wico; and he was no sooner informed of the defeat of his plot by the fugitives, than he caused the bodies of the slain to be removed from the scene of action.

Having thus, as he imagined, removed all possibility of a discovery, he thought it time to endeavour to clear himself from all suspicion, by calling at Dorbalec, and expressing the utmost indignation against the authors of the outrage. He played this part with so much seeming sincerity, that Count Petrowitz, although his suspicións were not in the least staggered, could not avoid thanking him for the interest which he took in the business. Lanfranco thought this a proper opportunity to renew his proposal, and he hinted, that, by bestowing his daughter's hand upon him, the Count would free himself and her from all danger of a renewal of the attempt. Count Petrowitz knew no better way of getting rid of him, than by referring him to his daughter, whose consent, he told him, must be obtained previously to his

own,

own, as no consideration whatever should induce him to offer the least violence to her inclination, in a matter in which all her future happiness was concerned. Lanfranco asked permission to converse with Rhodiska once more on the subject, which the Count readily granted, and told him, that he would find her, he believed, in the garden.

When Lanfranco approached Rhodiska, she was talking with Dorothea, her confidential attendant, who was the same that was with her in the forest. Lanfranco acquainted Rhodiska, that he had obtained her father's permission to speak to her in private, and desired she would dismiss her attendant; but Rhodiska replied, that she had no reserve whatever from the person who attended her, and that she might as well hear what he had to say to her then, as be informed of it the instant he left her. Lanfranco was somewhat disconcerted at so unpropitious a beginning, from which he augured unfavourably, and was not mis

VOL. I.

D

taken.

taken. He renewed the offer of his hand -told her it was more necessary now than ever, after the late attempt, that she should put herself under the care of a person who could prevent a repetition of it, which her father's advanced age rendered him incapable of doing effectually: he made an ostentatious display of the advantages which would accrue to her from being united to him; and concluded by hoping, that he might consider himself as her suitor, and, consequently, as having a right to protect her against all the world. Rhodiska had scarcely patience to hear out this tedious harangue, from one whom she thoroughly despised. She replied with the utmost coldness, that she was too young to entertain any ideas of marriage, and indeed had never bestowed any consideration on the subject; but she knew it must be an object of so much importance to her future happiness, that she should only bestow her hand where she believed she could safely trust her heart. She had never felt

it

it in the least degree interested in his behalf, and therefore could give him no encouragement, much less permission, to consider himself as having a right to interfere in her concerns. As to any repetition of the late violence, she should take care never to stir out of the castle-walls, without such security as would be sufficient to chastise those who made the attempt. Lanfranco was stung to the soul by this indifference, but he bridled his resentment, that he might not be denied admittance to Rhodiska, whom he determined to reduce at all hazards. He only desired she would not form any hasty resolve, but give his proposal a serious consideration, and he entertained no doubt but the expediency of. accepting it would strike her in a proper light.

As Leopold always visited at the castle, when his labour was not required at home, he chanced to enter the garden at the very moment when Lanfranco was about to take leave of Rhodiska, and, as they were in one

of the cross walks, he was close to them before he perceived them. He bowed, and would have retired, but Rhodiska prevented him. Leopold had never seen Lanfranco before, but, by some secret impulse, most probably that of jealousy, he instantly experienced an extreme aversion towards him; and it was evident, in spite of all Lanfranco's endeavours to conceal it, that he was surprised and offended at his interruption. Although he was before about to go away, yet he still remained fixed to the spot. Rhodiska received Leopold with all that frankness which she had ever shewn him, and every word she uttered to him. clouded the brow of Lanfranco. As he perceived that Rhodiska paid no further attention to him, he darted a malignant glance at her, and went off without uttering another syllable. Rhodiska walked towards a part of the walls, whence they had a view of the adjacent country, and continued there until she saw Lanfranco ride away on full gallop. Leopold miscon

strued