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hand, so after trying some time, I had nearly given up the attempt, when I perceived a piece of broken sword lying on the floor, which I applied with such success, that I raised the door. I now returned to the flight of steps, to listen if any one pursued me. I distinctly heard a whispering below, and presently the hollow concave resounded with light and cautious footsteps. I now resolved to venture through the trap-door and explore the abyss below. No time was to be lost. Frantic with terror, I passed it, and, standing on some steps, I endeavoured, but in vain, to replace it in such a manner as to prevent my pursuers perceiving the way I had taken. I descended rapidly down a narrow and winding flight of steps. After a short time I stopped to rest, and to listen. I could plainly distinguish above, the voices of my Lord and Roland. They seemed in consultation. At length, some persons jumped through the aperture. I made the most of my speed, and after proceeding some time, and still continuing to descend, my feet rested on hard ground. Palpable darkness surrounded me. I saw not before me, or on either hand, neither could I form any idea of the nature or situation of the place. I moved, however, on one side to avoid my pursuers, who by this time had reached the bottom of the steps; and I now found by their voices, that it was Roland and Francisco.

" �I think,� said the former, �my lady must have a good stock of courage to venture down this dismal place.�

" �You see,� replied the other, �that my lord does not think she is here,

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by staying above to watch. But come, let us lose no time in our search. Out with the sword, and with the point at arms length, trace your way along the wall.�

"As I could distinguish by their voices which way they moved, I avoided them by walking cautiously and silently a different way. Once, however, I gave myself up for lost, for one of them passed so near me, that I cold feel the skirts of his coat touch my gown, but he did not perceive me.

"Tired, at length, with wandering in the dark, they began to reproach each other for not having brought a light.

" �Roland,� said Francisco, �do you remain here, whilst I go and get a torch; for I hate being so much in the dark.�

" �Nay,� said Roland, �why so do you stay whilst I go; you are better acquainted with these vaults than I am.�

" �What,� cried he, �are you afraid, comrade?�

" �You have never had cause to suspect my courage,� replied Roland, �and you shall have less if I find you do. But I shall not humour your fears in staying here;� and so saying, he walked up the stairs, and Francisco followed.

"The evident fear of these two, gave a respite to me for a few moments, and afforded me time to reflect what course I had next to pursue. The baron, it appeared to me, had not sought my chamber alone. He was accompanied by these two dependents; and if he had not had some cruel act in view, which he could not himself perform, why should he have wounded my feelings, my delicacy, by making them spectators of my suffering, and of his own supposed dishonour? Death, in its most horrible form, must have been intended me; a death, which would for ever consign my name to ignominy, since I left behind me no one who could defend my innocence, or defeat his unjust accusations against me. The love of life, under such circumstances, was not only natural, but pardonable. I resolved trying to preserve it to the last moment. But I was still incapable of adopting any plan, because I was ignorant of the nature and situation of the place in which I was. They soon returned with a light, and as they descended, I had a glimpse of a recess beneath the stairs, under which I hid myself as a last resource. My dress, no doubt, contributed to my concealment, as it was of black velvet. They cast a scrutinizing look around the place, searched in the dark, and then concluding that I had found my way further, they proceeded through a long range of stone vaults, which I knew must be far removed from the habitable parts of the castle. I traced their course for some time with my eyes, but dared not venture forth from the place of my concealment. I, however, made such observations, as I thought would enable me to penetrate along the same passage, provided they did not discover me, and enable me, perhaps, to perceive some opening, which would conduct me to the outside of the castle, from whence I could escape across the adjacent country. The terror I felt at the idea of meeting the baron, after the ferocious act of which I had seen him guilty,

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rendered poverty and distress as nothing to me, nay, I should even rather have fallen by any other hand than his, so great was the dread I entertained of the death he had prepared for me. After some time I saw the two men returning. Roland held the torch. �It signified nothing talking,� said he, �my lord, the baron, says she is somewhere here below, and he must be right.�

"At that moment, his foot struck against a stone, and he fell. The torch went out, and we were once more in total darkness.

"The voice of the baron was at this moment heard from above, chiding them for their delay. His servants answered him not, but Roland rose from the ground, cursing the disaster which had happened to him, and they both sought for the staircase, which they soon discovered, and hastily ascended.

