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Caroline was pleased with this compliment to her aunt, and made a suitable reply.

"I doubt not," continued the baron, "but your society will prove a considerable addition to our happiness; my only fear is, that you will be dissatisfied with so secluded a life, and sigh for more company; which it is impossible to obtain here."

Caroline, flattered by these soothing expressions, assured him, that so far from feeling the least dissatisfaction, she was convinced she should be perfectly happy; and grateful for the protection he afforded her, should wish for no other society than his and her aunt’s. In such mutual expressions of civility their walk concluded, and they returned to the baroness. She was much better, and although the evening was as fine, as is common at that gloomy season of the year, it would not admit of their again quitting the house; but as the baron was more conversable, it was passed pleasantly by the fire-side. The baroness was the more pleased with this alteration in her husband, as she had perceived, with chagrin, the coldness of his behaviour on the first arrival of her young relation. She now entertained hopes that by Caroline’s conversation, the melancholy which had for some time oppressed him might be removed. When the hour for retiring arrived, Namine, as before, accompanied Caroline to her apartment. A fire had been already kindled, and she sat down before it. Namine would willingly have said a good deal, particularly about the supernatural events which took

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place at the castle, but Caroline, whose spirits were now more composed, rather checked her discourse; and her ladies’ bell summoned her away, she soon departed.

Caroline now resumed her survey of the chamber, but on looking towards the recess, and shelves before mentioned, she perceived, to her infinite surprise and gratification, that the old lumber had been removed, and the shelves filled with handsomely bound books. These she conjectured to have been placed there by the care of the bareness during her walk. She drew a small table into the recess, and began to look over the volumes. They consisted chiefly of the works of the best authors in most languages; but of those she only understood German, French, and Italian. Fore-seeing what a fund of entertainment she might have derived from the others, she lamented the want of more learning. Taking up one of the volumes, she sat down by the fire, and continued reading until sleep overcome her, having forgot her intention of renewing the scrutiny in her chamber. Placing the book under her pillow, she sought repose. The next morning she read in her bed until Namine came to call her.

"Bless me, ma’amselle," exclaimed she, as soon as Caroline had admitted her, "how contented you look. Have you slept well?"

"Very well," replied Caroline, "I thank you Namine."

"Surprising, I could not have thought it, indeed, ma’amselle. But you are so good it will not trouble you."

"What, Namine; what is it that should trouble me? I never injured any one."

"Nor I neither," replied the simple girl, "I would not hurt a fly; but yet for all that——"

"Namine," interrupted Caroline, "I am sorry to see that you suffer your good sense to be borne away by such idle apprehensions. Depend upon it there is nothing which can injure you."

"What, not the spirit?"

"Spirit," said Caroline smiling. "What has conjured up this spirit in your imagination, I pray you?"

"La, ma’amselle!— but then to be sure you have been here so little a while——."

"And you only four days, remember," replied Caroline. "How can you give way to such absurd ideas?" And now being dressed she left her chamber: for poor Namine was too much abashed to make any reply.

Several succeeding days passed as the former one had done; and at the end of a fortnight, Caroline became thoroughly satisfied, both with her situation in the castle, and the behaviour of the baron and baroness. It was, perhaps, somewhat strange that in her nineteenth year, in all the glow of youth and beauty, she could thus readily renounce the gay and tempting scenes of the world; but she was innocence itself. Her heart was yet a stranger to any tender attachment, and the misfortunes of her family had taught

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her to indulge in that soft melancholy which shuns mirth, and admits only of pensive pleasures.

At the end of the before-mentioned time, as the baroness and Caroline were sitting alone, the baron being absent, the former led to her niece’s situation at Presburg; and besought her, if the relation would not too deeply effect her, to inform her of the events which had taken place before, and since the death of her mother.

"My dearest aunt," said Caroline, "I will gladly obey your commands, but you must tell me how long it is since you parted from that dear saint, and I will begin my relation from that period."

"It is," replied the baroness, "I think, about seven years. Your father was just then returned from the army which lay before Buda; and I left both him and my sister perfectly well, and as I supposed, extremely happy. Soon afterwards, I heard a rumour of their separation; but I was at that time so much absorbed by my own miseries, that I had not the power to enquire after the cause of theirs. The baron immediately after our marriage, retired hither; and I had then no opportunity," added she, with a deep sigh, "to make those enquiries after them, which my heart prompted."

