concerning the arrangements he was to make in his absence, that on his return the two friends might at once start for Altenberg; and well he knew that in this, as in every thing else, he might implicitly rely on the friendship of Franz Von Reinach. A pause had taken place in their conversation, and Heinrich, at least, was thinking of the gentle Ida, when a knock at the door of the apartment was followed by the entrance of Von Hohenfelden's servant, who announced, that a youth, dusty and faint with travel, sought earnestly to be admitted, being, he said, the bearer of a packet of the last importance, which he could remit to no hands but those of the Baron himself. "From whom, and whence comes he?" inquired Heinrich. "He will not say, my Lord." “Well, admit him. What can this youth have to give me some petition, I suppose. Well, it were hard if those who want, had not at least the privilege of asking our relief. Well, boy; what bringest thou to me?" said Heinrich, as a youth in the costume of Berne entered the room. "Read, read!" said the boy, while at the same time he extended a packet, which Heinrich received as the youth, who was really exhausted, sunk into a chair. A glass of wine revived his strength, while Heinrich cut open the mysterious packet. A small dagger dropped upon the table. The Baron was surprised, but proceeded to open a note which the packet also contained, written in an ignorant and scarcely legible hand. He had not read above a minute, when his cheek turned pale as death, and he sank upon his chair, more faint even than the youth. "For God's sake, what is the matter?" exclaimed Von Reinach. His friend extended to him the fatal billet, Franz read as follows: "Altenberg. "My Lord-I know not if there be yet time, but I should be the most ungrateful of wretches, did I not make the attempt. The Countess Von Altenberg is in imminent danger from the owner of the enclosed dagger. He is rich and powerful, and comes I fear from Vienna; I thought therefore you might know him, but I fear he is a very bad man. The dagger was found at the foot of her window, placed there, as I overheard, to guard against a mistake in the darkness, for she is to be carried off. I contrived to get possession of it to send you, thinking it might afford you a clue. One too near to me is implicated in this that I should say more, but to entreat you, as you value your own happiness or that of the Countess Ida, to fly to Altenberg without a moment's delay. "MARIE." To seize the dagger-to exclaim, "It is the Marchese di Vicenza's! I know it well, and its master, too, a bold and clever villain as any in Austria"-to administer a brimming bumper to his friend, was the work of an instant. "Fly!" added Von Reinach, "there is feasting at the palace to-night. I was myself bidden: speak to the Emperor; he will hear you give the mission to the devil, and return here without a a moment's pause. I will have horses ready. Fly!" Heinrich obeyed; the kind-hearted monarch entered into his feelings, and writing him a hurried line to produce, if necessary, to any local authorities, bid him depart with his best wishes. The Baron lost not a moment, and in less than half an hour, he, Von Reinach, and the boy, were en route for Berne. They travelled night and day, until they reached that town, where the Emperor's letter procured them an adequate escort of horse, with which, without a moment's delay, they hastened on the road to Altenberg. The plot, meanwhile, thickened at the castle. At the appointed hour, Johann, the trusty sentinel, ascended a ladder which had been procured, and in a few moments Ida was suddenly roused from her slumbers by the flashing of a light in her eyes. What was her astonishment to see Johann, who, she knew, was watching that night, standing beside her bed! He carried a dark lantern in his hand, the light of which, when turned upon her face, had so rudely awakened her. "What is the matter, Johann?" she exclaimed-" what do you here? is there danger?" "No, lady," he replied; "if you are quiet there is none." "What, then?" "Lady, you must with me." "With you?" "Hush! and I will tell you. The house is invested by robbers! They pretend that your father, the noble Count, has a sum of money buried in the garden, and are informed, they say, that the spot where you and he sat this evening together is the spot where it lies. They are anxious not to lose time in searching, and have forced me to enter your room, that you may accompany them and point out the place." "Johann, I will never go. Why don't you call my father? Nay, call him not; they might harm him; close the window-rouse the servants-sound the alarm-bell! the neighbours will pour in. Fly, Johann!" "Nay, lady, it is useless; I am timed. Even now I hear them! In another minute they will scale your window, and we are lost! I, you, your father-all of us!" "Johann! Johann! in pity! I cannot go !" "They pledge themselves, if you comply, no harm shall happen to you.