"I seized the opportunity, and with as much speed as the darkness would permit, quitted the place in which I had secreted myself, and proceeded in the direction which the torch of Roland had discovered to the long passage. I found it without difficulty, and made my way along it for a considerable distance; but at last, a blank wall stopped my progress, and threw me once more into despair. My extended arms in vain sought for an opening, and my tears began to flow anew. I sat down. All hope departed from me, and every energy of my soul seemed to have forsaken me. At this dread interval, a slight sound reached me. It roused, it recalled me to action. In attempting to rise I tottered, and fell down two or three steps. I was not hurt, and cheered by the hope that they led to some passage, I arose, and found an opening, but so low, that I was obliged to creep upon my hands and knees. I know not how far I advanced, nor can I recollect this part of my progress without horror. How much more must my soul have been impressed with a sense of danger, when I could encounter the unknown termination of such a passage? However, it at length began to rise, and I once more stood on my feet. At this moment, a low murmuring sound assailed my ears. It seemed to proceed from the ground underneath me. I listened attentively, drawing in my breath that I might hear more distinctly; and was, at length, convinced that it was a human voice. Suddenly, the sound was renewed, as if some one was singing aloud, but in the next moment it died away. No echo returned it to my anxious ear all was hushed again, and I was urging my way forward, when I heard a deep groan! I stopped, my heart became chilled, and I sunk on the ground. As I fell, I was somewhat hurt by a hard substance, which, on examination, I found to be a large iron ring. The discovery renovated my exhausted hopes, and exerting my utmost strength, I raised another trap-door to which it belonged. What was my astonishment, on perceiving a light below! I paused the sound of pursuit seemed again to follow my ear. I raised the trap-door high enough for my purpose, and dropped on the floor beneath.

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CHAPTER XIII

"A SUDDEN faintness came over me, and a cold dew benumbed my limbs, as if the icy hand of death was upon me, when I beheld in one corner of the cavern into which I had fallen, a venerable old man, seated with a lamp before him, and reading aloud. His beard, which was as white as snow, descended below his breast. So much was he engaged with the book he was perusing, that notwithstanding the noise I must have made in my descent, he perceived me not, until I advanced and threw myself at his feet. He started at first, but soon recovering his composure, �Father of mercies,� exclaimed he, �what vision is this? Whence, and for what purpose doth this celestial being, for none other could penetrate into this recess of human misery, visit thy aged servant?�

" �Oh! no vision�no vision,� articulated I, with difficulty. �Haste�hide me, save me�that trap-door�the baron��

" �What of the baron?� asked the venerable old man, eagerly.

" �He�he pursues me. Oh! respectable sire, humanity has surely erected her temple in your bosom. Rescue me from the power of the man who has vowed my destruction.�

" �I find my mistake,� cried he, �you are not, indeed, a daughter of the skies, as your lovely form and extraordinary appearance inclined me to believe, but an unhappy mortal like myself, claiming my tenderest pity. But say, by what means you came hither, and for what cause the hate of the baron, as you call him, pursues you?�

" �Oh!� said I, �I can answer no questions until assured of my safety. Even now they are searching for me in the gloomy vaults above. Secure that trap-door, I beseech you.�

" �It is not in my power,� replied he, �to fasten it in the manner in which you no doubt found it on the outside; but I will try if I can replace it in the groove.� He tried to do so, but was too weak to raise it. Fear, however, gave me strength, and our united efforts at last accomplished it.

"Some little time passed away without the noise of any one pursuing me, and I began to regain a little composure. I cast a look around the gloomy and noisome cavern. Its venerable inhabitant perceived me.

" �This room is, as you may see,� said he, �cut out of the solid rock and you are several feet below the surface of the earth. It is damp and disagreeable, and I fear, to you, who are come out of a pure air, offensive. I am now accustomed to it, cheerless and miserable as it is, for it has been my abode�my prison, I ought to say, by my calculation, nine years,�but did I measure time by my sufferings I might call it an age. But tell me,

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before we are interrupted, who you are, an why you have fled to me for that protection, which I, alas! am incapable of affording you, since I cannot obtain justice for myself?�

" �Oh!� exclaimed I, �a wretched fate like yours, then, most probably awaits me. Some noisome cave like this is to receive me; I shall languish unpitied and unknown, the innocent victim of a cruel tyrant.� I then related, in a hurried way, the lamented events of my past life. He heard me with fixed attention, and then said, in a solemn voice:

" �Daughter, if no guilt has stained thy soul, if vice has not corrupted thy heart, thy innocence may yet move thy persecutor; for who can be insensible of the pleadings of youth and beauty like thine? Thou hast been indiscreet in permitting thy lover to remain one instant in the castle. And although the rash conduct of thy husband was sufficient to inspire thee with horror, thy innocence should have supported thee, whilst thou hadst asserted it. Instead of flying thou shouldst have refuted his accusations. I feel all that compassion can inspire, when I tell thee that I have no means of secreting thee, and that thou canst not escape him.�

