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"To prove to you, Claudio," said Caroline, "that such is not the case, I will, if you please, now become your guest."

"That, indeed, dear Caroline," said Claudio, "would remove my doubts. Come, dearest, be seated. By what a singular train of circumstances are you and I and Maurice brought together at one meal in this old turret."

"There is much more provision below," said Caroline, "which you must permit me, Claudio, to bring here."

"Nay, dearest, here is ample."

"But my kind uncle, the baron," said Caroline, smiling, "may in time become more sparing of the delicacies of his castle and stint his dear niece. Let this turret, therefore, Claudio, be our store house."

"Ah, Caroline," said Claudio, "it is of us you think, not of yourself."

Caroline blushed, and pretended to be very busy eating.

"We are much beholden to you, lady," said Maurice. "What should we do without your kind help?"

"It is I, my good friend, that are beholden to you," said Caroline. "Claudio owes his life to your unvarying kindness, and I shall ever look upon you with the liveliest sentiments of grateful esteem."

Caroline, as she spoke, with all the ingenuous frankness of her nature, and that inaffeble grace, which is the gift of noble minds, took Maurice�s hand.

Maurice had one of the most affectionate and tender hearts that ever

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beat in a human bosom, and his admiration of Caroline was unbounded. At this scene, however, he could not control his feelings, and the tears chased each other down his cheeks, as he said in broken accents�

"God bless you, lady, and may you long live to bless my dear Claudio, and make him the happiest of men."

"He could not be otherwise," cried Claudio, with emotion, "when he is blessed with the love of the most perfect of her sex, and the best and truest�"

"Nay, Claudio, hush," cried Caroline, interrupting him. "Between you, you will make me vain."

"That is an error, which you, dearest Caroline," said Claudio, "will be ever free from. Your highest estimate of yourself would fall far short of your true desert. You are noble in mind as you�"

"I will hear no more," cried Caroline, rising.

"Nay then, I am dumb," said Claudio.

"I will fetch the remainder of the provisions," said Caroline.

She left the turret, and tripped lightly down the winding staircase to her own room.

She commenced again loading herself with the ample contents of the tray, when upon lifting one cover, she saw lying in the dish a small folded piece of writing paper, in form resembling a note.

Caroline took it from the dish, and saw that it was directed to herself. With a trembling hand she opened it, and read as follows

"TO THE LADY CAROLINE MECKLENBURGH.

"Fear nothing, lady. There is one watching over thee. Thy persecutor is in danger, but thou art in none. The wicked and false of heart shall fall, but the innocent shall not suffer. Zindorf Castle is a fated mansion. It will disappear from the face of the, earth. If you would know more of him who writes to you these words, break a pane of glass in your ante-room window.

"What can this mean?" thought Caroline. "Is it some deep-laid scheme of the villain Durlack? He is crafty as the serpent. Yet what would this answer? I must think ere I place faith in so singular an epistle. �The Avenger of Blood?� �Tis a fearful title. I will show this to thee, Claudio. Thy judgment shall guide me."

Caroline immediately returned to the turret and placed the mysterious epistle in Claudio�s hands.

"This may be," said he, "the production of one who desires to serve you, Caroline; but even if it be such, it betrays a heated and distempered mind."

"I fear, Claudio, from my knowledge of Count Durlack, that this may be the commencement of some scheme of his for my destruction."

"It may be so, dear Caroline," replied Claudio, "and the mere suspicion of such a circumstance should be sufficient to induce us to reject this anonymous offer of assistance."

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"Such men as Count Durlack," said Maurice, "adopt the most mysterious means of accomplishing their evil designs. Dear young lady, I should strongly advise you to take no notice whatever of this note."

"I perfectly coincide with Maurice," said Claudio. "Recollect, dear Caroline, that you are not wholly unprotected. We cannot put confidence in one who conceals his name."

"I have no thought, Claudio," said Caroline, "of availing myself of this unknown�s offer of assistance. The knowledge of my parents� fate has made me suspicious where, perhaps, there may be no just cause. Still, however, I reject this offer without hesitation."