-Hist! I hear them!" Oh, God!" she exclaimed, and rushed towards a bell. The ruffian interposed-"Are you mad, lady?" "I must-I will call them !" and again she attempted her intention. 66 Nay, then, if you will force me," exclaimed the villain, and drew a dagger from his breast. A shrill, involuntary shriek, escaped her. "Silence! or by Heaven-" roared the ruffian, and his hand raised to strike her. 66 Oh, mercy! By your little child, mercy, Johann !" "Curse the witch," he muttered, "she has done it!" and grinding his teeth, he hurled the dagger on the floor. But her cry had not been unheard, either in the house or on the terrace. Her father, the steward, and the old nurse, hast ened to her room, and stood amazed to see the | his friend, and the soldiers, rushed into the room. Countess kneeling at the feet of the guardian of the He flew towards Paolo. night. But Paolo and his men had also heard that shriek, and rushing to the ladder-in the first instance too hastily-it fell, but having replaced it, they poured into the room just as the Count and his servants were raising the half senseless girl. To hurl the two old men to the ground, to bind and gag them and the nurse, was a moment's work. Paolo grasped his prize, but at his sight she had fainted. "Well, never mind," laughed the wretch; "I'll wake thee presently, I warrant me, and make thee as good and willing a girl as any in Christendom," and having thus said, the Marquis called his comrades to depart; but the brigands, whom he had associated in his enterprise, had no mind to leave the castle now they were in it, without a taste of its good cheer and a sample of its spoil. "Nay, master," they exclaimed, " 'twas for your pleasure we came here; 'tis fair you stay for our's-you sought a bit of beauty; she don't seem to relish your's much, but that's nothing to us. Now gold is our ambition, and wine is our delight, and I doubt me not," said the spokesman, "we'll find here plenty of them both; so do you stay here, my comrades, and don't you let the Marquis budge; do you mind me? for his lordship hasn't paid us yet, and I'll go forage. a good nose!" I've A laugh followed this sally, and the brigand, with two or three others, departed on their expe dition. After a short time they all returned, laden with spoil, and wine, and meat. "Now let's be jolly, comrades, exclaimed the aforesaid brigand, "all's safe. We've tethered the half-dozen younkers and damsels that were napping above." The poor Count groaned at the failure of his last hope. "Hallo! old gentleman, don't be down-hearted; we'll not grudge you a glass of your own stuff: now come my lads; I warrant me the old man's wine is no vinegar; so fill away, boys. Sir Marquis, won't you join us? Nay, take it not in dudgeon, good my Lord. A man's a man, and a rascal's a rascal, too, all over the world. Now 'tis our profession, and 'tis your lordship's pleasure, that's all the difference. So fill and drink, and Karl, man, let's have the robber's song. I'm sorry the young lady's not alive to the diversion, but may be Karl's song 'll waken her. Yet, perhaps, poor maid, she's better as she is. Now, Karl, tip us your stave, man, and we'll be chorus. THE ROBBER's song. A merry life and free we lead A life brimful of pleasure, "Hark!" exclaimed the Marquis, "what's that ?" Horse's hoofs clattered upon the terrace; in another moment steps resounded on the stairs and along the passage. Paolo rushed with his burden to the window-the ladder was gone. There was no alternative, but ere they could draw, Heinrich, Forbear," exclaimed the Italian, "or she dies!" His dagger rested on her throat. "Marquis !" shrieked the horror-stricken baron, "what means this outrage?" Paolo looked around: he saw it was hopeless; "The lion the odds against him were too great. is in the toils," thought he, "but he hath his paw He spokeand his muzzle yet." " "Baron Von Hohenfelden, thou'rt come to take Vicenza! Well, thou might'st have gone a longer road to find a meaner prey; for no small game is Paolo di Vicenza, and on no small game hath be feasted!" Heinrich sprang forward. "Hold, young man; Paulo's steel is sharp, and his hand sure. Think'st thou, this maiden's skin so tough it should resist it? Dost wince to see thy turtle in another's arms? Ha! hadst thou come a little later, or had not these guzzling fools delayed me-but no matter, the game is up, for man hath tracked Paolo. But mark me, Heinrich-I loved this maiden, as thou knowest, but she spurned me-nay, loathed me; therefore I swore she should be mine: she loved thee, therefore I swore to have her; and now-I swear she never shall be thine!" Ida's crimson blood