" �Oh, my good father!� answered I, sobbing, �your pity touches my heart. Yet not alone do I feel for myself: your sorrows penetrate me with grief. Would I could heal them, as you would do mine.�

" �From me,� said he, in a deep impressive tone of voice, �the possibility of my doing good is entirely cut off. This gloomy cavern limits my motions; and my spirit, which once delighted in acts of benevolence, bows to the haughty will of my oppressor. Yet He who searcheth the heart, and upholdeth the weak and the injured, hath enabled me to support trials which only can be surmounted with resignation. I have no retreat, no recess in which I can hide thee, even for a day, as provisions, for a long time past, have been regularly brought me. Heretofore I am used to be much worse served, for my stock was perhaps laid in for a whole week; but Roland now is my daily visitant, and the miscreant Anselmo never shows himself before me.

" �Anselmo!� repeated I,��speak you of the baron,�of my husband?�

" �Of the usurper of my estates,�my rights!� replied he, sternly.

" �Good heavens! is it possible?�

" �Yes�you see before you the uncle of Anselmo�the real Baron de Zindorf, by his artifices reported to be dead�by his villany confined within this living tomb! Yes, I have been imprisoned by him these nine years, that he might enjoy my possessions. Enjoy did I say?�no, that is impossible. He must be a prey to constant and bitter reflections on his wicked deeds, and the vulture remorse gnaws at his breast.�

" �As he pronounced these words, the voice of the baron sounded in my ears, and a small grated door, which I had not observed before, and through which I suppose the daily provisions of the unhappy prisoner were conveyed, opened, and he appeared. I shrieked at his presence.

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" �I have heard too much,� said he, in a voice which filled me with terror. �Beware, imprudent old man, that you tempt me not to stop that tongue, which never speaks but to my dishonour, although it remains a monument of my mercy. For you, madam, be assured that this exploit has not closed this breach between us. Follow me�resistance is vain.�

"I knew he spoke the truth, yet I could not resolve to comply. Oh! how did I wish at that moment that a thunderbolt would level with its foundation the immense fabric above, and bury us in its ruins! But death was at a distance; yet its near resemblance, insensibility, befriended me. My frame tottered�the walls of the dungeon swam in a mist before me, and I retained only my senses whilst I heard the following words uttered by the poor old man:

" �Abhorred wretch! tremble at thy crimes, nor let this innocent victim add to the number. And you, unfortunate lady, I conjure, should you ever have the means, that you will publish my unhappy fate, and, if possible, procure me a liberation from this loathsome prison.�

"I heard no more; and from that time recollected nothing more that passed, until some hours after I awakened as from a trance, and found myself on my own bed, with Alithee sitting beside me. At first, the past transactions appeared to me as a dream; but I was soon convinced of the dreadful certainty by the entrance of my lord. He commanded Alithee to retire, and then prepared to address me; but I interrupted him, for I recollected the advice which had been given me by the imprisoned baron.

" �However strong appearances may be against me, I am innocent of any crime. The love of virtue, and the pride of female delicacy, is indelible in my bosom. I speak this, not to mitigate your wrath, which is so terrible, that I have not hope from an appeal to it, but to justify my character from imputations which I do not deserve.�

" �Madam, be that as it may, I have tried you, have found you guilty, and am now come to pass sentence upon you. It should be a sentence of death�for death you deserve. Yet, not wishing to shed your blood, I am willing to remit it for a milder punishment, provided you agree to one condition, which if you refuse, death in the most shocking shape awaits you. Say, are you ready to obey?�

"I faintly answered, �I am.�

" �It is an easy one,� said he, presenting a bible to me. �Swear, on the holy evangelists, that you will never, while you have life, discover to any person, by any means, the circumstance of your having seen that hoary-headed wretch in the dungeon below. Are you ready to take this oath?�

" �I am.�

" �Swear then.�

"I did so, and have never broken this oath till now. Till now did I say? surely this act breaks it not. In writing these pages I transgress not, for this manuscript will never be found whilst I live; and should a sudden fate snatch me from this world, the secret will probably die with me. But

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it becomes me to add, that I might not, perhaps, have been tempted to have broken a solemn promise, although extorted from me, had not some strong and ominous warnings commanded me to consider it an act of duty.�

"The baron next produced a pair of scissors. �I will now deprive you of part of that beauty which has been so fatal to you�beauty, which concealed a friend [sic] whilst it appeared to adorn an angel, and led me to believe that the inside corresponded with the exterior.�

"I was passive in his hands, and in a few minutes he deprived me of those tresses which nature had given me, and which I confess I had prided myself in. He then made me rise from my bed, and led me to a glass, where I was shocked to observe the alteration which my features exhibited. I burst into tears; but they drew from him no compassion. He soon left me, saying he had taken effectual care to prevent me from again visiting my old confessor, and giving me to understand that I should draw upon myself his utmost vengeance by making the attempt.

