500 The White Spectre of MaUnanza ; [MAY, 



rouse the young lordling's suspicion, let the castle be quiet for a brief 

 space. Then come hither with thy force. Follow me with the softest 

 foot to the knight's chamber and enter it not until I summon thee. He is 

 without arms. Go." The Castellan apparently walked close up to his case- 

 ment as his attendants quitted the apartment ; for his voice sounded to 

 Portia more near and distinct. As his eye wandered over the hosts of 

 heaven, which were waxing dim in the first pale and scarcely perceptible 

 influence of morning twilight, he seemed only busied in invoking the 

 spirits of darkness ; and the low, but audibly-uttered sentences " Give 

 me vengeance I ask but for vengeance !" reached the ear of the maiden. 

 She staid not to hearken farther. O ! could she but gain Alberto's apart- 

 ment ere her kinsman's visit, what a fatal tragedy might she prevent! 

 With no other guide than the pale light of faintly- struggling day, she 

 ventured on her returning path. 



Long and anxiously did the gallant and prisoned chief gaze from his 

 window j but in vain he seemed to strain his vision. At length, how- 

 ever, a slender form darkened the casement. On his knees the knight 

 received the maiden, and heard from her lips the deed of devotion she 

 had performed. " And now, sir knight," she said, with hurried voice, 

 " your part must be taken boldly and promptly. Withdraw the inner 

 bolts of your chamber. Throw yourself on your couch, and feign the 

 slumber of easy security. Above all, as you hope for another hour of 

 life, shew not that you have discovered the falseness of that paternal 

 name your dire foe hath assumed." l( Cowardly and wily traitor ! it 

 will ask more art and more forbearance than my nature knoweth to hide 

 from him the feelings which his presence and his guileful title will arouse 

 in my bosom," said Alberto, indignantly. ce For my sake, then, for- 

 bear," said the lady, sinking to her knees. " As you are a Christian 

 man, and the servant of Him who took patiently the wrongs of his 

 enemies ; as you are a true knight, and value the safety of her who 

 hath periled all for you, take the counsel I give you. I will not conceal 

 myself I will dare the worst, if you refuse." The knight took the hand 

 of the lady, pressed it to his lips, and swore obedience. Gently and 

 respectfully he then conducted her to a place of concealment in the anti- 

 chamber. ef God grant," said the maiden, with noble candour " God 

 grant that matters, on the coming morrow, may wear such changed 

 aspect that I may be free to blush at the strange part which fear for the 

 periled life-blood of a brave friend hath urged me to." " O ! blush never 

 for the heroic deeds this night hath witnessed, noble and high-souled 

 maiden !" said Alberto, tenderly, but respectfully ; " 'tis your poor 

 knight must ever blush at the little return the service of his whole life 

 can make for such devotion." " Away away, dear knight ! Remem- 

 ber I have acted towards thee as towards one who stood on the verge of 

 this life, and might shortly be the tenant of another world. Time 

 presses. The crisis of our fate approaches. Hie thee to thy couch, sir 

 knight, and God speed our purpose ! " Alberto now re-entered the 

 chamber, and softly withdrew the inner bolts of his door. He then 

 fastened a light breast-plate to his bosom, and throwing a loose night- 

 robe over his clothes, betook himself to his couch. The hearts of the 

 knight and of the lady now rose in throbbing prayer to Heaven. 



After a breathless suspense of some minutes, a sound was heard like 

 that of many feet endeavouring to tread with noiseless stealth. They 

 approached close to the chamber. Then came a pause, as if to allow the 