gushed from her snowy breast; one convulsive movement, and all was A cry of horror burst from all around; but over. Paulo's reeking dagger gleamed on high. "Draw for your lives!" exclaimed the Mar quis, as the Baron rushed furiously upon him. Long and desperate was the combat that ensued, but eventually the brigands were overpowered, and all the consolation I can offer to the friends of justice and innocence, is the fact that the infamous Marchese expiated on the wheel his many secret crimes. FLORENCE CORELLI. (A TALE OF VENICE.) Numberless were the gondolas that glided over the calm waters of the slumbering Adriatic. There seemed a spell in the beauty of the night, for seldom did that stream boast of so fair and proud a company as then graced it; there were canopies of scarlet, of blue, and orange, with here and there the crest of its noble occupants embroidered on them; again, some whose deep black awning shaded the polished sides, denoting that one had passed away from amongst those who owned it; besides hundreds of a lower class, which danced on as blythely, and held as gay and beautiful beings as their costly companions. Music, sweet always, how much sweeter at night and on the waters, issued from nearly every vessel; here was the slow and plaintive air now dying away on the breeze, now breathing again with its soft mournful cadence; there was the gay spirited chorus, that seemed to rouse the very gondolas to livelier motion; there was the mingling of flute and guitar with the gentle voice of the maiden and the more powerful one of the youth; and if anything earthly ever bore semblance to fairy-land, assuredly it was the Adriatic on that night. And the heavens too! There lay the broad and lustrous moon on its azure-palled couch; and it seemed that she bent all her light on Venice; and the elfin boats of the sky the silver-keeled stars. Oh! who would not wish away the rude glaring day, for the calm, holy night! Amongst those many boats was one which did not keep the gentle pace of the rest; it evidently contained no one who was struck with the beauty of the night, for the curtains in front were closely drawn; nor one who was abroad to enjoy a trip of pleasure, for it cut its way through the many vessels, passing the proud and the humble alike, without heeding either; its master was plainly of high rank, for the boat was of the most approved fashion, decorated with many costly ornaments, and rowed by two men in dark green tunics embroidered with silver; on it went, the moonbeams glancing on the white blades of the oars which seemed, as they every stroke rose from the lake, to distil pearls, so did the moon's soft ray gem the drops that fell from them. Anon the boat turned a distant corner and was lost to the motley throng, and shortly lessening its speed drifted against the base of a flight of broad white steps, which led upwards to a tall iron gate firmly fixed in a white wall, and through the bars of which a noble garden was visible; the tops of the trees were just to be seen over the wall, and were tipped with the moonbeams, whilst with these new honours on their brows they nodded gently to the breeze. Immediately on the vessel's touching the steps the men linked her to a small hook fixed in the balustrade for that purpose. Soon the curtains were drawn apart, and there passed from beneath the canopy a young man, over whose head twenty summers had but barely passed; he stepped lightly on the stairs, and there in the full moonlight exhibited the perfect symmetry of his faultless figure arrayed in the costly and fashionable dress of the cavaliers of the time. A tunic of light blue, slashed on the arms with white satin, and profusely embroidered with silver; a finely worked vest just visible above the edge of the tunic encircling his white neck; a slight chain of silver supporting a slender rapier, the hilt of which sparkled with brilliants, and a diamond loop which fastened the white plume in his velvet cap; a short cloak worked with golden flowers flung over his shoulders; silken hose with golden buttons, and loose white boots, completed the dress of the noble youth. His long auburn hair fell in ringlets over his shoulders, his eyes were dark and beaming with intelligence, his whole face being a model of that manly beauty which so peculiarly characterized the Italian youths; but how pale-pale as the snowy feather that waved in his cap; he stretched forth his hand, and instantly one of the servants, who understood the sign, handed him a lute; he took it sorrowfully, and throwing his long white fingers over the strings drew forth a plaintive air, which he accompanied with equally plaintive words; his usually clear rich tones every other chord trembled and almost fell; the "love his hand the gondoliers loosened the boat, and call" was