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human nature. Let us believe that Count Durlack stands alone in his fearless wickedness."

"He and Roland," said Claudio, "are fit companions."

"Roland," replied Euphoric, "is a mere animal; cruel, dastardly, and evil by his nature; but the Count Durlack is a man of education. Every mental advantage he has possessed; but in the impure crucible of his mind everything has acquired a taint of vice. His mental resources have only made him the subtler and more crafty villain. They have enabled him to dabble in refined tortures�to add a sting to physical suffering by stabbing the mind, too, through its dearest sensibilities. He is a man who, when he struck his poisoned dagger home to the heart of a father, would then stoop to whisper in his ear, with hissing and fiendish exultation, the name of his orphan child."

"Euphoric," said Claudio, "you speak of this man in a strain of language beyond your years, and you betray a depth of observation strangely at variance with your youth."

"Two years ago," answered Euphoric, " I was a boy, a happy gleeful child. My father was murdered by this man�this count. Curses on his name! and from the moment I became�I know not what;�but a change came over me, and I have never smiled since. Never, never!"

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CHAPTER LV.

CLAUDIO was afraid that in this critical moment of his fate, Euphoric would be overcome by one of his wild paroxysms of grief and passion; but he was mistaken, such was not the case.

The page paused but for a moment. An universal shudder came over his frame, and then he said calmly,�

"Let us hasten; let us hasten."

"I follow you closely, Euphoric," said Claudio.

They proceeded without interruption through the long suite of apartments but when the arrived at the last one, and were opposite to the door which led into the gallery, Euphoric motioned to Claudio and Maurice to stop.

"I will," he said, "walk into the gallery to see that all is clear."

"But," said Claudio, "should any one come this way, I am quite unarmed. Euphoric, can you not lend me your rapier?"

"Take it," said Euphoric, handing it to him; "but use it, if needs be, with caution. This is a time for patience and stratagem, not conflict."

Euphoric passed into the gallery, and Claudio and Maurice were left in the room.

"This moment of suspense, Maurice," said Claudio, "is the worst of all, I long for the return of Euphoric."

"His caution," said Maurice, "is necessary. A false step just now would ruin us all, and bring destruction upon the heads of any one of us who is identified with us and our fortunes in the castle."

"But should this room be visited by any one now?" said Claudio.

"It is not probable," answered Maurice.

"Is that a closet-door?" said Claudio; "or does it lead to some other range of rooms, think you, Maurice?"

Maurice looked in the direction indicated by Claudio.

"It seems a kind of closet or cupboard," said Maurice. "Let us examine it."

They walked towards the small door which had attracted Claudio�s attention, and found that it opened to a touch.

They saw it was a small closet, in which was a heterogeneous mass of articles, which appeared to have been hastily crammed in, to put them out of the way, most probably when the rooms were opened as a thoroughfare to the apartment of the Count Durlack, which he had chosen in preference to any other in the castle for so sinister a purpose.

"What is that?" said Claudio, pointing to some object on one of the upper shelves of the closet.

"What?" cried Maurice. "It is�"

"A human skull!" said Claudio.

He reached to where it lay, and took it down.

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Maurice gazed at it with feelings of horror, which he could not define.

Claudio walked slowly to the window, with the ghastly emblem of mortality in his hand, and then gazed long and mournfully upon it.

"Maurice," he said, after a pause, "a double suspicion comes across my soul, and my heart�s blood turns cold."

"What mean you?" said Maurice, alarmed at Claudio�s manner, and the death-like paleness of his face.

"My brain reels," continued Claudio; "my reason totters. Oh, God! Oh, God!"

"What do you mean?" cried Maurice. "Merciful heaven! What can have thus moved you?"

"It has indeed moved me," said Claudio, in a voice of such deep pathos and grief, that Maurice was sensibly affected.

"Oh, Claudio! Claudio!" he cried; "be yourself again. Restore this sad spectacle to its place of rest again. It conjures up gloomy images in your brain."

"It does! it does!" cried Claudio, with his eyes still fixed on the skull.