"Whatever my inclinations might be, I assuredly dared not make the experiment, and I returned no answer. He secured the door after him, and left me alone and forlorn until evening, when he returned with Alithee, bearing refreshments. He was silent: Alithee laid the provisions on the table, and they both withdrew together.

"I saw not any one again until noon the following day, when the baron again appeared. �It is not my intention, madam,� said he, �to confine you to your chamber. Your meals you shall eat with me. I am now come to inform you that dinner awaits you.�

"He turned from me. I saw by his manner that he intended I should follow him, and I did so in silence.

"Dreadful was that dinner to me!

"I leaned on a chair for support, until the baron desired me to seat myself in my usual place. I complied; but although I tried to do so, I was not able to swallow a morsel.

" �Your lady,� said the baron to Roland, with a suppressed smile, �eats nothing; she cannot relish her dinner,�hand us some wine.�

"Roland presented a goblet to his lord; he returned it to the sideboard, and then approached me,�and that I might not appear sullen or ungrateful, I turned to receive the wine, of which, indeed, I had much need.

"Good God! The cup prepared for me was a human skull!

" �Barbarous man!� exclaimed I, and I sunk back on my chair.

"The baron surveyed me with a cruel and insulting triumph. �These bones,� said he, �when clothed with flesh were most dear to you. You have before pressed them to your lips, why should you not do so now?�

"Roland still stood at my elbow: I looked at the baron with an eye supplicating for mercy.

" �Drink,� said he, in a voice of passion. Tears suppressed my utterance; my whole frame was convulsed.

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" �Nay,� said the baron, now affecting coolness, �do as you please; but I must inform you, that as long as you live, you shall have no other cup to drink from. And why should you reject it? It is formed from the skull of your adulterous paramour!�

"I have little more to relate; or, if I had, this part of my story is too horrid to dwell upon. I left the presence of the baron without suffering my lips to touch this too dear and sacred remains of the ill-fated Alphonso. But, can I live to relate it? thirst, and the inflexible cruelty of the baron, has compelled me to submit; and several months have passed, during which I have been allowed to taste no sort of beverage but from the skull of Alphonso.

"What may hereafter be my fate I know not. A slow decay seems stealing upon me. The baron sometimes talks of forgiving me, but I believe it is to quiet my apprehensions of the measures he is now taking to destroy me. The secret I am in possession of has excited his alarm. Alas! he will not permit me to live lest I betray him. Should I indeed fall prematurely into my grave, may some pitying eye peruse these pages. The horrible confinement of the poor old baron my own unmerited sufferings, will surely interest the "

Here the manuscript of the unfortunate Sophia broke off. Caroline lifted up her eyes, moistened with the dew of pity, towards Alithee, whose audible sobs had for some time interrupted her. "Alithee," said she, "what a heart-rending tale is this! Unhappy lady! I sicken at the idea of her sufferings."

"Ah! ma�amselle," said Alithee, "her sufferings lasted not long, after that period in which she closes her story. Indeed, I believe at that very time she had swallowed the fatal dose which brought her to an end."

"You believe her then to have been really poisoned," said Caroline, lowering her voice.

"Remember, ma�amselle, that I depend upon your secrecy. The baron does not suspect that I know it, and would ruin me if I gave it utterance."

"And did she expire in this room?" asked Caroline, looking round her apprehensively.

"Alas! you recall the dreadful scene fresh to my mind. The drugs operated slowly, and it was some weeks before they destroyed her. My lady had some suspicions of the truth at last, and desired to see the baron, but he refused to visit her, neither would he allow a physician to be called in. These instances of cruelty broke her spirits, and at last she began to wish for that death she saw approaching. She would seat herself for hours on the floor where Monsieur Vileroy was killed. I can show you the very spot, ma�amselle, for I dare say it is yet stained with his blood."

Caroline begged to be spared the sight.

"Well," continued old Alithee, "three days before her death, she recovered her right mind a little; and getting up, though very weak, she walked to that private drawer. �Alithee,� said she, �when I am dead, and you