over; he gave back the lute, and waving were soon out of sight. The cavalier mounted the steps, and by means of a small key stood within the garden. We have said that his song was low, in some parts barely audible-but oh, how quick is the ear of expectant love! A light form was seen to pass through the odorous and spangled flowers to meet him whose voice was far dearer than I may well speak of. She passed through the dark myrtle groves, her blue eyes lit up with joy, and her long bright tresses gilding as it were the marble of her neck; her silver-flowered train of white satin, divided from the dark boddice of Genoa velvet by a long girdle of pearls, her small white hands flashing with precious stones; and she stood in the brilliancy of her beauty and youth before her pale and icy lover. "Dearest Antonio, how unkind of you to come so late-and what a mournful air you played. Have you brought my flowers?" And she paused, astonished that he met her not with his usualwarmth, and marking his pale face and statue-like stillness, laying her hand upon his arm she would have spoken words of tenderness and affection to him; but he shuddered as she did so, and turned from her. "Signor Antonio!" she exclaimed, withdrawing her hand-for she was desperately proud, and on the slightest provocation her pride would for the moment chase away the love she bore in her breat, though she loved as Italian maids will ever love, whose souls are formed for little else" Signor Antonio! methinks your bearing is strangely cold and distant; will it please you tell wherefore you withhold your wonted greeting, and why you treat me in a fashion I am neither used to nor likely to endure. Well, Signor, I have more courteous cavaliers in my father's halls, whither, under favour, I shall retire, and when Signor Antonio Faliero has aroused himself from his dreams, he has his choice either of following me or of descending those steps which he has ascended to so little purpose !" And with this haughty speech she was about to turn to the brilliantly illuminated palace, whose lights gleamed through the trees, when the low voice of the youth arrested her. "Stay, Florence Corelli! I came not to hold long converse with thee; and my errand had been done ere now, but that my lips played rebel, and would not utter what they still must, to one whom they have ever been used to address but with love and respect; the hour for such terms is past, and I am here to redeem my heart from the keeping of a wanton!" "How!" cried Florence, and her tall figure haughtily assumed its full height. "Son of the Doge, as thou art, Faliero, thou darest not use that name to me,' And her lip quivered as she spoke. Lady Florence Corelli," returned the youth, warmly, "I have chosen the mildest term for one who will bring down tears and agony on the noblest hearth in Venice, and who will cast shame and blot upon the proudest 'scutcheon that ever graced its annals. Oh! it was foully-foully done." "Signor Antonio Faliero, this insult has gone its length, and I leave you with this counsel, that whenever you again feel inclined to appropriate any hours to the wine-cup, you will devote those immediately following to such as will be more desirous of your company than the one you have now honoured." This was spoken in the indignant yet cool tone of one whose pride beats down all before it, though it was accompanied by a pale cheek and heaving breast, which denoted the heart which prompted the words to be but ill at ease. "As for your heart, Signor," she continued in the same strain, "as I cannot present it to you as I would a plume of feathers, you might have withdrawn it from my keeping without the mockery of a personal demand, especially when you are so little fit to appear in a lady's presence! Methinks you had better have remained with those you have but lately parted withal." "Lady Florence, your taunts are of the same stamp as your conduct, and as such, merit only the contempt with which I hear them. Now, if you have perfectly ceased, will I explain my meaning; and be it your eternal shame that lips you which but moved to adore and bless should be forced to blazon forth to you your shame and infamy." "Deem you, Signor Faliero, that I shall stand meekly and hear this torrent of insult and abuse, or hearing shall endure it? Know, Signor, there are swords in Venice which at my bidding can glitter even in the palace of the Doge." "Doubtless, lady, there are! But now hear me-for by the holy Virgin! hear thou shalt-that I have this night heard the name of the proud, the gifted, the beautiful, the virtuous Florence Corelli tossed over the wine-cup of the veriest hound and hangman in Venice-that I have heard the profligate and libertine catch it up, and the drunken chorus pealed out thus-To the pretty Florence,' To the red-lipped Florence,' To the kind Florence.' I have heard the blackest heart in Italy vaunt of thy favours with his sottish comrades, and I writhed as he jested at the thing he avowed. Pitiful girl!