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the hands of the destroyers. Then—oh! then, life might indeed have had charms for the poor wretched Euphoric."

He flew to the skeleton of his father, and burst into one of those wild paroxisms of grief which contrasted so forcibly with his usual calmness, and which seemed to be the accumulated agony of many days of stem self-denial, and continual sacrifice of feeling.

"Bear with me—bear with me but a moment!" he cried; and then he sunk down by the rotting bones, and bathed them with his tears.

"Father! father!" he shrieked, "they have murdered you, and you are not yet avenged! but the time is coming!—Quickly—quickly it is coming!"

"Raise him, Claudio," said Caroline. "My heart bleeds for his deep distress."

"Let him be a moment or two," whispered Claudio. "I feel deeply for him, but these wild paroxisms of grief had always better be allowed of themselves to subside. We have seen him thus before;—he will recover soon, and be calm and serene then for many days."

"It is a pitiable sight," said Caroline.

"A more pitiable one never met my gaze," answered Claudio.

"The violence of his grief is passing away," said Maurice.

"Hush!" said Claudio; "let him be. When he recovers, take no notice of this extacy of sorrow;—make no allusion to it."

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Euphoric’s wild storm of grief had now subsided into deep sobs, which came at longer and longer intervals.

At last he rose, and although his face was very pale, there were no traces of the storm of wild passions that had swept across his soul;—he spoke calmly and firmly.

"Come," he said, "come; to the chapel, Claudio; to the chapel!"

CHAPTER LII.

"THIS is, indeed, Claudio, a brief meeting," said Caroline, with a deep sigh.

"Let us believe, dearest," answered Claudio, "that the time is rapidly approaching, when we shall meet to part no more."

A few days," said Euphoric, "must terminate all these difficulties. The baron is now without any suspicion of your presence, Claudio, in the castle; and your safety is, therefore, with the commonest prudence ensured."

"For my sake," said Caroline, "as well as your own, Claudio, you will carefully avoid any demonstrations of your presence until it can be done with positive safety and freedom from all risk."

"Believe me," answered Claudio, "I fully comprehend the favourable nature of my present position. Believed to be dead by the baron and the count; concealment of my presence becomes comparatively easy. I will be most cautious until the proper moment arrives for action."

"I will visit you often," said Euphoric, "and let you know all that is transpiring in the castle."

"Can you procure me a sword, Euphoric?" said Claudio.

"I can, and will," answered Euphoric.

"Then in case of any sudden emergency I shall be prepared," continued Claudio. "I am never so patient as when I am well armed."

"We have consumed much time already," answered Maurice, uneasily.

"True," cried Euphoric. "Each moment’s delay is dangerous."

"We will wait here," said Claudio, "until, Euphoric, you have conveyed Caroline back to her chamber."

"Come, lady," cried the page, "come. Longer delay may cost us all our lives."

"Farewell, dearest Claudio," said Caroline. "Trust me that all will be well, and our misfortunes pass away like a summer’s cloud before the sunshine of our future prosperity and joy."

Caroline’s heart was too full to speak. Her look to Claudio spoke more—much more than her tongue could utter, and she silently and slowly followed Euphoric to the dungeon door.

An exclamation of disappointment burst from the lips of the page, and Caroline grasped her hands in terror.

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"What is the matter?" cried Claudio. "Speak, Euphoric."

"The door," said the page.

"Ha!—closed?" cried Claudio.

"Yes," answered Euphoric, "closed. I heard it not. The spring is fast."

"I ought to have known it," cried Claudio, stamping with vexation.

"The door is so constructed as to close of itself. Caroline, my forgetfulness has involved you in this new misery."

"It is a serious mischance," said the page.

"Surely," said Caroline, "some malignant destiny takes a delight in persecuting us. What can be done, Euphoric?"

"We have no choice," answered Euphoric. "Our course is obvious."

"Caroline must endeavour to regain her chamber," said Claudio, "by proceeding through the chapel, Euphoric."

"She must," answered the page, "even at the risk of meeting any one on her way from here to there."

