the flinty hearts of these barbarians! - -We had not long been informed of his arrival, when this dreaded -Castellan entered our dungeon, accompanied by several of our former -guards. We trembled, as we gazed on the gloomy brow of the man, to whose -hands our fate was consigned. Walter Forest, for (so was our jailor -called) scarcely deigned to honour us with a look, while he informed us, -that we must prepare ourselves to quit Ravenstein at midnight, the Count -of Carlsheim not thinking the Castle safe enough, since the late fire, -for the confinement of prisoners of our consequence. We wished to -address a few words to him, imploring better treatment for the future; -but he turned away from us rudely, blamed the attendants for having -suffered us to remain unfettered, and having caused heavy shackles to be -brought immediately, he saw them rivetted before he left the dungeon. - -The doors were fastened after him more cautiously, if possible, than -before. Yet in spite of his vigilance and positive commands, the former -chief of our guards (who seemed to look on his being deprived of his -cruel office as an insult) contrived to gain admission to us privately, -and to confirm by his warnings the dreadful suspicions, with which our -imaginations were but too strongly imprest already. - -—“I advise you by every means in your power,” said he, “to avoid -committing yourselves to the power of this intruder: depend upon it, -this removal to a different place of confinement is only a pretence to -persuade you to follow him without trouble; and I doubt not, he intends -to convey you to some solitary spot, and put an end at once to your -captivity and your lives. But take my counsel, and you shall be rescued -from this danger: Walter is accompanied but by few attendants, and those -badly armed; our people are treble the number of his, and we can easily -overpower him, if you will but give us the command. Call to us for -assistance; we will all be on your side; and as we have carefully -avoided asking to see our master’s orders for giving you into Walter’s -custody, we can easily make it believed that we took him for an -impostor, and thus shall we escape Count Ethelbert’s vengeance, if you -will but engage not to betray our secret!”— - -The fellow, who hitherto had seldom deigned to hold a parley with us, -said much more to the same effect. He left us undecided, what we ought -to think of this proposal, and what mode of conduct it would be most -prudent for us to pursue: yet after mature deliberation, and having -completely canvassed the business by ourselves, the consideration, that -in a situation so desolate as ours, any change must be for the better, -made us resolve to submit quietly Ethelbert’s lately-issued -commands.—New situations might furnish new resources, perhaps even an -opportunity for flight; at all events our present condition was so -hopeless, that we could not wish it to continue; and when at midnight -Walter Forest unbarred our dungeon door, we followed him without a -murmur. - -In all probability the enemies of our new comptroller had agreed, that -our resistance should be the signal for falling upon him. We found our -anti-chamber filled with them; all were armed, and the threatening -looks, which they threw on our conductor, sufficiently declared their -purpose.—But when they saw that we accompanied him willingly, their -courage appeared to fail them. Some few indeed unsheathed their swords, -and made a faint show of resistance; but Walter’s people were neither -cowards nor ignorant of the use of arms, and we were soon permitted to -quit the Castle unimpeded. - -—“Tremble!” we heard Walter exclaim, as we crost the threshold, -“tremble, rebels, when I return! You shall not have opposed our master’s -will without reward, and you shall find, that I am able to preserve the -office, which Count Ethelbert has thought fit to intrust to my care!”— - -At the entrance of the steep and narrow path, by which we descended the -rock on whose brow the fortress was situated, stood a close litter, to -which we were conducted. We entered it; the carriage moved on with -rapidity; and now it was, that I ventured to discover to my friend my -astonishment, at a circumstance which had just occurred. In quitting the -Castle one of Walter’s people had raised the visor of his casque for a -moment, and had shewn me what seemed to be the countenance of Henric -Melthal! My narrative had already made Edith acquainted with the -character of this man. In the whole circle of the ten jurisdictions -there existed not a heart more honest or more brave. He had been one of -my uncle’s most faithful vassals; and even when that domain where he -resided was made over to the Count of Carlsheim, Henric still remained -most tenderly attached to the interests of Count Venosta and his unhappy -niece. - -—“Henric Melthal?” exclaimed the Countess; “Oh! Urania, if this honest -man is among our attendants, we are already more than half at -liberty.—He surely knows not the prisoners whom he is guarding, and -doubtless if we can but find an opportunity of discovering to him our -names and danger, he will omit no endeavour to free us from our -chains.”— - -To confirm her in these pleasing hopes I was on the point of informing -her, that when I was forcibly removed from the Castle of Sargans, this -very Henric was the only person who dared to assert my innocence; when -Walter Forest rode up to the side of the litter. - -—“Noble ladies,” said he, while the moon showed us, that the gloom, -which had overspread his countenance, was replaced by the smile of -benevolence, and while the tone in which he addrest us was the most -gentle and respectful, “Fear nothing; you are safe, and here is the -person, whom you have to thank for your rescue.”— - -I will not attempt to describe our feelings at hearing these words, -which were no sooner spoken, than Walter again withdrew. The litter was -dark; we could not see the person who entered it; but how were our -doubts converted into rapture, when Edith felt her neck encircled by two -little arms, and heard herself called by the name of mother! - -With one voice we both pronounced the name of the dear lost child, who -was now restored to us so unexpectedly. Rapture almost deprived the -Countess of speech and recollection; and I was myself too much -bewildered with the joy of having recovered the little Ludolf and my own -liberty at the same time, to be capable of affording my friend much -assistance. As soon as we could recollect ourselves, we endeavoured to -call Walter to the side of the litter, in order that he might explain -these mysterious transactions; but he paid no attention to us. This was -not a fit time for explanations and expressions of gratitude. Not a -moment was to be lost, and we traversed the valley with the rapidity of -the tempest. Till we were safe on the other side of the mountains, or -had crost the lake of Thun, we were desired not to expect our curiosity -to be fully gratified; in the mean while we were obliged to content -ourselves with such circumstances, as we could collect from Ludolf’s -unconnected account, which however left us no doubt, that we were -indebted for our rescue to the courage and address of Walter Forest. - -Providence had made use of Edith’s desperate resolution of dropping her -little darling from the prison-window, to effect our deliverance. You -see in this an example, my children, what insignificant trifles furnish -the Omnipotent Ruler of all things with the means of blessing his -creatures! Our imprudences, nay even our very faults are not without -their use in the great chain of accidents; and managed by a hand of -superior power they often produce consequences totally different from -those, which might naturally have been expected to follow! - -In that night of terror Ludolf’s better angel had guided him safely -through a dangerous path on every side beset with steep precipices and -vast tremendous chasms. Weeping and exhausted with fatigue, he was found -at the foot of a rock by a peasant from the vale of Frutiger. On being -informed that he had just made his escape from the burning Castle, and -was unwilling to return thither, the honest countryman conducted him to -the house of Walter Forest, one of the most distinguished inhabitants of -those parts. He received the child with that hospitable kindness, which -no true Helvetian ever refuses to the unfortunate. Walter was _indeed_ a -true Helvetian; and he felt double pleasure in giving protection to a -child like Ludolf, who to the beauty of a cherub united the most -unprotected helplessness: surely there is no chain more powerful to bind -a noble heart. - -It was long, before his new guardian could comprehend the meaning of the -child’s broken narrative; but the names of his mother and myself (both -of whom Ludolf supposed to have perished in the conflagration) and his -calling himself the Count of Mayenfield, roused Walter’s attention -sufficiently to induce him to enquire farther into the business; and -those enquiries at length made him master of the whole truth. - -The virtuous inhabitants of that tranquil valley troubled themselves but -little about what past in the rock-founded Castles of the neighbouring -lords. They looked upon them as the abodes of vice and of injustice, -loathed their possessors for the one, and feared them for the other. -Their power was too weak to permit their preventing the commission of -those crimes, which frequently took place in these fortresses, though -the report of such deeds of horror occasionally reached them; therefore -their most earnest wish, respecting these dens of robbers, was to escape -the notice of their owners, who might otherwise have been tempted to -make them also experience the weight of their oppression. - -But Walter Forest (a man, whose sentiments and actions were in every -respect far superior to those of his co-temporaries) needed only to be -informed, that two unhappy women stood in need of his protection, to -make him resolve on granting it. By making enquiries cautiously and -discreetly among the household of the Count of Carlsheim, he ascertained -the truth of what he had collected from the child’s narration, and also -that the captives of whom he spoke had been rescued from the flames. His -resolution was immediately adopted, and swift and successful was the -execution of his design. - -Henric Melthal was an old acquaintance and friend of Walter; and it was -to him, that the latter applied for information respecting the history -of Edith and myself. That faithful vassal of Count Venosta had long -lamented in secret the fate of his former mistress, and anxiously wished -to discover the place of her confinement. Readily therefore did he enter -into Walter’s plan for my deliverance; and in the mean while (through -fear of losing time) he dispatched his son in all haste to give my uncle -information of every thing that had taken place. - -The measures adopted for our rescue by these two honest Helvetians is -easy to be guest from what has been already related. Henric brought with -him a small band of faithful friends from the neighbourhood of Sargans, -which Walter strengthened with some of the bravest inhabitants of the -vale of Frutiger. They were daring enough to present themselves at -Ravenstein, as Envoys from the Count of Carlsheim; and the very rashness -of the design made it pass without suspicion. The firm and commanding -tone, which they assumed, overawed the numerous soldiers of Ravenstein; -our friends were well aware, that their artifice could not remain long -undiscovered, and therefore they lost not a moment in endeavouring to -reap the fruits of it; they were successful, and the captives were once -more free! - -Edith! Ludolf! dear partners in affliction, ye were restored with me to -liberty!—Walter! Henric! our benevolent deliverers, what thanks could -suffice to reward your services!—But the generous men expected neither -rewards nor thanks. What they had done appeared to them an act so -simple, that they rather supposed, we should complain that our rescue -had been delayed so long; and they thought it necessary to assure us a -thousand times, that ignorance of our situation and want of power to -assist us had unavoidably prevented their coming sooner to break our -chains; excuses, which we (only awake to sentiments of gratitude and -joy) thought perfectly unsuited to the occasion. - -These excellent men, who had bravely hazarded their lives in a manner so -perfectly disinterested, belonged to the inferior class of people; they -were the sons of labour, and strangers to the refinements of wealth and -grandeur. Yet does there really exist an _inferior_ class among a -people, who inhale with every breath of air the spirit of generosity and -the love of freedom? Oh! rocks of Helvetia, ’tis only among _you_, that -we find that mixture of magnanimity of soul and unaffected simplicity, -which attracts to your children so large a portion of our admiration and -our love at once! - -Prevented by distance and by the increasing infirmities of age, Count -Venosta had not yet completed his preparations for attempting our -rescue, when we threw ourselves at his feet. Arnold Melthal (Henric’s -son, whom his father had dispatched with the account of our situation) -had assured him, that it was unnecessary for him to collect his forces, -since we should certainly be delivered without their assistance; but -when those we love are concerned, who ever believes, that too many -precautions can be taken? The news, that Edith still lived, and that his -niece was innocent, had agitated the venerable warrior’s mind so -violently, that had he been master of it, he would have summoned the -whole world to our assistance. - -The small estate, which Count Leopold had alone reserved for himself out -of all the wide-extended possessions, which his generosity had bestowed -on my ungrateful husband, was in a perfect uproar, and his few vassals -were already in arms. As our arrival made these preparations unnecessary -for our rescue, it was determined that they should be employed for our -revenge. As for Edith and myself, we entreated that peace might be -preserved; we implored my uncle to recollect the great superiority of -strength and riches, which our foes possest: but how difficult is it to -prevail on an antient warrior to lay aside the sword long accustomed to -victory! - -—“Oh! Edith,” he replied to our supplications, “spare me these -entreaties; the unmanly conduct of your tyrant is too base to be -permitted to pass unpunished. Reflect, of how many happy years the -monster has deprived us, which we might have passed together in peace -and joy; reflect too, that he robbed you, my innocent Urania, of your -good name, and by that means of the assistance of your best, your only -friend. Fool that I was, how could I have been so credulous as to -believe his calumny! How artfully did he long contrive to keep me -ignorant of his separation from you! and when at length the -remonstrances of Henric Melthal, and the cries of your faithful -Gertrude, penetrated to my solitude, how skilfully did he lull to rest -my love and my anxiety by slanderous tales, to which your uncle (under -whose eye you had so long past a life of the purest innocence) ought -never to have given credit?”— - -Such being his feelings, it was impossible for our entreaties to make -any impression on Count Venosta. He was positively determined to punish -the Count of Carlsheim, not only for the crimes which he had committed, -but for the error which (through him) he had himself been induced to -commit. For this purpose he conducted us to the strong Castle of Upper -Halbstein, on the banks of the Rhine, which was situated not far from -the scene of action, and consequently was then more convenient for our -abode than the distant vale of Munster. - -Scarcely had we reached the Castle, when we received a pleasure totally -unexpected, but long most anxiously desired. In vain had we endeavoured -to discover, what was become of the youthful Minna of Mayenfield, whom I -had been compelled to leave behind in Count Ethelbert’s power. My uncle -assured us, that no sooner had he been informed of my departure from the -Castle of Sargans, than in hopes of gaining some consolation for my -loss, he had requested the Count of Carlsheim to entrust her to his -care. His application however had been unsuccessful; and the only -intelligence which he could gain respecting her was, that on the day -after my forcible departure from Sargans, Gertrude had found means to -quit the Castle privately, and had been accompanied in her flight by the -Damsel of Mayenfield. Yet when Gertrude made her appearance at Count -Venosta’s to prevail on him to attempt my deliverance, and was -questioned respecting the above report, she denied any knowledge of the -place of Minna’s concealment. The mystery was now dissolved; on the day -after our arrival at the Castle on the Rhine, I had the pleasure of -being welcomed by my faithful Gertrude! - -—“Oh! my dear ladies!” she exclaimed, while she threw herself at our -feet, and prest an hand of each alternately to her lips, “how much have -I felt for your misfortunes! how much trouble has it cost me to preserve -for you that treasure, which I am now going to restore! I dared not -intrust it to the custody of the weak and credulous Count Venosta; but -under your care our lovely girl can have nothing to apprehend.”— - -Scarcely had Gertrude ceased to speak, when a blooming maiden about -sixteen, whose charms perfectly answered the expectation of what was -promised by the childhood of Minna of Mayenfield, rushed into the room, -and bedewed with tears of filial affection the bosom of the delighted -Edith: it was her beloved, her long-lost daughter. Bewildered with joy, -for some time neither the mother nor myself could do any thing but gaze -upon and embrace the weeping Minna; and Gertrude recounted without being -attended to, why she had so obstinately denied any knowledge of her -concealment, and had resolved not to intrust her to the care of my -uncle, who had suffered himself to be so grossly deluded by the slanders -of the Count of Carlsheim. - -It was long, before we could recover ourselves enough to thank the -trusty Gertrude, and listen to the tale of Minna’s adventures, of which -a detailed account will be found among my papers (as well as a -supplement containing what afterwards happened to her) under the title -of “_Minna of Homburg_.” Suffice it to say in brief, that I had no -sooner been torn from the arms of the afflicted Minna in order to be -conveyed to Ravenstein, than Gertrude hurried her away from Sargans, and -hastened to conceal her in the celebrated convent of Zurich. Their whole -wealth in gold and jewels was scarcely sufficient to pay for their -entrance into this consecrated retreat, which (as is well known) is -seldom open but to ladies of the highest rank; and Gertrude’s prudence -forbade her announcing her young charge as a daughter of the House of -Mayenfield. - -Here they remained under feigned names quiet and concealed, unknown to, -and even scarcely remarked by their hostesses the Nuns, till Minna’s -expanding beauty began to excite attention. The Abbot of St. Gall, and -the Bishop of Coira were more frequent than usual in their visits to the -Domina, and never suffered an opportunity to escape them of bestowing a -blessing on the lovely stranger. Gertrude, who had never been observed -to judge the actions of the dignitaries of the church too favourably, -suspected that her pupil was no longer safe at Zurich, and determined to -change her abode, which she had the power of doing without difficulty. - -This excellent woman had been long courted by a man of no small -consequence in the village of Stein; he was in every respect deserving -of a reciprocal attachment, and she had long since acknowledged her -consciousness, of his merit; but still the affection which she felt for -me, with whom she had lived even from my infancy, was so great, that she -could not prevail on herself to quit me. After the loss of me and Edith, -when the young Minna was left entirely to her care, she was less -disposed than ever to think of altering her situation. A cloister seemed -to her the only proper retreat for herself and her adopted daughter; and -she contented herself with only seeing her faithful lover at such few -hours, as she could steal from her attentions to Minna. Then she -confided to him her grief for our loss, and her anxiety for the fate of -her pupil. He was her only confident; and now that the holy walls seemed -to afford no longer a secure retreat, Werner Bernsdorf became more -urgent in his entreaties, that Gertrude would exchange her abode at the -Convent for an husband’s house. - -Gertrude at length consented to become his wife, and accepted the -protection, which he offered for herself and her lovely charge. She -quitted the Convent privately; and they had already past a year in his -dwelling at Stein in a manner which left them nothing to desire, except -that which they now enjoyed, the embraces of those dear friends whose -loss they had never ceased to lament. - -No sooner had the intelligence reached her of our release and arrival at -Upper Halbstein, than Gertrude hastened to restore Minna to our arms, -and give us an account of the manner, in which she had preserved this -treasure. Her husband, the worthy Werner Bernsdorf, accompanied her, and -brought with him a considerable number of his country neighbours to -assist my uncle against the Count of Carlsheim, whose conduct had made -him the object of universal detestation. - -Here Minna eagerly interrupted Gertrude’s narrative. - -—“Oh!” said she, “however good Werner’s intentions may be, we are -already provided with a much more powerful ally. You are not aware, dear -mother, that Count Lodowick of Homburg....”— - -—“Forgive me, lady,” said Gertrude smiling, “for having so long omitted -the mention of that favourite name!”—then turning again to us, “you must -know, my dear mistresses, that the assistance, which the Count of -Homburg prepares to give you, is given solely, because one of the -persons injured by Ethelbert is the mother of Minna. Count Lodowick is -my husband’s declared patron; he saw the Damsel of Mayenfield in one of -his visits at Stein, and from that moment his heart....”— - -—“Have mercy on me, dear Gertrude,” exclaimed the blushing Minna; “you -punish me too severely for my imprudence!”— - -Gertrude was silent, but we insisted on an explanation. We now heard all -the circumstances of an attachment, which are detailed at length in -Minna’s history, but which I could not relate in this place without -breaking the thread of my narrative, which I shall now pursue without -interruption. - -The arrival of the forces of the Count of Homburg and of Werner -Bernsdorf was highly acceptable to Count Venosta. A variety of -circumstances had already convinced him, that by the gift of his estates -to Ethelbert he had purchased a dangerous enemy, too powerful for him to -subdue without assistance. Long was the contest doubtful; but the -vengeance of Heaven at length was made manifest, and the balance -inclined towards the rightful cause. - -Ethelbert was now reduced to solicit an accommodation. He enquired, what -satisfaction for the injuries, which I had suffered, would content Count -Leopold; and he flattered himself, that an acknowledgement of my -innocence, and the offer of receiving back his repudiated wife, would -cancel all offences: but the demands of Count Venosta extended much -farther. He required the restoration of the whole of that property, -which he had made over to Ethelbert with such imprudent generosity; -property, to which the latter had only a right in quality of my husband, -and to which he had forfeited his right, when he ceased to consider me -as his wife. The negotiation continued for some time; each side abated -something in their respective demands; large sums were offered to -facilitate the conclusion of the business; but I doubt much, whether an -adjustment involving so many difficulties on both sides could ever have -been brought, to an amicable termination, had not fate collected some -few bitter dregs still remaining in the cup of sorrow, that cup which I -could not have _completely_ emptied, without submitting to a re-union -with my barbarous husband! - -Almighty Providence, if ever I have murmured against thy decisions, if -even now a tear of discontent steals down my cheek, oh! think on the -weakness of human nature, and pardon mine! Still, still I suffer!—But -doubtless there will one day come an hour, when time, or oblivion, the -shadows of the grave, or the brightness of eternal life, will efface the -memory of what I have endured. Till I can learn forgetfulness, I can -never forbear to sorrow! - -Not the most distant rumour had ever led me to believe, that there -existed another Count of Carlsheim besides Ethelbert. Now all at once -the assurance reached me from all quarters, that Count Donat of -Carlsheim was arrived from Italy; that after having made many enquiries -respecting Ethelbert’s situation, (whom he called his father) he had -established himself in the old Fortress of Ravenstein; and that he was -there collecting a considerable military force, whose destination was -still a profound secret. - -We, poor anxious females, trembled in our solitary Castle, while we -listened to this account of the proceedings of one, whose very name made -us already look upon him as our enemy. Yet I could by no means -understand, how he should be the son of Ethelbert, never having heard, -that my husband had been married, till I gave him my hand, nor that he -had any natural children, whose existence (I had no cause to flatter -myself) he would have concealed out of respect for me!—Edith sighed, -when I stated to her my reasons for disbelieving, that Ethelbert had a -son; and my uncle, who just at that moment happened to return from one -of his daily skirmishes with his enemy, explained to me the cause of her -sighing. - -—“Alas, my child,” said he, “it is not without reason, that you look -with terror on this newly-arrived Count of Carlsheim. It is but too -probable, that he is Ethelbert’s son, and is come to strengthen his -father’s party. Before your union with him a report had reached me, that -Count Ethelbert was already the husband of another, though his passion -for you induced him to conceal his marriage. This story, making me look -upon him as a seducer, was the motive of my unexplained antipathy -towards him, and of the displeasure with which I observed your growing -attachment. I therefore took an opportunity of questioning him seriously -respecting the report; but no sooner had the first hint escaped my lips, -than his pride took the alarm. - -—“To justify myself from such an accusation,” said he haughtily, “is -beneath me; thus much I will answer, and no more. Yes; some years ago I -married a noble Italian lady (alas! now she will never claim her -rights!) rich and beautiful. Before I was deprived of her, she bore to -me a son, whom I left to the guardianship of his mother’s relations; -they were anxious to retain him with them, as being all that remained of -a person so justly dear to them. The partiality of his mother has made -this boy already master of very large possessions; nor would his birth -at all interfere with the rights of any future children, should ever a -second wife.... But why do I thus condescend to explain the -circumstances of my private life to one, who looks on me as a -seducer?—You have suspected me of artfully endeavouring to ensnare your -niece’s affections for the basest purposes; here then I solemnly swear -in the face of Heaven that nothing shall ever tempt me to offer her my -hand, or condescend to seek a connexion with a man, who has exprest an -opinion of me so degrading! I love Urania, love her passionately; but -never will I become her husband, unless you solicit me with your own -lips to accept her hand, and thus wipe off the injurious aspersion, -which you have cast upon the character of one, whose sentiments are as -elevated, and whose honour is as strict as your own.”— - -—“At hearing this declaration,” continued my uncle, “I could not -restrain a smile; so impossible did it appear to me at that time, that a -situation should ever occur, which could induce me to force the heiress -of all my possessions on the noblest and most powerful man on earth.—But -from that moment Ethelbert never missed an opportunity or working -himself into my heart. The services, which he rendered me, increased in -number so rapidly, and were of such material consequence; and his -countenance bore so plainly the melancholy impression of hopeless love, -that I could not avoid wishing to gratify him with your hand. I now -began to make all possible enquiries respecting his former marriage. -Proof upon proof met me at every step, that he had acted by me with -candour; I daily received fresh assurances, that he had indeed been -married to an Italian heiress; but that his wife was dead, and his son -richly provided for. The last and most essential service which he -rendered me, the delivering me from the chains of the Abbot of St. Gall, -put the finishing-hand to my resolution in his favour. I solicited him -to become your husband; cursed be the hour, in which I did so! Ah! what -did it avail, that Ethelbert’s wife was no more, since her death only -left him at liberty to contract an union with one, who has with every -hour had fresh cause to lament the moment, in which that union was -formed?”— - -—“And are you then quite certain,” interrupted his wife (for Edith was -now the Countess Venosta) “that when Ethelbert became Urania’s husband, -his hand was _really_ free?—Oh! Leopold, how much have we all reason to -lament, that your own guileless nature should have made you so unwilling -to suspect, that others were deceivers! that even when your suspicions -were so justly excited, your inclination to find them groundless should -have so lightly made you abandon them, and resume your good opinion of a -man, whose only talent consisted in concealing his vices with -dexterity!—Alas! alas! even from the grave thy voice, unfortunate -Lucretia, calls Ethelbert a murderer! Soon may the curse, which you -breathed against him in your last moments, fall on the tyrant’s head; -but far be its accomplishment from her, whom your unjust fury joined -with him in the malediction. Urania is guiltless of your sufferings; -surely had not frenzy and despair made you deaf to all conviction, you -could not have resisted the arguments, which I advanced in proof of her -unconscious innocence!”— - -Struck dumb with astonishment stood my uncle and myself, and gazed in -silence on Edith. Her arms were crossed upon her bosom; her eyes were -raised towards Heaven; the tears streamed down her cheeks. She replied -not to the anxious enquiries, which her extraordinary agitation and -incoherent exclamations at length compelled us to make. - -—“Be patient with me for a few moments!” said she after some time; “the -dreadful scene, which I witnessed at Ravenstein Castle, stands before me -exprest in such strong and lively colours, that horror almost robs me of -my senses! Allow me time to recover myself, in pity!”— - -We now remained in anxious expectation of the moment, when Edith should -be sufficiently herself to clear up this mystery. My uncle was totally -in the dark as to her meaning; but certain obscure suspicions flitted -before my recollection, which Edith’s narrative soon confirmed. That -unfortunate captive, who had endeavoured to destroy by fire the gloomy -prison, in which she had groaned away so many wretched years; she, in -whom the bare mention of my name had produced so violent an emotion, -that it threw her into the delirium, in which she ended her life; she, -that unhappy one, had a claim to Ethelbert’s hand prior to that of the -betrayed Urania! In her last moments she called me the cause of her -misfortunes! In her last moments she cursed me ... and I was innocent! - -Edith’s tenderness had induced her to conceal from me the dreadful scene -which she had witnessed, and in which Lucretia had made known to her -this important secret. She was well acquainted with the weakness of my -nature; she thought, that for an heart so tender and so fond as mine, to -remain ignorant of the _whole_ extent of the misfortunes, which had been -the consequence of my so earnestly desired marriage would be more -supportable, than to know that I had been the cause (however innocent) -of Lucretia’s sufferings, and had been myself so grossly deceived by a -man, whom I had once loved so passionately, and whom in spite of all his -cruelty I could not yet bring myself to hate. - -The veil was now withdrawn! I now found, that I had for many years been -the unlawful consort of one, who only deserved my love so long, as I -remained ignorant of his real character. I now found, that I who would -not willingly have crushed a worm, who would gladly have banished from -the earth every trace of sorrow, had for many years caused the -sufferings of an unknown, who perhaps was good and amiable!—But no! that -was not Lucretia’s character. Of this you will be convinced, my -children, on reading her story traced by the hand of Edith, and entitled -“_Lucretia Malaspina_.” You will there see, that she had obtained -Ethelbert’s hand by a series of the vilest artifices; that her conduct -afterwards had been such, as almost justified his treatment of her; that -the son (whose arrival she so eagerly expected, though in vain) had been -abandoned by her to early licentiousness, and bred up in hatred of his -father; and her miserable death was exactly such an end, as was best -adapted to a life so destitute of virtue. - -But alas! this knowledge of her want of merit was still insufficient to -support me under the weight of her dying malediction. Methinks, -undeserved as it was by me, her curse still hangs over my head, and -sooner or later I shall experience its effects.—My children, I must here -break off for a few moments—Dreadful emotions overpower me: I am unable -to proceed! - - * * * * * - -Edith possest still more information respecting Count Ethelbert’s -family. She knew, that by some means or other the news of Lucretia’s -sufferings had at length reached her son in Italy; but sunk in -voluptuousness and totally engrossed by his libertine pursuits, he had -delayed from day to day the hastening to succour his imprisoned mother. -At length he arrived at Ravenstein, and demanded the liberty of her, -whose bones were already mouldering among the ruins of the half-burnt -Castle. The reflection—“_hadst thou come sooner, she had been -saved_,”—drove him almost frantic, and in the violence of his despair he -committed the most inhuman outrages. The whole garrison of the fortress -was sacrificed to the shade of Lucretia; the remaining towers of the -Castle were converted into her funeral pile, and were consumed to ashes! -He was informed, that the unfortunate Urania (whom he, as well as his -mother accused of having caused all these misfortunes) had once been an -inmate of those walls; and he foamed with rage at not finding her still -there, that he might have sacrificed _her_ also to his hatred and -revenge! - -The inhabitants of the tranquil vale of Frutiger, to whom I had formerly -been indebted for my rescue, did not escape without feeling the weight -of his fury. _They_ too suffered for the dilatoriness, with which he had -fulfilled his duty to an unfortunate mother; a crime, which he punished -in those guiltless people, but of which he could accuse no one justly -but himself. - -Every one fled before the raging Donat, whose cruelties were supported -by a strong army composed of his Italian vassals. He now was advancing -towards the place of our abode by rapid marches, though no one yet knew, -against whom in particular his fury would be directed. We trembled at -his approach, for our feuds with Count Ethelbert had greatly diminished -our strength, and we were ill-prepared for encountering troops so fresh -and numerous, as those which accompanied our new enemy. Neither was -Ethelbert without his fears. He imagined with no small probability, that -his son was coming to demand the blood of his mother at his hands; and -he was himself already engaged in a contest with the Count Venosta, -whose military prowess supplied the deficiency of numbers in his army. -Nothing could save both us and him, but an union of our forces against -the common enemy; and now it was, that I was compelled to place myself -in a situation, than which no other could ever have entailed on me even -half such misery. - -In the anxiety of his heart Count Ethelbert made proposals, which my -uncle (who had scarcely less cause for anxiety) judged it imprudent -entirely to reject. A negotiation was entered into; an alliance was -concluded against Donat between Ethelbert and Count Leopold; and the -wretched Urania was the victim sacrificed to their mutual fears. -Almighty Heaven! the man who had deceived my uncle, imprisoned Edith, -murdered Lucretia, and branded myself with shame, this man was I obliged -for the second time to call by the name of husband.—It was in vain, that -I resisted; that I wept, and knelt at the feet of my uncle. He bade me -remember, that I had for many years lived with Ethelbert as his wife, -and that should I go to my grave without a legal claim to that title, it -would leave such a stain upon the family honour, as all the waters of -the Rhine and Danube could never wash away.—Nor was this reflection -without its weight in my own balance—to be handed down to posterity as -the licentious votary of pleasure! “Urania Venosta, the concubine of the -Count of Carlsheim!” was such the description, by which I must be known -in after ages? As the hateful thought glanced upon my imagination, I -recoiled with horror; a crimson blush suffused my cheeks, and the blood -as it rushed through my veins, seemed boiling.—And yet to prevent this -odious image from being realized, there existed no possible means except -the consenting to give the most inhuman of men a second legal claim to -torture and insult me!—Yet still did I resist; and still did the dreaded -Donat advance towards us. Count Venosta’s persuasions became every hour -more urgent. Entreaties, threats, anger, kindness, were employed -alternately to obtain my unwilling consent.—Edith felt for me, and aided -not her husband; but she felt too for the dangers of her situation, and -shuddered involuntarily at the bare mention of Donat’s name. Her silent -terrors affected me to the very soul: I was not insensible to -apprehensions on my own account: Ethelbert’s arms at least afforded me a -refuse from disgrace: I yielded, and with my eyes open doomed myself to -a life of wilful suffering. - -Yes! I became again the wife of Ethelbert!