"Wherefore should it?" said Maurice; "I have seen you, Claudio, look unmoved at sights far worse than this."

"True, you have;" said Claudio; "But oh, Maurice, something tells me�"

"What, Claudio?"

"A secret whisper comes across my heart and chills the healthy current of my blood."

"What mean you, Claudio? You much alarm me."

"See this poor fleshless skull, Maurice?"

" I needs must see it."

"Fancy, Maurice, the clustering ringlets hanging from these temples."

" �Tis a sad fancy, Claudio."

"Imagine, Maurice, the dawn of youth upon that velvet cheek. The fire of intelligence starting in glorious radiance from the eyes that once adorned those hollow cells."

"Oh, Claudio, Claudio! this is not a season for such reflections."

"How, Maurice, how would a smile adorn this ghostly mouth? Oh, Heaven, it seems even now to smile at me in very mockery."

"You prey on your own imagination, Claudio," said Maurice; "let me beseech you to replace the skull in the closet."

"Fancy all this, Maurice," continued Claudio, as if thinking aloud, merely; "and when you have returned this horrible remnant of beauty, with all its former dear excellence�call it�call it�"

"What? Who, Claudio?"

Claudio seemed unable to speak for a few moments, and he seemed gasping for breath.

"Oh, Claudio, Claudio!" cried Maurice, much terrified; "speak to me; oh, speak, Claudio, my boy�my dear Claudio, speak."

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"Call it," said Claudio, apparently with a great effort commanding his voice; "call it what my heart calls it. What is written on my brow in letters of fire. What dances before my eyes in gouts of blood."

"What? Claudio speak�oh, what?"

"Alphonso!" cried Maurice, clasping his hands.

"Even so, " said Claudio, in a low husky voice; "even so, Maurice; the lost�the loved�the murdered Alphonso Vileroy."

"No�no�say not so, Claudio;" cried Maurice. "Your imagination leads you to think this. What reason have we to suppose as much?"

"This has been as strange day," said Claudio.

"Rouse thee, Claudio," said Maurice; "you seem as if in some dreary trance."

Claudio heard him not�he spoke as if pursuing a train of reflection in his own mind, unheedful of what was said to him by Maurice, who was much alarmed at the wildness of his looks.

"Is it not," continued Claudio, "enough for ever to still the beating of a brother�s heart to see such a sight as this?"

"Alas! alas!" cried Maurice, wringing his hands.

"Where�oh, where," said Claudio, in an excess of grief; "is the body of my unfortunate brother? Here is but one portion of his poor remains."

A light step now warned them that some one was at hand, and in the next moment Euphoric stood before them.

"Euphoric?" said Maurice.

"Hush," said the page; "each moment is now precious. Follow me and speak not. Caroline Mecklenburgh is, for the present, in safety. Follow, follow quickly."

Maurice took Claudio, who seemed so absorbed in grief as scarcely to comprehend his situation, by the arm, and led him, unresistingly, after Euphoric.

The page led the way with a noiseless step through several apartments, closely followed by Maurice and Claudio, till he came to one in which the walls were covered with what had once been rich tapestry.

He walked quickly to one part of the arras, which he moved on one side, saying�

"Here is a door which leads into an apartment, where I think you will be safer than you were. It is fastened, but I think, rather than not avail ourselves of the certain security of the apartment into which it leads, we had better force it, and trust to the arras for concealment, should anybody, which is very improbable, chance to visit this long deserted part of the castle.

"Claudio! Claudio!" said Maurice; "hear you what our friend, Euphoric, proposes to us?"

"As you will�as you will;" said Claudio, dejectedly.

"What is the meaning of this hopeless tone?" said the page.

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"Hush," whispered Maurice; "I will tell you anon, Euphoric; we have both seen a sad and heart-rending sight."

"Indeed," said Euphoric.

"Yes, yes," cried Claudio, "sad and heart-rending."

"But remember," said Euphoric, placing his hand upon Claudio�s arm�"remember!"

"Remember what? Would to Heaven that I could forget!"

"Remember that the life�the happiness of Caroline Mecklenburgh depends upon your courage and presence of mind."

