THE BLACK MASK. 62 



as he stood between her and the small door which led towards the 

 court-ard. . . {T , 



. fl 



You go not hence, till I have seen you unveil, he said in a voice 



increased agitation. ^ , f 



The Mask then lifting the lamp which stood by with one hand, with 

 the other threw back the hood which concealed her face. He beheld 

 her he~knew her she was his own, lost, betrayed Adela not as he 

 first found her ; but pale, pale as the marble by which she stood 

 her lips colourless ; and her eye beamed on him lustreless and cold 

 as the grave, of which she seemed a tenant. The heart which was 

 proof against death in a hundred forms, now failed him. The great 

 king was a miserable heart- stricken man he trembled turned and 

 fell fainting to the ground ! 



When he recovered he threw his eyes wildly around, as if to see some 

 one whom he could not discover. He listened all was silent, save the 

 distant sounds of festivity and the hum of gladsome voices. Pale and 

 distracted he rushed from the spot, and summoning to his own apart- 

 ment a few of his confidential, he related to them his adventure from its 

 commencement. In an instant a strict search was set on foot. "Many 

 had seen the Mask, though none spoke to her ; and no one could tell 

 when or how she had disappeared. The emperor at last bethought 

 him of the carriage which stood at the door it was gone. Some 

 thought it had been a trick played off on one so celebrated for fearless- 

 ness as the emperor. Accordingly, many took the streets which led 

 from the court-yard and terminated in the Augustine kirch and monas- 

 tery. This way only could the carriage have gone ; and they had not 

 proceeded far when the rattling of the wheels met their ears they lis- 

 tened, and as it came nearer, found it was the same carriage which stood 

 at the portal. The driver was interrogated as to where he had been. He 

 told them that a mask, dressed in black, had left the Saal, and bid him 

 drive to the church of the Augustine, and that he had seen her enter an 



hotel adjacent, . .Tofiraqms-sdj hue * i^m u 



The emperor, accompanied by two friends masked, bent their steps 

 to the hotel. He inquired of the inmates, and then learnt his vicinity to 

 his noble and ill requited Hungarian host, and his loved and lost Adela. 

 Few, however humble, would at that moment have exchanged state with 

 the monarch of Austria and Hungary, for remorse bound him down like 

 a stricken reed. 



" Lead me to the baron," he cried hastily, unable to bear the weight 

 of recollection. 



The man shook his head. " Noble sir," said he, e< the baron lies on 

 a bed of sickness : since this morning he has uttered no word ; I fear he 

 will never rise again." 



" His daughter lead me to her quick ! 



" Alas, sir, she died this morning !" 



" Liar ! slave !" cried the emperor, in a paroxism of grief and asto- 

 nishment, " but an hour since I saw her living ! Dare not tamper 

 with me !" 



The man stared incredulously, and pointed to the staircase, and taking 

 a lamp he beckoned him to follow. He led the way in silence up the 

 broad staircase and through the long corridor, until he stopped at a door 

 which he gently opened, and making the sign of the cross, entered the 

 room they followed. The apartment was lighted with wax-lights, and 



mh: 