—Expect not from me a -circumstantial account of my first interview with a man, whose crimes -had now made him as much the object of my aversion, as he had once been -the object of my love. The news of his approach made me shrink with -terror! I painted to myself this imperious tyrant in the most frightful -colours, which imagination could supply; but in the present instance, as -had been the case on many former ones, I was deceived in my -expectations. It’s true, the scene which I had to go through was a most -painful one, but very different from that for which I had prepared -myself. - -Three years, which had elapsed since I parted from Count Ethelbert, had -produced a change in him, which struck me with astonishment; he was no -longer, as in former times, either an object of love, or of terror: his -appearance was capable of exciting, even in the bosoms of those whom he -had injured, no sentiment but compassion. It seemed, as if the natural -consequences of his dissolute life had made a much more wretched -creature of himself, than he had been able to make of the victims of his -tyranny. Edith and myself had lost that pale and emaciated appearance, -which we brought with us from Ravenstein, and were fast resuming our -natural bloom and health; while on the contrary our persecutor seemed to -have but just escaped from the dungeons of that gloomy Castle. Nor was -it only his body’s strength which had suffered; his excessive -libertinism, the stings of conscience, and his terror of impending -punishment had broken down the fortitude of his mind completely. - -No sooner did he enter the room in which I waited for him, than he threw -himself at my feet, and entreated me in the most abject manner to pardon -what was past. He also bathed Edith’s feet with his tears, and stammered -out a long confession of the injuries which he had done her, and of -which she was already but too well informed. - -This excessive and unmanly degradation of himself was neither what we -expected, nor wished from him. My sensations were equally composed of -contempt and pity, and I could not decide, which of the two was the more -powerful. The latter at length prevailed, and I suffered myself to be -drawn by Ethelbert’s entreaties into making a promise, which I found in -the end most painful to perform! - -I am not certain, what were my uncle’s feelings on this occasion: -methought I could read in his eyes a strong expression of pity for the -poor victim, who was thus sacrificed to the common safety, and of anger -against himself for having consented to the renewal of a connexion, -whose consequences must needs prove to be the most bitter sufferings, -that could have been inflicted on his unfortunate niece. Terror of his -two powerful enemies had compelled him to free himself from one of them -by this sacrifice; but alas! he had soon to find his regret at having -made this sacrifice increased by the knowledge, that it had been made -without advantage. It was only at a distance, that Count Ethelbert -appeared dreadful. Our scanty troops, under the command of the martial -Leopold (who in spite of his increasing age was still an hero) were of -much more effective consequence, than all the thousands who were ranged -under the banners of the powerful Count of Carlsheim and Sargans; for -their chief was a wretch, infirm both in body and mind, made fearful of -encountering the wrath of man by his consciousness of deserving the -vengeance of Heaven, and who (as we had soon but too much reason to -suspect) was not always in his proper senses. - -This last was a circumstance, which had been carefully concealed from -all our family: but I had not resumed the title of Countess of Carlsheim -and Sargans more than a few days, when I made some observations -respecting my husband’s conduct, which opened before me the most -terrific prospects for the future. I never could ascertain, whether -Ethelbert’s incurable disorder owed its origin to his imagination having -been struck by any one particular circumstance, for it was seldom -prudent, or indeed possible to speak to him on this subject; but why -should we seek for a cause, knowing the life which he had led? Seldom -does the hand of licentiousness fail at length to guide her votaries to -the brink of an abyss, the very sight of which makes the brain turn -giddy, and scares away reason, never to resume her seat again! - -Ethelbert’s profound and fearful melancholy afflicted him at periodical -intervals. There were times, when he shut himself up from every one, but -more particularly from me, in order to indulge himself in solitary -sufferings. In one of these hours of voluntary seclusion I was induced -(not by curiosity, but by my earnest wish to afford him some relief) to -intrude upon his privacy. All that I gained by this well-intended -interference was, (besides beholding a sight the most heart-rending that -ever was presented to the eye of woman) that I drew down on me in the -present moment the whole storm of my distracted husband’s fury, and in -future was compelled to witness those sufferings, which out of a sort of -delicacy for my feelings he had hitherto been careful to hide from my -observation. His secret being now discovered, he constrained himself no -longer. Till this unfortunate day I had never seen the wretched man -except in those gloomy and capricious humours, which occupied the -greater part of his time. I was now forced to witness his delirious -follies, which sometimes rose to such a pitch of extravagance, that -Edith and myself had good reason to tremble for our lives. Often have we -been pursued by the frantic Ethelbert through every chamber of the -Castle, without being able to find a place secure from his fury, except -on the borders of that ruined well, in which I had caused my vassals to -inter the dead bodies of those, who had fallen by the swords of Edith’s -ravishers. - -Never did Ethelbert dare to enter the Court, in which this well was -situated. The moment that he attempted to cross the threshold, he -shrieked out that he saw bleeding spectres rising out of the abyss; that -Lucretia was among the number; and that he could hear her threaten to -drag him down with her to the grave. - -Tortures of a guilty conscience, who can paint you in colours -sufficiently strong! Who can endure you without sinking at last beneath -your weight! The phantoms, which in his disordered moments terrified the -mind of Ethelbert, presented themselves in a thousand different forms. -Many of them were totally unintelligible to me, as I was not fully -instructed in the history of his past errors; nor was I at all inclined -to inquire further into events, whose consequences sufficiently assured -me, that their knowledge would afford me no sources of consolation. - -Count Venosta was at this period compelled to be often absent from the -Castle of Sargans. His renewed connection with Ethelbert made it -incumbent on him to become the General of those troops, whom their -master’s infirmity would otherwise have left without a leader. Such -preparations therefore, as were necessary for our safety, were made by -the sore orders of my uncle; and alas! every succeeding day made us feel -with an added certainty, that no precautions could be superfluous. - -Our dreaded enemy, the fierce and incensed Donat, was now daily expected -to appear. I knew well his animosity against myself; and it is not to be -wondered at, that in spite of the consciousness of my innocence, I -shuddered when I heard of his approach. But my anxiety was not to be -compared with the horror, which shook Count Ethelbert’s frame, whenever -he heard Donat mentioned. He no longer recollected, that he was his own -son; he only saw in him Lucretia’s offspring and avenger; and often when -his bewildered brain pictured him present, did he fly for shelter to my -arms, and entreat me to save him from Donat’s imaginary dagger. - -What I endured at this period, is not to be believed! My friend Edith -had often advised me to quit my frantic husband; and so excruciating -were my sufferings, that I probably should have taken her counsel, had -not compassion in the first moments of my re-union with the wretched man -forced from me the inconsiderate promise, “that I never would abandon -him through life, but that whatever fate was allotted to him should be -shared by me;” a promise, which I had confirmed by too solemn an oath, -and on which Ethelbert relied with too much confidence, to admit of my -departing from it without his consent. - -Previous to Donat’s approaching so near the Castle, I had been offered -many opportunities of exchanging my melancholy situation for a secure -retreat in the arms of friendship; but I was too strictly bound by my -fatal oath to profit by the kind offices of my friends. Count Lodowick -of Homburg, the declared admirer of the young Damsel of Mayenfield, had -been compelled to leave us for a time, that he might support the claims -of the family of his mistress against the usurping Abbot of St. Gall. -Fortunately, the sudden death of this tyrant greatly facilitated the -completion of his views. He now returned to Sargans, for the purpose of -conducting the young Count Ludolf to Mayenfield, and seeing him -re-instated in his natural rights. - -It was thought necessary, that Ludolf should be accompanied by his -mother; but she protested, that she could not consent to leave me -exposed to such dangers, and insisted on my accompanying her to a place, -where I should be in security. Oh! how gladly would my heart have -embraced her offer! Nor in truth did Count Ethelbert positively forbid -my leaving him: in his calmer moments he acknowledged in a tone of -humility, that after his treatment of me he had no right to detain me -contrary to my inclination; he left it entirely to myself to decide, -whether I would go or stay; and declared, that he would not oppose my -abandoning him, if after what I had sworn, I could _reconcile it to my -own conscience_. - -You may be certain, my dear children, that having witnessed in my -husband the tortures of an accusing conscience, I had not courage to run -the risque of imposing the slightest burthen upon my own. I had sworn, -and was compelled to keep my oath: I even renewed it, engaged once more -never to forsake my husband, and only entreated my friend, that she -would yield to her daughter’s entreaties not to be separated from me at -a time, when I was so much in want of consolation. Habit had attached me -so tenderly to the charming girl, that to have parted with her would -have seemed to me like the stroke of death; and even Ethelbert felt such -reverence for the angelic innocence which beamed in her every feature, -that in his unhappy moments I had frequently found a safe retreat from -his violence in Minna’s arms. Minna too was resolutely determined to -share my dangers: nor was it affection for _me_, which alone made her -unwilling to depart from Sargans. Count Lodowick was soon to rejoin us -for the purpose of defending our boundaries against the still -encroaching enemy, and I extorted a confession from Minna, that she was -anxious to continue near him. - -We separated; I lost my Edith! Minna remained with me, and with beating -hearts did we look forward to futurity, whose gloom appeared to increase -with every moment. Will not my hand fail me, when I attempt to describe -the most cruel blow, which ever fell upon my heart? Edith was dear to -me; so was her daughter, the gentle affectionate Minna; but dearer than -either, oh! dearer a thousand times, was my uncle, my second father, the -venerable Count Venosta! - -Count Lodowick’s appearance at the Castle of Sargans made my uncle’s -return necessary. The young warrior was desirous of discussing in person -with an hero of such experience in military affairs, what mode of -proceeding would be most likely to produce advantage to the cause of -those, whose interests were equally dear to both. Till this business was -settled, the Count of Homburg did not think it prudent to quit the -Castle, and leave Minna and myself exposed to the enterprizes of the -enemy, under no better protection than Ethelbert’s. The venerable -Leopold therefore set forward for the purpose of acquainting his ally -with every thing relating to the present situation of our affairs, and -at the same time to inspire our drooping spirits by his presence with -hope and consolation. - -Yet once more (alas! but once!) did I clasp my benefactor to my bosom; I -bedewed his furrowed cheeks with tears of gratitude, and imparted to him -my anxiety for a life so precious! The next tears, which I shed on his -account, were destined to fall on his grave. He accompanied Count -Lodowick to review his forces; here he parted with his youthful friend, -and the path which he traversed on his return to Sargans conducted him -to death. In the deepest part of the wood assassins were lurking; his -attendants were few, and their resistance was soon overpowered. Count -Venosta fell by the hands of villains, as many a brave man had fallen -before him; and the dreadful news was brought to the Castle of Sargans -by two or three of his followers, the swiftness of whose steeds had -enabled them to escape from the massacre. - -What name shall I give to my feelings, at receiving this most cruel blow -of fate? Shall I say, that I sorrowed? that my senses forsook me? that -despair took possession of both my head and heart?—No! no! all this -would but ill describe what I suffered. The excess of agony can never be -justly exprest; grief like mine can only be pictured in a veil. - -I felt only how dear he was to me, how much I had lost in him. These -recollections made me incapable of all others; and I reflected not, that -his death was the certain pledge to me of approaching danger, and future -sufferings. Count Donat was no longer more than two leagues distant from -the Castle. No one doubted, that the hand which murdered my uncle, was -armed by Donat: how indeed could he sooner gain possession of his -destined victims, than by depriving them of their most able -protector?—It is true, Count Lodowick of Homburg ... but his youth, his -inexperience, even his consternation and sorrow for the loss of his -heroic guide in the paths of glory, all tended to prevent his being to -us of as much assistance, as he would gladly have been, and as we too -fondly expected that he would be. - -I will pass over in silence the days of anxiety, which followed my -uncle’s death, nor will torture your tender hearts, my children, by -relating how cruelly I suffered from terror while looking forward to -events, which (dreadful as my imagination painted them) you will find, -were far exceeded by the reality! - -Count Lodowick fought bravely, but unsuccessfully. His troops were cut -to pieces; their chief was compelled however reluctantly to find safety -in flight. The most faithful of our vassals under the command of Henric -Melthal still defended for a while the approaches to the Castle of -Sargans; but they too at length were compelled to give way.—And now -there was nothing to prevent the dreadful victor from seizing the -unfortunates, who trembled at his approach. - -Among the many unpleasant circumstances, which had followed my re-union -with the wretched Ethelbert, it was not the least of my griefs, that I -was compelled almost constantly to endure the presence of a man, whom I -had but too just grounds for abhorring.—This person, whom I half -despised and half dreaded, was at that time Abbot of Cloister-Curwald, -and by name Guiderius. Had there been no other reason for my disliking -him, it would have been sufficient, that it was he, whom the rebellious -monks of that monastery had elected their Superior after the expulsion -of my friends Christian and Matthias; and that he had taken a -conspicuous part against his predecessor, whose dignity he coveted, and -whose blameless life made his own appear the more disgusting. Never did -I see him approaching the Castle, in all the state and splendour of a -petty prince, without comparing his ostentation with the dignified -simplicity of my venerable friend; of whose fate no intelligence had -ever reached me, after I had procured his escape by the private passage -conducting to the mountains. - -But the repugnance towards him, which these reflections inspired, was -not my only reasons for disliking the society of Guiderius. He had -formerly been Ethelbert’s companion in his profligate enjoyments; he was -now his confessor and the only confidant of his secret sins, and in this -quality he assumed a much greater share of authority in the Castle, than -was left to its weak master and his powerless wife. At first I -occasionally forced myself to throw aside that timidity, which I had -acquired from so many years of suffering, and endeavoured to dispossess -the hypocrite of my husband’s favour and of such immoderate influence: -but the attempt was always attended with so little success, that I was -compelled to abandon it, and submit patiently to bear the yoke, which -the omnipotent Abbot imposed on all the Castle’s inmates. - -Guiderius was young; he might have been called handsome, had not every -feature betrayed the traces of riot and licentiousness. When I -complained of his usurped authority, he frequently assured me, that I -was not _his_ captive as I stated, but much rather was he _mine_: but -these declarations, which made him still more hateful to me, were -received and answered with such contempt and bitterness, that he at -length desisted from making them. Instead of these insulting liberties, -he seemed to adopt a particularly delicate and humble manner in all -things, in which _I_ was concerned, and about which I appeared -interested. So that as I now began to feel easy respecting his -professions of too warm an attachment, and in this moment of most urgent -necessity, when our terrible foe was at our gates, and as every one had -recourse to me for that advice, which I, poor trembling woman, would so -willingly have asked of others; in such a situation, helpless and -bewildered as I was, I did nor think it wise to reject without an -hearing the proposition, which the Abbot of Curwald requested leave to -lay before me, and whose adoption (he said) would be greatly for my -advantage. It proved to be of a nature so innocent, that ill as I -thought of the person who proposed it, I could find no reasonable -grounds for its rejection. - -—“There are few hearts,” said Guiderius, “so hardened as to resist the -tears which flow from the eyes of women, or the voice of God when it -speaks from the lips of his servants. I am thoroughly persuaded, that -Count Donat’s fury would be this moment disarmed, could he witness the -streams of anguish, which fear of his vengeance forces into eyes so -bright; nor did he once see you kneeling at his feet, could he resist -raising you, to fall himself at yours. But you are unconscious of the -power which Heaven confided to you, when he formed you so lovely; or -knowing it, you will not condescend to make it of use. Well then! Let us -have recourse to some other means of softening Count Donat. Permit me to -assemble the whole brotherhood of my convent in the Castle-chapel: these -holy monks shall form around you with their prayers a wall more solid -than one of brass; as soon as your dreaded foe approaches, I will place -myself at their head, go forth with them to meet him, command him in the -name of our patron-saint to lay aside his blood-thirsty designs, and you -will be astonished to witness the effects of our interference.”— - -I consented to his proposal. Guiderius gave his orders; and it was not -long before _the holy monks_ (no one but their Abbot could have had the -assurance to call them holy) set forth on their march with all possible -solemnity, and with every circumstance of pomp, which might make them -appear of the more consequence in the eyes of him, to whom their embassy -was addrest. They laid no slight stress upon the merit of this act of -heroism, as they scrupled not to call their interference; and one of the -most learned brethren went so far, as to compare their conduct with that -of the Roman Deeii, who for the general good devoted themselves to the -infernal gods; a comparison, which would have extorted a smile from -Minna and myself, had any thing at that moment of danger been capable of -making us smile. - -We waited for the return of these modern Deeii with inexpressible -anxiety. Yet unhappy as we were, and much as we required all our -strength of mind and body to support _ourselves_, we were compelled to -exhaust our powers in the difficult task of preventing Ethelbert from -sinking under his apprehensions of his foe’s approach, which he dreaded, -as if it had been that of an avenging Deity. - -During the consultation, which took place on the proposition of -Guiderius, we had been necessitated to leave the wretched sufferer to -himself. After the departure of the monks, we found him to our great -astonishment busied in removing the stone, which covered the mouth of -that well, which I have already mentioned as being so terrible to him in -his hours of distraction. A variety of circumstances, as well as some -broken sentences, which at first escaped from him, left us no doubt, -with what object he had sought that particular spot, and what would have -been the event, had we not arrived in time to rescue him from his own -fury. - -In the situation in which he then was, it was unsafe for us to suffer -him out of our sight for a moment. We employed all our powers of -persuasion to his agitated mind; Minna, whose kind and gentle manner had -great influence over him, at length succeeded in kindling a faint spark -of hope in his anxious bosom; and he seemed to derive some comfort from -her assurances, that (even should Count Donat prove the furious tyrant, -which report described him to be) still it was impossible for him to -have so totally laid aside all vestiges of humanity, as to look on his -father as on a foe, and punish him for offences, which it was now beyond -his power to remedy. - -—“You are right, sweet angel!” said Ethelbert with a childish vacant -smile, which generally took possession of his countenance, when he felt -himself exhausted by any violent breaking out of his delirium; “you are -quite right! Donat should not revenge his mother’s death on _me_; I -never hated Lucretia; no, no; she was my first love. Its true, I was -unfaithful to her; but though Urania was more beautiful and rich, that -could only have injured Lucretia for a while. Had but death relieved me -from my second wife, nothing need have prevented my restoring my first -to liberty, and permitting her to resume her legal rights! then all -would have been well; then Lucretia and Donat would have been appeased: -fool that I was! Oh! that I had not suffered Urania to live!”— - -The pious Minna shrunk back in horror at this proof of aggravated -wickedness, which she had undesignedly drawn from an heart, whose -sentiments (I had so vainly flattered myself) had been chastened by -adversity. Minna dropt the miscreant’s hand in disgust, while she cast -upon me a look expressive of the deepest sorrow and compassion; I could -not restrain my feelings, and burst into a flood of tears. - -—“Nay, weep not!” said the wretched man, whose senses had quite forsaken -him; “trust me with a dagger for a few minutes, and neither you nor I -shall have reason any longer to tremble at the thoughts of Donat’s -vengeance!”— - -This conversation, which became more painful with every minute that it -lasted, and which was only calculated to make two unprotected women -apprehend a nearer danger than Count Donat’s sword, was interrupted by -the return of two of the monks, who had accompanied Guiderius. They -accosted us with countenances expressing the greatest consternation, and -gave us to understand, that the eloquence of their holy brethren had by -no means produced the desired effect. Count Donat, an avowed enemy of -the church and her servants, had ordered them all to be made prisoners, -and flight alone had enabled these two to hasten back to the Castle, and -apply to us for assistance. - -—“For assistance? assistance from us?” Minna and myself exclaimed at the -same moment. - -—“Yes, noble ladies, from you!” answered one of the monks, whose name -was Hilderic; “a sign from our discreet Abbot gave us to understand, -what steps he wished to be taken. He is certain, that the intercession -of the Damsel of Mayenfield, one tear falling from her dove-like eyes, -one word spoken in her touching voice, would be sufficient to preserve -us all! Oh! dear lady, be not deaf to our entreaties! A mule stands -ready at the Castle-gate to bear you to the camp, and we will accompany -you thither, and protect you back in safety.”— - -—“Oh! for the love of Heaven,” exclaimed my husband eagerly, “go, Minna, -go! Soften my son’s heart towards his wretched father, and I will bless -you with my latest breath.”— - -Minna shuddered, while she listened to Hilderic’s proposal and -Ethelbert’s entreaties: nor did I hear this singular request without -making many objections. Yet Hilderic’s powers of persuasion, and the -humble supplications of his companion, the unsuspicious Mark, began to -make us relax in our opposition, when the Abbot himself made his -appearance, and decided our conduct at once. - -—“If it is your intention to preserve us,” said he, addressing himself -to Minna, “hasten to the camp, ere it is yet too late! Under our -safe-guard you cannot have any danger to apprehend, and in the few -minutes, which I passed with him, I took care to make your situation so -well known to Count Donat, that you need not fear, lest the power of -your charms should produce an effect on his heart prejudicial to the -rights of your destined husband.”— - -These assurances Guiderius failed not to strengthen with a variety of -others; Hilderic also exerted all his eloquence in support of his -superior; and their joint efforts were so successful, that Minna was -obliged to give a promise to follow them to the camp. - -What line of conduct was it now most proper for me to adopt? My ideas -were too confused, my apprehensions too painful, to admit of my -observing a thousand contradictions in the Abbot’s statement, a thousand -trifling circumstances indicating some concealed design, which could not -have failed to strike any indifferent person. Besides, as Minna had now -promised to accompany the monks, it seemed impossible that I should -suffer her to set out without the sanction of a female’s presence, and -expose her beauty and innocence to the perils, which threatened them in -Count Donat’s camp. It was equally impossible for me to leave my poor -weak husband to himself, and resign him to the dangerous caprices of his -delirium, which during our absence would most probably return. Yet my -blood ran cold at the idea of remaining alone in the power of a -desperate man, who had so lately declared his intentions to destroy me; -intentions, which in his frenzy he would find but little difficulty in -carrying into effect. Part of our adherents had already hastened to the -camp, in hopes of avoiding Count Donat’s vengeance by a voluntary -surrender; the rest of them had either betaken themselves to flight, or -had sought various places of concealment, till the first storm should -have subsided. After Minna’s departure I should be left quite alone with -the frantic Ethelbert. I knew not what to resolve, and yet it was -necessary to resolve on something without delay. - -At length it was settled, that accompanied by the fathers Mark and -Hilderic I should set forward with Minna, and throw myself at the feet -of our enemy. In the mean while the Abbot consented to watch over my -husband’s actions; a consent, which he seemed to give with evident -reluctance, though the great influence which he possest over the -maniac’s mind pointed him out as well suited for the employment. - -We proceeded slowly, as those are accustomed to do, whose road conducts -them to certain sorrow. The learned Hilderic endeavoured to inspire the -trembling Minna with confidence, for which purpose he vainly exhausted -every argument of consolation, which religion or philosophy could -furnish. In the mean while, I was busied in trying to draw such -information out of the simple Mark, as might confirm either my hopes, or -my apprehensions. This man, both in conduct and inclinations, was in -truth the best among the brotherhood of Cloister-Curwald; but his -perception was so limited, that the world might have perished, without -his having the least suspicion of such an event taking place, or being -able to give the least account of it after it had happened. All that he -could produce to satisfy me, were repeated assurances, that he believed -the step which we were taking to be right and prudent; but as to what -had past between Guiderius and Count Donat, or what reception we might -reasonably expect from the latter, I found that father Mark was no less -ignorant than myself. - -We drew near the conqueror’s tent. My heart beat violently: what was I -to expect from one, who had sworn to sacrifice me to the manes of his -mother! I endeavoured to muster up all my resolution; I threw back my -veil, and followed with desperate courage, whither the Monks conducted -us. Count Donat stood before me. I threw myself at his feet, and strove -to comprise in one imploring look all that I wished to ask of him, but -which terror prevented me from expressing in words. - -Donat’s piercing eyes dwelt for some moments on my face in silence. He -then turned to one of the Friars of Curwald who stood behind him, and -asked, “if this was the person, whose beauty he had heard him praise so -highly?” - -—“That is Urania Venosta,” answered the Monk, “Countess of Carlsheim and -Sargans.”— - -Instantly the expression of Donat’s features changed, and the look of -satisfaction, which they had worn at first, was replaced by that of -aversion. He turned from me without speaking, and advanced to receive -Minna, who approaching slowly raised her veil, and sank on her knees -before him with that inexpressible grace, which accompanied even the -most trifling of her actions. - -—“Mercy! mercy!” she exclaimed, while she extended towards him her hands -clasped in supplication; “mercy for the helpless and the innocent! Is it -possible, that the victorious Donat should stain the glory of his sword, -by directing it against trembling women, against an infirm father, -against a people who willingly submit themselves to his power?—Oh! be -that far from him!”— - -Donat drew back a few steps, and gazed on her with a look, in which we -endeavoured vainly to read the sentiments of his bosom. No one could -guess from it, whether he suffered the fair suppliant to remain kneeling -through forgetfulness of every thing but her beauty, or from feeling the -same contempt for _her_ entreaties, with which he had treated mine. - -—“Rise!” said he at length in a stern voice, but whose sternness was -evidently assumed; “who are you?”— - -—“Minna of Mayenfield.”— - -—“And your companion?” he resumed, pointing to me. - -—“Urania Venosta, my adopted mother, and the wife of your father, of -your father who shudders at your approach! Oh! Donat, think how dreadful -it is to be the cause of terror to a repentant father!—Mercy, Donat! Oh! -mercy for us all!”— - -Donat raised the imploring girl without replying; he also motioned to me -to quit my kneeling posture, and then ordered his attendants to conduct -us into another tent. - -Towards evening he visited us, and gave that answer in person, which we -had vainly solicited in the morning. Now that he had laid aside his -threatening casque and blood-stained armour, he appeared to be entirely -a different person. His manner was respectful to Minna, courteous to me. -He mentioned his father in terms rather of grief than anger; Lucretia’s -name, (which, as we had been informed, used to be constantly on his -lips) was not pronounced by him; and in the course of conversation he -once so far forgot his wrath, as to mention me by the title of “his -mother.”— - -—“Oh! rejoice with me, dear Minna,” I exclaimed, while I prest the -Damsel of Mayenfield to my bosom; “it is now certain, that we are safe! -Heard you not, that Count Donat called me mother? See’st thou in him -that terrific conqueror, such as report described him? Oh! that -Ethelbert were but here to know, and love the real character of his so -dreaded son: all would be pardoned, all forgotten!” - -—“That is possible,” answered Donat, who could not help smiling at the -unrestrained expression of my feelings; “the only person who has -anything to pardon is myself; and I cannot deny that beauty like -Urania’s may well excuse an act of injustice, even though it should be -monstrous as that, which was suffered by the poor Lucretia!”— - -We saw, that at the recollection of Lucretia a cloud seemed to pass over -Donat’s countenance, though it soon disappeared again. We therefore lost -no time in mentioning to him the only request about which we were now -anxious, fearful lest he should alter his good dispositions towards us, -before they had produced the effect which was so earnestly desired. - -We entreated him to suffer us to return to his anxious father, and -inform him, how unjustly he had doubted his son’s filial affection. -Donat hesitated, and inquired, why we were desirous of leaving him in -such haste?—Besides our wish to relieve Count Ethelbert from his -apprehensions without loss of time, we alleged as an excuse the -impropriety of our remaining in a camp without any other females. - -—“Oh!” replied Donat, “this last reason can be none for your departure; -and if you have no better, I flatter myself, that I shall not lose your -company, till after I have been presented by you to-morrow to my -long-estranged father in the Castle of Sargans. You are not the only -ladies in my camp; I have a wife and sister with me, who will be -delighted to welcome you, and who (to confess the truth) pleaded with me -in your behalf most urgently, ere I was yet decided, what answer I -should make to your request.”— - -It is impossible to express the various causes of satisfaction, which we -discovered in these few words. It is no trifling comfort for bashful -timid women to meet with persons of their own sex in a place, where they -expected to find only rude turbulent soldiers; and here we found two -benevolent beings, whose kind hearts had already induced them even -without knowing us to interest themselves in our behalf. But that which -above all seemed music to my ear, was the information, that one of these -unknown ladies was Count Donat’s wife. In the course of our -conversation, our conqueror’s eyes had frequently dwelt on Minna’s face -with an expression by no means equivocal; I was strongly inclined to -attribute his unexpected lenity entirely to my companion’s charms. Minna -was the betrothed of another. Donat was a tyrant. My heart foreboded -from these circumstances a long succession of difficulties and dangers; -all of which were banished as phantoms existing only in my imagination, -as soon as I understood, that Donat was already married, and that he -hesitated not to place the young creature, whom he looked upon with so -much interest, under the protection of his wife. - -We were presented to the ladies, who composed Count Donat’s family. We -were graciously received: yet we could not help remarking, that the -behaviour of the young Countess of Carlsheim rather exprest that -condescension which is only used with inferiors, than the friendly -openness which marked our reception by Count Donat’s sister, who was -made known to us by the name of Adelaide, Lady of the Beacon-Tower. - -Besides this, it must be confest that the appearance of the Countess -Mellusina (such was the name of Donat’s wife) was by no means such, as -prejudiced us in her favour. The best that could be said of her, was -that she was not ugly; and the haughty manners, which she thought proper -to assume, were but ill calculated to make her person appear to -advantage.—Oh! how different was Mellusina from the interesting Lady of -the Beacon-Tower! - -—“Can this lovely woman,” I said to Minna, as soon as we were left -alone, “can she be Lucretia’s daughter, and the sister of Count Donat? I -vainly endeavoured to find in that heavenly countenance a single -feature, which resembled her nearest relations.”— - -Minna however maintained, that she could discover a strong likeness to -Count Donat; we at length determined, that early misfortune had -extinguished the brilliant fire of Lucretia’s eyes, which (on further -reflection I was compelled to own) had descended to her daughter; and -also that female delicacy prevented her superior stature and commanding -make (in both of which she was her brother’s very counterpart) from -inspiring that terrific awe, which at sight of Count Donat made every -beholder’s heart tremble. - -The night, which succeeded a day, in which we had gone through so much, -and with success so unexpected, was past in a state of no trifling -anxiety. Finding ourselves obliged to accept the invitation prest upon -us most earnestly by Count Donat and the ladies (to remain with them -till the next morning, when the camp would be raised) we entreated, that -at least a messenger might be dispatched to assure Ethelbert, that his -fears were without foundation. Adelaide lost no time in causing Mark and -Hilderic to hasten back to the Castle, and relieve the Abbot from the -difficult task of watching over the actions of a man, who was by no -means fit to be trusted with himself; they were also commissioned to -request Guiderius to return without delay to the camp, and inform us, in -what manner our absence had affected the unfortunate Count of Carlsheim. - -Gladly would Adelaide have accompanied the Friars, and thrown herself at -the feet of her wretched father, whom she had never seen. Her brother -however did not think proper to permit her departure; and she now shared -in our uneasiness at perceiving, that one hour after another stole away -without the arrival of any intelligence from the Castle. - -Yet great as was my own anxiety, it was evidently far inferior to -Adelaide’s. Her evident agitation was so excessive, that I found some -difficulty in ascribing it entirely to the interest, which she felt -about a father, whom she had never seen, and for whom she had nothing to -fear, since his fate depended on her brother. She had suddenly left the -tent during supper without taking leave of us: it was already past -midnight; when, guiding her steps with a dark lanthorn, we saw her -return, under the pretence of paying us those compliments of the night, -which she had before omitted, and of talking over with us undisturbed -the circumstances of our mutual inquietude. But it was clear, that she -had not yet mentioned all her motives for visiting us at this unusual -hour. Somewhat lay concealed in her heart, which she longed to reveal; -unluckily she delayed the wished disclosure, till the opportunity was -lost. The curtain, which closed our tent, was suddenly withdrawn, and -Mellusina entered. - -While her manner gave us to understand, that her presence was an honour -which she bestowed on us extremely against her own inclination, she -entreated permission to share our nocturnal conference. Adelaide -inquired with her accustomed gentleness, why her dear sister should -think it necessary to deprive herself of her night’s repose? - -—“You have not the same cause that we have,” said she, “to watch away -the melancholy hours; sleep is not banished from _your_ eyes, by anxiety -for the fate of an husband and a father, and by those foreboding fears -of some misfortune having befallen him, which the long delay of our -messenger must needs excite.”— - -—“Whatever may be the reason,” answered the Countess coldly, “I found it -impossible to sleep. The glimmering of your lamp attracted me hither, -and I was much surprised ... much rejoiced, I meant to say, ... at -finding that _you_, Adelaide, had arrived here before me!”— - -Good heavens! how is it possible for any being possest of common -feeling, to intrude into a circle without any other object, than -disturbing the pleasure of those who are already assembled! Mellusina’s -situation must have been as unpleasant to herself, as her presence was -to us. She resisted with difficulty her inclination to slumber; and on -the other hand, we suffered under the most torturing impatience to see -her either departing, or asleep. It was more evident with every moment, -that matters of the utmost importance floated upon the lips of Adelaide, -and we waited with inexpressible anxiety for the moment, when she would -be at liberty to disclose them. - -Thus did we mutually torment each other during more than half the night; -when suddenly we were startled by a circumstance, at once the most -unaccountable and the most impossible for me to forget.—It was almost -morning. We were all silent, for we had long exhausted the few -uninteresting topics, on which we could converse with Mellusina. - -Adelaide had already made two or three movements, as if she would have -taken leave of us, and yet could not resolve to abandon all hopes of -finding an opportunity of speaking to us unobserved. The lights burned -faintly. Mellusina’s eyes at length closed; and to our great delight we -saw her head recline against her shoulder with a look, which convinced -us, that sleep had at last taken complete possession of her. Adelaide -drew nearer to us, and pressing her finger on her lip with an air of -caution, pointed with her other hand to the sleeping Mellusina. At that -moment * * * * * - - - END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. - - - - - ------------------------------------ - - _Printed by D. N. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Feudal tyrants, volume I (of 4)</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Christiane Benedicte Eugenie Hebenstreit Naubert</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Translator: Matthew Gregory Lewis</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: December 15, 2022 [eBook #69553]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Barry Abrahamsen and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FEUDAL TYRANTS, VOLUME I (OF 4) ***</div> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p><span class='small'>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div> - <h1 class='c001'>FEUDAL TYRANTS, Volume I.</h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c000'> - <div><span class='c002'>◆ ◆ ◆</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c004'> - <div><span class='c005'>FEUDAL TYRANTS;</span></div> - <div class='c006'>OR,</div> - <div class='c006'><span class='c007'><i>The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans</i>.</span></div> - <div class='c006'><span class='c008'>A ROMANCE.</span></div> - <div class='c000'><i>TAKEN FROM THE GERMAN.</i></div> - <div class='c000'>IN FOUR VOLUMES.</div> - <div class='c006'><span class='c002'>◆ ◆ ◆</span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='c008'><span class='sc'>By M. G. LEWIS,</span></span></div> - <div class='c000'>AUTHOR OF</div> - <div class='c000'><span class='c009'><i>The Bravo of Venice, Adelgitha, Rugantino, &c.</i></span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='c002'>◆ ◆ ◆</span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='c002'>VOL. I.