"Danger deferred," said Caroline, whose spirit always rose with the occasion! "is danger increased?"

"We had better, then, at once once encounter it," said Euphoric. "Fortune may for once befriend us, and even this incident may not produce any evil consequences to any of us."

"Can you not go quickly round," said Maurice, "and open this door from the other side, while we all wait here?"

"By heavens! a happy thought!" exclaimed Claudio. "How could anything so very easy and obvious escape me?"

"It did not escape," said Euphoric.

"Then why did you omit to mention it?" cried Claudio.

"Because," answered Euphoric, "I fastened the turret door on the inside, to guard against any surprise while this lady was here."

Claudio’s countenance fell.

"That is most unfortunate," he cried.

"The door, likewise," said Euphoric, "of the ante-room, leading to your chamber, lady, is locked in the inside, and the key left in your chamber, for fear of dropping it in these vaults."

Caroline clasped her hands in despair, and even Claudio looked dismayed at this disastrous intelligence.

"Then we are indeed lost," said Caroline.

"What on earth can be done?" cried Claudio.

"We are sacrificed," said Maurice. "I see no hope of escape whatever."

"There is one chance," cried Claudio.

"Aye, and but one," answered Euphoric, with a troubled air.

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"Name it, good Euphoric," said Caroline, "name it, and let me I cling to the slenderest hope."

"The Count Durlack’s chamber," said Euphoric.

"Ha!" cried Caroline, "I see now what you mean."

"By the panel you can cross the staircase leading to the turret into your own chamber."

Caroline shuddered.

"That is a route I would rather not have taken," she said, "but—"

"It is the only one," interrupted Euphoric; "and even that is beset with a thousand risks and dangers."

"The count may be in his room," said Caroline.

" ‘Tis more than probable, at this hour," answered Euphoric.

"Can she not stay here," asked Claudio, "until you can ascertain the safety of the way?"

The castle clock at this moment struck one.

A death-like paleness came over the face of the page.

"Hark!" he cried, "it is the hour of the mid-day meal."

"Heed it not," cried Claudio.

"Heed it not!" repeated Euphoric. "Caroline Mecklenburgh will be missed from her chamber in less than half an hour from now. I shall be sought for in vain—the door of the ante-room will be forced—"

"God of Heaven!" cried Claudio, "this must be averted, if possible."

Euphoric glared round him for a moment, and his hand sought the folds of his garments across his breast.

"What seek you?" said Claudio.

The page drew half way from its place of concealment the glass dagger which had been given him by Roland.

"The Count Durlack," he said, "will not oppose our progress, even should we chance to meet him."

"What do you mean," said Claudio.

"No matter," answered Euphoric; "the time was sure to come. It may be nearer than I expect."

"We gain nothing by delay," said Caroline.

"Nothing," cried Euphoric, "and we may lose everything. Come, come—to the chapel. Follow me."

He darted through the small doorway which Claudio and Maurice had so providentially occupied their time in opening.

Claudio placed his arm tenderly around the trembling form of Caroline and assisted her along the passage, while Maurice followed closely behind.

The little party soon arrived at the foot of the stone staircase, which led up behind the altar of the chapel.

"Wait one moment," said Euphoric, "while I ascend, and see if the chapel be clear of any intruders."

The page ascended alone, and in a few moments he called in a low voice from above—

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Claudio assisted Caroline, and they shortly stood in the chapel which has been the scene of two eventful chapters in our narrative.

"Do not speak," said Euphoric; "an incautious word after we leave the chapel might betray us to some prying domestic. Follow me in silence; you will soon enough be aware of any danger."

Claudio nodded his assent to this arrangement, and in uninterrupted silence the party proceeded on their hazardous expedition.

Euphoric led the way across the chapel, and out at the door at the foot of the staircase which led to the old hall.

He ascended the stairs quickly, and then, immediately turning round, he said—

"This door’s locked."

"Good God!" cried Claudio, "are we to meet with nothing but these kind of difficulties? Curse all the locks that ever were invented!"

