346 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



ances and perplexities, that for some time she took no 

 notice of the presence of a young and graceful female 

 in plain attire, who stood apparently in deep thought 

 in the embrasure of one of the windows. The 

 maiden had her back turned to the room ; but the 

 admirable contours of her fine figure, and the rich 

 luxuriance of the jet-black locks that flowed over her 

 shoulders, gave promise of a perfection that was not 

 belied, when, on an exclamation of impatience from 

 her mistress, she suddenly turned round, and revealed 

 the beauteous features of Dansowich's daughter. She 

 it was who formed the usual medium, of communica- 

 tion between the pirates and their archducal allies ; 

 and during her frequent sojourns at Gradiska, she 

 assumed the character of attendant on the counsel- 

 lor's lady. 



" Holy Virgin ! " exclaimed the court dame, stamp- 

 ing her foot violently on the polished floor. " What 

 can detain the knaves ] Say, girl ! where can they 

 be lingering 1 " , 



Strasolda made no reply to this impetuous inquiry. 

 She was no longer the excited and impetuous Uzcoque 

 heroine, invoking the spirit of the storm amidst the 

 precipices and caverns of her native shores. A total 

 change had come over her. Her look was subdued, 

 her cheek pale, her eyes red and swollen with weep- 

 ing. She cast a humble and sorrowful glance at the 

 lady, and a tear trembled on her long dark lashes. 



" Why come they not ? " repeated the angry dame 