</span></div> - <div class='c006'>═══════════════════</div> - <div><em class='gesperrt'>SECOND EDITION</em>.</div> - <div>═══════════════════</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c010'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The portals sound, and pacing forth</div> - <div class='line in2'>With stately steps and slow,</div> - <div class='line'>High potentates, and dames of regal birth,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And mitred fathers in long order go.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'> — <span class='sc'>Gray.</span></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>══════════════════════════════════</div> - <div class='c000'><span class='c012'><span class="blackletter">London:</span></span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='small'>Printed by D. N. SHURY, Berwick-Street, Soho,</span></div> - <div class='c000'>FOR J. F. HUGHES, WIGMORE STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE.</div> - <div>──</div> - <div>1807</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c006' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c013'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_1'>1</span><span class='c014'>FEUDAL TYRANTS,</span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='large'>&c. &c. &c.</span></div> - <div class='c000'>═════════════════════</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c015'>PART THE FIRST.</h2> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c006'> - <div>═════════════════════</div> - <div class='c000'><span class='c016'>ELIZABETH OF TORRENBURG</span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='c017'>◆ ◆ ◆</span></div> - <div><span class='c017'>LETTERS.</span></div> - <div><span class='c017'>◆ ◆ ◆</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c018'><i>Conrad, Abbot of Cloister-Curwald, to -Elizabeth, the Widowed Countess of -Torrenburg<a id='r1' /><a href='#f1' class='c019'><sup>[1]</sup></a>.</i></p> - -<div class='fn'> - -<div class='footnote' id='f1'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r1'>1</a>. </span>The real name is <i>Toggenburg</i>; but as this -would have sounded harsh in English ears, I have -taken the liberty of softening it a little; and in -several parts of this work I have changed the -names of places and personages entirely.</p> -</div> - -</div> - -<p class='c021'>Your resolution, noble Elizabeth, -to remain in cloistered solitude, passing -your hours in tears for your husband’s -<span class='pageno' id='Page_2'>2</span>loss, and in prayers for the repose of his -spirit, is dignified and worthy of the -illustrious race to which you have the -glory to belong. Model of female constancy! -though years have elapsed since -Frederick died, your tears flow as freely -as on the first day of your widowhood! -Unequalled lady! does there exist a virtue, -whose seeds we ought not to depend -on finding in a heart like yours? -Is there a sacrifice so great that a soul -like Elizabeth’s is incapable of making -it?—In the bloom of life to tear yourself -from the pleasures of the world and -the eyes of a thousand admirers, that -you may watch away the lonely nights -by the sepulchral urn of an husband far -advanced in years; to fly from the -charms of sway and grandeur that you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span>may humble yourself before the altar, -kneeling in the dust, and praying for -the repose of the deceased-one, oh! -what an act of self-denial! an act, which -reaches the summit of magnanimity, by -not being established on the foundation of -love; for in truth, how could love for -the decrepit Frederick find a place in the -heart of the young and blooming Elizabeth, -whose warmest sentiment must -have been filial respect towards a benefactor?</p> - -<p class='c021'>Oh! Elizabeth, is indeed your state -of widowhood your only motive for -taking refuge in a convent?</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span> - <h3 class='c022'><i>Elizabeth to Conrad.</i></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c023'>An expression used in the conclusion -of your letter fully explains the sentiment -which I felt, and still feel for the -Count of Torrenburg.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Yes, Conrad; Frederick was my -<i>benefactor</i> in the strongest sense of the -word—and therefore is it, that though -years have elapsed since his decease, my -tears for his loss still flow as freely as -they did on the first day. But whether -sorrow for my widowed state was my -only motive for burying myself in a -cloister.... Oh! Conrad, it was unnecessary -for you to use flattery in order -to obtain a knowledge of the truth. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span>Without calling me “the model of -female constancy,” or declaring me to be -without an equal, I might have been Induced -to confess, that Frederick’s death -was <i>not</i> the only reason which at -first induced me to take refuge in -a convent, and which perhaps will -induce me never to leave it more. -Oh! much, very much lies heavy -upon this heart of mine! I suffer -under the pressure of misfortunes, of -which but a small part is known to you; -yet even that little must be sufficient to -make you comprehend, why I feel -compelled to abandon the world, and -fly to solitude for relief and comfort. -Conrad! Conrad! would to Heaven it -were <i>true</i>, that there is no sacrifice so -great, that I am incapable of making it! -<span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>Alas! I feel but too strongly, that great -sacrifices are in my power, for which I -must prepare myself by supplication to -Heaven, and the solitude and calm of a -cloister.</p> -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span> - <h3 class='c022'><i>Conrad to Elizabeth.</i></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c023'>I know not to what sacrifices you -allude in saying, there exist some -which are too great for you to make. -Worldly possessions, I am certain, are -without value in your eyes: should then -hereafter generosity or a sense of justice -require of you some trifling renunciation -in this respect, could it possibly cost -you much pain, or would you long deliberate -what course you should adopt? -In order to be rich and powerful, Elizabeth -needed not to become the heiress -of Torrenburg. Independent of her -husband’s attachment, fortune had already -rendered her mistress of sufficient -<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>wealth to make it easy for her to afford -posterity an admirable example of self-denial. -She who can dispose of castles -and villages<a id='r2' /><a href='#f2' class='c019'><sup>[2]</sup></a> without receiving on the -one hand any return but ingratitude, -and on the other but hatred and rebellion, -may surely bring herself in the -course of time to restore those possessions -(to which the prepossession of her -fascinated husband could in <i>fact</i> give her -no right) to the forsaken innocent orphans, -whose claims have so undeservedly -been set aside. How glorious a recompense -<i>hereafter</i> would she earn by -<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>such an act! What gratitude, what -tranquillity of soul would she obtain at -<i>present</i>! what rapturous admiration -would she be viewed with even by the -latest posterity! How shining and -how distinguished would be the place -allotted to her among the illustrious ladies, -who derive their blood from the -Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans.</p> - -<div class='fn'> - -<div class='footnote' id='f2'> -<p class='c024'><span class='label'><a href='#r2'>2</a>. </span>Elizabeth of March (who inherited from -her husband the valuable county of Torrenburg -and other extensive possessions to the exclusion -of his natural heirs) bestowed considerable districts -of her territory on the people of Zurich, -which excited great discontent among her vassals.</p> -</div> - -</div> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span> - <h3 class='c022'><i>Elizabeth to Conrad.</i></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c023'>Conrad, what am I to think of you?—you -almost adopted in your first letters -to me the tone of adoration; I was -a “model of female constancy;” I was -“an unequalled woman.” In your -last, the secret seems to have escaped -you, “that nothing but the prepossession -of a fascinated husband could have made -me what I am.”</p> - -<p class='c021'>I guess your views: you hope to -draw from me some decision favorable -to the claims of the Damsels of Werdenberg; -but in truth I am not arrived at -such high excellence in the science of -self-denial. It is easy, my good Abbot, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>to give away half our property out of -pure <i>generosity</i>, even though we meet in -return with nothing but ingratitude; -but it is hard, very hard to bestow that -same half on those who think they have -a <i>title</i> to it, even though all the universe -should admire and praise us for ... having -done our <i>duty</i>.</p> - -<p class='c021'>My brother Oswald, who has arrived -here within these few days, salutes -you, and recommends himself to your -prayers.</p> -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span> - <h3 class='c022'><i>Conrad to Elizabeth.</i></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c023'>I was certain, before I read the conclusion -of your letter, that Count Oswald -was not far from you: uninfluenced, -never could Elizabeth have suffered -her hand to trace such words! -Go then, ye innocent victims of slander, -even from the generous Elizabeth have -ye nothing to hope! she terms you -“the Damsels of Werdenberg,” without -recollecting that <i>another</i> name would -have belonged to you, had not fortune -robbed you of it in order to confer it -upon <i>her</i>. Go then, go, thou gentle -Constantia; go too, afflicted and much -belied Ida; increase the number of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>unfortunate ladies of Sargans, and live -upon the bounty of the vassals of your -forefathers: the heiress of Torrenburg -has nothing to bestow upon you, not -even unavailing pity; of justice I will -not speak. Under what climate of -Heaven you now exist, Elizabeth knows -not, asks not, cares not!</p> -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span> - <h3 class='c022'><i>Elizabeth to Conrad.</i></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c023'>I have long remarked one fault in -you, my good Abbot; you generally -press your point too eagerly, and thus -ruin the cause which you support, with -those whose natural inclinations would -have disposed them otherwise to do -what you require. Not that this is the -case with <i>me</i>; to convince you of which, -I now entreat you for the present, and -<i>only</i> for the present, to be silent on a -subject which (from causes as yet unknown -to you) pains my heart most -cruelly. I am not ignorant of Constantia’s -abode; as to Ida ... yet why should -I concern myself about the Damsels of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>Werdenberg? If (as you assert) I have -robbed them of a name which but for -me would have belonged to them, <i>they</i> -perhaps have deprived me of <i>another</i>, -which was more precious to me than -my life; a name, which was the long-wished-for -goal of all my fondest hopes; -a name, for which I would have exchanged -the high-sounding title of -“heiress of Torrenburg,” God knows -how willingly!</p> - -<p class='c021'>Suffer me to chuse another subject—you -seem to be well acquainted with the -annals of the family with which I am -become connected by marriage; it is -certain at least, that neither in your conversations -or letters have I ever heard -you mention the knights and ladies of -the houses of Carlsheim and Sargans, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>without applying to them some striking -epithet. Even in your very last epistles, -“the unfortunate ladies,”—“the illustrious -ladies of Sargans,”—were mentioned. -Who were these remarkable personages, -and what were their misfortunes? -If it lies in your power to give me any -account of them, you will oblige me by -making them the subject of your future -letters. Otherwise I am necessitated to -request a temporary interruption of our -correspondence, as I am not desirous of -reading more upon the subject which of -late has employed your pen.</p> -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span> - <h3 class='c022'><i>Conrad to Elizabeth.</i></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c023'>The annals of the ladies of Sargans -are in the possession of the Abbess of -Zurich, whose convent you at present -inhabit. I can myself do no more than -furnish you with a short supplement to -this family history, and which I will -readily transmit to you, whenever you -think proper to renew a correspondence, -which ceases for the present with this -letter.</p> -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span> - <h3 class='c022'><i>Elizabeth to Count Oswald of March.</i></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c023'>I have offended our good old Conrad: -the correspondence which I have kept -up for so many years with the faithful -instructor of my childhood is at length -laid aside; and many a vacant hour as -this instructive intercourse has beguiled, -I yet must confess, I am not sorry that -it has ceased for the present. Conrad -latterly began to press me too hard upon -a subject, on which (in compliance, dear -brother, with your advice) I am determined -not to come to any hasty determination. -Ah! the point would have -been determined long ago, had I not -been compelled to hesitate by your -<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>friendly representations and the weakness -of my own heart!</p> - -<p class='c021'>And yet, dear Oswald, to confess -the truth, the latter had more influence -with me than the former. Paint to me -in as brilliant colours as you chuse the -advantage of being sovereign lady of -such an extensive territory; ah! can -the empty pride of governing a turbulent -ungrateful people restore to me the -ruined tranquillity of my heart? My -wealth and power were even beyond -my wishes, unaided by the liberal bequest -of my dear, my partial husband; -and long ago should Constantia have -enjoyed those rights to which (so at -least they say) her claim is undoubted, -were it not that Ida must necessarily -have shared in the good-fortune of her -<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>sister; Ida, who stole from me the heart -of Montfort! Ida, who trampled on -the fondest wishes of my soul! No! that -thought is not to be endured! The wanton -arts of that perfidious girl forced me -from the bosom of my Henry into the -aged arms of the Count of Torrenburg: -now then let her enjoy the fruits of her -good deed! Gratitude taught me to -love Frederick, and to forget Henry; -but to reward these traitors for having -so successfully betrayed me; to enrich -them with all that has been bestowed on -me by the last will of the excellent possessor -... this is a pitch of heroic virtue, -of which I can be capable but in a very -few moments of romantic enthusiasm. -In one of those moments, <i>you</i>, dear -Oswald, came to my assistance, rouzed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>me from my dream of heroism, dissipated -the vapours which bewildered my -senses, and now you may rest secure -that I shall make no rash resolutions.</p> - -<p class='c021'>I confess, the Abbot helped to give -your advice effect, by preaching to me -such endless sermons about <i>justice</i>. What -then, my good Conrad? the conferring -happiness on those perfidious hypocrites -by whom my confidence has been so -cruelly abused, this sacrifice which but -to think upon makes all my long-inflicted -wounds bleed afresh, all this would -be nothing more than an every-day -performance of a positive duty? Is -this the way to estimate one of the -most difficult tasks of self-victory -that ever was prescribed to the heart -of a woman?</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>Agitated as are my present feelings, I -dare not trust myself to be much alone. -I seek every where for subjects of amusement, -but find every where ennui. -You, my kind friend, are at a distance, -and my epistolary communication with -Conrad, to which I have been so long -accustomed, has for the present ceased -entirely. Yet the good Abbot, to whom -I am already under such obligations, is -also in <i>this</i> instance the cause of my -looking forward to some future means -of rescuing myself from this state of -tedious indolence.</p> - -<p class='c021'>In hopes of leading him away from -a topic, which I am at present unwilling -to discuss, I reminded him of the -antient histories of the Counts of Carlsheim -and Sargans; and I requested -<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>him to make them the subject of his -future correspondence—you know, the -old man is generally delighted to find an -opportunity of talking over such matters; -but just now he is too much offended -with me, and too much occupied -with a different business, to permit himself -to be lured away from his point by -this little artifice. He has coldly referred -me for information to the Abbess of -Zurich; and the want of other amusement -has actually induced me to apply -to her on this subject, which, when I -first took it up, was merely a pretence -for relieving myself from the pressure of -Conrad’s too urgent solicitations.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The Abbess as yet has only given me -distant hopes that my curiosity shall be -indulged; but by dint of repeated petitions, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>I trust I shall persuade her to -communicate to me these “important -and remarkable writings,” as the Abbess -calls them. Should I succeed, I shall -not fail, oh! most learned of all knights -of the present day! to lay whatever -seems worthy of attention before your -philosophical eyes.</p> -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span> - <h3 class='c022'><i>Sigisbert, Bishop of Coira, to the Abbot Conrad.</i></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c023'>Without attempting further to -influence her conduct, let Elizabeth -be permitted to act according to her -own pleasure: I know her motives; -I know that in the end we shall have -reason to be satisfied with her. I am -informed also, that she has already -taken some such steps towards settling -this important business as will bear but -one interpretation. Letters have been -received from her by our friend the -Seneschal, a man whose superior for probity -is not to be found in Zurich; in -these letters Elizabeth explains the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>whole transaction, requests him to act as -an impartial judge, and engages to obey -his decision blindly. You know well the -venerable Albert Reding, to whose -justice the whole country refers every -dispute of consequence; think you, he -will decide to the disadvantage of innocence? -Not that I have obtained my -knowledge of these secret particulars -from Albert himself, the delicacy of whose -opinions on this species of confidence is -extreme. In truth, he carries that delicacy -so far, that he anxiously avoids -mentioning the disputes between the -Countess and her vassals, and endeavours, -when others speak of them, to -listen with a cold indifferent air: but I -read plainly on his serious brow that he -meditates deeply on the subject; he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>weighs the bequest of Count Frederick, -and the situation of the unfortunate sisters, -and I can prophecy to which side -the balance will incline. He, who never -yet gave an unfair judgment; he, who -has never deserved to have an appeal -made from his decision, cannot surely -pronounce erroneously upon a business -like this.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Your intention of laying before Elizabeth’s -eyes the whole history of the rejected -heiresses of Torrenburg is well -imagined, and may produce a good -effect: but what shall I say to you respecting -your imprudence, in advising -her to inspect the private annals of the -house of Sargans? My good but inconsiderate -friend, are you then ignorant -of the part which your Abbey plays in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>these memorials of the days of yore? Is -it adviseable, think you, to lay before -the laity the transgressions of the church? -Let us rejoice, that we walk ourselves in -the paths of virtue, without endeavouring -to make our own merits appear more -shining, by contrasting them with the -crimes of our predecessors.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Yet I know well, that so mean a -design was far from the thoughts of -my good Conrad; he has only erred -through want of consideration. I shall -immediately endeavour, if possible, to -repair your fault; already must letters -from me have reached the Abbess of -Zurich, and I hope that Elizabeth will -not be suffered to peruse a single line of -the papers.</p> - -<p class='c021'>It is but a short time since these curious -<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>Memoirs were in my possession; and I -can assure you (if, as I take for granted, -you are not already conscious of it) they -contain many circumstances, which for -the honour of the Abbey of Curwald, -and (with grief I write it) for that of -some of my own ancestors, had better -remain for ever unknown.</p> -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span> - <h3 class='c022'><i>Elizabeth to Count Oswald</i></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c023'>In vain do I strive to turn my -thoughts from Montfort; the reflection -“what is to become of him” occupies -my mind incessantly. Alas! there -was a time, when I loved him with -such passion! when there was nothing -which I would not have given to purchase -for him one moment’s happiness! -and <i>now</i>, oh! what a change! <i>she</i>, -who once was ready to sacrifice for this -Montfort every thing, even the affection -of a warning brother, who saw deeper -into the deceiver’s heart than herself; <i>she</i> -now hesitates, by giving up a few superfluous -miles of territory and some high-sounding -<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>empty titles, to rescue him from -the very abyss of misery and ruin!—and -all this change in her heart is produced -by the sole reflection, that Montfort’s -prosperity would now be shared -no longer with herself. Oh! Elizabeth! -Elizabeth! thou hast a groveling soul! -thy passion for Henry, so falsely called -heroic, was nothing better than mere -self-love!</p> - -<p class='c021'>Chide me not, dear brother, for this -want of resolution; I am conscious the -expression of such feelings must be little -expected by you after the temper of -mind, in which you saw me when we -parted: but you know not the dreadful -contest between affection and duty, -which has but lately been excited in my -bosom—what! Henry imprisoned by -<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>his uncle, as a punishment for having -bestowed his heart on the portionless -Ida? Henry, commanded by the incensed -Count de Montfort to purchase -liberty by offering me his hand? What -then, do I live to see my nuptial bed -made the alternative of a dungeon? -Oswald! Oswald! oh! what a humiliation -for the proud Elizabeth, let what -is required of him be refused or accepted -by Henry!—as for myself, my resolution -is fixed; but yet, through respect -for you and your counsels, it has -not been fixed till after mature deliberation. -I will not have the appearance of -acting either from an impulse of extravagant -generosity, or from that spirit -of refined vengeance, which induces us -to crush our enemies under the load of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>obligations: no; I will do nothing but -my <i>duty</i>. I have submitted the whole -affair to the decision of an impartial -judge: I will ascertain how -much I <i>ought</i> to do for the Damsels of -Werdenberg, and exactly that much -will I do, without desiring to be thanked -by any one. What would be my feelings, -Oswald.... Heaven and Earth! what -would be my feelings, were I to hear -Montfort thank me for having <i>kindly</i> -facilitated his union with his beloved -Ida!</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span> - <h3 class='c022'><i>Elizabeth to Oswald.</i></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c023'>My brother, we will in future chuse -other subjects for discussion: Montfort -and Ida ought now to hold a -place no longer in my private thoughts, -nor shall their names be ever again traced -by my pen. To banish these spectres -which haunt my mind so fearfully, and -bury them for ever in oblivion, or at -least only to remember them with contempt, -surely I need but to recall that -memorable day, when my dear exasperated -brother forgave the lovesick-girl’s -elopement, her elopement with this deceitful -Montfort; when he promised still -to acknowledge her as his sister, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>condescended to make known to the -traitor with his own lips, that Count Oswald -would not disdain to honour and -esteem him as his sister’s husband—and -then let me remember, how Henry led -the proud Elizabeth in triumph to the -altar; and how at the very moment that -he prepared to swear to her eternal constancy, -the irrevocable word refused to -pass his lips, because ... because among -her attendants he discovered a face, -whose features seemed to him more -lovely than his bride’s.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Oh! when I recollect these circumstances, -my brother! the Damsels of -Werdenberg, the chosen friends of my -bosom, were invited to place the nuptial -garland on my brow, and the false-ones -tore it in pieces, and trampled it under -<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>their feet. With what a look of horror -and aversion did Henry throw away my -hand! He affected to be suddenly indisposed -too! oh! ’twas a mere pretence! -his midnight flight from the Castle, and -his consternation at hearing, that those -perfidious girls were gone, ought to -have left me no doubt upon the subject; -yet I suspected nothing till the cruel -news arrived, that Ida’s fate was as -closely connected with Henry’s, as I once -had flattered myself to have seen my -own.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Again I repeat it, I will discuss this -subject no longer. My prayers had -once the power of soothing Oswald’s -vengeance and saving the offender’s life; -shall my lamentations excite afresh -that sleeping vengeance?—No! I will -<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>be silent!—I thank you, dear Oswald, -for all your kindness; still love Elizabeth, -but strive not to avenge her.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span> - <h3 class='c022'><i>Elizabeth to Oswald.</i></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c023'>I doubt whether I act wisely in writing -to you so often? a less interesting -occupation would conduce more to the -tranquillity of my bosom, and such an -occupation am I earnestly endeavouring -to procure. A visit to the Abbess, for -the purpose of renewing my entreaties -respecting the annals of Sargans, has -exalted my curiosity to the very highest -pitch. I am sensible, that anxiety to -learn the sufferings of those who have -been as unfortunate as myself, alleviates -the weight of my own afflictions.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The Abbess appeared to be undecided -<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>whether she should indulge me with a -sight of these writings, which she had -already been drawn into an half promise -to communicate.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“My dear lady,” said she smiling, -“had you not rather obtain a personal -knowledge of those ladies, who are treated -of in these moth-eaten ill-written -leaves, and whose adventures, or at -least as much of them as deserves your -attention, I can myself relate to you -concisely?—Look!” she continued, at -the same time removing a silken curtain -which extended itself over the whole -western side of her closet; “look! here -are the portraits of the most remarkable -among those celebrated ladies, respecting -whose lives some idle person has -contrived to make you so inquisitive. I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>confess, I <i>do</i> possess the writings in -question; but believe me, daughter, -they are buried under such a heap of uninteresting -papers relating to different -matters, that to explore them would be -too tedious a task for the leisure of an -anchoret or the patience of a saint.”</p> - -<p class='c021'>I stood silent, and listened, and looked; -but in truth the speaking portraits -of these females, the most lovely and excellent -of their day, and the interesting -fragments of their annals which escaped -from the Abbess of Zurich as she pointed -them out to me by name, were by no -means likely to cure me of my inclination -to know more of their adventures.</p> - -<p class='c021'>You are not the only one of the family, -Oswald, who possesses the talent of -persuasion; your sister too inherits -<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>some little portion of that for which her -brother is so remarkable. I conquered; -and before evening arrived, I had the -satisfaction to see brought into my -chamber a large iron chest, which contained -materials of sufficient interest to -steal me from my own sorrows, and -transport me into a different world from -that in which I am existing—oh! how -delightful is it for a wounded heart -thus to steal itself away from the theatre -of its afflictions!</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span> - <h3 class='c022'><i>Elizabeth to Oswald.</i></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c023'>The morning broke, and found me -still occupied in examining the moth-eaten -parchments; selecting those which -appeared to be the most interesting, and -separating them from the rest, which I -purposed to reserve for a future opportunity. -It was fortunate, that I did -not delay this examination till the next -day. Scarcely were the nuns returned -from matins, when my treasure was -redemanded of me. <i>The</i> Abbess came to -make excuses in person. She talked of -secrets regarding the Convent, and the -commands of the Bishop of Coira, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>though, as far as I can make out, the -<i>great lady</i> (for such is the appellation -which the nuns give the Domina of Zurich) -is totally independent of him. She -might as well have spared her apologies; -I was angry, and scarcely could prevail -on myself to answer her with common -politeness. She had broken her word -with me; and therefore I feel but little -compunction for having over-reached -her, and kept back several of the writings, -which I had previously laid aside. -They happen to be exactly those (at least -I hope so) which the sight of those portraits -in the Domina’s closet had made -me most anxious to examine.</p> - -<p class='c021'>One parcel consists of the Memoirs -of Urania Venosta; she is pale, and a -black veil half conceals her features, yet -<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>the grief which is exprest in her countenance -(the picture represents her in -the decline of life) has still left her -charms sufficient to make us guess, how -perfect must have been her beauty while -yet in the full bloom of youth.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Another packet contains some account -of the unfortunate Adelaide, lady -of the Beacon-Tower; she was a daughter -of the house of Carlsheim, and had resolution -enough to attend upon her unfortunate -husband till his last breath, which -he was doomed to breathe out upon the -scaffold! Adelaide only left the place of -execution to lay herself down, and die.</p> - -<p class='c021'>I possess also the adventures of two -Damsels of Sargans, who particularly -arrested my attention yesterday in the -closet of the Domina.—The picture represented -<span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>them as two solitary pilgrims, -both imprest with beauty and innocence -in every feature—features, which seemed -to be not totally unknown to me, and -which even recalled those to my memory, -which my partial friendship once -viewed with such fond admiration, -while gazing on Constantia and her perfidious -sister!—They were represented, -as wandering on a barren mountain covered -with snow, and endeavouring -with inexpressible anxiety in different -quarters to discover an out-let from this -desolate pass, where they must inevitably -perish, unless some higher power should -graciously interpose in their behalf. In -truth, I fancied that I could discover in -the back-ground of the picture a faint -shadow, which seemed to beckon one -<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>the poor wanderers to advance: probably -it meant to convey the idea -of a guardian angel, or a saint, who had -descended from Heaven to guide the -distressed pilgrims out of this fearful -labyrinth.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Besides these, I have kept back several -other fragments of less interest, -which I shall not examine, till all those -which I have mentioned have been gone -through, and their contents communicated -to you, dear Oswald. Into the -bargain, the Domina (in hopes, I suppose, -of softening my resentment) sent -me by the hands of a lay-sister the life -of one of her predecessors, who had also -belonged to the family of Sargans, and -respecting whom she thought, that what -she had told me respecting her wisdom -<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>and piety, must needs have powerfully -excited my curiosity. I took the ponderous -roll of parchment with many -thanks; I have already ran through it, -and returned it, for it contained nothing -except that this worthy Abbess was -not only a saint, but was also a woman -of great learning; that she had sacrificed -to the Muses at the same time with -Walter of Vogelfeld, the Counts of -Hapsburg and Welsh-Neuburg, the Abbot -of Einsiedel, and the Bishop of -Constance, and had carried off the prize -from those distinguished Authors; and -finally, that she had instituted a weekly -meeting of literati at the house of Rudiger -Manstein, the burgo-master of Zurich.</p> - -<p class='c021'>These particulars possest very few -<span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>charms for me; and the moment that -I was left to myself, I had recourse to -my precious stolen treasure, of which -I shall immediately communicate to you -as much, as I have as yet had leisure to -peruse. Oh! my kind Oswald, will -you not blame me, when I confess, -that even this interesting occupation was -insufficient to banish Montfort from my -mind? Yet to waste another thought -on this paragon of human perfidy is too -great a weakness—I will return to my -parchments, in hopes to collecting from -the sorrows of others resolution enough -to endure my own with patience.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c006' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span> - <h2 class='c025'>PART THE SECOND.</h2> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c006'> - <div><span class='c017'>MEMOIRS</span></div> - <div class='c000'>OF</div> - <div class='c000'><span class='c002'>URANIA VENOSTA.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c026'>It affords the mind a melancholy -pleasure to look back in the evening of -life, and contemplate the path which -conducted us to that place of shelter, -where tranquillity awaits us, and which -at length appears in sight. Yet in such -a moment we obtain but an imperfect -<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>view of the scenes through which we -past; and the sensations which we at -the time experienced, have already lost -much of their poignancy. The chillness -of approaching night makes us almost -forget our sufferings, while toiling under -the heat of the mid-day sun; and our -eye glides easily along the deep vallies in -which we feared to lose our way, and -over the lofty mountains which it cost -us so much labour to ascend—The whole -now seems blended together, and we -perceive scarcely any thing but a level -surface; for the distance of those objects -which we have left behind, and -the darkness growing deeper with every -moment, delude our eyes, and hide from -us almost every thing, which once inspired -us with such well-founded terror.</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>Alas! the <i>pleasures</i> of our pilgrimage -are lost to us, as well as its difficulties -and its dangers! we no longer see the -flowers of the vale, in which we loitered; -we hear no more the murmur of the -brook, whose clear streams refreshed us -when fainting with fatigue and thirst! -we retain of the whole but one sensation; -that the whole is <i>past</i>!—and we -wonder not a little, when the transient -recollection of former events occasionally -flits before us, how such trifles could -have possest the power of affecting us -with violence so extreme.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Such are our feelings in the decline of -life; feelings which you too, beloved-ones, -for whom I trace these lines, -which you, my Amalberga, and you, my -gentle Emmeline, will experience at the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>appointed hour. Alas! before that -hour arrives, you must wander through -a long and painful way, counting many -a step of toil, and many a tear of sorrow: -I feel it to be my duty once more -to examine the road by which I have -past myself; and by explaining to you -the obstacles which impeded me in <i>my</i> -progress, I hope to enable you to overcome -those, which may present themselves -before you in your own.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The spring of my life was bright -and lovely. I was educated with the -most illustrious young women of the -age, and numbered the children of sovereigns -among my play-mates. The -daughters of the Count of Hapsburg lived -with me like sisters; and even when -Rudolf was elected Emperor, and their -<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>father’s elevation authorized them to expect -to share the thrones of the first -Sovereigns of Europe, still did our -friendship continue in full force. What -have innocence and inexperienced youth -to do with dignity and grandeur? -Things of this nature only furnished us -with a subject for mirth; we past in review -the Princes, both young and old, -who solicited the good graces of the Emperor’s -daughters; we discussed freely -their merits and defects, portioned them -out among our society, and amused -ourselves with jesting at the unfortunate -maiden, to whom the worst lot fell. -The number of these illustrious suitors -was seven; and as the Princesses with -myself made exactly the same number, I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>necessarily came in for my share in this -allotment.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Unfortunately, what at first was mere -jesting at length became serious. The -Duke of Saxony, who at his first arrival -seemed to limit all his wishes to the possession -of the Princess Matilda, (Rudolf’s -eldest daughter,) began to imagine, that -her companion Urania was the superior -beauty of the two. As it was generally -believed (both on account of the uniformity -which prevailed in our society, -and of our never being separated) that -I was the sister of my friends, the Duke -thought it a matter of very little consequence, -to which of the Emperor’s -daughters he paid his addresses; and he -showed his election in my favour so -<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>plainly and so publicly, that Rudolf ordered -me to quit his court. My removal -was so sudden, that no step could -be taken by the Duke in this important -business: my father had fallen in -the late popular commotions at Basle; -I had never known my mother; I was -consigned to the guardianship of an -uncle, who had purchased considerable -possessions in the neighbourhood of the -Rhætian Alps, where he resided far -from the tumult of the court in freedom -and tranquillity.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Count Leopold Venosta received me -with open arms. Painful as had been -my separation from the friends of my -childhood, still I was not insensible to -the charm of being released from the -chains of court etiquette, even though -<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>the chains which I had borne had been so -light and easy. The air of liberty fanned -my cheeks at every step I took; the -peasants of Rhætia (who had now almost -universally shaken off the fetters of their -lordly masters) celebrated on all sides -the feast of freedom, and invited the -neighbouring inhabitants of the Valteline -to participate in their happiness. -Oh! what delightful scenes -were these for a young and feeling heart!