"Do not agitate yourself, Count.There is now in the castle a courier from. Egra, and I would fain have communicated the contents of his despatches for your satisfaction, but I will not multiply. scenes-I have had too many to please me already to-day. To-morrow, unless my mind alters, you shall be made acquainted with such passing events as are connected with your father's destiny." The guests now all rose from table, and Pandulfo attempted to secure the privilege in which he had been hitherto indulged, of leading the lady of the castle to her apartments. "Not to-day, sir!" said Wolfstein abruptly; and, seizing his wife's hand, he accompanied her to her chamber, He took a seat by her. "What were you saying, madam, when the officious Pandulfo gave you that timely hint? It must needs have been something interesting!-Let me hear it; I like to have my sensibility awakened." She hesitated. "Oh! you have forgotten, no doubt; but," said he, grasping her arm with his usual ferocity," think a little, for you shall tell me!" "It is a subject, Wolfstein, which, for your own sake, I would fain suppress. If the name of Conrade has nothing appalling to your ear, I may venture to pronounce it." "Dexterously evaded!" said Wolfstein, turning pale; for, in truth, that name did occasionally produce a cold vibration on his nerves. "It is no evasion, Wolfstein :--Vallenstein was well acquainted with the worth, the zeal, and affection of my bro. ther's faithful servant, and he inquired where I had disposed of him. It was an agitating question, and the interruption caused by your menacing looks, relieved me from the embarrassment of an answer." It was a fortunate circumstance that Conrade's name had occurred at that critical moment, since, of all the dark images which rose in succession before the mind's eye of Wolfsteïn, there was none which he was so earnest to dismiss. His nerves were not strung for the conflict as they had been; nor could he, as heretofore, look back with indifference, and forward with confident presumption ; he was now neither clear and uniform in purpose, nor resolved in his actions. his CHAPTER X. "Never did I know A creature, that did bear the shape of man, THE following day the Lord of Lornberg was much engaged in receiving and conversing with couriers, who came from various quarters, bringing intelligence i which, judging by the eagerness and agitation of Wolfstein's manner, was of no indifferent tenor. The hour of the feast was protracted, but when, at last, it was served, the Chevalier sought his wife, and led her to the banqueting hall; where the meal was concluded with more than usual silence and rapidity. Warned by the example of the preceding day, Count Casimir, although as the stranger guest the privilege was still awarded him, of leading the lady of the castle to her place, and occupying the next seat, was very cautious of casting a glance, or uttering a word which might incur for the unhappy Madame de Wolfstein the fury of his host. He contented himself, therefore, with partaking only what her hand presented to him, and with perceiving she was anxious to tempt his wayward appetite, by selecting whatever was most delicate from the costly luxuries which covered the table. The meal being ended, Wolfstein commanded the absence of the attendants; and, turning to Vallensteïn, said, "I partly engaged, Count Casimir, to impart to you the tenor of the despatches which have reached me from Egra, since which I have received others more conclusive than those of yesterday. Are you disposed to give them audience, or is your mood inclined to any other amusement ?" "You well know, Chevalier," replied |