"Now tell me, Caroline," said Claudio, "the particulars of this morning�s tumult at the castle gates. It came but imperfectly to my ears, from the peculiar position of this turret."

"I hope, and yet I dread," said Caroline, "the consequences of the proceedings of this morning. There is great hope that the career of both the count and the baron will be short."

"Then why fear you"" asked Claudio.

"Oh, Claudio, such men as Durlack and the Baron Zindorf, when rendered desperate by the peril of their situation, become reckless and throw off the small reserve of virtue which before they endeavoured to shroud their villainies with."

"That is most true," answered Claudio. "Such men, indeed, generally perpetrate some atrocious villany with their expiring power. Oh, Caroline, my heart bleeds to think that my arm alone is your only protection."

"Fear not for the result of all our troubles," said Caroline. "Our cause is that if right, and Heaven will be with us."

"I am not given to despair," said Claudio, "but we do, indeed, need its help."

Caroline now briefly related the circumstances connected with the visit to Zindorf Castle of the gallant Sir Gaston de Beauvais and his band, and their reception by the baron and Count Durlack.

"You astonish me, Caroline," cried Claudio. "Sir Gaston de Beauvais is the most gallant and highly esteemed knight of the age. Europe rings with his exploits."

"His bearing before the castle," said Caroline, "was indeed all that would bespeak him as a noble gentleman."

"Be assured, Caroline," said Claudio, "that something of special enormity must have occurred, for Sir Gaston de Beauvais to be sent on such a mission as that which brought him here. Count Durlack and the baron must have committed some crime of an outrageous character, or some meaner messenger than the most valiant and renowned knight of the kingdom would have been sent to summon them to the court to answer personally for their misdeeds."

"When the three days shall have elapsed," said Maurice, "we shall

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most certainly have a force before the castle sufficient to storm it in a few hours."

"We shall most surely," cried Claudio. "Sir Gaston de Beauvais is not one to let an enterprise grow cold. He said he would come, Caroline?"

"He did."

"Then, if he live, he will as surely come as that the sun will rise to to-morrow. Zindorf Castle will be taken by storm."

"That is what I dread," cried Caroline. "The baron�s fury will make him capable of anything. Nay, such is his ungovernable temper, that he would have killed me in the warder�s tower, had he not been prevented by the more politic Count Durlack, to whom I certainly owe my life, although if my death could have answered his ends better than my existence, he would not have been the man to turn the baron�s sword from my heart."

"They are villains, both of them," said Claudio, "of the deepest dye. This personal affair connected with the baron and the count may possibly, Caroline, give you some respite for a time from their persecution."

"It may," answered Caroline. "Oh, if we could now leave Zindorf."

"This very day," cried Claudio, "will Maurice and I descend again the vaults with the hope of discovering some outlet to the forest."

"And do not forget the venerable prisoner," said Caroline.

"We will not," replied Claudio. "Be cheerful, dearest, and hope that the hour of deliverance is at hand."

"Go, Claudio," cried Caroline, "and Heaven speed you. Should any unusual alarm occur, I will myself descend by the trap door rather than remain at the mercy of the Count Durlack, whom my very soul abhors."

"We will return," said Claudio, "in as short a space as possible. Till then, dear, dear Caroline, farewell. May Heaven watch over you, and guard you from all harm."

"And Claudio," said Caroline, "and you, good Maurice, be careful your safety."

"We will," answered Claudio; "for thy dear sake, we will be doubly cautious. For a brief space, farewell."

"Farewell," said Caroline.

Claudio pressed her hand to his lips, and Caroline then with a heavier heart than she had before experienced, descended to her chamber, to count the weary minutes till Claudio should emerge from the dismal vaults of Zindorf.

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE shades of evening were beginning to gather round the Castle of Zindorf, and a gloomy stillness reigned throughout its ancient walls.

In the apartment which had been appropriated to Count Durlack�s use,

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sat the baron and the count, in close and anxious conference, on the eve of the morning.