Euphoric placed his ear close to the door, and listened attentively.

"There is no one in the hall," he said. "Indeed, it is but rarely visited, for it leads to nowhere but the chapel by this door, and by another to the wing of the castle which has been, I am told, so long uninhabited."

"What can we do?" said Claudio.

"You are strong," said the page, "and the door is weak."

Claudio took the hint in a moment, and, retiring as far back as he could, he threw himself against the door with such force that it burst from its hinges with a loud crash, and left a clear opening to the ancient hall.

"Come," said Euphoric, "silence and speed."

He darted across the hall, followed, as close as feet could fall, by his companions.

Caroline paused, and said—

"Euphoric, this leads to the inhabited part of the castle. This is the door through which I was dragged by order of the baron when I came from my chamber to the chapel."

"It is," answered Euphoric; then, withdrawing from a part of the wall some faded arras, he continued—

"That small door leads to the suite of apartments which I have mentioned as being uninhabited."

"Then," said Caroline, "that is Claudio’s way."

"No," answered Euphoric, "we must all keep together till you are lodged safely in your chamber."

"This is madness," said Caroline.

"No, Caroline," said Claudio; "there is wisdom and foresight in Euphoric’s proceedings. If we can conduct you to your chamber safely, the most difficult object is accomplished. Euphoric will not be compromised, and even should a disaster occur to me, he would still have it in his power to work for my deliverance from what, at the most, would most likely be but renewed captivity."

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"Remember," said Maurice, "union is strength. We could successfully cope with one or two persons, although we are unarmed."

The page nodded his acquiescence.

"Proceed, then," said Caroline, with a sigh.

Without another word, Euphoric passed from the hall, still closely followed by those whose lives and liberties hung upon his faith and discretion—but then the faith was true, and the discretion far beyond his years.

Euphoric, since his residence at Zindorf-Castle, had made it his constant duty to become acquainted intimately with all its intricacies; and he now led the party who trusted so implicitly to him, with as great precision as the Baron of Zindorf himself could have done.

Not a soul interrupted their progress, and a sanguine hope began to arise in the breast of Caroline that she should, despite all her fears, reach her chamber in safety. But then, she thought, would Claudio be so fortunate, on his return to the old hall? The doubt was agonizing; and she thought how truly dreadful would be the interval of suspense before she could be perfectly assured of his safe lodgement on the apartment mentioned by Euphoric as being so well adapted for the concealment of any person.

CHAPTER LIII.

THEY had now arrived in a long gallery from which many doors opened to different apartments in the castle, and in traversing which, lay their greatest danger of being observed or suddenly discovered by some one coming from some of the rooms.

Euphoric placed his finger on his lips, enjoining silence, and with as quick a step as caution would permit the use of, they proceeded along the gallery.

One half the distance was accomplished, and even Claudio began to hope that all would be well, when Euphoric suddenly drew back, and laid his hand upon Claudio’s arm, while his usually pale face became still paler.

"Hush!" he said. "Retire within this doorway. I hear a footsteps."

They were close to an arched and elaborately sculptured doorway, the porch of which would with ease have contained a party of double the number.

Claudio and Caroline now both distinctly heard the sound of footsteps from the further end of the gallery, approaching, apparently, towards them.

"Hush!" said Euphoric, in a hoarse whisper. "I know that step well. I should know the shadow of that man."

"Who is it?" whispered Claudio.

"The count," said Euphoric. "It may be that his hour has come."

"What mean you?" said Claudio.

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"He may come this way," answered the page.

"What then?"

"We shall be seen. It will be but for a moment, though."

As he spoke, Euphoric drew from his breast the glass dagger, and a wild and unearthly fire seemed to sparkle in his eyes.

The footsteps now suddenly ceased, and a door was heard to close.

"The danger is passed," said Claudio.

"It is," answered Euphoric, putting up the dagger. "Let us proceed."

They walked forward in silence till they came opposite a door, at which Euphoric paused.