—and -yet I had not sufficient experience -to perceive their whole beauty -and singularity.—Too often is liberty -purchased dearly by the effusion of -blood; and joy at obtaining the so long -wished-for blessing is sullied by melancholy -recollections of the means, by -which that blessing was obtained. In -<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span><i>this</i> instance, it was the reward of temperance -and industry, which had at -length succeeded in their efforts to burst -the chains of luxury and oppression. -Knights and Monks, the former owners -of these possessions, had long indulged -without reflection or restraint every -caprice of their voluptuous fancies, till -they became the debtors of their own -vassals; who in the mean while had -been advancing silently towards their -grand object through diligence in labour -and propriety in morals, and now -were able to set at defiance those, whose -slaves and victims they had been so -long. The impoverished libertines found -themselves without resource; they -were obliged to rest contented with -bestowing angry looks on their enfranchised -<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>vassals, as often as accident -brought them in their way, and with -indulging their spleen in intemperate -railing at (what <i>they</i> termed) the caprice -of fortune.</p> - -<p class='c021'>But Count Leopold belonged not to -the number of these reduced Lords. -His opulence grew with every day; his -possessions were increased by the purchase -of those, which the debts of his -neighbours compelled them to dispose of. -Neither had the country reason to lament, -that so much power was concentrated -in his hands.</p> - -<p class='c021'>He allowed his vassals sufficient independence -to prevent their sighing after -a greater share of freedom; he parcelled -out some of his estates into small farms, -and bestowed them on the most industrious -<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>among his people; he even induced -several of the inhabitants of the -Valteline to settle upon his possessions, -by allotting to them a portion of valuable -but hitherto uncultivated land, -which liberally replaced to them what -little they abandoned in their own distracted -country.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Oh! believe me, my children, the occupation -renders us almost equal to the -angels, when we employ our power in -bidding some desart teem with harvest, -and making it the habitation of happy -creatures! I have witnessed many of -these transformations, which the Princes -of the earth could produce so often and -so easily, had they but the inclination. -It is in their power to copy the benevolence -and might of the Creator; but they -chuse rather to imitate his chastising justice, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>to convert the dwellings of men -into heaps of stones, and to pour a deluge -of blood over the smiling fruitful -vallies.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Among the Lords of that part of -Switzerland, whose chief possessions -now belonged to my uncle, the Counts -of Carlsheim held the most distinguished -place. Ethelbert (the only -remaining descendant of this family, -at least as far as we knew) scarcely -inherited from his father the tenth part -of that property, which once belonged -to his forefathers. Grief and vexation -had bowed the young man to the -ground; he sought to improve his fortune -by entering into the service of -foreign princes, failed in the attempt, -and returned sorrowing to repair the -ruined castles which still were his own, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>and to collect the fragments of his fallen -greatness. He had no reason to reproach -<i>himself</i> as the author of his distress; -yet the consciousness of his -situation and the feelings of wounded -pride kept him in a constant state -of humiliation, which became particularly -painful at the sight of those, who -had established their prosperity on -the ruins of that of the house of Carlsheim.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Influenced by these sentiments, did -Ethelbert most studiously avoid all intercourse -with my uncle. On none of -those occasions, which usually bring -knights and noblemen together, did he -ever appear, if there was the slightest -probability of Count Leopold’s being -present; and in spite of all my uncle’s -endeavours to form an acquaintance -<span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>with this young warrior, (for whom -more reasons than one induced him to -feel a lively interest,) still would his efforts -in all likelihood have failed of success, -had not a circumstance occurred, -which absolutely enjoined their meeting, -and which was the first link of a connexion -which ... dare I say it?... which -should never have been formed. Yet -the ordinations of eternal Wisdom ought -not to be censured: I press my finger -on my lip, and am silent.</p> - -<p class='c021'>In the bosom of a tranquil valley -situated near the Rhine rose the walls -of a monastery, which in point of wealth -was only inferior to the monks of Saint -Basil in Solothurn, and to the valuable -endowments and extensive possessions of -the Great Lady of Zurich. Since time -immemorial had this district belonged -<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>to the Lords of Carlsheim; and they -were so conscious of its worth, that -when they sold the rest of their estates -beyond the power of redemption, they -had only parted with this as a pledge. -My uncle had already entered without -success into various negociations with -Count Werner (Ethelbert’s father) on -this subject; and after the old man’s -death, he had found his son equally -determined never to relinquish entirely -his right to “the jewel of the land,” for -such was the popular name of the Cloister -in the Wood. Various means were proposed -to my uncle (several by the -monks themselves) for subduing the -obstinacy of the original possessor: but -Leopold’s tender conscience thought -some unjust, and some unfeeling, and -every thing remained as it was.</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>—“Let us not,” he always answered, -when prest upon this subject, “let -us not rob this young man of the flattering -hope, that by means of his claims -on this delightful territory he may one -day be enabled to get a firm footing in -the land of his once opulent inheritance! -I will not be the man who deprives -him of it; far more willingly would I -lend him my aid towards realizing his -expectations, were I assured that he is -really the character for which I take him. -In the mean while, let him continue to -feast his imagination with the hope of -one day enjoying the treasures said to be -buried in the Abbey of Curwald, and -with the rest of those chimæras which -have been painted to me in such brilliant -colours for the purpose of seducing me -<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>to seize <i>that</i> by force of arms, to which -without Ethelbert’s voluntary agreement -I can never possess a satisfactory -right.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>It is but too certain, that no means -were left untried, which might exasperate -my uncle against Ethelbert of -Carlsheim; who on <i>his</i> side suffered -many an interested adviser to assail his -ear with similar representations. Things -were carried to such a length, that feudal -war would certainly have been declared, -and the dwellings of tranquillity -must have been deluged with an ocean of -blood, had not Count Venosta’s generosity -induced him to give way on all possible -occasions.</p> - -<p class='c021'>To talk over calmly these and similar -circumstances with Ethelbert in person, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>such was my uncle’s object in endeavouring -to throw himself in his way; -and the obstinate care, with which the -latter avoided every explanation, might -as well be ascribed to a sentiment of -false pride which made him feel humiliated -by Count Venosta’s superior -wealth, or to the insinuations of ill-disposed -advisers, as to envy, or malignity, -or any other bad feature in his character. -Count Leopold and myself had always -made it a rule to consider Ethelbert’s -actions in the most favourable -light. It is true, we had both been -long the inhabitants of a court, the -proper atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust; -but on our first arrival among -the frank and honest children of Helvetia, -we dismissed those enemies of rural peace -<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>for ever, and determined to be open-hearted -with those whose hearts were -so open to us.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The circumstance which at length -brought my uncle and Count Ethelbert -together, was a dispute between the -monks of Curwald and their Abbot; -and which at last was carried to such a -pitch, that it became necessary to refer -it to the cloister’s liege-lord. But who -was this same liege-lord? was it Leopold, -who was in actual possession of the revenue, -or Ethelbert, in whom the legal -right still vested? The monks appealed -from one to the other over and over -again, and at length it became absolutely -necessary that a meeting should take -place between them, in order that the -business might be finally adjusted.</p> - -<p class='c021'>My uncle had never forbidden my interference -<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>in matters, which did not exactly -fall within the province of women; -nor indeed would it have been in my -power to remain inactive on this occasion, -in which the honour and welfare -of those persons who (after my uncle) -were most dear to me, were very deeply -implicated.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Christian, the persecuted Abbot of -Curwald, was my father-confessor; the -Prior Matthias, who shared with him -the unmerited hatred of the monks, had -been my instructor in botany, one of -my most favourite studies, and which the -Rhætian mountains afforded me every -means of cultivating with success. I -knew the excellence of both these men, -and exerted all the powers of female -persuasion, which consist in tears and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>entreaties, to keep my uncle steady in -the interests of my venerable friends. -I was too anxious about the issue of -this affair to suffer Count Venosta to go -alone to the place, which had been appointed -for the interview between him -and his rival. Report had informed me, -that Ethelbert appeared disposed to protect -the persecutors of innocence; I resolved, -that he should be made thoroughly -aware of the real state of the case; -nor could I suppose, that any thing more -could be requisite in order to obtain the -decision, which I so ardently desired to -hear pronounced. I was still to learn, -that it is possible to act in opposition to -a principle, of whose justice we are -thoroughly convinced.</p> - -<p class='c021'>They say, that Female Innocence, forgetful -<span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>of herself while she is occupied -with the interests of others, was never -known to supplicate without success. My -uncle had exerted all his powers of argument -without producing conviction in -the bosom of the Count of Carlsheim. He -was silent, and I was now permitted to -advance a few representations on the -subject. I spoke not much; but I -spoke with force and feeling, and I -flattered myself, that I could read in -Ethelbert’s radiant eyes, that what I -said had not totally failed of its effect. -He answered not; but he cast on me a -look so full of expression, that I felt my -cheeks covered with blushes, hastily let -fall my veil, and retreated towards my -uncle:</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Count Venosta,” said Ethelbert -<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>at length, “here is my hand! decide -the business according to your own -pleasure. So fair and virtuous a Damsel -would never support the cause of -guilt! the discontented monks shall keep -their superior—and if the Abbot wishes -to secure their obedience for ever, let -him only request his powerful advocate -to exert upon <i>them</i> the same powers of -persuasion, which she has just now employed -upon <i>me</i>, and he cannot fail to -obtain his object. Methinks the Man -might make himself Lord of the whole -universe, would he but use this means, -and though loaded with crimes might -steal himself into Paradise, covered by -the protecting mantle of such a -saint.—”</p> - -<p class='c021'>These compliments seemed to me not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>less free than flattering. A look too -of my uncle’s informed me, that they -were by no means to his taste, and I -quitted the room embarrassed and uneasy.</p> - -<p class='c021'>I had the satisfaction to see my friends -justified and reinstated in their dignities, -in defiance of their numerous foes; but -I had also the mortification to experience -some consequences of my well-intended -interference, which were by no means -agreeable. The first was a very severe -remonstrance from Count Venosta respecting -the ardour, or the importunity -as he termed it, with which I had prest -my suit upon Ethelbert.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Had Urania been a simple Alpine -shepherdess,” said my uncle, “who, concealed, -among her native mountains, had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>never heard of the insolent expectations, -which men ground upon the slightest -demonstration of female good-will -towards them, I might, perhaps, find -some excuse for the free tone with -which she spoke to a stranger, and the -tender expression which she infused -into her supplicating looks; but Urania, -educated in a Court, should have been -more upon her guard. Handsome as -are his features, the Count of Carlsheim’s -bold and ardent gaze was such as by no -means gave me a favourable opinion of -his delicacy; and still less was I pleased -by the liberty which he took of addressing -you in a strain of flattery so undisguised. -Hitherto I have been disposed -to entertain a favourable opinion of the -young man; but I confess, what I have -<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>seen of him to-day has shaken my goodwill -not a little.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>I only answered Count Leopold’s -warning speech by a respectful silence; -and I afterwards reproached myself for -the manner in which I had acted, though -I was unconscious what I had done, for -which I deserved to be reproached. -My heart was innocent; my intention -was pure; the consequences of the step -which I had taken, however, soon convinced -me that I had really committed -an error.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Ethelbert of Carlsheim, he who, during -whole years that my uncle sought to obtain -his acquaintance, was never to be -found; he, who even now that they were -at length known to each other, seemed -by no means eager to cultivate a closer -<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>intercourse with the family of Venosta, -from the time of our first meeting presented -himself before <i>me</i> almost every -day. If I sought the neighbouring -church, it always so happened that he had -chosen exactly the same hour for paying -his devotions—if I sat in my balcony, -he was sure to ride past the Castle—at -the rural feasts, for which among our -vassals an excuse was never wanting, -and from which I dared not absent myself -through fear of mortifying the -good people, Ethelbert’s hand was -always offered to conduct me to the -dance. At length it so chanced, that -I was under the necessity of confessing -that it was to him, that I owed the preservation -of my life. One evening as I -was proceeding towards the Castle in -the twilight, a procession of villagers, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>returning from a wedding, happened to -cross my path, accompanied by a variety -of instruments which produced the most -noisy and discordant sounds imagiable. -The white banners fluttering -before the eyes of my palfrey, and the -clattering cymbals which stunned her -ears, caused her to take fright and set -off at full speed; and in all probability -she would have dashed with -me from the brow of a neighbouring -precipice, to which she was hastening, -had not Count Ethelbert fortunately -heard my shrieks. He rescued -me from my danger, and in return had -the happiness (as he called it) to accompany -me back to the Castle, and took an -opportunity to make by the way a declaration -of the most passionate affection.</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>Another time, late at night I was -alarmed by a fire breaking out in my -anti-chamber, and the flames spread with -sufficient rapidity to make me swoon -through terror. When I recovered, I -found myself supported by Count Ethelbert, -who advised me to save myself by -flight from the threatening danger, and -seemed perfectly ready to assist me in -putting his advice in execution. However, -as I had now regained my presence -of mind sufficiently to see, that there -was no absolute necessity for taking -such a step, my flight extended no -further than to my uncle’s chamber, -whither I requested to be conveyed -without delay.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Leopold received my preserver with -marked coldness, and concluded his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>expressions of gratitude with enquiring—“by -what strange though fortunate -accident he had arrived there so speedily -and so exactly at the time, when his -assistance was most wanted?”—Ethelbert -in his answer talked much of the -good angels who watch over the favourites -of Heaven, which my uncle heard -without any great appearance of satisfaction; -and as soon as the Count of -Carlsheim had taken his departure, I -received a very serious lecture respecting -him. My uncle was inclined to believe, -that the accident which had lately -alarmed my palfrey, and the fire which -had thrown me under Ethelbert’s protection, -were both devices intended to -bind me to him by the chains of gratitude. -It was at least certain, that no -<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>sooner had my accident taken place, -than the bridal procession disappeared; -and the fire had done no other damage, -than consuming part of the arras with -which my anti-chamber was hung.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“If the Count of Carlsheim is -anxious to win your affections,” said -my uncle, “why does he not take the -straight road to obtain them? why does -he not explain his views respecting you -to <i>me</i>? there was a time, when I should -not have refused you to him, and in -which I intended to have done an act -of justice by making him once more -lord over the possessions of his ancestors, -by giving him the hand of Urania, the -future heiress of Carlsheim and Sargans.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>I knew not, what intelligence or what -<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>observations could have induced Count -Leopold (who was generally so much -inclined to think well of every one) so -soon to view Ethelbert’s actions in an -unfavourable light. As for myself, I -gave these accusations by no means -implicit confidence; and I strove to -find excuses for the conduct of a man, -who every time that I saw him made a -stronger impression on my heart, and -who daily rendered it more difficult for -me to suspect him of any thing wrong.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Ethelbert of Carlsheim was unfortunate, -and had been deprived of the -greatest part of those possessions, which -ought to have been his birth right; -this alone would have been a sufficient -reason for my viewing him with interest; -but how much was that interest -<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>increased by the discovery, that he -employed the little power, which he -still possest, in relieving the misfortunes -of others; and that by the protection -which he granted the opprest, he had -himself incurred the animosity of many -powerful foes? what could be more -noble and more generous than such a -proceeding, and how was it possible to -suppose, that a man who could act thus, -could ever deserve the most distant -appearance of suspicion?</p> - -<p class='c021'>Edith, Countess of Mayenfield, was -compelled to fly from her castle, by her -bitter enemy the ambitious Abbot of -St. Gall: she was a widow, and there -were suspicions (and those no slight -ones) that she was indebted for the -removal of her husband to a present of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>wine from the cellar of this dignified -prelate. Willingly would he have also -sacrificed the unprotected lady, who -was the more dangerous obstacle to the -enjoyment of his hopes, inasmuch as -she was daily expected to produce a -child, which (if a son) would be entitled -to the whole possessions of his deceased -father.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Edith therefore was compelled to -seek safety in flight; the time of her -delivery was near; she was beset with -enemies on all sides; nor could she -doubt what would be the fate of herself -and her offspring, should he fall into -the Abbot’s hands. In this dreadful -situation she summoned up all her -courage, and under the protecting mantle -of the night employed the only means -<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>of saving herself from destruction, which -the severity of her fate had now left -her. Her wearied horses refused to -bear her further, and she was still far -distant from the place, in which she -hoped to find shelter and assistance. -She doubted not, that the Abbot would -pursue her; not a moment was to be -lost; she quitted her litter, and resolved -to prosecute her painful way on foot, -unaccompanied except by her orphan -daughter, the young and lovely Minna. -She ordered her attendants to pursue -their journey with as much diligence as -possible, hoping by this artifice to lead -her pursuers astray. As for herself, she -determined to conceal herself in the depth -of the forest, thinking she should find -<span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>there some retired cottage, in which she -might recover herself from anxiety and -fatigue, and give birth in tranquil security -to her unfortunate fatherless infant. -As to being betrayed to her tyrant, she -was too well acquainted with the honest -and benevolent temper of the inhabitants -of these mountains to harbour any apprehensions -on that head.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The paths through which she wandered -were solitary. At length the -trampling of a steed was heard; and -soon after a knight, unaccompanied, -presented himself before the unfortunate -lady, who, supported by the powerless -hand of the youthful Minna, was scarcely -able to prevent herself from sinking on -the ground: this solitary knight was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>Count Ethelbert; he was returning from -the chace, and had sent his attendants -forward.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The Countess of Mayenfield found it -unnecessary to represent to him, how -much her situation required assistance, -or to explain her name and the dangers -which still menaced her. Before she had -time to request his services, Ethelbert -was already occupied in serving her: his -pealing horn soon collected his attendants -round him. A slight but easy -litter was constructed with all diligence; -and before an hour elapsed, the fugitives -rejoiced to find themselves within -the sheltering walls of a castle, whose -strength was capable of defying the -malice of their enemies, in case they -<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>should attempt to deprive them forcibly -of their friendly retreat.</p> - -<p class='c021'>It so happened that Count Venosta -also had dedicated this same day to the -chace: the sport had enticed him to a -distance from home. Midnight had -long been past; and I still sat at my -spinning wheel surrounded by my -maidens, waiting with most anxious -expectation for my uncle’s return. A -thousand painful thoughts and confused -images glanced across my imagination, -in which, as usual, Count Ethelbert was -not forgotten; suddenly the folding -doors of my chamber were thrown -open, and the object of my thoughts -stood before me, almost breathless -through haste and anxiety.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Dear lady,” said he, “I come to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>ask a boon of you. A guest of no mean -rank has arrived at my castle, and there -is no female there to bid her welcome: -a litter waits at your door; suffer me to -entreat that you will let it convey you -to my residence.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Sir Knight, are you in your -senses? This extraordinary request....”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Is the boldest, the most unpardonable, -that fancy can imagine: but -judge by the want of preparation with -which I propose it, how urgent is the -necessity for its being gratified without -delay.—”</p> - -<p class='c021'>The Count of Carlsheim had by no -means chosen the most fortunate moment -for obtaining any favour at all -from me, much less one of so extraordinary -<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>a nature. In solitude I had -reflected calmly and seriously on my -uncle’s warning: the frightened palfrey, -and the fire so easily extinguished, came -into my head; and the uneasiness in -which Count Venosta’s absence had -obliged me to pass the last hours, by no -means inclined me to view these circumstances -so much to Ethelbert’s advantage -as usual: at that moment I saw -him with my uncle’s eyes; and of course -this proposal appeared to me as nothing -but a most bare-faced attempt on my -lover’s part to betray me into his -power.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“You are offended?” said Ethelbert, -who read displeasure strongly -painted on my every feature; “well -then! I must have recourse to a more -eloquent pleader.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>Saying this, he hastened into the anti-chamber, -and returned with a little -beautiful child, whose countenance expressed -the deepest anxiety and sorrow, -and whose blue eyes filled with tears -strengthened the impression, which was -made on me by her unexpected appearance.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Ah! dear good lady!” said the -little mourner, while she sank on her -knees before me, and kist my hand; “I -entreat you, do what this knight requests -of you! My mother and myself -are alone in a gloomy castle, where -there are none but stern-looking men, -with great beards and heavy swords; -and my mother is so very ill! and she -asked so anxiously, ‘was there no lady -who would comfort and assist her in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>her sickness!’ and then this knight who -saved us from dying in the forest, answered, -that he knew a lady whom he -loved as his sister, and that he would -bring her to my mother, if she could be -persuaded to follow him; and then he -took me along with him, that I might -help to prevail on you to come and be -kind to my poor mother: and now I -am here, you <i>will</i> be prevailed on; I -am sure of it, because you look on me -so kindly! Come, dear good lady! -Come!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>I kist the pretty suppliant without -thoroughly comprehending what it was -that she requested me to do, and cast an -inquiring look upon Ethelbert. He -related his adventure with the Countess -of Mayenfield in so interesting a manner, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>that it was impossible for me to hesitate -a moment longer, as to what course I -should pursue. Indeed, the history of -this unfortunate lady was not unknown -to me, when Ethelbert mentioned her -name: her misfortunes had for some -time been the general subject of conversation, -and had already cost me many -a sympathising tear, and many an ardent -wish to find some means of giving her -assistance.</p> - -<p class='c021'>I was deaf to all the suggestions of -prudence, and threw myself into the -litter, wishing that I could have given the -horses wings, so eager was I to reach the -illustrious sufferer. My nurse accompanied -me; a discreet and benevolent -woman, who was likely to be of much -more use to the Countess than myself. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>So completely was I occupied by my -anxiety for the poor lady, that I scarcely -paid any attention to Ethelbert’s tender -expressions of gratitude, or to the representations -of my nurse, who hinted -to me with some appearance of discontent, -that I had acted with rather too -much rashness in this business; she -assured me, that <i>her</i> presence at the -Castle of Carlsheim would be quite -sufficient without my giving myself the -trouble to go there; and she confest, -that she thought Count Venosta would -have good reason to be offended at -finding on his return home, that I had -quitted his house during his absence -with a young knight, in spite of darkness -and an heavy fall of snow.</p> - -<p class='c021'>We reached the Castle; the sight of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>us served to give new life to the exhausted -lady, who surrounded by none -but men had met with but sorry attendance. -She embraced me, and called -me by the tender name of sister. I soon -confided her to the care of my nurse, -and quitted her chamber for the purpose -of making arrangements for her -treatment; and I gave my directions in -a tone of as much earnestness, as had I -been in my uncle’s castle. Anxiety -about the Countess made me take the -whole business upon my own hands; I -saw nothing extraordinary in what I -was doing, and could by no means conceive, -why Count Ethelbert’s people examined -me with looks of such surprise; -nor why he was himself always by -my side, expressing the most excessive -<span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>delight and satisfaction at every thing -that I did, and loading me with such -a profusion of thanks, that it was utterly -impossible for me to ascribe them all to -the interest, which he felt about his -unfortunate guest.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Before day-break, Edith became the -mother of a boy; and never did any -other mother feel equal rapture with -hers, when for the first time she prest -him to her bosom. In this new-born -babe she embraced not merely her -child, but the future conqueror of her -foes, and the preserver of her family. -Nothing more than the birth of this -boy was necessary to destroy every -claim of the avaricious Abbot of St. -Gall upon Mayenfield, and reduce -him to the condition of a feudal dependent. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>Count Ethelbert on <i>his</i> part -neglected not to spread abroad the news -of the birth of a young Count of Mayenfield, -and to invite through his heralds -both friends and foes to convince themselves -by their eyes of the existence of -this infant nobleman.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Count Venosta had experienced no -trifling anxiety on being informed of -my midnight excursion, the motive of -which no one was able to explain to -his satisfaction. He determined to examine -into the real nature of the transaction -himself; accordingly the first -sunbeams saw him cross the draw-bridge -of Ethelbert’s castle, accompanied by -his whole train of hunters, whom he -had ordered to hold themselves prepared -for a serious engagement, in case -<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>the nature of things should make it -necessary to come to hostilities.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The Count of Carlsheim was already -abroad, employed in business which -regarded the adventure of the past -night. My uncle found me sitting by -the bed-side of the newly-delivered -Countess, whose ardent thanks for the -assistance, which I had afforded her, -instantly removed every trace of anger -from his brow; and the severe lecture -which he intended to bestow on me, -was softened into a gentle remonstrance -against my acting in general with too -much precipitation.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Ethelbert returned; he shared with -my uncle and myself the office of presenting -the new-born heir of Mayenfield -at the baptismal fount, and we gave -<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>the child its father’s name, Ludolf. -From motives of propriety, we were -all anxious to remove the invalid (who -earnestly entreated me not to abandon -her) to my uncle’s castle; but she was -at first too weak to bear the journey, -and I was under the necessity of submitting -for some time longer to act as -the mistress of Count Ethelbert’s castle.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Now then affairs wore that appearance, -which I am convinced it had -always been my lover’s plan to give -them. Doubtless had he thought proper, -he might have contrived to show his -fair guest all the duties of hospitality -without any interference of mine: but -he eagerly made use of the opportunity -which presented itself, to draw -me into a more intimate connection. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>He endeavoured to convince me by his -reliance on my humanity of the esteem -which he entertained for <i>my</i> character; -and at the same time he hoped to inspire -me with a favourable opinion of -his own, by making me a daily witness -of the noble treatment which he afforded -to a stranger, who had no claim to his -protection except her need of it, and -who could make him no other return -for his kindness, except the involving -<i>him</i> in her own difficulties and dangers.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Ethelbert’s plan succeeded with me -completely, and even my uncle began -to view him in a more favourable light. -Both were equally interested about the -Countess, and swore to exert themselves -to the utmost in endeavouring to reinstate -her and her new-born son in the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>rights, which were still detained from -them by the Abbot of St. Gall; the -similarity of their objects naturally -induced a sort of confidence between -them; and Ethelbert lost no opportunity -of turning this confidence to the -best account. Perhaps he already reckoned -himself on the point of obtaining -that, which had long been the mark at -which he aimed, though he had never -acknowledged it in words; namely, the -possession of my hand: but my uncle -soon gave a fresh proof, that at present -he by no means looked forward to, or -desired a connection between the families -of Carlsheim and Venosta.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The history of my nocturnal journey -(many gave it the name of an elopement,) -had not been kept a secret; the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>situation of the Countess’s affairs made -it necessary for her to receive several -strangers; they always found me at her -side, saw that I acted as the mistress of -Count Ethelbert’s house, and the remarks -to which all this gave occasion -were frequently by no means to my -credit. Some asserted, that I was already -betrothed to the Lord of Carlsheim; -others fabricated out of facts and guesses -such a story, as offended my feelings -too severely to admit of my repeating -it here, and which no sooner came to -my uncle’s knowledge, than he resolved -at all events to remove me from so -unusual a situation. The invalid was now -sufficiently recovered to bear the fatigue -of a journey; and an abode in the house -of the potent Count Venosta was likely -<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>to furnish her both with more consequence -and security, than she could -expect to find at the Castle of Carlsheim.</p> - -<p class='c021'>My uncle and Ethelbert looked gloomily; -my heart was heavy and sad: -the fair Edith of Mayenfield alone exprest -in words, what no one else was -willing to declare to the other.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Oh! Heaven,” she cried at taking -leave of him, who had till then been -her protector, while she prest mine and -Ethelbert’s hands fast together, between -her own “unite these two noblest -souls, with which you ever blest humanity: -this is the best recompense for -such generosity and such disinterested -friendship, as I have experienced from -them both!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>Edith’s expressive eyes were directed -towards heaven; Ethelbert and myself -blushed as we gazed on each other, -without being able to pronounce a -syllable. Methought, Ethelbert <i>should</i> -have spoken on this occasion;—but he -was silent.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The Countess was long our guest. -Open feud was declared between her -defenders and the obstinate Abbot of -St. Gall, who was worsted in every -skirmish without ever being entirely -subdued. The contest was carried on -for a considerable time: in the mean -while my uncle (to whom age advanced -with steps so lingering, that no one -could easily have guest his years) discovered, -that the charms of the fair -widow were still of great power: yet -<span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>perhaps it was I, to whom the idea first -suggested itself, that an union between -them would be productive of happiness -on both sides. I soon observed, that my -hints were far from disagreeable to either -party; and I exulted in the hope of soon -beholding my friend and my benefactor -united in a new course of domestic -happiness.</p> - -<p class='c021'>When I imparted my designs to Count -Ethelbert, (who was now a frequent -visitor at our castle) he listened to me -with the greatest astonishment. His -countenance at this moment assumed -an expression, which I had never seen -it wear before.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Lady!” said he, “am I awake, -or dreaming?—An union, which must -deprive you of your fairest expectations, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>and will put a stranger in possession of -all those rights which ought to be your -own, is such an union contrived by -yourself?”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“And when did Count Ethelbert,” -I answered with a look of surprise not -inferior to his own, “when did Count -Ethelbert discover the least trace of -selfishness in my character? it is impossible, -that such mean considerations -should really hold a place in his bosom; -or is this only intended as a trial of his -friend?”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>He bit his lip, and was for some time -silent. My eyes were fixed upon him -steadily; and it was long, before he -could recover himself sufficiently to -assume a different air, and explain to -me, that in an affair in which he had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>not personally the slightest concern, he -could only be anxious about my interest; -and he advanced many arguments -to prove, that the most noble and generous -soul might feel very differently on -occasions which regarded his friend, -than he would have felt in affairs, which -only related to himself.</p> - -<p class='c021'>I believed every thing that Ethelbert -told me; in fact he was soon after -complaisant enough to allow, that my -reasons were not entirely without weight, -and at length even went so far as to -declare that on consideration it appeared -to him very possible, that an union -between the Count Venosta and the -widow of Ludolf of Mayenfield might -be an advantageous event for <i>all</i> parties. -He also promised, that as soon as the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>next expedition against the Abbot of -St. Gall should have taken place, he -would come to my assistance, and use -every power of entreaty and persuasion -to forward this connection, which I so -ardently desired.</p> - -<p class='c021'>This expedition was directed against -one of the Castles, which our common -enemy detained from its rightful owner; -on the morning appointed for its taking -place, out forces set out before daybreak, -in pursuit of a victory of which -they reckoned themselves secure.