"I was aware, count," said the baron, with an air of anxiety, "that something had occurred to render your retirement from the court a matter at least of temporary necessity; but I knew not that the affair was of sufficient importance for Sir Gaston de Beauvais to be sent for your arrest. My implication in the business, I presume, extends no further than as harbouring you."

"I beg your pardon," said the count; "you are in error there, my friend."

"How mean you? I do not even know of what you are accused."

"Exactly;" answered the count. "But, baron, you knew Marco Bruttzi?"

"Marco Bruttzi!" said the baron, starting. "What of him""

"Why, thus much," replied the count; "you know we have frequently employed his dagger in despatching troublesome members of the population."

"Proceed," cried the baron, impatiently.

"Well, then," continued Durlack, "I availed myself of our old friend Marco�s services in a little matter just before I came here."

"Who?"�said the baron. "Who was the�the�"

"The object of my resentment!" said Durlack, coolly.

"Yes.�Was he of rank?"

"Certainly. I never, as you know, soil my fingers with the bourgeois. Gentle blood can alone affect Count Durlack."

"Who was he, then?"

"High game," replied the count. "I won a large sum of young Ernest of Heinault; Sir Gaston de Beauvais�s good son."

"Ha!" cried the baron. "That was dangerous."

"He," continued Durlack, "accused me of foul play."

"Humph!" cried the baron.

"You will admit," continued the count "that that was dangerous likewise?"

"Most dangerous!" said the baron.

"Well," proceeded Durlack, "Marco Bruttzi met Earnest at the close of the evening, and��"

"And he killed him!"

"Why, his dagger as of old, struck home, but Marco lacked his old facility of escape. He was wounded and taken on the spot."

"I see it all," said the baron, turning pale. "He confessed?"

"He did!" replied Durlack. "The villain, as it was his first confession for many years, I understand, made a clean breast of it, and his good friends, and customers, the Baron Zindorf, and Count Durlack, came in for large space in the mean spirited scoundrel�s narrative."

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"Then we are lost!" cried the baron.

"Provided we are found," said Durlack. "My good friend, the very thing I most desired just at present, is to be lost!"

"What can we do?" said the baron; "what channel of escape is open to us?"

"I must wed that girl," cried Durlack. "Caroline Mecklenburgh must be mine."

"I almost despair of that," said the baron. "She shows a most unconquerable resolution."

"You see my situation," said the count; "I, at present, hold the Mecklenburgh estates, and no one doubts my claim to them. They will now be immediately confiscated to the crown. But should it be proved, which might be done in five minutes, that they were not legally mine, they would, as a matter of course, be immediately surrendered to Caroline Mecklenburgh."

"I see," cried the baron.

"Virtually," continued Durlack, "they would again be mine."

"I scarcely see," said the baron, "how you could enjoy them with heavy charges hanging over your head."

"Not in this country," replied Durlack; "certainly not. I would retire to England."

"But might not Caroline Mecklenburgh�s union with you even initiate her own claim to her father�s estates?"

"That union need not be known. The rent of the estates could be claimed through an agent in Caroline�s name. I possess ample proofs of her legal claims. I have the papers upon my person now which would put her in possession of an ample fortune immediately."

"How came you possessed of such important documents, count?"

"Why," said Durlack, "Mecklenburgh you know died suddenly."

"By your sword?"

"By my sword! Caroline is the last of the family, with the exception of some very distant relatives in France. Upon taking possession of a country house of Mecklenburgh�s, I found the papers; my first thought was to destroy them; but that was in my power at any time; and now, as you perceive, they may be of good service."

"Then what immediate course of action do you advise?" asked the baron.

"There is no resource," answered the count; "we must seek safety in another country."

"And abandon Zindorf?�Zindorf, which I have waded through blood to call my own!"

"Even so, baron. Personal safety is the first consideration."

"We have yet some days respite, count."

"Six days at least. It is three days journey from here to the court."

"I am much involved," said the baron. "There is the baroness, and this girl."

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"The baroness," answered Durlack, "can be left behind. The girl Caroline, I am resolved to have."

"I am not," said the baron, "altogether sorry to leave Zindorf; it has become hateful to me! it is a mansion of terror!"

"Then you abandon it with less regret?"