"Yes," said Claudio, "yes�I thank you, Euphoric, for rescuing me from my trance of grief. I will be firm, for Caroline and for justice."

"Control your feelings for awhile," continued the page.

" �Tis difficult," said Claudio, mournfully.

"I know it well," answered Euphoric.

"The door," said Maurice; "oh, let us not delay."

"Aye," cried the page. "Will you, Claudio, force this door, for you are stronger?"

Upon the word, Claudio, with one effort, burst the lock from the door, which was but of thin wainscoting, and evidently adapted more for concealment than strength.

"Let us enter," said Euphoric.

In a moment more they were in the apartment.

It was of small dimensions, and had evidently at one time had considerable pretensions to elegance; but time had faded the gilding on the rich moulded walls and ceiling, and the heavy, old-fashioned furniture which was in it, was crumbling to decay.

"Here," said Euphoric, taking a flask from his vest, "is some wine. I will take care to bring you provisions, and doubt not but another day will bring relief in the shape of Sir Gaston de Beauvais."

"Ah, Euphoric," said Maurice, "how much do we owe you! You have preserved us all."

"No more�no more" said the page, mournfully. "For a short time adieu, my friends. Hope everything."

"We will," said Maurice; "farewell, Euphoric�farewell."

The page left the chamber, and once more the heart-stricken Claudio and his faithful friend were alone.

CHAPTER LVI.

The evening fell darkly and drearily upon Zindorf Castle. Heavy clouds obscured the sky, and a mournful sighing wind swept around the mossgrown towers and gloomy battlements of the ancient pile.

In the same apartment in which the baron and the count had sat, on the night of the storm, they now again met.

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The count was standing, and listening, apparently to something which the Baron of Zindorf was pressing with great earnestness upon his attention.

"I implore you, Durlack," said the baron, "to hesitate ere you venture upon the fearful scene which must ensue."

"Your fears unman you," said the count.

"You have not," said the baron, with a perceptible shudder, "encountered what I have in Zindorf Castle."

"Psha!" cried Count Durlack; "because you fancy that on the road to my apartment you saw the�"

"Hush, hush!" cried the baron, "name it not, Durlack; oh, name it not, lest�"

"Lest it open the door and walk in, I suppose," sneered the count. "For shame, Baron Zindorf!�trembling at shadows! There was a time when you were appalled at nothing."

"But I saw it�I saw it," persisted the baron. "As plainly as I now see you I saw it."

"The spirit of�"

"Hush, hush, Durlack."

"Of the young Vileroy," continued the count, heedless of the agony of the baron, upon whose brow the perspiration of fear hung in bead-like drops.

"There, you see," cried Durlack, "I have said it, and there is no result. Trust me, Baron Zindorf, your own imagination peoples the air of Zindorf with these phantoms."

"Oh, if I could but think so," said the baron. "If�if, Count Durlack, I could but think there was no Heaven�no�"

"Hell, I suppose you would say," cried Durlack, with the most unconcerned manner in the world.

The baron groaned.

"No, baron," said the count, "you must say what you please, but you shall not turn me from my purpose. I have no superstitious fears, and I have been braved by her�"

"Yet pause awhile," said the baron.

"I will," said Durlack, "till night. Caroline Mecklenburgh would not be my wife�she shall be my mistress!"

"And then, count?"

"Then I am ready to accompany you and Roland from the castle by the vaults."

"I cannot but anticipate evil from your purpose," said the baron.

"I have been braved by your niece," cried Durlack; "I have been scorned and insulted by her, and will have my revenge."

"I cannot hinder you," answered the baron.

"Our plans have all succeeded tolerably well," remarked the count. "Our prisoners are secure, and most probably by this time�"

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"Dead!" said the baron.

"Aye, dead be it," replied the Count Durlack. "Thus we are sure they will trouble us no more."

"Methinks," said the baron, after a pause, "I shall know more peace when I am once free of Zindorf Castle and its associations."