"You are then, doubtless, unacquainted with the causes which occasioned the dreadful fate of my father, so that to give you a just idea of the matter, it is necessary that I should go a little further back than the period you mention.

CHAPTER III.

GOLDSMITH

"BEFORE my father joined his regiment, which was stationed at Buda, to repel the incursions of the Turks, he had formed a strict intimacy with the Count Durlack, governor of Presburg, a man, whose first appearance ever pre-possessed the beholder in his favour. His person was certainly attractive, and his manners of the most engaging and winning kind; but, under this specious exterior, a heart was concealed, detestable as guilt and villany could make it. In consequence of this attachment of my father’s, a constant intercourse subsisted between our two families, and a day seldom passed without visits being exchanged between him, his lady, and ourselves. The disposition of the countess was not at all calculated to render our intimacy agreeable. Possessed of an immense fortune, she had united herself to a man, who thought that fortune alone worth possessing, and held her in little less than contempt. This, doubtless, had rendered her temper irritable; and, being herself past the age of enjoyment, she censured, as criminal, the innocent recreations of persons

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younger than herself. However one might have been tempted to view her with pity, certainly her society was not desirable, as, instead of pleasure, she rendered those around her uncomfortable and unhappy. The influence of Count Durlack was considerable; or, at least, he found means to persuade my father that it was so, and that he should exert his interest to get him promoted. The staff of a marshal was held out to the eyes of ambition, and with such effect, that at his departure for Buda, nothing lay nearer the heart of my father, than a desire to trust his family to the protection of this insidious friend. The count promised to supply to us the place of a husband and a father; and I believe, in its literal meaning, would have been as good as his word. My mother, you well know, madame, was a most beautiful woman. Indeed, I remember to have heard her say, that both you and herself were used to be celebrated for your personal attractions."

The baroness smiled at this, and thanking her for her compliment, said, "Your mother was certainly much handsomer than myself and she was younger. You, my dear niece, resemble her, and, indeed, possess many other of her rare perfections."

The entrance of the baron prevented a reply from Caroline, and suspended the conversation for the present; but the baroness was too deeply interested in the recital, not to find an opportunity for the continuance of it the following morning.

"After my father’s departure," resumed Caroline, "the count continued his visits as usual. He was always polite, attentive, and solicitous to oblige. I was myself at that time, but little more than a child; but I was charmed with the elegance of his manners, and it was not possible for my mother to be insensible to the interest he took in everything which related to us. Whilst we beheld, or thought we beheld in him the benevolence of the philanthropist, and the sincerity of a friend; my mother lamented to him the neglect of his lady, whom we now never saw, notwithstanding she scrupulously adhered to all those forms which her rank and bad state of health demanded. He made a thousand excuses—said she never went abroad, and was, in fact, unable to receive visits; and, as my mother’s love for retirement had increased with my father’s absence, and she scarcely ever quitted the house, she had no opportunity of detecting the falsehood of his assertions.

"Some time passed away, during which we seldom heard from Buda, and my mother’s hours were exclusively occupied in completing my education, for, although I had a governess, she never failed herself to superintend and direct the studies I engaged in. The count often insinuated his surprise at my father’s neglect of my mother, and, at those times, never failed to pass the highest eulogiums on her beauty and accomplishments. My mother always repressed these sallies, but, being sensible that my father was unhappily what the world calls a man of gallantry, the observations of the count, aided by her own reflections, could not fail of making an im-

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pression on her mind. I remember, one day, just as dinner was ended, the count entered our parlour. He spoke of indifferent subjects, and, as it was my hour for taking exercise, I asked permission to accompany my governess into the garden. At first, my mother refused, pleading, in excuse, the coolness of the evening; but the count and Madame Zylstraw, the name of my governess, pleading for me, she acquiesced, and I walked forth with that perfidious woman. When we returned, my mother was greatly indisposed, and her countenance bore the marks of extreme dejection. I anxiously enquired the cause, but she refused replying, further than that she found herself unwell, and soon retired. The next morning she appeared as usual, and seemed to have regained her accustomed serenity, but whilst we were employed at our embroidery, Count Durlack was announced. My mother instantly arose, and retired to an inner room, saying, ‘madame, you know my orders.’ Madame courtesied, and the count entered. Addressing the compliment of the morning to me, he enquired, after my mother; I was going to answer, but was interrupted by madame, who told him she was not well.