</p> - -<p class='c021'>My friend and myself had already -seen our heroes return victorious from -their excursions too often, to make us -think it necessary to accompany their -departure with signs and expressions of -anxiety. We had exactly ascertained -<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>the time, when we might expect them -back, and had laid a plan (with the assistance -of such warriors as were left -behind) for receiving them with all the -pageantry and honours of conquest. -A procession of knights and ladies was -intended to welcome them on their -return, and at the head of the joyous -band was to wave a banner adorned -with mottos and emblems; this gorgeous -ornament was to be embroidered -by our own hands, and our needles -were plyed with unwearied industry, in -order that it might be finished at the -appointed time.</p> - -<p class='c021'>While engaged at this delightful and -now half completed task, infrequently -termed the lovely Edith in jest “my -most venerable aunt;” and in revenge -<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>she embroidered upon a vacant shield -the united initials of Ethelbert and -Urania. By degrees our discourse took -a more serious turn. She declared to -me her surprise at Ethelbert’s persisting -in not publicly declaring his love for me, -a circumstance which had long been -the cause of much secret uneasiness and -curiosity to myself. She assured me also, -that she had no wish more ardent in -becoming Countess of Vonosta, than to -be authorized to insist on an explanation -from the bashful knight (as she called -the Count of Carlsheim,) and to become -the instrument of accomplishing his -happiness and mine.</p> - -<p class='c021'>It was at this moment, that a sudden -noise in the court of the Castle interrupted -our work and our discourse. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>We sprang from our seats: the trampling -of horses would have led us to -suppose, that our lovers were returned, -had so speedy a termination of their -business been possible. We bade our -maidens hasten to enquire the news, and -flew ourselves to the window in order -to learn (if possible), with our own eyes, -what had happened.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Instantly the Countess started back -with a loud shriek, and fainted; nor -was my own condition much better on -beholding in the court a single warrior -covered with blood, and holding two -unmounted horses, whose trappings -spoke too plainly the fate of their -riders!</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“What has happened?” I cried -from the balcony, in a voice half choaked -by anxiety.</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>—“Ah! noble lady!” answered the -messenger, “my lord your uncle ... -the Count of Carlsheim too ... an ambuscade -among the mountains ... both -taken prisoners ... help! help for -heaven’s sake!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>Our people hastened to assist the -soldier, who seemed to be desperately -wounded, and could scarcely hold himself -upright through loss of blood; the -agony, which this news occasioned me, -instead of overpowering me like my -friend, gave me additional strength, and -I lost not a moment in hastening to -attempt the rescue of our knights. I -directed the preparations myself, and -before an hour had elapsed, all the -warriors whom my uncle had left behind -to protect the Castle, were completely -armed and ready to set out. I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>determined to head them myself; and -being accoutred in a light suit of armour, -I hastened to bid farewell to my afflicted -friend (whom I had committed to the -care of her women), and to comfort her -with the hope of my returning crowned -with success.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“What, Urania?” exclaimed Edith -wringing her hands; “and do you too -leave me?—Heavenly mercy! what will -become of me! take me with you, -Urania, or stab me before you go! -foreboding terrors weigh down my -heart! dreadful as my sufferings have -been already, I feel that I have still much -more to endure! Urania, we shall never -meet again!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>I prest my trembling friend to my -heart with affection, recommended her -<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>the kindness of her attendants, and then -hastened, where I was far less invited by -courage and resolution than by urgent -necessity and despair. We gave the -reins to our coursers, flew over the -plain, and soon reached the winding -pass through the mountains, where our -brave friends had been subdued by -treachery and malice. Ah! what a -dreadful sight! the place of combat -floated with blood! various were the -occasions presented to induce our pity -to stop, in the hope of rescuing from -death some of his yet lingering victims: -but still more weighty considerations -compelled us to close our ears against -the cries of suffering humanity, and -pursue our progress without delay. -However, I failed not to leave some of my -<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>people behind to discharge those offices, -which I would so much more gladly -have fulfilled myself; and I charged -them (in case any thing of importance -could be learned from those who still -survived) to lose no time in bringing -me the information.</p> - -<p class='c021'>It was from them, that I learned the -road, which the forces of the Abbot of -St. Gall (whose number trebled ours) -had taken with the captive knights. It -was not yet evening, when I reached -the fortress, which had been pointed -out to me as the prison of my friends.</p> - -<p class='c021'>We prepared for storming the walls. -I possest among my followers several -experienced warriors, who supplied my -want of intelligence in affairs of this -nature, and who seemed to derive -<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>double strength from witnessing my -resolution, the resolution of a distracted -woman! It was not long, before we -saw a white flag waved by the besieged; -and soon after (having received our -solemn promise for the security of his -invaluable person) we beheld on the -battlements the robber of my beloved -friends, the oppressor of the unprotected -innocent, in short the execrable Abbot -of St. Gall.</p> - -<p class='c021'>I had taken off my helmet to cool my -burning cheeks; and my ringlets still -adorned with flowers, which in my -haste I had forgotten to remove, streamed -freely in the wind of evening: the -Abbot therefore easily guest at my sex -and name.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“You are welcome, fair damsel of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>Sargans!” said the monk with a malicious -smile; “the friends, of whom you -are in pursuit, are no longer inmates of -these walls: then forbear to persecute -the innocent! lay aside that heavy -armour, which so ill befits your sex, -and enter to partake with us, poor -monks, of a friendly though frugal -entertainment!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>I was already preparing to return the -insulter such an answer, as his insolent -speech demanded; but ere I had time -to speak,—“treachery! treachery!”—was -shrieked in my ears by an hundred -voices. I looked round, and saw the -glittering of hostile swords. My people -were beaten back, and the ground was -strewed with their corses—the soldiers -of the perfidious Abbot had stolen upon -<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>us through secret passages, had taken -my followers by surprise, and were -hewing for themselves a way to me -with their faulchions. Terror deprived -me of my senses! what would have -become of me in this dreadful moment -of confusion and fear I know not, had -not my faithful Gertrude, who had -followed me to battle with undaunted -courage, been close to my side; and ere -I fell, she caught me in her arms. The -loss of my helmet made it easy for me -to be recognized by my pale and feminine -features. She seized the casque of -one of the Abbot’s soldiers, who happened -to be struck down near us, and -concealed my face with it; she then -wrapped me in his cloak, on which the -Abbot’s coat of arms was emblazoned; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>and under favour of this disguise she -succeeded in extricating me from the -throng, and in conducting me in safety -towards the side, from which the combat -seemed at that time to be retiring.</p> - -<p class='c021'>I recovered myself, and we hastened -to seat ourselves on horseback. Gertrude -convinced me that my presence -was now quite unavailing, and that my -being taken prisoner would be unavoidable, -if I suffered the least delay. In -truth, my nerves had been too much -shaken by this last dreadful piece of -treachery to admit of my adopting any -other resource than flight, the woman’s -constant refuge.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The darkness of the night enabled us -to escape; and we arrived in safety at -the castle, which (while unacquainted -<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>with my own want of strength and -ability, and the power and perfidy of -the foe with whom I had to deal) I had -left with such sanguine hopes of victory. -We were obliged to traverse the narrow -pass through the mountains, where the -fatal ambuscade had been stationed in -the morning: as I hastened through it, -methought the groans of dying men -sounded in my ears, and my hair stood -erect, and my blood ran cold, as I -listened. Woman’s weakness re-assumed -it’s rights; and she, who so lately had -dared to trust herself among hostile -faulchions, now trembled at a sound, at -a shadow, which only existed in her -over-heated imagination.</p> - -<p class='c021'>I reached the Castle more dead than -alive. We found the Castle-gates closed. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>We called in vain for admittance; no -signal was attended to; every thing -within seemed to be silent as the grave: -no glimmering of light was visible in -the high-arched casements, and we were -compelled to pass the night in a small -ruined chapel at no great distance -from the Castle.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Convinced, that nothing but the fear -of being surprised by the enemy could -have induced the Castle’s inhabitants to -observe such obstinate discretion, we -waited for morning with the utmost -impatience and anxiety. Perhaps the -enemy might pursue the fugitives hither, -and make himself master of the Castle, -before our vassals could be summoned -to its defence? perhaps, it might already -<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>have been attacked, and might be at that -very moment in possession of the foe? I -had left the Countess of Mayenfield but -ill-protected. My anxiety to rescue my -uncle and Count Ethelbert had induced -me to leave no one behind, except our -women, the old seneschal, the warder, -and a few domestics.</p> - -<p class='c021'>At break of day we again approached -the Castle; we then perceived (what -the extreme darkness of the night had -before prevented our discovering) that -the draw-bridge had not been raised. -We crost it, and on approaching the -gates had the satisfaction to see them -opened for our admittance by the Seneschal. -We were received by the -weak old man with every appearance -of alarm: the first questions which -<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>were asked on both sides related to our -return unaccompanied, and to the ghastly -appearance of the old man; but neither of -us could restrain impatience sufficiently -to give an answer. I hastened into the -court yard, anxious to embrace my -friend, and consult with her, what precautions -should be taken for our future -safety; but the first thing, which met -my eyes on entering, was an heap of -bleeding corses!</p> - -<p class='c021'>I started back in horror, and wished -to ask, what dreadful events had taken -place in my absence; but fear and -agony choaked my words. Besides, I -was soon summoned to the assistance of -Gertrude, at whose feet the Seneschal -(who probably had exhausted his little -remaining strength in opening the gates) -had now fallen senseless.</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>Yet while so many scenes of terror -are reserved for my pen, why do I dwell -with such minuteness on the first? I -will not describe, how the whole shocking -mystery gradually unfolded itself; I -will rather state at once and briefly the -total sum of my misfortune.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The only object which after the loss -of Ethelbert and my uncle was still dear -to me, my friend, my Edith, she too had -been torn from me during my unfortunate -expedition. Scarcely had I quitted -her, when a troop of unknown -enemies had forcibly gained entrance; -had either slain or mortally wounded -the few male inhabitants of the Castle; -had confined the women in the upper -apartments; and when they retired after -their bloody work, had conveyed away -with them the Countess of Mayenfield -<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>and her weeping children! The robbers -closed the doors after them and fled, -leaving the Castle in that fearful solitude, -which had occasioned me so much -anxiety and surprise. The Warder and -the Seneschal were the only men, whose -wounds had not already terminated their -existence; but fainting through loss of -blood they heard not the signals, which -I made to obtain admittance. It was -morning, before they were sufficiently -recovered to examine into the circumstances -of the former day; and while -the first had dragged his feeble steps -towards the Countess’s apartment, the -other had sought the Castle-portal, with -the intention of obtaining assistance -from the neighbouring villagers.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The Countess’s women, with their -<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>hands still fettered, now threw themselves -at my feet, and enquired, what -was become of their beloved mistress, -whom I had imprudently left behind -under such inadequate protection. Grief -for her loss overpowered our apprehensions -of further danger; and had our -foe thought proper to make use of the -present opportunity, he would have -found us an easy prey.</p> - -<p class='c021'>About mid-day, some peasants in the -neighbourhood arrived, and brought -with them the young Minna of Mayenfield, -whom they had found weeping -and bewildered among the mountains.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Oh! dear, dear lady!” she exclaimed, -while she threw herself into my -arms “my mother! oh! what have the -villains done with my mother!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>I could only answer with my tears. -The child too was in such dreadful agitation, -that it was long before I could -obtain from her an explanation of the -manner, in which the Countess had been -conveyed away: as for herself, the -ravishers became weary of her incessant -tears and shrieks, and abandoned her -among the mountains. How painful -must the unhappy mother have felt this -parting with her only daughter! nothing -could have induced her to submit to it, -except the threat of her persecutor to -deprive her also of the baby at her -bosom.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The evening was far advanced, before -I could recover myself sufficiently to -take some precautions for our security, -and make such enquiries, as appeared -<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>to me highly necessary; the gates were -carefully fastened; the draw-bridge was -raised. As our strength was unequal -to the task of burying the dead, we -were obliged to throw the corses into a -ruined well, situated in a back-corner -in a remote part of the Castle: and this -melancholy duty being performed, we -employed ourselves in collecting every -circumstance, which might assist us to -guess at the authors of our late misfortune.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The Seneschal, before whose bed the -consultation was held, produced many -weighty reasons for asserting, that the -Abbot of St. Gall (to whose account we -were inclined to set down any wickedness) -in the present instance was perfectly -innocent. As to the person, at whose -<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>door he was disposed to lay the blame, he -obstinately refused to give the least -hint; but he made no scruple of avowing -that he was not without suspicions.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The little Minna, who now never -stirred a moment from my side, and -to whom we were not paying the least -attention, interrupted us to say,—“that -she had never heard the Abbot of St. -Gall speak, and that she was sure, that -the voice of the chief robber was not -unknown to her, though she could not -recollect where she had heard it. She -had even said as much, while in his -power; but the only reward of her -recollection had been a blow, which -struck her senseless at his feet. Shortly -after she had been forced from her -mother’s arms, and left among the -mountains.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>—“Alas, my child,” said I, “you -were probably deceived by some fancied -resemblance!—But what must now be -done? where is the messenger, who -informed us yesterday of the fatal ambuscade?—Perhaps, -he may be able to -give us some insight into the author of -this second attack.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Ah! would to God,” answered -the old Seneschal, “that I had either -examined that messenger more circumstantially, -or at least had watched him -closer! yet who could have imputed -treachery to Dietrich, or suspect a man, -who seemed to be at the point of death, -of an intention to escape?”</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“To escape?” I exclaimed; “has -Dietrich fled? when and how did this -take place?”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“We were all busy in making -<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>preparations for binding up his wounds, -of whose pain he complained bitterly, but -which it seems none of us ever saw. We -left him alone for a few moments, and in -the meanwhile he disappeared. We -sought him long, but he was not to be -found; and we finished by conjecturing, -that courage and fidelity had induced -him to follow you in spite of his wounds, -and to endeavour at contributing to his -master’s rescue; though we doubted -not from his apparently weak condition, -that he must have died by the way.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“And why should not your conjecture -have been well-founded? Dietrich -was ever one of Count Venosta’s most -faithful servants.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>The Seneschal assured me, that during -the hostile attack which followed close -<span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>on the heels of Dietrich’s disappearance, -circumstances had occurred, which made -him view the fellow’s escape in a very -different light. He was proceeding to -explain himself more clearly, when the -sound of a trumpet threw us all into -the most violent alarm! every one -hastened to the place, where duty or -inclination called them: the Warder -ascended the watch-tower; my terrified -damsels fled to conceal themselves; in -the mean while, I and the little Minna -descended to the lower battlements, in -order to inform myself at once of the -extent of my danger.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Almighty powers!” I exclaimed, -on casting a fearful look on the plain -before the fortress, which was now -covered with warriors; “is it possible?—my -<span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>uncle’s banner?—Count Ethelbert’s -soldiers too!—surely this must -be a dream!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>Count Venosta now advanced before -the rest, in order to answer in person -the usual questions, which the Warder -asked from the tower; but I had not -patience enough to wait for the termination -of this ceremony. The Castle-gates -were thrown open; the draw-bridge -was let down; and I already was -clasped in the arms of my beloved -uncle, ere I had yet convinced myself, -that his delivery was real.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Yes! my dear child!” exclaimed -Count Leopold, as soon as I had recovered -myself from the first tumult of -delight and astonishment; “yes! I am -free, and knowest thou, to whom we -<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>are both indebted for life and all that we -possess? ’tis to this hero, whose character -I have so long mistaken, and from -whom my suspicions have till now -with-held the only gift, which is worthy -to reward his merits!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“What!” I replied—“Count -Ethelbert? he, who was made prisoner -at the same moment with yourself?”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Heaven be thanked, that he escaped!” -interrupted my uncle. “While -the Abbot’s soldiers (after their successful -ambuscade among the mountains) -were conveying me to their lord, Count -Ethelbert was employed in collecting -his remaining vassals, whom he had left -behind to protect his castle: with these -he hastened to my succour, and this -morning saw my deliverance effected. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>Oh! my Urania, help me to discharge -my debts to this excellent man! none -but yourself can do it!—Draw near, -Count Ethelbert, and receive the hand -of the sole heiress of all those possessions, -of which your ancestors formerly were -the lords; the hand of one, who boasts -a still more precious title, the hand of -that beloved-one, whom you have so -long adored in secret.—Why advance -you not? stretch forth your hand, and -clasp that, which Urania has not hesitated -to extend towards you.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>Ethelbert was still silent for a moment: -at length he advanced a few steps, his -left hand placed on the hilt of his sword, -his right upon his bosom.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Count Venosta,” said he, “have I -demanded of you the hand of the heiress -of Sargans?”—</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>—“I understand; you allude to my -intended union with the Countess of -Mayenfield.—But fear not, that I need -recall my words: when I have restored -your paternal possessions, I shall still -have enough remaining to confer a -rich dowry on my wife.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“I speak not of that: I only ask, -have I ever entreated you to make me -the lovely Urania’s husband?”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“No, and I can well guess the -reason of your silence! your fortunes -are fallen; your heart is proud; you -dreaded a rejection: but surely now -there can exist no difference between us. -You are my preserver; I offer you in -gratitude my dearest treasure, and you -love Urania with too much passion -to reject her hand.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>—“Yes, Count Venosta; yes, I love -her!—but my pride requires that all -the world should know, that I became -your nephew through your own free-will; -without your having been moved -to pity by lovesick entreaties, and without -my having been obliged to enter -into humiliating explanations.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“My friend! my preserver! why -pain me by recollecting at such a time -... but you shall be satisfied!—Now -then, all the world may know, that I -freely offer my niece’s hand to the -Count of Carlsheim, supplicate him to -accept it, and wait his answer with impatience.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“And you, lady?” said Ethelbert. -—“Urania! pronounce my doom!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>I was silent; I blushed and cast down -<span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>my eyes. Oh! this noble pride, which -made him hesitate to accept the hand of -the richest heiress in Helvetia, lest he -should be suspected of having sought -it through interested motives, would -have gained him my heart, had it not -already long been his! my uncle was -the interpreter of my looks; I did not -contradict him; my lover clasped me -in his arms for the first time, and I -heard myself called by the title, which -was dearest to me in the world.</p> - -<p class='c021'>These moments were heavenly! alas! -how soon were they interrupted by the -most bitter recollections!—my uncle -turned from the scene of our happiness, -and enquired—“where he should find -the Countess of Mayenfield!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>Oh Heaven! what did I suffer at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>hearing that question! what did I suffer, -when compelled to answer it! -vainly should I attempt to describe -Count Venosta’s situation, when informed -of the loss of his beauteous -Edith!</p> - -<p class='c021'>Men express grief and resentment in -a different manner from us, helpless -females. My narrative of Edith’s carrying -off was followed not by idle complaints, -but by active exertions to recover -her. The wearied soldiery again -seated themselves on horseback, and -were ordered to scour the country -round in pursuit of the ravishers. I -was myself too much interested in the -business to oppose my uncle’s orders; -but Count Ethelbert, who retained more -presence of mind than the rest, enquired, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>whither we should first direct our -course in hopes of delivering the Countess?</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Doubtless,” answered my uncle, -“the place most likely to be converted -into her prison must needs be the nearest -fortress belonging to the perfidious -Abbot; no one can doubt, that this -misfortune is a work of his hand.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>Here I interrupted him by stating, -that I had heard the Seneschal very positively -contradict this supposition; and -I entreated, that before the expedition -set out, the old domestic might be examined, -as he seemed to possess more -information on the subject, than he had -yet imparted to <i>me</i>. Unfortunately, we -found on enquiry, that shortly after my -uncle’s arrival the Seneschal had expired -<span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>of his wounds; and Count Venosta -(who in the violence of his despair preferred -acting upon uncertainties to remaining -entirely idle) immediately entered -upon his search after the unfortunate -Edith. At the end of several -months of fruitless enquiry, we were -obliged to abandon all hopes of success.</p> - -<p class='c021'>It was during this period of anxiety, -which seldom permitted my uncle and -Ethelbert to lay aside their armour, that -I received the name of Countess of Carlsheim. -The ceremony was sad and solemn, -prognosticating the days, which -were so soon to follow it.</p> - -<p class='c021'>I was now the wife of my lover, and -enjoyed that sort of happiness, which -most women enjoy who marry a warrior-husband; -I was the object of a wild -<span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>tempestuous passion, whose expressions -were sometimes so rough and violent, -that they might have been mistaken for -those of hatred. In truth, I had fancied, -that the happiness of marriage was somewhat -different; but alas! what girl does -not fancy the same, and find at length -that she has been deceived?</p> - -<p class='c021'>No information could be obtained -respecting the Countess of Mayenfield. -The Abbot of St. Gall persevered in -asserting his claim to her possessions; -and the deep melancholy, which took -possession of my uncle, betrayed but too -plainly, that his love for the dear lost-one -was stronger, than he had dared to acknowledge -either to her, or to himself.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“My children,” said he one day to -me and Ethelbert, “Edith is lost to me, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>and with <i>her</i> the joys of life! It was -folly in me to expect on the brink of the -grave, that I should be so singularly -fortunate, as to feel my eyes closed by -the hand of affection. I have suffered -for that folly; I feel that my powers of -life are hourly growing weaker, feel that -the day of death is at hand. The few -evening hours which remain, before the -night of the grave closes around me, -will I dedicate to solitude and repose. -All that I possess is now your property; -I only reserve for myself the pleasant -vale of Munster, and the Castle of Upper -Halbstein on the banks of the Rhine. I -will hide myself in the distant shades of -the <i>first</i>, when opprest by serious melancholy -thoughts, and repair to the -<i>second</i>, whenever more lively moments -<span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>make me wish for the society and comfort -of Ethelbert and his beloved -Urania.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>I opposed this determination of Count -Leopold; but my husband did not second -me. He saw, that this arrangement -was greatly to his advantage; and -I had already found on several occasions, -that he was not quite so incapable of -attention to his own interest, as I had -formerly supposed. It by no means -occurred to him, that Count Venosta -proposed to do too much for us; on -the contrary, he lost no time in giving -solidity to my uncle’s kind declarations, -and only appeared to lament, that the -deed of gift had not included his whole -property. The waving shades of the -vale of Munster and the proud castle on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>the Rhine seemed to have acquired -double charms in his eyes, since Leopold -declared his intention of retaining them -for himself; and their value was increased -beyond bounds on Ethelbert’s -being given to understand, that my -uncle did not intend to leave them to -us even at his death, but destined them -for a bequest to that beloved woman, -whom he could not resolve to give up -all hopes of recovering.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Count Venosta (that honest open-hearted -man, who withheld no sentiment -from those, whom he looked on as -his children) was amusing himself one -day with the youthful Minna, whom the -recollection of her mother rendered inexpressibly -dear to him. Ethelbert -remarked, as if by accident, that the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>child already had acquired the sedate -appearance of the station, which she was -hereafter to occupy.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“What station?” asked my uncle -with surprise.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Minna, who had been accustomed to -hear her future lot pronounced by my -husband almost daily, answered with -her accustomed candour—“What other -shelter can a poor orphan expect to find, -except a cloister?”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“What?” exclaimed Count Leopold, -while he prest her still closer to his -bosom, “you poor? you an orphan, -while Venosta lives? No, no, my child; -I know too well, what I owe to the -memory of your excellent mother! Let -who will forsake you, never shall you be -forsaken by me!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>Count Ethelbert had never been partial -to the Damsel of Mayenfield; from -that day he began to hate her.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Minna too on <i>her</i> side seemed to harbour -towards my husband a secret aversion; -whose expressions she would have -been unable to restrain, had he not also -inspired her with sentiments of the most -unbounded terror.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Ah! dear Countess!” she said -to me one day, when she found me -weeping at having made new discoveries -of his evil dispositions, discoveries which -almost every day afforded; “you know -not yet, what a bad, bad man he is! -Scarcely do I dare to tell it you; but that -voice which I heard among my mother’s -ravishers.... I am certain, <i>quite</i> certain, -that voice was Count Ethelbert’s—I had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span><i>then</i> never heard it speak but so gently -and so kindly.... But the first time -that I heard him rage, I recollected it -that instant. How could I have been -deceived? Oh! I remember too well -the terrible sound! But I have been -silent till now, for I tremble when I but -think of the cruel manner, in which he -used me, when (while imploring him to -take pity on my mother) I let fall, that I -was sure of having heard his voice -before.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>I was now better acquainted with the -character of the man, whom I had once -looked upon as an angel of light; and I -recollected several hints of the old Seneschal, -which seemed to imply a suspicion -similar to that of Minna. Yet the fact -appeared to me in a light too dreadful to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>admit of my giving it implicit confidence; -and I judged it prudent to contradict -it with my lips, though in my -heart I could not help dreading, that the -accusation was but too well-grounded.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Alas! it was not long, before I was -thoroughly convinced, that my husband -was capable of many a deed, of which -during the happy days of my love-sick -delusion I would have asserted his innocence -with an oath, and have suffered -the weight of his guilt to have been -charged upon my own conscience! -Alas! it was not long, before I had but -too much reason to confess, that there -was no impossibility in his having been -concerned in that perfidious act, which -his innocent accuser had alleged against -him.</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>The persons, who had been the original -means of bringing me acquainted -with the Count of Carlsheim (an acquaintance -which I already began to -consider as a misfortune), the Abbot -and Prior of Cloister-Curwald had been -maintained in their rights by my good -uncle; and under his powerful protection -they lived in harmony with their -monks from the time of my interference. -However, no sooner had the jurisdiction -of this monastery been made over by -Count Venosta to my husband, than -discontent and rebellion began to resume -their influence over the younger -monks, who felt themselves opprest by -the restraints imposed on them by their -virtuous superiors. Often did Abbot -Christian, when I knelt before him in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>his confessional, return my confidence -by an acknowledgment of his secret -sorrows, and explain his melancholy -forebodings of what would be his convent’s -future fate, in a manner that -touched me to the very heart. But I -was myself too weak to assist the venerable -man; my husband was deaf to -my entreaties; and Count Venosta was -at too great a distance to admit of any -good effects being produced by my applying -to him.</p> - -<p class='c021'>It was long past midnight, that I once -happened to be sitting alone in my chamber, -expecting my husband’s return from -a carousal at a neighbouring Baron’s; and -I was endeavouring to prepare myself for -the painful scenes, which seldom failed -to follow such entertainments. Suddenly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>Gertrude entered the room with a -terrified countenance, and informed me -that having seen from her window which -overlooked the garden some dark-looking -figures, whose appearance was made -still more terrific by the contrast of the -newly-fallen snow, she had descended to -examine what they really were; and -that she had found it necessary to admit -into my anti-chamber the persons, who -had given her so causeless an alarm.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Do not be terrified!” said she, -“they are only poor afflicted spirits, -who hope for relief from your hands.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>I was too well acquainted with the -friendly anxiety of my faithful attendant -to spare me pain, and prepare me for -unpleasant news by the manner in which -she related it, to be deceived by her -<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>assurance, that I had nothing to fear. I -waited for the appearance of these -strangers with a beating heart. What -was my surprise at recognizing the excellent -Abbot of Cloister-Curwald, the -venerable Matthias, and several other of -the most respectable monks, whose -evident consternation already seemed to -implore my assistance, before they yet -had time to give their petition words.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Oh! dear good lady,” exclaimed -the Abbot, “we are undone! the -dreaded storm has burst, and we must all -be the prey of death, unless <i>you</i> can find -means of preserving us! This morning -while officiating at the altar, we were -seized in the name of our liege-lord, the -Count of Carlsheim, and imprisoned in -a subterraneous dungeon. Our appeal -<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>to the Bishop of Coira was treated with -derision; and we collected from some -suspicious remarks of our jailor, that -our doom would be finally determined, -long before our appeal could be made to -a superior jurisdiction. Alas! we know -but too well, what <i>can</i> be done in convents! -The fore-warnings of approaching -death presented themselves on all -sides; the noise of revelry resounding -from the chambers above us increased -our anxiety! What had we not to fear -from the rage and malignity of these -intoxicated monks!—Fortunately, one -of my secret friends found means to -gain admittance to our dungeon, and -explain to us the real and pressing -danger of our situation. It seems, -that the enemies of order and of virtue -<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>are protected by the Count of Carlsheim; -he was himself assisting at the dissolute -entertainment; and probably at this -moment we should no longer have been -numbered among the living, had not -the friend who brought us this intelligence, -secretly assisted us to escape from -the convent, and accompanied us in our -flight. Now then our life is in your -hands; save us, dear lady, either by -softening your husband through your -entreaties, or by pointing out to us -some place of concealment. To you -alone could we have recourse; had we -sought any other refuge, we must surely -have been overtaken before we could -have reached it.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Save you by entreaties?” I exclaimed, -while I hastened to unclose a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>door conducting to my baths; “entreaties -to Count Ethelbert? Instant -flight is your only chance for safety! -Follow me, father! Follow me, and -lose not a moment!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>I hastened onwards, and conducted -the trembling monks through a long -subterraneous passage, unknown to all -in the Castle except myself and the -faithful Gertrude. The outlet was in -the mountains; and here I quitted -the fugitives, convinced that they would -easily find their way through the intricate -passes, with which the Prior Matthias -was perfectly well acquainted, -having frequently traversed them in his -botanical pursuits.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Half of the night was consumed in -this employment. On my return, I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>found the furious Ethelbert waiting for -me in my apartment, and immediately a -tremendous storm of rage burst over -my devoted head. Convinced that my -friends were now in safety, I attempted -not to conceal my share in the transaction; -and when he loaded me with -insults, I replied to him by reminding -him of the promise which he had formerly -given me, to protect the opprest -Abbot in the preservation of his rights, -a promise which he had so shamefully -broken. Truth and justice were on my -side, but power was on that of my adversary. -There was no one to hear me, -and judge between Count Ethelbert and -myself; he was the strongest; the reward -of my remonstrances was the most -<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>unworthy treatment, and my chamber -became my prison.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The vassals, who loved me, exclaimed -against such an act of violence, as soon -as they understood by means of Gertrude, -how cruelly I was treated; but -Ethelbert’s art soon succeeded in giving -another colour to the transaction. He -justified his severity by accusing me of -a shameful intrigue with the banished -Abbot of Cloister-Curwald. His assertions -were so positive, that they soon -produced the desired effect; and it was -without any violent agitation, that the -peasants a few days after saw me conducted -away under a strong guard, no -one knew whither; nothing gave me -more pain in this abrupt departure than -<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>being deprived of the only comfort -which was still left me, the society of my -faithful Gertrude, and of my young -friend, the Damsel of Mayenfield.