-to stoop to such dust as that, when there is not a tire-woman in all Venice that would not scoru the very touch of Nicholas Pasquali !" "Antonio!" cried Florence, for the instant forgetting the bitter accusation which her wrath had else so severely answered, "name not that man, I implore ye." "Ah!" cried the youth, anger sparkling from his 66 eyes, now that your falsehood and darkest crime are brought to light, now will come the cunning feint-the ready lie-the seeming honour the fawning " "Hold!" cried the stricken Florence, pressing her jewelled hands on her white throat, as though to stop the choking sensation she felt there; and as the moon just bent its full light on her face, the paleness of very death was there. "I see," cried Antonio, "what your crafty skill would aim at, but I scorn such scenes as you would now act. I am gone. I meant not to have lingered so long. May repentance-long, long and bitter-save you from the doom recorded you above. And now, Lady Florence Corelli, farewell, and for ever!" Florence spoke not, moved not, so amazed and stupified was she at the strange wild words she had just heard; she saw him pass out from the gates, she saw him descend the stairs; but not until his long shrill note on a small silver whistle recalled his gondola did she arouse from the lethargy into which she had fallen. She left the spot, and ere the youth had turned the corner which brought him amidst the gay loiterers again, had he looked, he would have seen a light gleaming in a high chamber of the palace, and the fair form of Florence Corelli leaning over the balcony which overlooked the waters; and none heard the words she murmured-" Soft glide thy boat, Antonio, to a happy haven, and mayest thou never know how thou art deceived, and the hapless Florence wronged." Proudly had she borne the interview, and proudly would have borne it had it lasted until this; but when she reached her chamber the woman, weak and tender as she ever is when none are near to witness her weakness, returned to her wonted love and fondness; but none saw the many and bitter tears which that night fell from the beautiful eyes of Florence Corelli. of Meanwhile Antonio lay beneath the canopy his gondola, and his dejected look bore the impress of a sorrowing heart; suddenly, however, a burning flush overspread his face, and starting up he exclaimed indignantly "It well becomes a man, methinks, to wear a pale face and a low heart for a wanton's sake. Shall it be said of Antonio Faliero-though to idolatry he loved one he believed pure as yonder moon-that when he found pollution had tainted that loved one, that she was unworthy the love he held her, that he still clung to the guilty maiden and had not power to free his heart from her fetters? Never, by the blessed Virgin! 'Tis alone the suddenness and unlooked-for guilt that unmans me. I will be mad to-night, and drown the bitter thought in the red goblet; and to-morrow the dregs of the wine shall be as much in my mind as Florence Corelli." His boat had reached the steps of his father's magnificent palace, and as he sprang up the steps fifty caps were raised, and as many swords of the ducal guard lowered, without his noting either one or the other. He entered one of the gorgeously busily employed chatting and jesting with the arrayed chambers, where was an elegant table girls who thronged around them, and in a short strewed with glistening flagons and goblets, and space of time had you looked into the snug little covered with rare dainties of fruit and confectionary. or rather large green-room, you might have seen, He quaffed several goblets of the rich red liquor surrounded by wine and a host of laughing balletbefore him, again donned his jewelled cap, and girls, two of the noblest cavaliers in Venice-the followed by two servants in the ducal livery, he son of the Doge and his careless cousin. Juan passed through a long gallery hung with costly was fond of these recreations, and indulged in paintings, and lighted by carved bronze lamps sus- such nightly; nor was Antonio remiss in his atpended from the ceiling. Some servants in wait- tendance on the goddess Venus, and her wineing throwing open a door on his approach, he was faced lover, Bacchus; but to-night he had puronce more in the open air, though on the opposite | posely passed the bounds prescribed by moderaside of the palace. On one of the fashionable tion, in the hope of driving away the sorrow and terraces for promenade he met his friend, Juan di shame that weighed so heavily upon him. Castello, with his two pretty sisters, the ladies Agnes and Leonora. Some