" ‘I am grieved to hear it,’ said he. ‘How long has, she been indisposed?’

" ‘Since the day before yesterday,’ replied Madame Zylstraw.

" ‘A remarkable era,’ observed he, significantly. ‘Be pleased to present my compliments, and say, I am, at all times, disposed to do her service!’

"He then went out, accompanied by my governess. I immediately sought my mother in her apartment, and complained much of my favourite, for so I called the count, having been denied access to her. She demanded an account of what had passed. ‘This continued impertinence,’ exclaimed she, ‘is what I could not have expected.’ Those words escaped not my observation, and I besought her to explain them; but she checked me for being too inquisitive, and bade me observe that she never intended to see the count again during my father’s absence. After this he frequently repeated his visits, but finding his endeavours to gain admittance to my mother in vain, his patience at length became exhausted. I cannot but say that I was concerned to lose his company, as I both admired and respected him. I was, however, soon reconciled to his absence, when I observed the comparative ease which my mother enjoyed when he refrained from calling. A month had scarcely elapsed from this time, before a very extraordinary circumstance took place in our family; the meaning of which, though I can now perfectly develope, then appeared wholly inexplicable. You, my dear aunt, who have visited at our house in the suburbs of Presburg, must recollect that it was an ancient building, containing a number of apartments only one story high from the ground, of which, indeed, it occupied a large space."

"I perfectly well recollect it," said the baroness, "as also that my chamber and my sister’s, and indeed all but those in the possession of the domestics, were upon that floor."

"This knowledge of yours," continued Caroline, "will enable you the better to comprehend my narrative. I must inform you next, that my mother’s waiting maid, Rinada, whose good qualities recommended her highly to her mistress’s favour, slept in an ante-chamber belonging to her apartment. It happened that the head of this woman’s bed was divided only by a wainscoting, from a closet which adjoined my mother’s room. I had retired, as was my usual custom, some time before my mother, but had not been long asleep, before I was awakened by this servant, who informed me, with no small appearance of terror, that she was sure there was some one concealed in the closet I have mentioned, who could have no good intentions. Young as I was, fear easily took possession of me. I threw some garments round me, and bade her follow me to my governess’s apartment, that I might consult her on the most proper means of giving alarm to the domestics. We accordingly flew thither with all the haste which fear inspires; but I was not a little surprised to find her up, although in the dark. Our footsteps had been so light, that we had stolen in upon her before she had an opportunity of forming excuses for the situation in which we found her; yet, though visibly disconcerted, she ridiculed our fears, and begged us to dismiss them, saying that the noises which Rinada pretended to have heard, must unquestionably have been imaginary, and that she deserved only severe reproof for her folly. Rinada persisted in her not having been mistaken, and said she would immediately alarm the rest of the servants; and I also urged the necessity of awaking my mother. Seeing me resolved to do so, my governess could no longer resist. When we came to the chamber door, I said in a low whisper, that I believed we had better wait there until Rinada had called up Leonard and Vincent. ‘You are right,’ said my governess, in an elevated tone of voice, calculated to give notice to any one within, of our having discovered them,— ‘call them instantly and we will search the closet.’ They were with us in an instant, and as we softly opened the door of my mother’s chamber, we saw distinctly a man jump from the window. Vincent ran towards it, and as they had brought fire-arms with them, he discharged a blunderbuss after the wretch who had fled, but without effect. The noise of our entrance, and the report of the fire arms, awoke my, mother, who, equally amazed and alarmed, enquired what was the matter. We informed her; but terrified to the last degree, she fainted during the recital. Whilst we were employed in reviving her, the men searched the apartment, and on the floor of the closet, found a man’s laced hat. They kept guard at the chamber door until my mother was restored to animation, when, by her desire, they were recalled into the room, and she then commanded Rinada to relate before all present how she had made a discovery of the villain having secreted himself in her closet.

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CHAPTER IV.

THOMAS ADNEY.