"We must enter here," he said. "This is the commencement of the suite of apartments which terminate at your chamber, lady."

He gently opened the door and looked in. Then beckoning his companions, they all left the gallery and found themselves in a spacious room, hung round with ancient tapestry, and furnished in a costly style of former splendour.

"This way," said Euphoric, "will lead us direct to the Count Durlack’s apartment. Our alarm in the gallery has at least assured us that he is not there, for he left the gallery by a door on the other side."

"Then we are comparatively safe," said Claudio.

"We are," answered Euphoric. ‘I do not think we are likely now to meet with any obstruction."

They passed through several rooms of considerable extent, and all betraying the remains of the former magnificence of the lords of Zindorf. The rare hangings and costly furniture were, however, fast decaying for want of proper care and attention. Dampness and dust were allowed to mingle together on the tapestry, dimming the rich colours and rotting the once highly-prized fabric whose beauty they now observed.

The rooms had a cold and damp smell from the long absence of any fires upon the ample hearths. The windows were, in many instances, broken, and for years the damp night air, loaded with vapours from the forest, had entered and deposited, like dew, an universal dampness upon everything, which had greatly accellerated the progress of decay.

It seemed as if the rooms had been lately visited, for the floors had evidently been recently swept clean, and there, was none of that black dust lying upon the boards which accumulate in apartments shut up for a length of time and entirely unvisited.

"These rooms," aid Euphoric, observing that Claudio looked around him with an eye of curiosity, "I am told were shut up for many years until recently, when they were opened and partially cleansed as a thoroughfare to the apartment which the Count Durlack chose to occupy."

"They have," answered Claudio," a dismal air of faded magnificence."

"There is some story connected with them," said Euphoric, "in which the Baron of Zindorf is concerned, which caused them to be shut up, as well as other parts of the castle, for some years, and even now I am told

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that the baron, when he visits the count in his own chamber, always hurries through these apartments with fear and precipitation."

"This castle," said Claudio, " is altogether an abode of horror an crime. How much misery has been created within its walls? How many have breathed their last sad sighs in its loathsome and gloomy dungeons? The time will come, and that I trust ere long, when Zindorf Castle will be levelled with the dust."

"Hark!" cried Maurice, suddenly.

"What do you hear?" cried Claudio.

"I heard a sound from behind us," answered Maurice, "as of a door closing."

"And so did I," said Euphoric.

"Hush!" cried Maurice, again, "do you not hear?"

"I do," answered Claudio. "It seems to me that some one is coming through the apartments by the very route we are ourselves taking. What say you, Euphoric?—you are quick of hearing."

Euphoric threw himself on the floor, and laid his ear close to the boards. Then rising, he said—

"I have learned to distinguish the footstep of one person from that of all others. It is not the count who is approaching."

"Who then?" said Claudio.

"Most probably the baron!"

"The baron!" cried Caroline; "oh, Heavens, we are lost!"

Claudio mechanically placed his hand to his side, but there was no sword there. He groaned bitterly.

"In such a dilemma, and unarmed!" he said.

"For some reason," said Euphoric, speaking rapidly to Claudio, "the Baron Zindorf shrinks from you. I have heard so much in the castle. It is your likeness to some one else."

"Ah!" cried Caroline, "there is hope, then. It is your likeness, Claudio, to—to—"

"My poor brother," said Claudio, mournfully—"my poor brother!"

"Have we not time," said Maurice, "to escape yet, before the baron reaches us, Euphoric?"

"No," said the page, quickly, "the panel in the count’s room is behind a heavy picture, to remove which will take some time, and still longer replace it. Indeed, the latter could not be done at all from the other side. Hark! he comes—he comes!"

"Hush!" said Claudio; "not a word. Keep out of sight, all of you. I will try this last expedient. The baron is superstitious: these rooms prepare his mind for fear. Lend me your sword, Euphoric; if it come the worst I must slay him, although such an act would, most likely, cause so much search and enquiry in the castle that we might be discovered; and moreover, I would fain that the common executioner dealt with so black a villain and hardened a criminal."