graceful salutes passed on both sides, when Antonio cried gaily "Ha! fair ladies! What heavy crime have the cavaliers of Venice committed that they are deprived of your company to-night? Why is the gayest gondola in the fair city idle when the lake bears so many high-born-guests?" Then, without waiting for an answer, he continued, "But I see you are now returning homewards; allow me, my fair Agnes, the honour of escorting you thither, for I am going to relieve you of your brother's company, if it so please him and your own selves, sweet damsels." The ladies smiled, and Juan cried gaily"Have with you, my lord!" Juan di Castello was one of the wildest and most dissipated young men in Venice, yet honourable and warm-hearted; but how he was prevailed upon to escort his sisters we are at a loss to comprehend; he was now certainly quite tired of them, and they were soon left to their own reflections on the prince's dress, or to the company of a host of antiquated ladies and gentlemen who were assembled in the hospitable apartments of the Castello Palace. “And now, dear Juan," quoth Antonio, when they were fairly in the street, "I am fully bent on a frolic to-night, and I know you are never averse to one. Whither shall we go?" * * The next morning Antonio Faliero awoke with bade him arrange a travelling suit, for he found a desperate head-aehe. He rang for his valet, and that, in spite of his excess of the previous night, he could not remain at ease in Venice, until, at all events, some months had served to obliterate, in a slight degree, the shame which had passed over the being he loved so dearly. The suit was ready-" And now," continued the Prince, "send Battista down to the harbour, and bid him bring me tidings of what vessels are on the point of present sailing, and whither such are bound; let him make no choice, except of such as are for the greatest distance, if his wit can assure him so far. Prepare you half-a-dozen servants to accompany me, for I shall travel for a short season.' from a singularly beautiful chest, of small size Antonio was equipped and alone. He drew and bound with polished gold, a drawer, wherein were locks of hair, scented gloves, portraits and letters. ""Tis not well," mused he, "that I keep these; what charms have they henceforth for me? There is the faithless one's hair," and he drew forth a long sparkling curl, and threw it carelessly on the silken cover-lid of his toilet-table. "Lie Methinks I still have the key of the garden-once more, then, will I staud on the spot where I so oft have met her in love and confidence-once more, but only to leave behind all mark or pledge of the contaminated intercourse. Shame, shame on the woman, who can thus deceive the trusting heart of one who loved as did the wretched Faliero!" there, thou relic of past love and mark of present shame and here, her portrait-fie, fie! methinks there is nothing so very enchanting in that face. I'm sure I have some recollection of much brighter eyes and much redder lips being round A few minutes had elapsed, and the two young me last night. Here, here are locks of hair, men were standing on the stage of the Royal The-gloves, and portraits-all, all shall be returned. atre of Venice, between the acts of the new ballet. Above them were the rows of lamps, the narrow galleries, the ladders, the pullies, the ropes, the drops, and the undistinguishable paraphernalia of scenery and machinery, about which boys and men were climbing as thick as in the rigging of a man-of-war; around them were painted scenes and hosts of equally though more carefully painted ladies; the manager, with his hat in his hand, was bowing respectfully, and purposely standing in their way, that when they moved he might bow himself out of it. Several of the prettier and more admired actresses, immediately on the arrival of the two nobles, had escaped to their several chambers to throw off the common scarf they wore, and todon a more gay and becoming one, of pink flowered with gold, or blue trimmed with silver, or white sparkling with stars. The house, notwithstanding the company on the Lake, many of which by-thebye were now gradually dropping into their boxes, was brilliantly attended. The two youths were He sank on a couch, and burying his face in his hands, was only aroused by his valet Pietro, who brought word that a vessel was on the point of leaving for England within four hours. Antonio ordered his valet to procure him a passage, and to be in readiness, with his fellow-servants, at the appointed time. "In the meanwhile," he continued, "let my gondola be brought round to the stairs instantly." Once more, in his gay boat, Faliero passed up the Lagune-once more he ascended the white steps that led to the garden-gate of Florence Corelli-and once again he stood in the bower where |