" ‘WHY, madame,’ said the faithful Rinada, ‘after I left you asleep, I retired to my own room to finish a habit I was making for myself, but the remembrance of my poor brother, who was slain by the Turks, came heavily across my heart; so as I could not work, and the moon shone very night, I put out the light, and sat down at the window to indulge myself a thinking of him. After some time, as I looked towards the garden, I saw a human figure stealing cautiously along the path, and then hiding himself beneath the trees, as if fearful of being seen. At length I lost sight of it, and so great was my melancholy, that I almost persuaded myself it was the spirit of my lost brother. So that between a sort of solemn fear and weariness, I threw myself on my bed, but could not sleep. Providence, I believe, madame, impressed my mind more deeply with my brother’s fate for your preservation."

"I think so, indeed," ejaculated the baroness, interrupting Caroline, and clasping her hands together with fervour.

"We all exclaimed as you do, my dear aunt, at this part of her relation," continued Caroline, while she went on thus:—

" ‘It is surprising, madame, with how much ease I can hear whatsoever passes in your chamber and closet, and I distinctly heard you breathe, and own I envied your sweet sleep; but I was not a little alarmed soon afterwards to hear one of your windows opened very gently, and immediately a person stepping softly across the room. I immediately arose, and listening at your door, heard you still in the same quiet slumber, while, at that instant, there was a rustling noise in the closet. This confirmed my apprehensions, and I hastened to the apartment of ma’amselle, which, next to yours, was the nearest to mine; the rest, madame, you know, and I thank Heaven for the danger you have escaped.’ My mother returned Rinada a thousand thanks, and loaded her with praises, in which my governess loudly joined, who observed, that her escape was, indeed, miraculous.

" ‘Ah, but madame,’ said I, ‘how angry you were, both with Rinada and myself, when we came to you for advice bow we were to proceed.’

" ‘That,’ replied she, ‘was because I thought Rinada was misled by her own imagination, and wished to avoid alarming my lady, your mother, unnecessarily.’

"Rinada, who wanted neither wit or penetration, retorted, that by madame’s having been up so late at might, it was plain that she was not

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misled by fancies, as the noises might even have proceeded from her apartment ‘but,’ added she, ‘if you had not spoken so loud, madame, at the door of the chamber, the villain, whoever he was, could not have escaped as he did.’ I observed that my governess looked abashed at this remark, and I doubted not at the moment but that she was somehow interested in the concealment of this atrocious attempt. The quantity of rouge which was lodged upon her cheeks must have concealed the deep blushes which would otherwise have betrayed her."

"Are you not satirical, my love?" asked the baroness.

"Not at all, my dear aunt; when you are acquainted with the sequel, you will acquit me of that propensity."

"Why, is it possible that she had any previous knowledge of the events of that night?"

"Indeed she had; and was, in fact, an accessary [sic] to a scheme which proved the ruin of my family."

"Proceed," said the baroness, shuddering.

"My mother," continued Caroline, "thought it most prudent to say nothing of this affair. Her reasons were, doubtless, good, but the event shewed that she erred in judgment, and that it would have been better for her to have published it. To conceal it was, indeed, impracticable. Our servants entrusted the secret to some of their acquaintance, who in their turns revealed it to others. The story rolled on, and increased in magnitude and importance every time it was repeated, until it became generally known, and was animadverted upon in every party at Presburg. My father soon after this period, returned from the army at Buda. He was for a time the most tender of husbands, and my mother the most happy of wives. He, indeed, flew into her arms with all the ardour of a lover, and——"

"My dear niece," said the baroness, "you must allow me to interrupt you. It was about this time I visited Presburg; and soon after my brother-in-law’s arrival left it for the last time. I never heard the affair you have just mentioned spoken of in any of the circles I frequented, and they were very many. You must, therefore, I think, be mistaken in regard to the general currency of the story."

"Excuse me," replied Caroline, "if I observe that your inference is not conclusive. You, as a relation to the family, were, perhaps, the only person who was ignorant of the circumstance in Presburg, as well as the illiberal surmises it produced. It would have been the highest degree of inhumanity to have related the story before you, or to have insinuated in your presence that the officiousness of Rinada was unseasonable. My assertion is true, and I will prove it by assuring you, that our family were, for a length of time, ignorant of the conversation they afforded; and that my father, for some weeks after his return, was the only man who had not enjoyed a jest at the expense of my excellent mother."

The baroness acquiesced in the justice of her niece’s remark, and desired