with hopes. He sought out a remote spot, and found it in a small glen at the foot of an eminence, composed of rugged masses of rocks, interspersed with trees, and covered with thick underwood. Here he threw himself on the ground, and shutting his eyes, that his senses might be distracted by no exterior objects, he soon became insensible to every thing but Rhodiska.

He had lain a considerable time in this situation, when he suddenly heard a noise, as of persons making their way through the bushes. As he imagined that cattle only could visit so solitary a place, to which there were no traces of footsteps, he never thought of concealing himself, until the sounds approached nearer, and he discerned some human voices. He then started. up, and threw himself into some thick bushes, which grew between two rocks, where he was concealed so effectually, that it would have been very difficult to have discovered him, even if a strict search had been made. He was scarcely settled in his

hiding

hiding-place, before he saw four men enter the glen, and seat themselves very near the spot which he had quitted the moment before. He recognized Lanfranco among them, and was near enough to hear almost every word that passed. From their discourse he gathered, that the moment Lanfranco had quitted Dorbalec, he had hastened home, and dispatched some of his emissaries to discover who was the person he had seen with Rhodiska. These emissaries had learned, from the whispers among the domestics, that he was one of those two men who had rescued Rhodiska in the forest. They had moreover picked up,

that he assumed to be the real Count Rosomaski, the son of the late Gustavus. Leopold heard Lanfranco tell the other persons all these discoveries, and urge them on to vengeance against him, not only as his own personal enemy, but as one of those who had handled them so roughly in the forest, and slain their comrades. He heard him make them the most unbounded promises,

D 6

promises, if they could contrive to get himself, or Rhodiska, or both, into his power. After much deliberation on the means of effecting these purposes, he heard them agree, that two of them should go to Dorbalec under some pretence or other, but, in reality, to bribe some of the Count's domestics, particularly Dorothea; for which end Lanfranco gave them a purse, and bade them not to be sparing either of money or promises. Having thus closed their consultation, they arose, and left the spot. Leopold, during the whole of this conference, was so enraged, that he was more than once upon the point of rushing out and attacking the whole party. party. How ardently did he wish that Ludowico had been with him, that he might have taken instant vengeance! He was, however, happy to be acquainted with Lanfranco's designs; and they were no sooner out of hearing, than he left his concealment, and returned to Dorbalec, to acquaint the Count with what had passed.

Count

Count Petrowitz immediately rang for one of his domestics, and enquired whether any of the domestics of Vistulof were then in the castle? The answer was, that there were two of them then in the castle. They had come to inquire for their master, who, they said, was wanted at home, on very particular business, and they knew not where to find him. After being answered in the negative, they had however remained, and were still drinking in the servants' hall. When the domestic had retired, Count Petrowitz informed Leopold, that he had just that instant received a messenger from Colonel Zulmandorf, who had acquiesced in taking his young friend under his protection, with the greatest readiness; but his letter mentioned, that, if he wished to arrive before the army marched, he must set out immediately with the messenger. Although it panged Leopold to the soul to think of leaving Rhodiska, yet he did not hesitate to declare his intention of setting out early the next morning.

"You

"You are right," said the Count"You will then defeat the malice of Lanfranco against your own person; and as for my daughter, I will take care that she shall never leave the castle without a strong escort; and I will cause every person who enters these walls, to be so strictly watched, that they shall have no opportunity of doing her any violence. But as Byloff is the only living witness of the justice of your claim, he should be placed out of the reach of your enemy, which he cannot be, if he remain alone in the forest. You must, therefore, prevail upon him to come to Dorbalec, where he may live in safety, and at his ease."

Leopold quitted Dorbalec and returned to Byloff, whom he prevailed upon to accept the Count's offer of residing at the castle, till the return of Leopold and his son.

Early the next morning, they all repaired to Dorbalec, where they found the messenger waiting for them, and two fine

caparisoned