624 THE CASTLE-BUILDER, 



little disconcerted at the change. He looks as though his whole features 

 had been distorted by a galvanic shock. How enchantingly does 

 my black-eyed beauty move to the inspiring tune ! she glides through 

 the figures like a thing of air. Matchless perfection ! I fear I am 

 deucedly in love. The music ceases, and I lead her to her seat. She 

 seems pleased with my attentions ; the count, strange enough, does 

 not. He calls me aside looks furious, and invites me politely to 

 retire with him. In another minute he whispers to a friend, and 

 they go out together. I cannot be doilbtful of their intention, and 

 excusing myself to the marchioness for the space of ten minutes, I 

 drop a word or two as I pass to the grand Duke Charles; and de- 

 scending a majestic staircase communicating wkh a magnificent hall, 

 in which there is a door leading into the extensive gardens of the 

 palace, we sally forth into the fresh air. I perceive the count and 

 his friend waiting under the umbrageous shadow of a large tree, and 

 as I advance I observe lie is biting his lip ferociously, his whole 

 countenance expressive of a savage and sanguine spirit working 

 within. 



" Your highness has been pleased to offer me the deepest insult 

 that a man can sustain," says he, attempting calmness. " Perhaps it 

 may please your highness also to give me that reparation and satis- 

 faction in the only way high feelings will permit, which I am, as a 

 man of honour, justified in asking; though not, considering your high 

 station, eligible to demand the trial of our swords." 



f< Certainly," I reply ; and, following the example of my antagonist, 

 release my weapon from its scabbard, and silently await the onset, 

 His eyes flashing fire, he darts upon me ; I parry his ferocious 

 thrusts, delivered with greater force than discretion ; and, watching 

 my opportunity, wound him just above the wrist of his right-hand, 

 and his sword falls to the earth. I stoop and pick it up, presenting 

 it to him with a grave bow ; but his hurt is of such a nature, that he 

 finds difficulty in retaining hold of it ; and, with the first pass, I 

 strike it from his grasp again, and again return it to him. The 

 grand duke interferes ; and the count, with a look of bitter dis- 

 appointrnent, expresses himself satisfied ; and, calling his carriage, 

 drives away to a doctor's ; while I, with his second and Charles, re- 

 turn to the mirthful scene above. 



Nothing can equal the delight manifested by v the marchioness on 

 my reappearance. As I take her hand, I think I perceive a slight 

 pressure reciprocating to my own. She has refused all persons, 

 though of the highest state, who have solicited her hand for a waltz. 

 " I told them all/' says she, innocently, " that I was engaged toyou.' r 

 Wonderful creature ! Surpassing angel J The inspiring circles of the 

 giddy dance have caused a faintness to creep over her ; and in the 

 balcony overlooking a still and silent lake, on which the moon throws 

 all her temperate beams, we sit together unnoticed, and alone. The 

 scene around, the far hills stretching to the south, the soft breeze, the 

 calm and peaceful heavens all minister to that lovely sensation in the 

 heart, when nature forgets the artificial world, and mingles soul and 

 soul ! Oh ! who will say this life is not delightful full of joys abun- 

 dant in blessings ! Runs it not cheerfully as the stream of the moun- 