</p> - -<p class='c021'>One man alone, one of the most distinguished -inhabitants of that quarter, -a man who breathed the true spirit of -Helvetic courage, and of love of freedom, -Henric Melthal alone dared openly to -blame the proceedings of my tyrant. He -spread his own noble sentiments around -him, and communicated his feelings to -his companions with a success, which -might have rescued me from my bondage, -had not Count Ethelbert resolved -to withdraw me from public attention -without a moment’s delay.</p> - -<p class='c021'>On the other side of the mountain of -Halsberg, near the lake of Thun, stands -<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>an old Castle belonging to the family of -Ravenstein, a family which has been in -alliance with the Counts of Carlsheim -and Sargans since time immemorial. At -the period of which I am now treating, -it was entirely deserted. The owner resided -in a remote part of Italy, where he -had lived on terms of intimacy with -Ethelbert; and having himself no occasion -for this mouldering castle, he consigned -the use of it to his friend the Count of -Carlsheim; the use to which the Count -applied it, was the only one for which -it now appeared to be adapted, the confinement -of the innocent.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Tedious and fearful was the way -which conducted me to my destined -abode; but the place itself, which I -looked upon as my eternal prison, far -<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>exceeded all the horrors, which had -struck my imagination so forcibly while -approaching it. It was an antient fortress, -perched high on the brow of a -precipice like an eagle’s nest, which now -received the unfortunate Urania. The -peculiar form of its architecture announced -it to have been raised in the -time of Charlemagne; and the incessant -howling of the storm, and raging of the -billows seemed with every moment to -threaten its downfall. I saw it from a -distance seemingly suspended on the -very brink of a steep and barren rock, -which overhung the Lake, and I shuddered, -when my conductors pointed it -out as my future dwelling!</p> - -<p class='c021'>Fool that I was! I flew with rapture -into the arms of Ethelbert, where I expected -<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>to find an earthly paradise and -was deceived: with agony, keen as that -of the dying, did I enter Ravenstein -Castle ... and was deceived again! -Ah! will short-sighted mortals never -succeed in comprehending, that that -which <i>appears</i>, and that which <i>is</i>, but -rarely coincide? Yet, when we have -experienced these deceptions twice or -thrice, the experience makes us in future -calm and resigned; and we acquire -from it that indifference which raises us -above the frowns and smiles of fortune, -and enables us to repress with equal -strength groundless apprehensions and -unavailing wishes.</p> - -<p class='c021'>During the first days of my confinement -I was in truth most wretched. -My situation was rendered almost insupportable -<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>by the want of every convenience -and comfort, and by the tediousness -of unbroken solitude. I sighed -after society of any kind, even though -it had been such as (to judge from its -outward appearance) would have promised -me but little entertainment.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Some days had thus elapsed, when I -observed through the bars of my closely-grated -window, that a boy apparently -between three and four years old, was -sometimes suffered to amuse himself -by playing in the neglected garden, -which I was myself forbidden to visit. -The innocent gaiety of the child made -an impression on me, which frequently -filled my eyes with tears.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Happy unthinking creature!” I -exclaimed, wringing my hands in the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>bitterness of grief, “this garden appears -to you a paradise, because you know -none better. You are poor, forsaken, -perhaps menaced by a thousand dangers -which every moment brings nearer; -but you see them not! Regret for the -past troubles you as little as anxiety for -the future; and it were difficult for a -monarch with all his power to make you -more happy, than you are even now! -Oh! that I were like you. Oh! that at -least I could clasp you in my arms, and -learn from your sweet smile the art of -smiling though in prison!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>My wish to become more intimate -with the happy trifler was too ardent -to remain concealed. I entreated my -jailor to gratify me with a nearer sight -of him, and after a few difficulties I was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>at length permitted to receive the little -Ludolf in my gloomy chamber.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Ludolf?” I exclaimed, when the -child first told me his name—“Ludolf?” -I repeated still more anxiously, while I -examined his features, and fancied that -I could trace a resemblance, which excited -hopes in my bosom so sweet that -I trembled to indulge them.</p> - -<p class='c021'>What then was my emotion, when -the lovely boy convinced me that this -was not the first time of our meeting, -by naming as his mother, “Edith of -Mayenfield!”</p> - -<p class='c021'>Yes! this dear, this long-lost friend -was like myself an inmate of this place -of terror! I breathed the same air with -her; I was allowed to hope, that every -succeeding day would afford me an opportunity -<span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>of beholding her: the pleasure, -which I felt from these reflections, was -too great to admit of my observing, that -Count Ethelbert’s confining me in the -same place with a captive, whom he had -secured in a manner so treacherous, was -a proof that he designed my imprisonment -to be eternal. Whatever might -have originally been his motives for treating -us with such severity, it was at least -certain, that he would not permit either -to regain her liberty, lest she should discover -the mystery of his inhuman conduct, -or take measures for rescuing from -his power her companion in misfortune.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Considerations of this kind did not -at first suggest themselves; I felt nothing -but the joy of being once more united -<span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>to my friend, an event which I now -looked forward to with the most eager -expectation. Heaven knows, it would -have been no trifling comfort to me, -had I met with the most insignificant -of created beings, would but that being -have listened to me with compassion, -and endeavoured to soothe me in the -paroxisms of my despair; but to dare to -hope that Edith would now be my -comforter in this dreary prison, oh! -who can express the countless sources of -satisfaction, which that single thought -contained!</p> - -<p class='c021'>But alas! the completion of my hopes -was not so easy as I expected. The -Countess of Mayenfield was confined -not less closely than myself; and our -jailor was not to be prevailed on to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>depart in one single instance from the -instructions of his inhuman lord. Yet -methinks this man was not cruel by -nature. Perhaps, it grieved him to be -compelled to treat us with so much -harshness; but he made it a point of -conscience to adhere in the most punctual -manner to the oath, which (as he -frequently assured me, in answer to my -complaints and reproaches) he had been -compelled to give to the Count of -Carlsheim.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“You see,” said he, “that where ever -it is in my power, I refuse no indulgence. -I received no particular command -respecting the child’s imprisonment, -who was delivered to my custody -at the same time with his mother, and -therefore I allow him to enjoy all those -<span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>advantages, from which I am compelled -to debar her and yourself. Neither was -it forbidden me to furnish the Countess -of Mayenfield with such sources of mental -amusement, as might beguile her -solitary hours. She has a variety of -books, has her spinning-wheel and her -embroidery frame; if she chuses it, she -may lay these aside, and employ herself -with her pen; this indulgence, lady, -shall also be granted to <i>you</i>; and methinks, -it must be almost the same -thing, whether what you have to say to -each other is imparted in writing, or in -person.”</p> - -<p class='c021'>Here then did our jailor kindly open -a door for those communications, for -which we had so long thirsted; we returned -him our most ardent thanks for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>the hint, and lost no time in making use -of it. We wrote to each other daily; -and as the conscientious feelings of this -trusty domestic of my tyrant would -not allow him to deliver our letters -himself, they were confided to the care -of the little Ludolf. The lovely boy -soon became attached to me; he was -ever ready to visit my narrow chamber; -and besides the information which -Edith’s letters contained, I gleaned from -him in conversation many interesting -anecdotes, which however serious their -subject, frequently assumed so whimsical -an appearance through his infantine -mode of relating them, that it was impossible -either for his mother or myself -to refrain from smiling. Heavens! we -smiled! little did our tyrant imagine, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>that in the gloomy walls of Ravenstein -Castle his captives would have ever -found cause for mirth!</p> - -<p class='c021'>Edith’s letters contained explanations -of many circumstances, which till then -had appeared to me quite unaccountable. -These precious memorials of the most -sacred friendship are still in my possession. -You, my dear children, for whom -I write this narrative of my sufferings, -will find them after my death, as documents -serving to corroborate the veracity -of my statements. Oh! how will -you blush for your ancestor, when you -read that Ethelbert had never been the -character, which we (poor deceived -ones!) believed him to be, and that -from the very beginning his whole conduct -had been an artifice!</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>Its true, my person at first was the -object of his desires; but much more so -were the possessions, which I was expected -to inherit. Anxiously did he -seek to bring about our union; but -circumstances, with which Edith herself -was unacquainted, forbade the explanation -of his wishes, and compelled him to -wait, till my uncle should actually force -him to accept my hand. Fear, lest my -expectations of being raised to power -and wealth (on which his own depended) -should be overturned by Count Venosta’s -second marriage, induced him -privately to remove the dreaded Edith. -He had chosen the time for carrying her -off admirably well. A secret understanding -with the Abbot of St. Gall, -(whose enemy he profest to be in public) -<span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>enabled him at once to get rid of Count -Venosta’s vigilance, entice me out of the -fortress, and thus leave Edith totally -without protection. It also afforded -him an opportunity to establish himself -in my uncle’s favour, by rendering him -so essential a service as the restoring him -to liberty; a service, which my too -grateful uncle thought could only be -rewarded by the gift of my hand, without -allowing Ethelbert time to solicit it.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Alas! my fortitude fails me, while -endeavouring to unravel the whole web -of artifice and villainy, which our persecutor -had woven to ensnare us with no -less cunning than success. He contrived -to cheat the Abbot of the prisoner, whom -he had first himself betrayed into his -power; Count Venosta of his possessions, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>his mistress, and his niece; poor Edith of -her liberty; and me of the happiness and -tranquillity of my whole life!</p> - -<p class='c021'>Never had Count Ethelbert felt for -me one spark of real affection. Even -the passion, with which my person had -inspired him, was subordinate to his -desire of becoming master of my large -possessions. No sooner was this point -accomplished, no sooner had the daily -sight of it deprived what little beauty -was mine of the charm of novelty, than -the continual presence of a virtuous -wife appeared to him a check upon his -pleasures. He therefore seized with -eagerness the first opportunity of delivering -himself from my presence; nor -did he forget to sully my reputation by -imputations so disgraceful, that I appeared -<span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>to the world unworthy of either -relief or pity. Even my good uncle -wept, and resigned me to my fate.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The Countess of Mayenfield had -learned the greatest part of the circumstances, -which she related in her letters, -from the wife of the Castellan of Ravenstein; -this good-hearted matron (who -died a few days before my arrival at the -Castle) had a son in Count Ethelbert’s -service, by whom she was informed of -most of his lord’s proceedings. The conversation -of this compassionate woman -had beguiled many of the heavy hours -of Edith’s imprisonment; nor had she -ever neglected an opportunity of evading -the too conscientious adherence of her -husband to his oath, and of furnishing -to the noble captive many alleviations -<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>of her sorrows, all of which vanished -at her death.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Oh! had I but found her still in -existence on my arrival at Ravenstein, -what might we not have hoped from -her friendly aid! what would have been -too difficult for three women to accomplish, -of whom the one possessed power, -the second prudence, and the third resolution! -Surely it would have been easy -for us to have obtained our freedom; -at least, I should not have been so long -deprived of the happiness of clasping my -faithful Edith to my bosom.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Often in our epistolary conversations -did we lament over the great loss, which -we had sustained in being deprived of -this worthy creature! yet the Countess -comforted herself with the pleasure of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>knowing, that I was near her and in a -place, where she looked upon me as enjoying -both more happiness and more -safety, than would have been my lot in -the arms of Count Ethelbert.—As for -myself, I wept, and prayed for better -times.</p> - -<p class='c021'>And better times arrived! We had -long suspected, that we were not the -only unfortunates confined at Ravenstein; -and in the truth of this suspicion -we now were fully confirmed, though -our curiosity was by no means fully -satisfied.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The Castle, as I before stated, was built -on the summit of a lofty rock, whose -point appeared designed as a mark for the -assaults of all the four winds of heaven. -Storms here were frequent and tremendous. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>In the middle of a tempestuous -night, when the whirlwind was raging -with its greatest violence, suddenly a -remote wing of the Castle burst into -flames! the wind set towards our quarter; -the sparks flew in at our grated -windows; our danger increased with -every moment, and every human being -seemed to have totally forgotten us. No -one had consideration enough to unlock -our dungeons; no one showed the slightest -disposition to come to our assistance. -The general attention was directed towards -the eastern wing of the fortress, -which was entirely in flames.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Our terror is not to be described; -yet certainly mine was far inferior to -that of Edith, who had not to fear -for herself alone. The preservation of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>a life, which was infinitely dearer to her -than her own, occupied all her thoughts; -she trembled for the life of her son!</p> - -<p class='c021'>She was desperate; she felt, that his -destruction was inseparably united with -her own, and resolved to dare every -thing to preserve him. In the wall of -her dungeon was an opening, barely -large enough to suffer the child to pass -through; she fastened her bed cloaths -together; she resolved to let him down -by them to the ground, and charged him, -as soon as he should have reached it, to -release himself and fly, or else to find -some hiding place, where he might remain -till the danger was past. The -risque was dreadful; nothing but despair -could have induced her to adopt -such a resolution.</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>Edith’s endeavours to preserve her -little darling were not unsuccessful. He -reached the ground in safety; but -scarcely had she parted with him, when -the increasing heat (for by this time the -balconies of the neighbouring buildings -were in flames) and the volumes of -smoke, which poured into her chamber, -overpowered her senses, and she sank -without animation on the floor.</p> - -<p class='c021'>My situation was exactly similar. At -the moment when I fainted, the only -thought, which employed my mind, was -the hope of an happy meeting with -Edith in another better world; an hope -which (I fully believed) was accomplished, -when on once more unclosing -my eyes, I found myself breathing pure -air in a light and spacious chamber, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>perceived by my side the friend whom I -loved so tenderly, and for whose sight -I had so long and so anxiously sighed in -vain.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Oh! Edith!”—“Urania! my -Urania!”—we both exclaimed at once, -while we sank into each others’ arms; -“What has happened? are we rescued -from captivity on earth, or released -from the fetters of mortality? Where -is it that we meet, in freedom, in captivity, -or in the life beyond the -grave?”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>Too soon were our doubts removed: -too soon were we compelled to feel, that -we were rescued from death, but not -restored to liberty. The still smoking -ruins, which met our eyes from afar, -told us but too plainly, that we were still -<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>within the walls of Ravenstein; and -the unremitting vigilance, with which -we were observed, made us well aware, -that we had reaped no other advantage -from the transactions of the night, -except the delight of seeing and embracing -a long-lost friend. But alas! -what cruel reflections embittered this -delight. Edith sorrowed for her son, -and reproached herself for having suffered -herself to part with him in despair, -when had she detained him with her in -the dungeon, he would have been preserved -as well as his mother.</p> - -<p class='c021'>I felt scarcely less sorrow for the loss -of the beloved child, than Edith herself; -I would gladly have comforted her, but -alas! where was comfort to be found? -Even should he have escaped from the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>flames, which were raging with such -violence at the moment when he quitted -his mother, how difficult still did his preservation -appear! We failed not on the -day after the fire to examine the place, -whence Edith had caused him to descend. -The opening was not situated -very high in the tower; but close to the -place, where he must have reached -the ground, there yawned a tremendous -precipice; the depth of which when we -vainly endeavoured to measure with our -eyes, the flesh crept upon our bones, -and cold drops of terror chased each -other down our foreheads.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Bitter was our grief, but no one -heeded our lamentations; our guards -attended to nothing but the adventures -of the past night, and we collected from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>their discourse, that the fire had been -kindled by a lady confined in the eastern -wing of the Castle. Her object, as they -supposed, was to find some means of -escaping during the confusion, which -her rash action had necessarily produced; -she had not only failed in her design, -but had suffered so severely by springing -from a lofty window, and by the wounds -which she had received from the fragments -of a falling tower, that she was -not expected to outlive the night.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The Castellan too, in his endeavours -to prevent the escape of this prisoner -(whose confinement seemed to be a -greater object of anxiety to him, -even than that of Edith and myself) -had met with a fatal accident, and was -every moment expected to breathe his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>last. We desired to see him before his -death. With a feeble voice he entreated -our pardon for the injustice, with which -he had been compelled to treat us; but -he called Heaven to witness, that the -dreadful oaths which had been exacted -from him, had deprived him of the -power of acting differently. Yet did he -not think it necessary to enjoin our -future jailors to treat us with greater -lenity; and they, being in all probability -fettered by the same oaths with himself, -esteemed it their duty to retain us in a -captivity no less strict than before.</p> - -<p class='c021'>All we could obtain from them was, -that we should not again be separated; -and also that we should be permitted to -visit that unfortunate lady, of whose -existence in the Castle we were this day -<span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>informed for the first time; who had -made use of such violent means to obtain -her liberty; and who (as our guards -assured us) was on the point of paying -with her life, for having dared to commit -so desperate an action.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Curiosity, hope, the fear of finding -some beloved acquaintance in this -wretched captive, or the desire of giving -some alleviation to the sufferings of an -expiring partner in affliction, which of -these motives induced us to make this -melancholy visit, I cannot pretend to -decide. When we received the permission -to enter her dungeon, we were -assured, that we should find nothing that -would diminish our own distress, and -the event justified the assurance.</p> - -<p class='c021'>They conducted us to a wretched -<span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>pallet, on which lay a female, whose features -were totally unknown to us, but -whose appearance excited in us the -deepest sentiments of pity; of that painful -pity, which knows itself unable to -afford relief! On hearing our footsteps -she raised with difficulty her half-closed -eyes, and with a smile of anguish extended -her hand towards us. We exerted -ourselves to afford her every little -alleviation of pain, which our narrow -means could furnish; and in executing -these mournful services, our tears sufficiently -declared the feelings of our -hearts.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Forgive me!” said she, when -after two or three hours our endeavours -to relieve her had produced some little -effect; “I wished to rescue myself from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>captivity, and had nearly brought the -same fate on you, under which I am -now groaning. But long suffering is -the mother of despair!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>Shortly after she seemed to be nearly -delirious; she counted the years which -she had already past in this dreary dungeon, -and those during which she -expected to be detained in it by her -tyrant; then she raved about her son, -for whose arrival she had so long waited -in vain, and she entreated him to hasten -to the rescue of his unfortunate -mother!</p> - -<p class='c021'>Towards midnight she declared, that -all pain had entirely left her. With an -appearance of gaiety she thanked us for -our attentions, and entreated to know -the names of those, to whom she was so -<span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>much indebted. The Countess revealed -herself, and the captive in return bestowed -upon her a look of interest and -compassion.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Edith of Mayenfield?” repeated -the invalid; “oh! I know your story -well: you too have suffered much; not -so much, its true, as <i>I</i> have suffered, yet -enough to know what it is to incur a -villain’s hatred.—And your name, gentle -lady?” she continued, addressing -herself to me.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“I am Urania of Carlsheim and -Sargans,” was my answer.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Urania of Sargans!” shrieked -the stranger in a dreadful voice, while -she clasped her hands violently together; -“Urania? Ethelbert’s beloved Urania? -Oh, Fortune, this blow was still wanting -<span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>to make me completely miserable.—Away -from my sight, abandoned -woman! away, and leave me to die! -But with my last breath I swear to be -revenged! Even from my grave will I -shriek to Heaven for vengeance! Tremble, -detested girl; thou shalt not triumph -over my corse unpunished!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>I stood like one petrified near the bed -of the sufferer; astonishment and terror -almost deprived me of my senses, and -nothing but the consciousness that she -spoke in the heat of frenzy, could have -preserved me from sinking on the -earth.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Noble lady,” I said as soon as I -could recover myself, at the same time -advancing towards her, and offering to -take her hand; “recollect yourself, for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>pity’s sake! I never saw you till now, -and can never have offended you. You -surely cannot have heard me aright. I -am Urania, the unfortunate Urania -Venosta, who rejected by a cruel husband, -and undeservedly branded with -shame, have been condemned in this -Castle to wear eternal fetters, which the -flames of last night in vain attempted to -break.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Ha!” said the stranger in a -gentler tone, “is it so?—Are you then -Ethelbert’s <i>rejected</i> wife?—Unfortunate, -let me clasp thy hand in mine; we -are sisters in calamity.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>Already was I advancing to take the -hand which she held out, when Edith -uttered a loud scream, and hastily drew -me back. She had observed the captive’s -<span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>countenance change suddenly, and -we now saw, that she grasped a poniard -till then concealed in her bosom. From -that moment the senses of the wretched -stranger were irrecoverably lost. Her -eyes full of rage were constantly directed -towards me; she foamed at the mouth; -she loaded me with execrations, and I -was compelled to retire, that she might -have a chance of regaining some composure.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The meaning of this dreadful scene -was to me an absolute enigma. I -lamented the poor wretch’s condition; -though a secret horror, whenever -I recollected her words and manner, -took complete possession of my -soul. In this painful situation did I pass -the night; the morning had scarcely -<span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>dawned, when the Countess of Mayenfield -rejoined me, and informed me that -the unknown lady was no more. Edith -was quite exhausted by the terrible occurrences -of the past night. I enquired, -whether she had made no discoveries, -which might unravel these mysterious -circumstances: but she answered by an -assurance, that it was impossible for her -to give me any light upon the subject.</p> - -<p class='c021'>In mournful silence did we follow to -the grave the corse of our wretched -partner in captivity. She was interred -in one of the back-courts of our prison; -and we were conducted after the burial -into a gloomy apartment in a quarter of -the Castle, which had escaped the violence -of the flames. Our present dungeon -was in no respect better, than our -<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>former had been; and the small portion -of freedom, which we had enjoyed -during the few last days, now appeared -to our stern jailors too great an indulgence, -and we were accordingly deprived -of it.</p> - -<p class='c021'>We heard the door barred on the -outside; we sank into each other’s arms, -and wept bitterly: then we rejoiced, -that at least we had been suffered to -remain together, and then we wept -again. We endeavoured to escape from -present miseries by recalling former happiness, -and indulging future hopes; but -alas! this resource was but of little -avail. Yet among all the agonizing -reflections which tormented us, nothing -was so painful to remember, as the loss -of our little darling, Ludolf!</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>I will not pain your gentle hearts, my -children, by dwelling on our sufferings -in this forlorn situation, during which -our only support was the soothing of -mutual pity. A change at length took -place in it, but we had little reason to -expect, that it would turn out to our -advantage! Our guards informed us -one day, that the Count of Carlsheim -had sent a new Castellan to superintend -the government of this half-ruined fortress; -and they added, we should soon -find cause to regret under our new -overseer that treatment, which we had -complained of as being so harsh and -rigid. We trembled, as we listened to -this prophecy. Aversion and spite -against this new instrument of Count -Ethelbert’s vengeance were plainly exprest -<span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>in every feature of our former -jailors, yet did they scarcely dare to -express their dislike of him aloud: what -then had <i>we</i> to expect? How dreadful -must that man be, who could strike -terror even into the flinty hearts of -these barbarians!</p> - -<p class='c021'>We had not long been informed of -his arrival, when this dreaded Castellan -entered our dungeon, accompanied by -several of our former guards. We -trembled, as we gazed on the gloomy -brow of the man, to whose hands our -fate was consigned. Walter Forest, for -(so was our jailor called) scarcely deigned -to honour us with a look, while he -informed us, that we must prepare ourselves -to quit Ravenstein at midnight, -the Count of Carlsheim not thinking -<span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>the Castle safe enough, since the late fire, -for the confinement of prisoners of our -consequence. We wished to address a -few words to him, imploring better -treatment for the future; but he turned -away from us rudely, blamed the attendants -for having suffered us to remain -unfettered, and having caused heavy -shackles to be brought immediately, he -saw them rivetted before he left the -dungeon.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The doors were fastened after him -more cautiously, if possible, than before. -Yet in spite of his vigilance and positive -commands, the former chief of our -guards (who seemed to look on his -being deprived of his cruel office as an -insult) contrived to gain admission to -us privately, and to confirm by his warnings -<span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>the dreadful suspicions, with which -our imaginations were but too strongly -imprest already.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“I advise you by every means in -your power,” said he, “to avoid committing -yourselves to the power of this -intruder: depend upon it, this removal -to a different place of confinement is -only a pretence to persuade you to follow -him without trouble; and I doubt not, -he intends to convey you to some solitary -spot, and put an end at once to -your captivity and your lives. But -take my counsel, and you shall be rescued -from this danger: Walter is accompanied -but by few attendants, and those -badly armed; our people are treble the -number of his, and we can easily overpower -him, if you will but give us the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>command. Call to us for assistance; -we will all be on your side; and as we -have carefully avoided asking to see our -master’s orders for giving you into -Walter’s custody, we can easily make it -believed that we took him for an impostor, -and thus shall we escape Count -Ethelbert’s vengeance, if you will but -engage not to betray our secret!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>The fellow, who hitherto had seldom -deigned to hold a parley with us, said -much more to the same effect. He left -us undecided, what we ought to think of -this proposal, and what mode of conduct -it would be most prudent for us to -pursue: yet after mature deliberation, -and having completely canvassed the -business by ourselves, the consideration, -that in a situation so desolate as ours, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>any change must be for the better, -made us resolve to submit quietly -Ethelbert’s lately-issued commands.—New -situations might furnish new resources, -perhaps even an opportunity for -flight; at all events our present condition -was so hopeless, that we could not -wish it to continue; and when at midnight -Walter Forest unbarred our dungeon -door, we followed him without a -murmur.</p> - -<p class='c021'>In all probability the enemies of our -new comptroller had agreed, that our -resistance should be the signal for falling -upon him. We found our anti-chamber -filled with them; all were armed, and -the threatening looks, which they threw -on our conductor, sufficiently declared -their purpose.—But when they saw -<span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>that we accompanied him willingly, their -courage appeared to fail them. Some -few indeed unsheathed their swords, -and made a faint show of resistance; -but Walter’s people were neither cowards -nor ignorant of the use of arms, -and we were soon permitted to quit the -Castle unimpeded.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Tremble!” we heard Walter -exclaim, as we crost the threshold, -“tremble, rebels, when I return! You -shall not have opposed our master’s will -without reward, and you shall find, that -I am able to preserve the office, which -Count Ethelbert has thought fit to intrust -to my care!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>At the entrance of the steep and narrow -path, by which we descended the -rock on whose brow the fortress was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>situated, stood a close litter, to which we -were conducted. We entered it; the carriage -moved on with rapidity; and now -it was, that I ventured to discover to my -friend my astonishment, at a circumstance -which had just occurred. In -quitting the Castle one of Walter’s people -had raised the visor of his casque -for a moment, and had shewn me what -seemed to be the countenance of Henric -Melthal! My narrative had already -made Edith acquainted with the character -of this man. In the whole circle -of the ten jurisdictions there existed not -a heart more honest or more brave. He -had been one of my uncle’s most faithful -vassals; and even when that domain -where he resided was made over to the -Count of Carlsheim, Henric still remained -<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>most tenderly attached to the -interests of Count Venosta and his unhappy -niece.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Henric Melthal?” exclaimed the -Countess; “Oh! Urania, if this honest -man is among our attendants, we are -already more than half at liberty.—He -surely knows not the prisoners whom -he is guarding, and doubtless if we can -but find an opportunity of discovering -to him our names and danger, he will -omit no endeavour to free us from our -chains.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>To confirm her in these pleasing hopes -I was on the point of informing her, -that when I was forcibly removed from -the Castle of Sargans, this very Henric -was the only person who dared to assert -<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>my innocence; when Walter Forest -rode up to the side of the litter.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Noble ladies,” said he, while the -moon showed us, that the gloom, which -had overspread his countenance, was -replaced by the smile of benevolence, -and while the tone in which he addrest -us was the most gentle and respectful, -“Fear nothing; you are safe, and here -is the person, whom you have to thank -for your rescue.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>I will not attempt to describe our -feelings at hearing these words, which -were no sooner spoken, than Walter -again withdrew. The litter was dark; -we could not see the person who entered -it; but how were our doubts converted -into rapture, when Edith felt her neck -<span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>encircled by two little arms, and heard -herself called by the name of mother!</p> - -<p class='c021'>With one voice we both pronounced -the name of the dear lost child, who -was now restored to us so unexpectedly. -Rapture almost deprived the Countess -of speech and recollection; and I was -myself too much bewildered with the -joy of having recovered the little Ludolf -and my own liberty at the same time, -to be capable of affording my friend -much assistance. As soon as we could -recollect ourselves, we endeavoured to -call Walter to the side of the litter, in -order that he might explain these mysterious -transactions; but he paid no -attention to us. This was not a fit time -for explanations and expressions of gratitude. -Not a moment was to be lost, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>and we traversed the valley with the -rapidity of the tempest. Till we were -safe on the other side of the mountains, -or had crost the lake of Thun, we were -desired not to expect our curiosity to be -fully gratified; in the mean while we -were obliged to content ourselves with -such circumstances, as we could collect -from Ludolf’s unconnected account, -which however left us no doubt, that we -were indebted for our rescue to the -courage and address of Walter Forest.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Providence had made use of Edith’s -desperate resolution of dropping her -little darling from the prison-window, -to effect our deliverance. You see in -this an example, my children, what insignificant -trifles furnish the Omnipotent -Ruler of all things with the means of -blessing his creatures! Our imprudences, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>nay even our very faults are not -without their use in the great chain of -accidents; and managed by a hand of -superior power they often produce consequences -totally different from those, -which might naturally have been expected -to follow!</p> - -<p class='c021'>In that night of terror Ludolf’s better -angel had guided him safely through a -dangerous path on every side beset with -steep precipices and vast tremendous -chasms. Weeping and exhausted with -fatigue, he was found at the foot of a -rock by a peasant from the vale of Frutiger. -On being informed that he had -just made his escape from the burning -Castle, and was unwilling to return thither, -the honest countryman conducted -him to the house of Walter Forest, one -of the most distinguished inhabitants of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>those parts. He received the child with -that hospitable kindness, which no true -Helvetian ever refuses to the unfortunate. -Walter was <i>indeed</i> a true Helvetian; -and he felt double pleasure in -giving protection to a child like Ludolf, -who to the beauty of a cherub united -the most unprotected helplessness: -surely there is no chain more powerful -to bind a noble heart.</p> - -<p class='c021'>It was long, before his new guardian -could comprehend the meaning of the -child’s broken narrative; but the names -of his mother and myself (both of -whom Ludolf supposed to have perished -in the conflagration) and his calling -himself the Count of Mayenfield, roused -Walter’s attention sufficiently to induce -him to enquire farther into the business; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>and those enquiries at length made him -master of the whole truth.