418 Paul de Walberg. 



must needs be in want of refreshment, and proposed that I should 

 visit my apartment while what fare the house afforded was being 

 prepared to lay before me. I acquiesced in both propositions, and 

 was conducted by a domestic to an old-fashioned sleeping-room, that 

 looked upon a half-ruined terrace. 



Having disencumbered myself of the paraphernalia of travelling, 

 and completed my ablutions, I descended to the lower story ; but must, 

 among the dimly lighted passages and puzzling corners, have lost 

 my direct way, for apparently I had approached the sitting chamber 

 in which I had found Agatha Walberg, by a disused means of com- 

 munication. I did not even perceive my mistake till I was stopped 

 by a sash door, the glass of which was, on the other side, veiled by 

 curtains, and was startled by the neighbourhood of voices. I was 

 immediately about to retire, when my attention was arrested by the 

 mention of my own name curiosity made me linger. The speakers 

 were Walberg and his sister, and they almost spoke in whispers. 

 This apparent caution surprised me, and I felt no longer inclined to 

 doubt the propriety of my situation. It was with some difficulty that 

 I could catch the purport of what they were saying. I heard Agatha 

 Walberg enquire if I had come with the intention of long remaining. 

 " He has not," said Walberg, " and if he had, that is little to the pur- 

 pose. I have no doubt, close as he is, that the fellow 's rich. At all 

 events, I am pretty sure he has now with him money belonging to 

 those for whom he travels, to a considerable amount." Here he 

 named several of the towns I had visited, and seemed familiar with 

 the purposes of my route. " Our game," continued Walberg, * 4 has 

 lately been very scanty ; my men are beginning to murmur ; and I 

 know if something is not soon done, they will breakout into insubor- 

 dination. His coming is opportune, for I scarcely expected him. 

 We need debate no longer the die is cast, and this night he will 

 sleep with his fathers." 



The reader can better imagine than I can describe my feelings at 

 this moment ; I was astounded. I was, for the moment, incapable 

 of either thinking or retreating. I had heard that my death was de- 

 creed by the very man whom I had looked upon as my friend. The 

 very hopelessness of my situation smote me with a terror that incapa- 

 citated me for even debating on the means or chance of extrication. 

 However, I had enough presence of rnind left me to be convinced 

 that the only course to be pursued was to act and look entirely as if 

 nothing had happened. I thought of escaping at the moment; but 

 reason suggested its impossibility. The forest extended, without a 

 habitation, for many miles. I was enclosed by high walls, and my 

 escape must be almost immediately detected. Dreading that my 

 presence might be missed, I hurried back, and took the direct way to 

 Walberg's apartment. 



Neither were in the slightest degree discomposed at my entrance. 

 They were precisely the same as I had left them ; and 1 asked my- 

 self how such consummate dissimulation could be acquired. Their 

 behaviour was extremely friendly, and I was determined to keep as 

 strong a guard over myself as possible. Convinced that my only 

 chance of escape lay in letting them imagine I had not the slightest 