"True. I will collect all the valuables in the castle, which can be easily conveyed away, and upon the first alarm, we can escape by the passage, through the vaults to the forest."

"This night," said Count Durlack, "I will seek another interview with the haughty beauty, who scorns my suit."

"You can pass from here to her chamber," said the baron.

"I can, baron. You will secure me from interruption?"

"I will. Those in this castle who are not devoted to me, are inoxious. The baroness is confined by indisposition to her chamber."

"Good," cried Durlack. "I will not be turned from my purpose by either threats or tears. Caroline Mecklenburgh shall be mine. By Heaven her mother, baron, was a masterpiece of beauty; and this girl so closely resembles her, that I could almost fancy as I gaze upon her, that it was she herself, who had risen from the tomb in all the freshness of her early beauty."

"Six days we may count upon to ourselves?" said the baron.

"We may," answered Durlack. "Nay, more; it will take some time to get up an expedition against this castle."

"Sir Gaston de Beauvais," said the baron, "is a terrible enemy."

"We will keep him at a distance," said Durlack. "Common caution must preserve us from the storm which is gathering over us."

"I will lose so time," said the baron, "in preparing for this sudden departure."

"I understood you to say," remarked Durlack, "that you had caused the passage from the castle to the forest to be built up."

"I have done so," answered the baron, shuddering! "The castle has latterly been disturbed by strange noises!�Cries of an unearthly character have rung through its halls! shrieks as from the damned have sounded through the ancient chambers!"

"These things," said the count, "are, indeed, most strange!"

"I must, however," continued the baron, turning pale, "venture into the vaults to clear the passage to the forest. Roland shall accompany me."

"Do so," said Durlack; "our departure must meet with no obstacles. To be safe, and effective, it must be sudden, and unimpeded."

"The night is waning on," said the baron, rising. "Ha! what sound was that?"

The count started to his feet, and looked inquiringly round the gloomy apartment.

"I am sure I heard some one breathing heavily," said the baron.

"You were not deceived," cried the count; "I heard it, likewise."

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There was a high backed ancient chair standing in the distant obscurity of the chamber, and, towards it, the baron�s and the count�s eyes, as by one accord, turned, as they heard proceeding from it a heavy sigh, as if some one in a deep sleep. The baron trembled, and made a movement towards the door.

"What is the meaning of this?" cried the count.

"I�I know not," faultered the baron�"but�this chamber was scene of�"

"I will discover the cause of this mysterious interruption," said the count, drawing his sword.

"Hark!" cried the baron, holding the back of a chair for support. "There it is again."

The count hesitated but for a moment, and then advanced to the chair, the back of which was towards him.

"If you be mortal," he cried, "speak, or my sword shall stop your sighs for ever!"

"My�my�lord," said a voice as of one just awakening.

"Euphoric!" cried Durlack.

"Yes�Euphoric, my lord," said the page.

"How came you here?" thundered the count.

"Nay, my lord, I scarcely know," said the page, yawning,�"I�I found the door opened�and�and I believe I fell asleep."

"How long have you been here?" said the baron.

"A space of five minutes or more," cried the page.

"Nonsense," cried the count. "I have been in the room a full hour."

"Have I slept so long?" said the page.

"Are you sure you have slept," muttered the baron suspiciously.

"Euphoric is faithful," said the count, "and devoted to my interest. But I do not wish to place unlimited confidence in a page."

"His presence here is strange," whispered the baron. "If he has not slept, but on the contrary, listened."

"Then there will be one page the less in Bavaria," said the count, "for I will run him through with my sword."

"Let me go," said the baron; "once before in this room blood has been shed�I�I leave him to you."

"Euphoric," cried Durlack, in a kind tone; "of course you heard what the baron and I said, some time since�I can depend upon you? You will be secret?"

The page looked vacantly at the count.

"I mean, you will be careful," said the count, "not to mention what we have resolved upon, Euphoric."

"Good, my lord, I know not what you mean," answered the page.

"Why what we were discussing even now."

"Now, my lord?"

"Yes, about the necessity of�of�you understand?"