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The virtuous inhabitants of that tranquil -valley troubled themselves but -little about what past in the rock-founded -Castles of the neighbouring lords. They -looked upon them as the abodes of vice -and of injustice, loathed their possessors -for the one, and feared them for the -other. Their power was too weak to -permit their preventing the commission -of those crimes, which frequently took -place in these fortresses, though the -report of such deeds of horror occasionally -reached them; therefore their most -earnest wish, respecting these dens of -robbers, was to escape the notice of their -owners, who might otherwise have been -<span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>tempted to make them also experience -the weight of their oppression.</p> - -<p class='c021'>But Walter Forest (a man, whose -sentiments and actions were in every -respect far superior to those of his co-temporaries) -needed only to be informed, -that two unhappy women stood in need -of his protection, to make him resolve -on granting it. By making enquiries -cautiously and discreetly among the -household of the Count of Carlsheim, -he ascertained the truth of what he had -collected from the child’s narration, and -also that the captives of whom he spoke -had been rescued from the flames. His -resolution was immediately adopted, -and swift and successful was the execution -of his design.</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>Henric Melthal was an old acquaintance -and friend of Walter; and it was -to him, that the latter applied for information -respecting the history of Edith -and myself. That faithful vassal of -Count Venosta had long lamented in -secret the fate of his former mistress, -and anxiously wished to discover the -place of her confinement. Readily -therefore did he enter into Walter’s plan -for my deliverance; and in the mean -while (through fear of losing time) he -dispatched his son in all haste to give -my uncle information of every thing -that had taken place.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The measures adopted for our rescue -by these two honest Helvetians is easy to -be guest from what has been already -related. Henric brought with him a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>small band of faithful friends from the -neighbourhood of Sargans, which Walter -strengthened with some of the bravest -inhabitants of the vale of Frutiger. -They were daring enough to present -themselves at Ravenstein, as Envoys -from the Count of Carlsheim; and the -very rashness of the design made it pass -without suspicion. The firm and commanding -tone, which they assumed, -overawed the numerous soldiers of -Ravenstein; our friends were well -aware, that their artifice could not -remain long undiscovered, and therefore -they lost not a moment in endeavouring -to reap the fruits of it; they -were successful, and the captives were -once more free!</p> - -<p class='c021'>Edith! Ludolf! dear partners in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>affliction, ye were restored with me to -liberty!—Walter! Henric! our benevolent -deliverers, what thanks could -suffice to reward your services!—But -the generous men expected neither -rewards nor thanks. What they had -done appeared to them an act so simple, -that they rather supposed, we should -complain that our rescue had been delayed -so long; and they thought it -necessary to assure us a thousand times, -that ignorance of our situation and -want of power to assist us had unavoidably -prevented their coming sooner -to break our chains; excuses, which we -(only awake to sentiments of gratitude -and joy) thought perfectly unsuited to -the occasion.</p> - -<p class='c021'>These excellent men, who had bravely -<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>hazarded their lives in a manner so -perfectly disinterested, belonged to the -inferior class of people; they were the -sons of labour, and strangers to the -refinements of wealth and grandeur. -Yet does there really exist an <i>inferior</i> -class among a people, who inhale with -every breath of air the spirit of -generosity and the love of freedom? -Oh! rocks of Helvetia, ’tis -only among <i>you</i>, that we find that -mixture of magnanimity of soul and -unaffected simplicity, which attracts to -your children so large a portion of our -admiration and our love at once!</p> - -<p class='c021'>Prevented by distance and by the -increasing infirmities of age, Count -Venosta had not yet completed his preparations -for attempting our rescue, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>when we threw ourselves at his feet. -Arnold Melthal (Henric’s son, whom his -father had dispatched with the account -of our situation) had assured him, that -it was unnecessary for him to collect his -forces, since we should certainly be -delivered without their assistance; but -when those we love are concerned, -who ever believes, that too many precautions -can be taken? The news, that -Edith still lived, and that his niece was -innocent, had agitated the venerable -warrior’s mind so violently, that had he -been master of it, he would have summoned -the whole world to our assistance.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The small estate, which Count Leopold -had alone reserved for himself out -of all the wide-extended possessions, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>which his generosity had bestowed on -my ungrateful husband, was in a perfect -uproar, and his few vassals were already -in arms. As our arrival made these -preparations unnecessary for our rescue, -it was determined that they should be -employed for our revenge. As for -Edith and myself, we entreated that -peace might be preserved; we implored -my uncle to recollect the great superiority -of strength and riches, which our -foes possest: but how difficult is it to -prevail on an antient warrior to lay -aside the sword long accustomed to -victory!</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Oh! Edith,” he replied to our -supplications, “spare me these entreaties; -the unmanly conduct of your -tyrant is too base to be permitted to pass -<span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>unpunished. Reflect, of how many -happy years the monster has deprived -us, which we might have passed together -in peace and joy; reflect too, that -he robbed you, my innocent Urania, of -your good name, and by that means of -the assistance of your best, your only -friend. Fool that I was, how could I -have been so credulous as to believe his -calumny! How artfully did he long -contrive to keep me ignorant of his -separation from you! and when at -length the remonstrances of Henric -Melthal, and the cries of your faithful -Gertrude, penetrated to my solitude, -how skilfully did he lull to rest my love -and my anxiety by slanderous tales, to -which your uncle (under whose eye you -had so long past a life of the purest innocence) -<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>ought never to have given -credit?”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>Such being his feelings, it was impossible -for our entreaties to make any -impression on Count Venosta. He was -positively determined to punish the -Count of Carlsheim, not only for the -crimes which he had committed, but -for the error which (through him) he -had himself been induced to commit. -For this purpose he conducted us to the -strong Castle of Upper Halbstein, on -the banks of the Rhine, which was situated -not far from the scene of action, -and consequently was then more convenient -for our abode than the distant -vale of Munster.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Scarcely had we reached the Castle, -when we received a pleasure totally -<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>unexpected, but long most anxiously -desired. In vain had we endeavoured -to discover, what was become of the -youthful Minna of Mayenfield, whom I -had been compelled to leave behind in -Count Ethelbert’s power. My uncle -assured us, that no sooner had he been -informed of my departure from the -Castle of Sargans, than in hopes of -gaining some consolation for my loss, -he had requested the Count of Carlsheim -to entrust her to his care. His application -however had been unsuccessful; -and the only intelligence which he could -gain respecting her was, that on the -day after my forcible departure from -Sargans, Gertrude had found means to -quit the Castle privately, and had been -accompanied in her flight by the Damsel -<span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>of Mayenfield. Yet when Gertrude -made her appearance at Count Venosta’s -to prevail on him to attempt my deliverance, -and was questioned respecting -the above report, she denied any knowledge -of the place of Minna’s concealment. -The mystery was now dissolved; -on the day after our arrival at the Castle -on the Rhine, I had the pleasure of being -welcomed by my faithful Gertrude!</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Oh! my dear ladies!” she exclaimed, -while she threw herself at our -feet, and prest an hand of each alternately -to her lips, “how much have I -felt for your misfortunes! how much -trouble has it cost me to preserve for -you that treasure, which I am now going -to restore! I dared not intrust it to -the custody of the weak and credulous -<span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>Count Venosta; but under your care -our lovely girl can have nothing to -apprehend.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>Scarcely had Gertrude ceased to speak, -when a blooming maiden about sixteen, -whose charms perfectly answered the -expectation of what was promised by -the childhood of Minna of Mayenfield, -rushed into the room, and bedewed with -tears of filial affection the bosom of -the delighted Edith: it was her beloved, -her long-lost daughter. Bewildered -with joy, for some time neither the -mother nor myself could do any thing -but gaze upon and embrace the weeping -Minna; and Gertrude recounted without -being attended to, why she had so -obstinately denied any knowledge of -her concealment, and had resolved not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>to intrust her to the care of my uncle, -who had suffered himself to be so -grossly deluded by the slanders of the -Count of Carlsheim.</p> - -<p class='c021'>It was long, before we could recover -ourselves enough to thank the trusty -Gertrude, and listen to the tale of Minna’s -adventures, of which a detailed -account will be found among my papers -(as well as a supplement containing what -afterwards happened to her) under the -title of “<i>Minna of Homburg</i>.” Suffice -it to say in brief, that I had no sooner -been torn from the arms of the afflicted -Minna in order to be conveyed to Ravenstein, -than Gertrude hurried her -away from Sargans, and hastened to -conceal her in the celebrated convent of -Zurich. Their whole wealth in gold -<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>and jewels was scarcely sufficient to pay -for their entrance into this consecrated -retreat, which (as is well known) is -seldom open but to ladies of the highest -rank; and Gertrude’s prudence forbade -her announcing her young charge as a -daughter of the House of Mayenfield.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Here they remained under feigned -names quiet and concealed, unknown to, -and even scarcely remarked by their -hostesses the Nuns, till Minna’s expanding -beauty began to excite attention. -The Abbot of St. Gall, and the Bishop -of Coira were more frequent than usual -in their visits to the Domina, and never -suffered an opportunity to escape them -of bestowing a blessing on the lovely -stranger. Gertrude, who had never -been observed to judge the actions of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>the dignitaries of the church too favourably, -suspected that her pupil was no -longer safe at Zurich, and determined -to change her abode, which she had the -power of doing without difficulty.</p> - -<p class='c021'>This excellent woman had been long -courted by a man of no small consequence -in the village of Stein; he was -in every respect deserving of a reciprocal -attachment, and she had long since acknowledged -her consciousness, of his -merit; but still the affection which she -felt for me, with whom she had lived -even from my infancy, was so great, that -she could not prevail on herself to quit -me. After the loss of me and Edith, -when the young Minna was left entirely -to her care, she was less disposed than -ever to think of altering her situation. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>A cloister seemed to her the only proper -retreat for herself and her adopted daughter; -and she contented herself with only -seeing her faithful lover at such few -hours, as she could steal from her attentions -to Minna. Then she confided to -him her grief for our loss, and her anxiety -for the fate of her pupil. He was -her only confident; and now that the -holy walls seemed to afford no longer a -secure retreat, Werner Bernsdorf became -more urgent in his entreaties, that -Gertrude would exchange her abode at -the Convent for an husband’s house.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Gertrude at length consented to become -his wife, and accepted the protection, -which he offered for herself and her -lovely charge. She quitted the Convent -<span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>privately; and they had already past a -year in his dwelling at Stein in a manner -which left them nothing to desire, except -that which they now enjoyed, the -embraces of those dear friends whose loss -they had never ceased to lament.</p> - -<p class='c021'>No sooner had the intelligence reached -her of our release and arrival at Upper -Halbstein, than Gertrude hastened to -restore Minna to our arms, and give us -an account of the manner, in which she -had preserved this treasure. Her husband, -the worthy Werner Bernsdorf, -accompanied her, and brought with him -a considerable number of his country -neighbours to assist my uncle against -the Count of Carlsheim, whose conduct -had made him the object of universal -detestation.</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>Here Minna eagerly interrupted Gertrude’s -narrative.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Oh!” said she, “however good -Werner’s intentions may be, we are -already provided with a much more -powerful ally. You are not aware, dear -mother, that Count Lodowick of Homburg....”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Forgive me, lady,” said Gertrude -smiling, “for having so long -omitted the mention of that favourite -name!”—then turning again to us, -“you must know, my dear mistresses, -that the assistance, which the Count of -Homburg prepares to give you, is given -solely, because one of the persons injured -by Ethelbert is the mother of Minna. -Count Lodowick is my husband’s declared -patron; he saw the Damsel of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>Mayenfield in one of his visits at Stein, -and from that moment his heart....”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Have mercy on me, dear Gertrude,” -exclaimed the blushing Minna; -“you punish me too severely for my -imprudence!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>Gertrude was silent, but we insisted -on an explanation. We now heard all -the circumstances of an attachment, -which are detailed at length in Minna’s -history, but which I could not relate in -this place without breaking the thread -of my narrative, which I shall now -pursue without interruption.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The arrival of the forces of the Count -of Homburg and of Werner Bernsdorf -was highly acceptable to Count Venosta. -A variety of circumstances had already -<span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>convinced him, that by the gift of his -estates to Ethelbert he had purchased a -dangerous enemy, too powerful for him -to subdue without assistance. Long -was the contest doubtful; but the vengeance -of Heaven at length was made -manifest, and the balance inclined towards -the rightful cause.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Ethelbert was now reduced to solicit -an accommodation. He enquired, what -satisfaction for the injuries, which I had -suffered, would content Count Leopold; -and he flattered himself, that an acknowledgement -of my innocence, and the -offer of receiving back his repudiated -wife, would cancel all offences: but the -demands of Count Venosta extended -much farther. He required the restoration -<span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>of the whole of that property, -which he had made over to Ethelbert -with such imprudent generosity; property, -to which the latter had only a -right in quality of my husband, and to -which he had forfeited his right, when -he ceased to consider me as his wife. -The negotiation continued for some -time; each side abated something in -their respective demands; large sums -were offered to facilitate the conclusion -of the business; but I doubt much, whether -an adjustment involving so many -difficulties on both sides could ever have -been brought, to an amicable termination, -had not fate collected some few -bitter dregs still remaining in the cup -of sorrow, that cup which I could not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>have <i>completely</i> emptied, without submitting -to a re-union with my barbarous -husband!</p> - -<p class='c021'>Almighty Providence, if ever I have -murmured against thy decisions, if even -now a tear of discontent steals down -my cheek, oh! think on the weakness -of human nature, and pardon mine! -Still, still I suffer!—But doubtless there -will one day come an hour, when time, -or oblivion, the shadows of the grave, -or the brightness of eternal life, will -efface the memory of what I have endured. -Till I can learn forgetfulness, I -can never forbear to sorrow!</p> - -<p class='c021'>Not the most distant rumour had -ever led me to believe, that there existed -another Count of Carlsheim besides -Ethelbert. Now all at once the assurance -<span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>reached me from all quarters, that -Count Donat of Carlsheim was arrived -from Italy; that after having made many -enquiries respecting Ethelbert’s situation, -(whom he called his father) he had established -himself in the old Fortress of -Ravenstein; and that he was there collecting -a considerable military force, -whose destination was still a profound -secret.</p> - -<p class='c021'>We, poor anxious females, trembled -in our solitary Castle, while we listened -to this account of the proceedings of one, -whose very name made us already look -upon him as our enemy. Yet I could -by no means understand, how he should -be the son of Ethelbert, never having -heard, that my husband had been married, -till I gave him my hand, nor that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>he had any natural children, whose existence -(I had no cause to flatter myself) -he would have concealed out of respect -for me!—Edith sighed, when I stated -to her my reasons for disbelieving, that -Ethelbert had a son; and my uncle, -who just at that moment happened to -return from one of his daily skirmishes -with his enemy, explained to me the -cause of her sighing.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Alas, my child,” said he, “it is -not without reason, that you look with -terror on this newly-arrived Count of -Carlsheim. It is but too probable, that -he is Ethelbert’s son, and is come to -strengthen his father’s party. Before -your union with him a report had -reached me, that Count Ethelbert was -already the husband of another, though -<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>his passion for you induced him to conceal -his marriage. This story, making -me look upon him as a seducer, was the -motive of my unexplained antipathy -towards him, and of the displeasure with -which I observed your growing attachment. -I therefore took an opportunity -of questioning him seriously respecting -the report; but no sooner had the first -hint escaped my lips, than his pride took -the alarm.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“To justify myself from such an -accusation,” said he haughtily, “is beneath -me; thus much I will answer, -and no more. Yes; some years ago I -married a noble Italian lady (alas! now -she will never claim her rights!) rich -and beautiful. Before I was deprived -of her, she bore to me a son, whom I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>left to the guardianship of his mother’s -relations; they were anxious to retain -him with them, as being all that remained -of a person so justly dear to them. -The partiality of his mother has made -this boy already master of very large -possessions; nor would his birth at all -interfere with the rights of any future -children, should ever a second wife.... -But why do I thus condescend to explain -the circumstances of my private life to -one, who looks on me as a seducer?—You -have suspected me of artfully endeavouring -to ensnare your niece’s -affections for the basest purposes; here -then I solemnly swear in the face of -Heaven that nothing shall ever tempt -me to offer her my hand, or condescend -to seek a connexion with a man, who -<span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>has exprest an opinion of me so degrading! -I love Urania, love her passionately; -but never will I become her -husband, unless you solicit me with -your own lips to accept her hand, and -thus wipe off the injurious aspersion, -which you have cast upon the character -of one, whose sentiments are as elevated, -and whose honour is as strict as your -own.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“At hearing this declaration,” -continued my uncle, “I could not restrain -a smile; so impossible did it appear -to me at that time, that a situation -should ever occur, which could induce -me to force the heiress of all my possessions -on the noblest and most powerful -man on earth.—But from that moment -Ethelbert never missed an opportunity -<span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>or working himself into my heart. The -services, which he rendered me, increased -in number so rapidly, and were of such -material consequence; and his countenance -bore so plainly the melancholy -impression of hopeless love, that I could -not avoid wishing to gratify him with -your hand. I now began to make all -possible enquiries respecting his former -marriage. Proof upon proof met me at -every step, that he had acted by me with -candour; I daily received fresh assurances, -that he had indeed been married -to an Italian heiress; but that his wife -was dead, and his son richly provided -for. The last and most essential service -which he rendered me, the delivering -me from the chains of the Abbot of St. -Gall, put the finishing-hand to my -<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>resolution in his favour. I solicited him -to become your husband; cursed be the -hour, in which I did so! Ah! what did -it avail, that Ethelbert’s wife was no -more, since her death only left him at -liberty to contract an union with one, -who has with every hour had fresh cause -to lament the moment, in which that -union was formed?”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“And are you then quite certain,” -interrupted his wife (for Edith was now -the Countess Venosta) “that when -Ethelbert became Urania’s husband, his -hand was <i>really</i> free?—Oh! Leopold, -how much have we all reason to lament, -that your own guileless nature should -have made you so unwilling to suspect, -that others were deceivers! that even -when your suspicions were so justly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>excited, your inclination to find them -groundless should have so lightly made -you abandon them, and resume your -good opinion of a man, whose only -talent consisted in concealing his vices -with dexterity!—Alas! alas! even from -the grave thy voice, unfortunate Lucretia, -calls Ethelbert a murderer! Soon -may the curse, which you breathed -against him in your last moments, fall -on the tyrant’s head; but far be its -accomplishment from her, whom your -unjust fury joined with him in the malediction. -Urania is guiltless of your -sufferings; surely had not frenzy and -despair made you deaf to all conviction, -you could not have resisted the arguments, -which I advanced in proof of her -unconscious innocence!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>Struck dumb with astonishment stood -my uncle and myself, and gazed in -silence on Edith. Her arms were -crossed upon her bosom; her eyes were -raised towards Heaven; the tears -streamed down her cheeks. She replied -not to the anxious enquiries, which her -extraordinary agitation and incoherent -exclamations at length compelled us to -make.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Be patient with me for a few -moments!” said she after some time; -“the dreadful scene, which I witnessed -at Ravenstein Castle, stands before me -exprest in such strong and lively colours, -that horror almost robs me of my -senses! Allow me time to recover -myself, in pity!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>We now remained in anxious expectation -<span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>of the moment, when Edith -should be sufficiently herself to clear up -this mystery. My uncle was totally in -the dark as to her meaning; but certain -obscure suspicions flitted before my -recollection, which Edith’s narrative -soon confirmed. That unfortunate -captive, who had endeavoured to destroy -by fire the gloomy prison, in which she -had groaned away so many wretched -years; she, in whom the bare mention -of my name had produced so violent an -emotion, that it threw her into the delirium, -in which she ended her life; she, -that unhappy one, had a claim to Ethelbert’s -hand prior to that of the betrayed -Urania! In her last moments she called -me the cause of her misfortunes! In -<span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>her last moments she cursed me ... -and I was innocent!</p> - -<p class='c021'>Edith’s tenderness had induced her -to conceal from me the dreadful scene -which she had witnessed, and in which -Lucretia had made known to her this -important secret. She was well acquainted -with the weakness of my -nature; she thought, that for an heart -so tender and so fond as mine, to remain -ignorant of the <i>whole</i> extent of the -misfortunes, which had been the consequence -of my so earnestly desired -marriage would be more supportable, -than to know that I had been the cause -(however innocent) of Lucretia’s sufferings, -and had been myself so grossly -deceived by a man, whom I had once -<span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>loved so passionately, and whom in -spite of all his cruelty I could not yet -bring myself to hate.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The veil was now withdrawn! I now -found, that I had for many years been -the unlawful consort of one, who only -deserved my love so long, as I remained -ignorant of his real character. I -now found, that I who would not -willingly have crushed a worm, who -would gladly have banished from the -earth every trace of sorrow, had for -many years caused the sufferings of an -unknown, who perhaps was good and -amiable!—But no! that was not Lucretia’s -character. Of this you will be -convinced, my children, on reading her -story traced by the hand of Edith, and -entitled “<i>Lucretia Malaspina</i>.” You -<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>will there see, that she had obtained -Ethelbert’s hand by a series of the vilest -artifices; that her conduct afterwards -had been such, as almost justified his -treatment of her; that the son (whose -arrival she so eagerly expected, though -in vain) had been abandoned by her to -early licentiousness, and bred up in -hatred of his father; and her miserable -death was exactly such an end, as was -best adapted to a life so destitute of -virtue.</p> - -<p class='c021'>But alas! this knowledge of her want -of merit was still insufficient to support -me under the weight of her dying -malediction. Methinks, undeserved as -it was by me, her curse still hangs over -my head, and sooner or later I shall -experience its effects.—My children, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>I must here break off for a few moments—Dreadful -emotions overpower me: -I am unable to proceed!</p> - -<hr class='c027' /> - -<p class='c021'>Edith possest still more information -respecting Count Ethelbert’s family. -She knew, that by some means or other -the news of Lucretia’s sufferings had at -length reached her son in Italy; but -sunk in voluptuousness and totally -engrossed by his libertine pursuits, he -had delayed from day to day the hastening -to succour his imprisoned mother. -At length he arrived at Ravenstein, and -demanded the liberty of her, whose -bones were already mouldering among -the ruins of the half-burnt Castle. The -<span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>reflection—“<i>hadst thou come sooner, she -had been saved</i>,”—drove him almost frantic, -and in the violence of his despair he -committed the most inhuman outrages. -The whole garrison of the fortress was -sacrificed to the shade of Lucretia; the -remaining towers of the Castle were -converted into her funeral pile, and -were consumed to ashes! He was informed, -that the unfortunate Urania -(whom he, as well as his mother accused -of having caused all these misfortunes) -had once been an inmate of those walls; -and he foamed with rage at not finding -her still there, that he might have sacrificed -<i>her</i> also to his hatred and revenge!</p> - -<p class='c021'>The inhabitants of the tranquil vale -of Frutiger, to whom I had formerly -been indebted for my rescue, did not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>escape without feeling the weight of his -fury. <i>They</i> too suffered for the dilatoriness, -with which he had fulfilled his -duty to an unfortunate mother; a crime, -which he punished in those guiltless -people, but of which he could accuse no -one justly but himself.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Every one fled before the raging -Donat, whose cruelties were supported -by a strong army composed of his -Italian vassals. He now was advancing -towards the place of our abode by rapid -marches, though no one yet knew, -against whom in particular his fury -would be directed. We trembled at -his approach, for our feuds with Count -Ethelbert had greatly diminished our -strength, and we were ill-prepared for -encountering troops so fresh and numerous, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>as those which accompanied -our new enemy. Neither was Ethelbert -without his fears. He imagined with -no small probability, that his son was -coming to demand the blood of his -mother at his hands; and he was himself -already engaged in a contest with -the Count Venosta, whose military -prowess supplied the deficiency of numbers -in his army. Nothing could save -both us and him, but an union of our -forces against the common enemy; and -now it was, that I was compelled to -place myself in a situation, than which -no other could ever have entailed on -me even half such misery.</p> - -<p class='c021'>In the anxiety of his heart Count -Ethelbert made proposals, which my -uncle (who had scarcely less cause for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>anxiety) judged it imprudent entirely -to reject. A negotiation was entered -into; an alliance was concluded against -Donat between Ethelbert and Count -Leopold; and the wretched Urania was -the victim sacrificed to their mutual -fears. Almighty Heaven! the man who -had deceived my uncle, imprisoned -Edith, murdered Lucretia, and branded -myself with shame, this man was I -obliged for the second time to call by -the name of husband.—It was in vain, -that I resisted; that I wept, and knelt -at the feet of my uncle. He bade me -remember, that I had for many years -lived with Ethelbert as his wife, and -that should I go to my grave without a -legal claim to that title, it would leave -such a stain upon the family honour, as -<span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>all the waters of the Rhine and Danube -could never wash away.—Nor was this -reflection without its weight in my own -balance—to be handed down to posterity -as the licentious votary of pleasure! -“Urania Venosta, the concubine of the -Count of Carlsheim!” was such the description, -by which I must be known in -after ages? As the hateful thought -glanced upon my imagination, I recoiled -with horror; a crimson blush suffused -my cheeks, and the blood as it rushed -through my veins, seemed boiling.—And -yet to prevent this odious image -from being realized, there existed no -possible means except the consenting -to give the most inhuman of men a -second legal claim to torture and insult -me!—Yet still did I resist; and still -<span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>did the dreaded Donat advance towards -us. Count Venosta’s persuasions -became every hour more urgent. -Entreaties, threats, anger, kindness, -were employed alternately to obtain -my unwilling consent.—Edith felt for -me, and aided not her husband; but -she felt too for the dangers of her situation, -and shuddered involuntarily at the -bare mention of Donat’s name. Her -silent terrors affected me to the very -soul: I was not insensible to apprehensions -on my own account: Ethelbert’s -arms at least afforded me a refuse from -disgrace: I yielded, and with my eyes -open doomed myself to a life of wilful -suffering.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Yes! I became again the wife of -Ethelbert!—Expect not from me a circumstantial -<span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>account of my first interview -with a man, whose crimes had now -made him as much the object of my -aversion, as he had once been the object -of my love. The news of his approach -made me shrink with terror! I painted -to myself this imperious tyrant in the -most frightful colours, which imagination -could supply; but in the present -instance, as had been the case on many -former ones, I was deceived in my expectations. -It’s true, the scene which I -had to go through was a most painful -one, but very different from that for -which I had prepared myself.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Three years, which had elapsed since -I parted from Count Ethelbert, had -produced a change in him, which struck -me with astonishment; he was no longer, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>as in former times, either an object -of love, or of terror: his appearance -was capable of exciting, even in the -bosoms of those whom he had injured, -no sentiment but compassion. It seemed, -as if the natural consequences of his -dissolute life had made a much more -wretched creature of himself, than he -had been able to make of the victims of -his tyranny. Edith and myself had lost -that pale and emaciated appearance, -which we brought with us from Ravenstein, -and were fast resuming our natural -bloom and health; while on the contrary -our persecutor seemed to have but just -escaped from the dungeons of that -gloomy Castle. Nor was it only his -body’s strength which had suffered; his -excessive libertinism, the stings of conscience, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>and his terror of impending -punishment had broken down the fortitude -of his mind completely.</p> - -<p class='c021'>No sooner did he enter the room in -which I waited for him, than he threw -himself at my feet, and entreated me in -the most abject manner to pardon what -was past. He also bathed Edith’s feet -with his tears, and stammered out a -long confession of the injuries which he -had done her, and of which she was -already but too well informed.</p> - -<p class='c021'>This excessive and unmanly degradation -of himself was neither what we -expected, nor wished from him. My -sensations were equally composed of -contempt and pity, and I could not decide, -which of the two was the more -powerful. The latter at length prevailed, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>and I suffered myself to be drawn -by Ethelbert’s entreaties into making a -promise, which I found in the end most -painful to perform!</p> - -<p class='c021'>I am not certain, what were my uncle’s -feelings on this occasion: methought -I could read in his eyes a strong expression -of pity for the poor victim, who -was thus sacrificed to the common safety, -and of anger against himself for having -consented to the renewal of a connexion, -whose consequences must needs prove -to be the most bitter sufferings, that -could have been inflicted on his unfortunate -niece. Terror of his two powerful -enemies had compelled him to free -himself from one of them by this sacrifice; -but alas! he had soon to find his -regret at having made this sacrifice -<span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>increased by the knowledge, that it had -been made without advantage. It was -only at a distance, that Count Ethelbert -appeared dreadful. Our scanty troops, -under the command of the martial -Leopold (who in spite of his increasing -age was still an hero) were of much -more effective consequence, than all the -thousands who were ranged under -the banners of the powerful Count -of Carlsheim and Sargans; for their -chief was a wretch, infirm both in -body and mind, made fearful of encountering -the wrath of man by his -consciousness of deserving the vengeance -of Heaven, and who (as we had -soon but too much reason to suspect) -was not always in his proper senses.</p> - -<p class='c021'>This last was a circumstance, which -<span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>had been carefully concealed from all our -family: but I had not resumed the title -of Countess of Carlsheim and Sargans -more than a few days, when I made -some observations respecting my husband’s -conduct, which opened before -me the most terrific prospects for the -future. I never could ascertain, whether -Ethelbert’s incurable disorder owed its -origin to his imagination having been -struck by any one particular circumstance, -for it was seldom prudent, or -indeed possible to speak to him on this -subject; but why should we seek for a -cause, knowing the life which he had -led? Seldom does the hand of licentiousness -fail at length to guide her -votaries to the brink of an abyss, the -very sight of which makes the brain -<span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>turn giddy, and scares away reason, -never to resume her seat again!</p> - -<p class='c021'>Ethelbert’s profound and fearful melancholy -afflicted him at periodical intervals. -There were times, when he shut -himself up from every one, but more -particularly from me, in order to indulge -himself in solitary sufferings. In one of -these hours of voluntary seclusion I was -induced (not by curiosity, but by my -earnest wish to afford him some relief) -to intrude upon his privacy. All that I -gained by this well-intended interference -was, (besides beholding a sight the most -heart-rending that ever was presented -to the eye of woman) that I drew down -on me in the present moment the whole -storm of my distracted husband’s fury, -and in future was compelled to witness -<span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>those sufferings, which out of a sort of -delicacy for my feelings he had hitherto -been careful to hide from my observation. -His secret being now discovered, -he constrained himself no longer. Till -this unfortunate day I had never seen -the wretched man except in those gloomy -and capricious humours, which occupied -the greater part of his time. I was now -forced to witness his delirious follies, -which sometimes rose to such a pitch of -extravagance, that Edith and myself had -good reason to tremble for our lives. -Often have we been pursued by the frantic -Ethelbert through every chamber of the -Castle, without being able to find a place -secure from his fury, except on the -borders of that ruined well, in which I -had caused my vassals to inter the dead -<span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>bodies of those, who had fallen by the -swords of Edith’s ravishers.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Never did Ethelbert dare to enter the -Court, in which this well was situated. -The moment that he attempted to cross -the threshold, he shrieked out that he -saw bleeding spectres rising out of the -abyss; that Lucretia was among the -number; and that he could hear her -threaten to drag him down with her to -the grave.