"England shall be our home hereafter," said Durlack. "It is a country where we may be most secure, and one, of all others, where our rank and wealth will win us golden opinions from all classes of men."

The baron assented, and rose to break off the conference.

Before he could leave the room, however, a low tap sounded at the door, and in answer to the count�s�"Come in"�the page Euphoric glided into the apartment.

"Ha! my faithful Euphoric," cried the count, "welcome. I was about to seek thee."

Euphoric bowed submissively.

"We leave Zindorf Castle to-night," continued Durlack. "You will, of course, accompany us."

"I hope and trust," said the page, "never to leave you till death parts us."

"That is well answered," replied Durlack. "You are young, Euphoric, and may calculate upon a long life yet to come; and even I am not so old but I may yet live to see your locks turn grey�eh, Euphoric?"

"Most true, my lord�most true. I think you have a long and prosperous career before you."

"I think so too," said Durlack; "but now to business, Euphoric. Give an attentive ear to what I am about to say."

"With my whole soul I listen," said Euphoric.

"Before, then, I leave Zindorf Castle," whispered Durlack, "I shall find leisure for some gently dalliance with the fair Caroline, who has so scorned my modest love."

"I attend," said Euphoric.

"You will," continued Durlack, "meet me in the gallery which leads to the ante-room adjoining the apartment of Caroline Mecklenburgh, two hours hence."

"I will," said Euphoric.

"That will be eleven o�clock," continued Durlack. "At midnight we descend to the vaults, carrying with us whatever valuables we may, and escape from Zindorf Castle for ever by the secret passage leading far into the neighbouring forest."

" �Tis a good plan," said Euphoric.

"I think so," said the count. "There is one little part of the affair which I think will be quite an amusement to you, Euphoric, if you will undertake it."

"I will do your lordship�s bidding," said the page.

"It is this, then," whispered Count Durlack. "Roland fancies he is

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to accompany us. Now �tis a stalwart knave, and will be of great assistance in clearing the passage through the vaults, but of late he has become insolent, and would be a decided encumbrance on our journey. He must not go."

"I understand," said Euphoric.

"Ha! Ha!" laughed Durlack; "you are indeed a treasure. Euphoric, Roland must die suddenly."

"Be assured he shall," answered Euphoric.

"That�s my brave Euphoric. You can come behind him when I give a preconcerted signal, and stab him."

"I shall stab him," cried Euphoric.

"Take, then, this dagger," said the count, drawing one from his vest. " �Tis of rare temper�it may be depended upon."

"I take it thankfully," said the page; "rest assured that it shall be used."

"I feel assured," said the count. "Do not fail to meet me at eleven, with the key of the ante-room."

"I will not," said Euphoric.

He left the room as he spoke, and the Count Durlack looked after him for some moments in silence. Then he said:�

"Humph!�Yon boy is daring and bloody-minded. He shall slay the insolent Roland, and then�then�I do not know how it would be desirable to rid oneself of Master Euphoric, I will consider."

Euphoric left the Count Durlack with a calm brow and a steady step, and walked to his own chamber. Then fastening the door, he sat down upon the only seat which was in it, and drawing from a concealment in the breast of his apparel the glass dagger which had been given to him by Roland, he placed it side by side with that he had just received from the count, and for many minutes he contemplated both in silence.

"They shall both die!" he at length said. "Both�both! One for the count, and one for Roland. But which shall it be? Shall the count�s own dagger be sheathed in his heart, or shall I trust this brittle blade of glass?"

The voice of Euphoric was calm, clear and distinct as he uttered these words; but how different was his manner immediately afterwards. One of those wild fits of extreme passion and awful mental agony, to which the boy was subject, swept like a whirlwind across his soul.

"Father!" he cried, "father!�God of Heaven, can it be real?�They murdered him!�He fought�fought for life�for breath!�I see them now!�How their swords drank his warm blood!�Oh, what agony is his!�His head is jammed within the door!�I see the convulsed and distorted features�the starting eyes!�Villains�villains!�Murderers!�Oh, God!�Oh, God!"

He fell upon the floor with a heavy sound, and the two daggers rattled to his side.