black hair, and dark complexions, every countenance being rendered fiercer by a huge pair of mustachios. These men were Neapolitans, Ragusans, Greeks; and, whatever might be their other qualifications for the service of their fierce and extra'ordinary chief, he had evidently selected them with a childish and fanciful regard to uniformity of appearance. Captain Pandulfo was commandant of the castle guard: he had been already presented to Louisa, and he, and a youth named Rufo, whom Wolfstein appeared bent on distinguishing, took their places on each side of her at table. Zanina and Kara were of the party, and when first Madame de Wolfstein perceived their presence, a sentiment of offended dignity made her hesitate to seat herself. Her spouse remarked the scruple, and observing the direction of her eye, said haughtily, "Be content, madam! All is as it should be; for my pleasure is law at Lornberg."

It was some time ere he recovered the temper this incident had ruffled, and Louisa was aware that ever and anon he directed towards her a scowling and sinister glance. At length he ordered his cup-bearer, whom he called Corylo, and who, though in boy's clothes, was an Italian girl, to bear the cup of state to the bride, that she might drink of it, and then bring it to him: his order being obeyed, he took a copious draught from it, and next presented it to Zanina, who sate on his right hand, after which it passed round the circle.-The men between whom Louisa was seated seemed to regard her with admiration, especially Pandulfo, who stole at her occasionally a glance in which pity and curiosity were mingled. As the wine circulated, the conversation became loud and general, and Louisa timidly besought permission to re

tire.

"Let us not believe you already weary of your friends, madam," was the reply.

"It would be ungrateful, for your presence is so precious we cannot part with you yet. Rufo, I have not congratulated you on your late exploit ;-a more adroit performance was never executed by so unpractised a youth."

Rufo's black eyes sparkled-" May all your foes, Chevalier," said he, lifting a goblet to his lips, "fall into as sure hands as did the old Marchese! But in truth, Wolfstein, you are well served :-Bruno and Zastrow the Pole were able coadjutors; I must not rob them of their share in the merit."

"How did you manage it at last ?”

"Oh, it was very simple-the great difficulty lay in selecting our moment;we lay in wait a night or two without success-at length the crisis came. We dogged him from the cassino, where he had played late; he had just dismissed his gondolieri, and was entering his own portico, when I flung the back of his mantle over his head: the daggers of

Bruno and Zastrow soon completed the enterprise. We ascertained presently his gains at the cassino, and threw him into the canal;-that one splash was all the noise we made!-I would not boast, but never was a man disposed of more briefly, silently, and effectually. We were at home by two, you know, Pandulfo."

"I shall know how to thank you, my friend Rufo," said the chief of the castle, with a look of ghastly satisfaction— "What think you of sending Bruno and Zastrow to the mountains? They would be a glorious acquisition there."

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True, Chevalier, but they are not needed-Ranuzzo has already a strong band of incomparable spirits.-Why should we weaken ourselves? Besides, these occasional midnight manœuvres require as desperate a hand and as stout a heart every whit as your forest adventures-No, no, we cannot spare these myrmidons!"

"You shall have your own way, Rufo,"

said Wolfstein, in a conciliating tone. The young ruffian was evidently elated by wine and praise, and his manner soon became more conspicuously bold and presumptuous than that of the rest. Pandulfo's eyes warily examined the countenance of Wolfstein's bride, and he perceived, without difficulty, that she was making such deadly discoveries, as hardly left her power to support herself. As Rufo was now occupied by his own merits, and in trying the extent of his interest with his chief, Pandulfo ventured to say in a low voice to Louisa,

"I fear, madam, our profession is only now made known to you, and, if so, you will, perhaps, have many an early and cherished prejudice to forego ;-to yield, however, or at least to seem to yield, till habit reconciles you to necessity, is all that remains. Disguise your aversion; it will only embitter your lot."

Surely, sir," said Louisa, struck with the expression that softened his fierce