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Tortures of a guilty conscience, who -can paint you in colours sufficiently -strong! Who can endure you without -sinking at last beneath your weight! -The phantoms, which in his disordered -moments terrified the mind of Ethelbert, -presented themselves in a thousand different -forms. Many of them were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>totally unintelligible to me, as I was not -fully instructed in the history of his -past errors; nor was I at all inclined to -inquire further into events, whose consequences -sufficiently assured me, that -their knowledge would afford me no -sources of consolation.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Count Venosta was at this period -compelled to be often absent from the -Castle of Sargans. His renewed connection -with Ethelbert made it incumbent -on him to become the General -of those troops, whom their master’s -infirmity would otherwise have left -without a leader. Such preparations -therefore, as were necessary for our -safety, were made by the sore orders of -my uncle; and alas! every succeeding -day made us feel with an added certainty, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span>that no precautions could be superfluous.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Our dreaded enemy, the fierce and -incensed Donat, was now daily expected -to appear. I knew well his animosity -against myself; and it is not to be wondered -at, that in spite of the consciousness -of my innocence, I shuddered when -I heard of his approach. But my anxiety -was not to be compared with the horror, -which shook Count Ethelbert’s frame, -whenever he heard Donat mentioned. -He no longer recollected, that he was his -own son; he only saw in him Lucretia’s -offspring and avenger; and often when -his bewildered brain pictured him present, -did he fly for shelter to my arms, -and entreat me to save him from Donat’s -imaginary dagger.</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>What I endured at this period, is not -to be believed! My friend Edith had -often advised me to quit my frantic husband; -and so excruciating were my -sufferings, that I probably should have -taken her counsel, had not compassion -in the first moments of my re-union -with the wretched man forced from me -the inconsiderate promise, “that I never -would abandon him through life, but -that whatever fate was allotted to him -should be shared by me;” a promise, -which I had confirmed by too solemn an -oath, and on which Ethelbert relied with -too much confidence, to admit of my -departing from it without his consent.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Previous to Donat’s approaching so -near the Castle, I had been offered many -opportunities of exchanging my melancholy -<span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>situation for a secure retreat in the -arms of friendship; but I was too strictly -bound by my fatal oath to profit by the -kind offices of my friends. Count Lodowick -of Homburg, the declared admirer -of the young Damsel of Mayenfield, -had been compelled to leave us -for a time, that he might support the -claims of the family of his mistress -against the usurping Abbot of St. Gall. -Fortunately, the sudden death of this -tyrant greatly facilitated the completion -of his views. He now returned to Sargans, -for the purpose of conducting the -young Count Ludolf to Mayenfield, and -seeing him re-instated in his natural -rights.</p> - -<p class='c021'>It was thought necessary, that Ludolf -should be accompanied by his mother; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>but she protested, that she could not -consent to leave me exposed to such -dangers, and insisted on my accompanying -her to a place, where I should be in -security. Oh! how gladly would my -heart have embraced her offer! Nor -in truth did Count Ethelbert positively -forbid my leaving him: in his calmer -moments he acknowledged in a tone of -humility, that after his treatment of me -he had no right to detain me contrary -to my inclination; he left it entirely to -myself to decide, whether I would go or -stay; and declared, that he would not oppose -my abandoning him, if after what I -had sworn, I could <i>reconcile it to my own -conscience</i>.</p> - -<p class='c021'>You may be certain, my dear children, -that having witnessed in my husband -<span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>the tortures of an accusing conscience, I -had not courage to run the risque of -imposing the slightest burthen upon -my own. I had sworn, and was compelled -to keep my oath: I even renewed -it, engaged once more never to forsake -my husband, and only entreated my -friend, that she would yield to her -daughter’s entreaties not to be separated -from me at a time, when I was so much -in want of consolation. Habit had attached -me so tenderly to the charming -girl, that to have parted with her would -have seemed to me like the stroke of -death; and even Ethelbert felt such -reverence for the angelic innocence -which beamed in her every feature, that -in his unhappy moments I had frequently -found a safe retreat from his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>violence in Minna’s arms. Minna too -was resolutely determined to share my -dangers: nor was it affection for <i>me</i>, -which alone made her unwilling to -depart from Sargans. Count Lodowick -was soon to rejoin us for the purpose of -defending our boundaries against the -still encroaching enemy, and I extorted -a confession from Minna, that she was -anxious to continue near him.</p> - -<p class='c021'>We separated; I lost my Edith! -Minna remained with me, and with -beating hearts did we look forward to -futurity, whose gloom appeared to increase -with every moment. Will not -my hand fail me, when I attempt to -describe the most cruel blow, which ever -fell upon my heart? Edith was dear -to me; so was her daughter, the gentle -<span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>affectionate Minna; but dearer than -either, oh! dearer a thousand times, -was my uncle, my second father, the -venerable Count Venosta!</p> - -<p class='c021'>Count Lodowick’s appearance at the -Castle of Sargans made my uncle’s return -necessary. The young warrior was -desirous of discussing in person with an -hero of such experience in military -affairs, what mode of proceeding would -be most likely to produce advantage to -the cause of those, whose interests were -equally dear to both. Till this business -was settled, the Count of Homburg did -not think it prudent to quit the Castle, -and leave Minna and myself exposed to -the enterprizes of the enemy, under no -better protection than Ethelbert’s. The -venerable Leopold therefore set forward -<span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>for the purpose of acquainting his ally -with every thing relating to the present -situation of our affairs, and at the same -time to inspire our drooping spirits by -his presence with hope and consolation.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Yet once more (alas! but once!) did -I clasp my benefactor to my bosom; I -bedewed his furrowed cheeks with tears -of gratitude, and imparted to him my -anxiety for a life so precious! The -next tears, which I shed on his account, -were destined to fall on his grave. He -accompanied Count Lodowick to review -his forces; here he parted with his -youthful friend, and the path which he -traversed on his return to Sargans conducted -him to death. In the deepest -part of the wood assassins were lurking; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>his attendants were few, and their resistance -was soon overpowered. Count -Venosta fell by the hands of villains, as -many a brave man had fallen before him; -and the dreadful news was brought to -the Castle of Sargans by two or three of -his followers, the swiftness of whose -steeds had enabled them to escape from -the massacre.</p> - -<p class='c021'>What name shall I give to my feelings, -at receiving this most cruel blow of -fate? Shall I say, that I sorrowed? that -my senses forsook me? that despair took -possession of both my head and heart?—No! -no! all this would but ill describe -what I suffered. The excess of agony -can never be justly exprest; grief like -mine can only be pictured in a veil.</p> - -<p class='c021'>I felt only how dear he was to me, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>how much I had lost in him. These recollections -made me incapable of all -others; and I reflected not, that his -death was the certain pledge to me of -approaching danger, and future sufferings. -Count Donat was no longer more -than two leagues distant from the -Castle. No one doubted, that the hand -which murdered my uncle, was armed -by Donat: how indeed could he sooner -gain possession of his destined victims, -than by depriving them of their most -able protector?—It is true, Count Lodowick -of Homburg ... but his youth, -his inexperience, even his consternation -and sorrow for the loss of his heroic -guide in the paths of glory, all tended to -prevent his being to us of as much assistance, -as he would gladly have been, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>as we too fondly expected that he would -be.</p> - -<p class='c021'>I will pass over in silence the days of -anxiety, which followed my uncle’s -death, nor will torture your tender -hearts, my children, by relating how -cruelly I suffered from terror while -looking forward to events, which (dreadful -as my imagination painted them) -you will find, were far exceeded by the -reality!</p> - -<p class='c021'>Count Lodowick fought bravely, but -unsuccessfully. His troops were cut to -pieces; their chief was compelled however -reluctantly to find safety in flight. -The most faithful of our vassals under -the command of Henric Melthal still -defended for a while the approaches to -the Castle of Sargans; but they too at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>length were compelled to give way.—And -now there was nothing to prevent -the dreadful victor from seizing the -unfortunates, who trembled at his approach.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Among the many unpleasant circumstances, -which had followed my re-union -with the wretched Ethelbert, it was not -the least of my griefs, that I was compelled -almost constantly to endure the -presence of a man, whom I had but too -just grounds for abhorring.—This -person, whom I half despised and half -dreaded, was at that time Abbot of -Cloister-Curwald, and by name Guiderius. -Had there been no other reason -for my disliking him, it would have -been sufficient, that it was he, whom the -rebellious monks of that monastery had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>elected their Superior after the expulsion -of my friends Christian and Matthias; -and that he had taken a conspicuous -part against his predecessor, whose dignity -he coveted, and whose blameless -life made his own appear the more disgusting. -Never did I see him approaching -the Castle, in all the state and splendour -of a petty prince, without comparing -his ostentation with the dignified -simplicity of my venerable friend; of -whose fate no intelligence had ever -reached me, after I had procured his -escape by the private passage conducting -to the mountains.</p> - -<p class='c021'>But the repugnance towards him, -which these reflections inspired, was -not my only reasons for disliking the -society of Guiderius. He had formerly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>been Ethelbert’s companion in his profligate -enjoyments; he was now his -confessor and the only confidant of his -secret sins, and in this quality he assumed -a much greater share of authority in -the Castle, than was left to its weak -master and his powerless wife. At first -I occasionally forced myself to throw -aside that timidity, which I had acquired -from so many years of suffering, and endeavoured -to dispossess the hypocrite of -my husband’s favour and of such immoderate -influence: but the attempt was -always attended with so little success, -that I was compelled to abandon it, and -submit patiently to bear the yoke, which -the omnipotent Abbot imposed on all the -Castle’s inmates.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Guiderius was young; he might -<span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>have been called handsome, had not -every feature betrayed the traces of riot -and licentiousness. When I complained -of his usurped authority, he frequently -assured me, that I was not <i>his</i> captive as -I stated, but much rather was he <i>mine</i>: -but these declarations, which made him -still more hateful to me, were received -and answered with such contempt and -bitterness, that he at length desisted -from making them. Instead of these -insulting liberties, he seemed to adopt a -particularly delicate and humble manner -in all things, in which <i>I</i> was concerned, -and about which I appeared interested. -So that as I now began to feel easy -respecting his professions of too warm -an attachment, and in this moment of -most urgent necessity, when our terrible -<span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>foe was at our gates, and as every one -had recourse to me for that advice, -which I, poor trembling woman, would -so willingly have asked of others; in -such a situation, helpless and bewildered -as I was, I did nor think it wise to reject -without an hearing the proposition, -which the Abbot of Curwald requested -leave to lay before me, and whose adoption -(he said) would be greatly for my -advantage. It proved to be of a nature -so innocent, that ill as I thought of the -person who proposed it, I could find no -reasonable grounds for its rejection.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“There are few hearts,” said -Guiderius, “so hardened as to resist the -tears which flow from the eyes of women, -or the voice of God when it speaks -from the lips of his servants. I am thoroughly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>persuaded, that Count Donat’s -fury would be this moment disarmed, -could he witness the streams of anguish, -which fear of his vengeance forces into -eyes so bright; nor did he once see you -kneeling at his feet, could he resist -raising you, to fall himself at yours. But -you are unconscious of the power which -Heaven confided to you, when he formed -you so lovely; or knowing it, you will -not condescend to make it of use. Well -then! Let us have recourse to some -other means of softening Count Donat. -Permit me to assemble the whole brotherhood -of my convent in the Castle-chapel: -these holy monks shall form -around you with their prayers a wall -more solid than one of brass; as soon -as your dreaded foe approaches, I will -<span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>place myself at their head, go forth with -them to meet him, command him in -the name of our patron-saint to lay -aside his blood-thirsty designs, and you -will be astonished to witness the effects -of our interference.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>I consented to his proposal. Guiderius -gave his orders; and it was not -long before <i>the holy monks</i> (no one but -their Abbot could have had the assurance -to call them holy) set forth on their -march with all possible solemnity, and -with every circumstance of pomp, which -might make them appear of the more -consequence in the eyes of him, to whom -their embassy was addrest. They laid -no slight stress upon the merit of this -act of heroism, as they scrupled not to -call their interference; and one of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>most learned brethren went so far, as to -compare their conduct with that of the -Roman Deeii, who for the general good -devoted themselves to the infernal gods; -a comparison, which would have extorted -a smile from Minna and myself, had -any thing at that moment of danger been -capable of making us smile.</p> - -<p class='c021'>We waited for the return of these -modern Deeii with inexpressible anxiety. -Yet unhappy as we were, and much as -we required all our strength of mind -and body to support <i>ourselves</i>, we were -compelled to exhaust our powers in the -difficult task of preventing Ethelbert -from sinking under his apprehensions of -his foe’s approach, which he dreaded, as -if it had been that of an avenging Deity.</p> - -<p class='c021'>During the consultation, which took -<span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span>place on the proposition of Guiderius, -we had been necessitated to leave the -wretched sufferer to himself. After the -departure of the monks, we found him -to our great astonishment busied in removing -the stone, which covered the -mouth of that well, which I have already -mentioned as being so terrible to -him in his hours of distraction. A -variety of circumstances, as well as some -broken sentences, which at first escaped -from him, left us no doubt, with what -object he had sought that particular -spot, and what would have been the -event, had we not arrived in time to -rescue him from his own fury.</p> - -<p class='c021'>In the situation in which he then -was, it was unsafe for us to suffer him -out of our sight for a moment. We -<span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>employed all our powers of persuasion -to his agitated mind; Minna, -whose kind and gentle manner had -great influence over him, at length succeeded -in kindling a faint spark of hope -in his anxious bosom; and he seemed -to derive some comfort from her assurances, -that (even should Count Donat -prove the furious tyrant, which report -described him to be) still it was -impossible for him to have so totally -laid aside all vestiges of humanity, as to -look on his father as on a foe, and punish -him for offences, which it was now beyond -his power to remedy.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“You are right, sweet angel!” said -Ethelbert with a childish vacant smile, -which generally took possession of his -countenance, when he felt himself exhausted -<span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>by any violent breaking out of -his delirium; “you are quite right! -Donat should not revenge his mother’s -death on <i>me</i>; I never hated Lucretia; -no, no; she was my first love. Its true, -I was unfaithful to her; but though -Urania was more beautiful and rich, -that could only have injured Lucretia -for a while. Had but death relieved -me from my second wife, nothing need -have prevented my restoring my first to -liberty, and permitting her to resume -her legal rights! then all would have -been well; then Lucretia and Donat -would have been appeased: fool that I -was! Oh! that I had not suffered Urania -to live!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>The pious Minna shrunk back in horror -at this proof of aggravated wickedness, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>which she had undesignedly drawn -from an heart, whose sentiments (I had -so vainly flattered myself) had been -chastened by adversity. Minna dropt -the miscreant’s hand in disgust, while -she cast upon me a look expressive of -the deepest sorrow and compassion; I -could not restrain my feelings, and burst -into a flood of tears.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Nay, weep not!” said the wretched -man, whose senses had quite forsaken -him; “trust me with a dagger for a -few minutes, and neither you nor I shall -have reason any longer to tremble at -the thoughts of Donat’s vengeance!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>This conversation, which became -more painful with every minute that it -lasted, and which was only calculated -to make two unprotected women apprehend -<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>a nearer danger than Count Donat’s -sword, was interrupted by the return of -two of the monks, who had accompanied -Guiderius. They accosted us with -countenances expressing the greatest -consternation, and gave us to understand, -that the eloquence of their holy -brethren had by no means produced the -desired effect. Count Donat, an avowed -enemy of the church and her servants, -had ordered them all to be made prisoners, -and flight alone had enabled -these two to hasten back to the Castle, -and apply to us for assistance.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“For assistance? assistance from -us?” Minna and myself exclaimed at -the same moment.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Yes, noble ladies, from you!” -answered one of the monks, whose -<span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>name was Hilderic; “a sign from our -discreet Abbot gave us to understand, -what steps he wished to be taken. He -is certain, that the intercession of the -Damsel of Mayenfield, one tear falling -from her dove-like eyes, one word -spoken in her touching voice, would be -sufficient to preserve us all! Oh! dear -lady, be not deaf to our entreaties! A -mule stands ready at the Castle-gate to -bear you to the camp, and we will accompany -you thither, and protect you -back in safety.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Oh! for the love of Heaven,” -exclaimed my husband eagerly, “go, -Minna, go! Soften my son’s heart -towards his wretched father, and I will -bless you with my latest breath.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>Minna shuddered, while she listened -<span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>to Hilderic’s proposal and Ethelbert’s -entreaties: nor did I hear this singular -request without making many objections. -Yet Hilderic’s powers of persuasion, -and the humble supplications of -his companion, the unsuspicious Mark, -began to make us relax in our opposition, -when the Abbot himself made his appearance, -and decided our conduct at -once.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“If it is your intention to preserve -us,” said he, addressing himself to Minna, -“hasten to the camp, ere it is yet -too late! Under our safe-guard you -cannot have any danger to apprehend, -and in the few minutes, which I passed -with him, I took care to make your situation -so well known to Count Donat, -that you need not fear, lest the power -<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>of your charms should produce an effect -on his heart prejudicial to the rights of -your destined husband.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>These assurances Guiderius failed not -to strengthen with a variety of others; -Hilderic also exerted all his eloquence in -support of his superior; and their joint -efforts were so successful, that Minna -was obliged to give a promise to follow -them to the camp.</p> - -<p class='c021'>What line of conduct was it now most -proper for me to adopt? My ideas were -too confused, my apprehensions too -painful, to admit of my observing a thousand -contradictions in the Abbot’s statement, -a thousand trifling circumstances -indicating some concealed design, which -could not have failed to strike any indifferent -person. Besides, as Minna -<span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>had now promised to accompany the -monks, it seemed impossible that I -should suffer her to set out without the -sanction of a female’s presence, and expose -her beauty and innocence to the -perils, which threatened them in Count -Donat’s camp. It was equally impossible -for me to leave my poor weak husband -to himself, and resign him to the -dangerous caprices of his delirium, which -during our absence would most probably -return. Yet my blood ran cold at the -idea of remaining alone in the power of -a desperate man, who had so lately declared -his intentions to destroy me; -intentions, which in his frenzy he would -find but little difficulty in carrying into -effect. Part of our adherents had already -hastened to the camp, in hopes of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>avoiding Count Donat’s vengeance by a -voluntary surrender; the rest of them -had either betaken themselves to flight, -or had sought various places of concealment, -till the first storm should have -subsided. After Minna’s departure I -should be left quite alone with the frantic -Ethelbert. I knew not what to resolve, -and yet it was necessary to resolve on -something without delay.</p> - -<p class='c021'>At length it was settled, that accompanied -by the fathers Mark and Hilderic -I should set forward with Minna, and -throw myself at the feet of our enemy. -In the mean while the Abbot consented -to watch over my husband’s actions; a -consent, which he seemed to give with evident -reluctance, though the great influence -which he possest over the maniac’s -<span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>mind pointed him out as well suited for -the employment.</p> - -<p class='c021'>We proceeded slowly, as those are accustomed -to do, whose road conducts -them to certain sorrow. The learned -Hilderic endeavoured to inspire the -trembling Minna with confidence, for -which purpose he vainly exhausted -every argument of consolation, which -religion or philosophy could furnish. -In the mean while, I was busied in trying -to draw such information out of the -simple Mark, as might confirm either -my hopes, or my apprehensions. This -man, both in conduct and inclinations, -was in truth the best among the brotherhood -of Cloister-Curwald; but his perception -was so limited, that the world -<span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>might have perished, without his having -the least suspicion of such an event taking -place, or being able to give the least -account of it after it had happened. All -that he could produce to satisfy me, were -repeated assurances, that he believed the -step which we were taking to be right -and prudent; but as to what had past -between Guiderius and Count Donat, or -what reception we might reasonably -expect from the latter, I found that -father Mark was no less ignorant than -myself.</p> - -<p class='c021'>We drew near the conqueror’s tent. -My heart beat violently: what was I to -expect from one, who had sworn to -sacrifice me to the manes of his mother! -I endeavoured to muster up all my resolution; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>I threw back my veil, and followed -with desperate courage, whither -the Monks conducted us. Count Donat -stood before me. I threw myself at his -feet, and strove to comprise in one imploring -look all that I wished to ask of -him, but which terror prevented me -from expressing in words.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Donat’s piercing eyes dwelt for some -moments on my face in silence. He then -turned to one of the Friars of Curwald -who stood behind him, and asked, “if -this was the person, whose beauty he -had heard him praise so highly?”</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“That is Urania Venosta,” answered -the Monk, “Countess of Carlsheim -and Sargans.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>Instantly the expression of Donat’s -<span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>features changed, and the look of satisfaction, -which they had worn at first, was -replaced by that of aversion. He turned -from me without speaking, and advanced -to receive Minna, who approaching -slowly raised her veil, and sank on -her knees before him with that inexpressible -grace, which accompanied even -the most trifling of her actions.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Mercy! mercy!” she exclaimed, -while she extended towards him her -hands clasped in supplication; “mercy -for the helpless and the innocent! Is -it possible, that the victorious Donat -should stain the glory of his sword, by -directing it against trembling women, -against an infirm father, against a people -who willingly submit themselves to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>his power?—Oh! be that far from -him!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>Donat drew back a few steps, and -gazed on her with a look, in which we -endeavoured vainly to read the sentiments -of his bosom. No one could -guess from it, whether he suffered the -fair suppliant to remain kneeling through -forgetfulness of every thing but her -beauty, or from feeling the same contempt -for <i>her</i> entreaties, with which -he had treated mine.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Rise!” said he at length in -a stern voice, but whose sternness -was evidently assumed; “who are -you?”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Minna of Mayenfield.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“And your companion?” he resumed, -pointing to me.</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>—“Urania Venosta, my adopted -mother, and the wife of your father, -of your father who shudders at your approach! -Oh! Donat, think how dreadful -it is to be the cause of terror to a -repentant father!—Mercy, Donat! Oh! -mercy for us all!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>Donat raised the imploring girl without -replying; he also motioned to me -to quit my kneeling posture, and then -ordered his attendants to conduct us -into another tent.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Towards evening he visited us, and -gave that answer in person, which we -had vainly solicited in the morning. -Now that he had laid aside his threatening -casque and blood-stained armour, -he appeared to be entirely a different -<span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>person. His manner was respectful to -Minna, courteous to me. He mentioned -his father in terms rather of grief -than anger; Lucretia’s name, (which, -as we had been informed, used to be -constantly on his lips) was not pronounced -by him; and in the course of -conversation he once so far forgot -his wrath, as to mention me by the title -of “his mother.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Oh! rejoice with me, dear Minna,” -I exclaimed, while I prest the -Damsel of Mayenfield to my bosom; -“it is now certain, that we are safe! -Heard you not, that Count Donat called -me mother? See’st thou in him that -terrific conqueror, such as report described -him? Oh! that Ethelbert were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>but here to know, and love the real character -of his so dreaded son: all would -be pardoned, all forgotten!”</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“That is possible,” answered Donat, -who could not help smiling at the -unrestrained expression of my feelings; -“the only person who has anything to -pardon is myself; and I cannot deny -that beauty like Urania’s may well excuse -an act of injustice, even though it -should be monstrous as that, which was -suffered by the poor Lucretia!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>We saw, that at the recollection of -Lucretia a cloud seemed to pass over -Donat’s countenance, though it soon -disappeared again. We therefore lost -no time in mentioning to him the only -request about which we were now -<span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>anxious, fearful lest he should alter his -good dispositions towards us, before -they had produced the effect which was -so earnestly desired.</p> - -<p class='c021'>We entreated him to suffer us to -return to his anxious father, and inform -him, how unjustly he had doubted his -son’s filial affection. Donat hesitated, -and inquired, why we were desirous of -leaving him in such haste?—Besides our -wish to relieve Count Ethelbert from his -apprehensions without loss of time, we -alleged as an excuse the impropriety of -our remaining in a camp without any -other females.</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Oh!” replied Donat, “this last -reason can be none for your departure; -and if you have no better, I flatter myself, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>that I shall not lose your company, -till after I have been presented by you -to-morrow to my long-estranged father -in the Castle of Sargans. You are not -the only ladies in my camp; I have a wife -and sister with me, who will be delighted -to welcome you, and who (to confess -the truth) pleaded with me in your -behalf most urgently, ere I was yet decided, -what answer I should make to -your request.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>It is impossible to express the various -causes of satisfaction, which we discovered -in these few words. It is no -trifling comfort for bashful timid women -to meet with persons of their own -sex in a place, where they expected to -find only rude turbulent soldiers; and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>here we found two benevolent beings, -whose kind hearts had already induced -them even without knowing us to interest -themselves in our behalf. But -that which above all seemed music to -my ear, was the information, that one -of these unknown ladies was Count -Donat’s wife. In the course of our -conversation, our conqueror’s eyes had -frequently dwelt on Minna’s face with -an expression by no means equivocal; -I was strongly inclined to attribute his -unexpected lenity entirely to my companion’s -charms. Minna was the betrothed -of another. Donat was a tyrant. -My heart foreboded from these -circumstances a long succession of difficulties -and dangers; all of which were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>banished as phantoms existing only in -my imagination, as soon as I understood, -that Donat was already married, and that -he hesitated not to place the young creature, -whom he looked upon with so -much interest, under the protection of -his wife.</p> - -<p class='c021'>We were presented to the ladies, who -composed Count Donat’s family. We -were graciously received: yet we could -not help remarking, that the behaviour -of the young Countess of Carlsheim rather -exprest that condescension which is -only used with inferiors, than the friendly -openness which marked our reception -by Count Donat’s sister, who was made -known to us by the name of Adelaide, -Lady of the Beacon-Tower.</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>Besides this, it must be confest that -the appearance of the Countess Mellusina -(such was the name of Donat’s -wife) was by no means such, as prejudiced -us in her favour. The best that -could be said of her, was that she was -not ugly; and the haughty manners, -which she thought proper to assume, -were but ill calculated to make her person -appear to advantage.—Oh! how -different was Mellusina from the -interesting Lady of the Beacon-Tower!</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Can this lovely woman,” I said -to Minna, as soon as we were left alone, -“can she be Lucretia’s daughter, and -the sister of Count Donat? I vainly -endeavoured to find in that heavenly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>countenance a single feature, which resembled -her nearest relations.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>Minna however maintained, that she -could discover a strong likeness to Count -Donat; we at length determined, that -early misfortune had extinguished the -brilliant fire of Lucretia’s eyes, which -(on further reflection I was compelled to -own) had descended to her daughter; -and also that female delicacy prevented -her superior stature and commanding -make (in both of which she was her -brother’s very counterpart) from inspiring -that terrific awe, which at sight of -Count Donat made every beholder’s -heart tremble.</p> - -<p class='c021'>The night, which succeeded a day, in -which we had gone through so much, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>and with success so unexpected, was -past in a state of no trifling anxiety. -Finding ourselves obliged to accept the -invitation prest upon us most earnestly -by Count Donat and the ladies (to remain -with them till the next morning, -when the camp would be raised) we -entreated, that at least a messenger might -be dispatched to assure Ethelbert, that -his fears were without foundation. -Adelaide lost no time in causing Mark -and Hilderic to hasten back to the Castle, -and relieve the Abbot from the difficult -task of watching over the actions of a -man, who was by no means fit to be -trusted with himself; they were also -commissioned to request Guiderius to -return without delay to the camp, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>inform us, in what manner our absence -had affected the unfortunate Count of -Carlsheim.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Gladly would Adelaide have accompanied -the Friars, and thrown herself at -the feet of her wretched father, whom -she had never seen. Her brother however -did not think proper to permit -her departure; and she now shared in -our uneasiness at perceiving, that one -hour after another stole away without -the arrival of any intelligence from the -Castle.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Yet great as was my own anxiety, it -was evidently far inferior to Adelaide’s. -Her evident agitation was so excessive, -that I found some difficulty in ascribing -it entirely to the interest, which she felt -<span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>about a father, whom she had never -seen, and for whom she had nothing to -fear, since his fate depended on her -brother. She had suddenly left the -tent during supper without taking leave -of us: it was already past midnight; -when, guiding her steps with a dark -lanthorn, we saw her return, under -the pretence of paying us those compliments -of the night, which she had before -omitted, and of talking over with us -undisturbed the circumstances of our -mutual inquietude. But it was clear, -that she had not yet mentioned all her -motives for visiting us at this unusual -hour. Somewhat lay concealed in her -heart, which she longed to reveal; unluckily -she delayed the wished disclosure, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>till the opportunity was lost. The -curtain, which closed our tent, was suddenly -withdrawn, and Mellusina entered.</p> - -<p class='c021'>While her manner gave us to understand, -that her presence was an honour -which she bestowed on us extremely -against her own inclination, she -entreated permission to share our -nocturnal conference. Adelaide inquired -with her accustomed gentleness, -why her dear sister should think -it necessary to deprive herself of her -night’s repose?</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“You have not the same cause -that we have,” said she, “to watch -away the melancholy hours; sleep is -not banished from <i>your</i> eyes, by anxiety -<span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span>for the fate of an husband and a father, -and by those foreboding fears of some -misfortune having befallen him, which -the long delay of our messenger must -needs excite.”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>—“Whatever may be the reason,” -answered the Countess coldly, “I found -it impossible to sleep. The glimmering -of your lamp attracted me hither, and -I was much surprised ... much -rejoiced, I meant to say, ... at finding -that <i>you</i>, Adelaide, had arrived here -before me!”—</p> - -<p class='c021'>Good heavens! how is it possible for -any being possest of common feeling, -to intrude into a circle without any -other object, than disturbing the pleasure -of those who are already assembled! -<span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span>Mellusina’s situation must have -been as unpleasant to herself, as her -presence was to us. She resisted with -difficulty her inclination to slumber; -and on the other hand, we suffered -under the most torturing impatience to -see her either departing, or asleep. It -was more evident with every moment, -that matters of the utmost importance -floated upon the lips of Adelaide, and -we waited with inexpressible anxiety -for the moment, when she would be at -liberty to disclose them.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Thus did we mutually torment each -other during more than half the night; -when suddenly we were startled by a -circumstance, at once the most unaccountable -and the most impossible for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>me to forget.—It was almost morning. -We were all silent, for we had -long exhausted the few uninteresting -topics, on which we could converse -with Mellusina.</p> - -<p class='c021'>Adelaide had already made two or -three movements, as if she would have -taken leave of us, and yet could not -resolve to abandon all hopes of finding -an opportunity of speaking to us unobserved. -The lights burned faintly. -Mellusina’s eyes at length closed; and -to our great delight we saw her head -recline against her shoulder with a look, -which convinced us, that sleep had at -last taken complete possession of her. -Adelaide drew nearer to us, and pressing -her finger on her lip with an air of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>caution, pointed with her other hand -to the sleeping Mellusina. At that -moment * * * * *</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c006'> - <div>END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c028' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><i>Printed by D. N. 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