tire from the entrance of the passage, and shortly after a man approached and informed him that the Signor of the Castello was coming. When he entered the hall what was the astonishment of Ricardo to behold in him the unfortunate Count de Leoni. He started at seeing Ricardo; his countenance betrayed tokens of pleasure, but that satisfaction appeared clouded with an uneasiness too apparent to escape Ricardo's notice. "Good heavens!" said he at length, "what "what fortunate event brought you here?" "No fortunate event," replied Ricardo; "you see me, Count, the most miserable of men. A lady whom I tenderly loved, has been forced from her abode by some villains, and in seeking her I was benighted with my attendants and " "I know the whole, Signor," said the Count impatiently, follow me. " Greatly astonished, Ricardo accom panied the Count, preceded by an at tendant with a torch. "Lead "Lead to the suit of chambers next the North Hall. The man bowed, and in silence they crossed through several passages, till at length the man stopped at a door, which the Count de Leoni throwing open, Ricardo once more beheld his adored Louisa. Great was the delight which they shewed at this so unlooked-for meeting; and after some time passed in mutual expressions of their happiness, looked on the Count for an explanation of his meeting there with Louisa. The Count, who was pacing the chamber chamber with folded arms and a me lancholy deep fixed in his countenance, understood what he meant. "You cannot be astonished at my situation here, Signor Ricardo, if you will recal to your mind the cruel and base artifices made use of by your father to deprive me of my property." "Too well I know it," said Ricardo, "but that act, Count, was the cause of his death, and also of one of his associates, Roderigo de Romanzo." "Just Heaven!" exclaimed the Count, "are they both dead?" "Yes," replied Ricardo, "the night after after you left the Castle saw my father slain by Romanzo, who himself fell by my arm." "It was he who carried off that Signora from her home." Ricardo's eyes gleamed darkly and dissatisfied when he heard that the persecutor of his Louisa had fallen by other hands than his. "I was returning to this place," con |