tinued the Count, "with some of my people, when I heard the voice of a female seemingly in great distress. I hastened instantly to the spot, and beheld the Signora in the arms of Altona, who was placing her before him on his steed. My people immediately by a signal surrounded his party, while, instigated by a just resentment for his base conduct toward me, and also to rescue the lady, I challenged him to the combat. We fought, and Altona fell. In answer to my questions the Signora disclosed to me who she was, and her knowledge of you. The blushes which appeared in her cheeks as she mentioned your name avowed

avowed her sentiments for you, and tomorrow I should have had the pleasure of conducting her home. Your fortunate arrival here has taken that duty from me, and I rejoice in having been the instrument of protecting your Louisa."

Ricardo flew into his arms, and embraced him with the deepest sensations of gratitude.

"One favour, Count, I have to request," said he, "that you will accompany me back. I entreat you not to refuse me; I have circumstances of great importance to your comfort to disclose to you.

The

The Count de Leoni assented to the wishes of Ricardo, who shortly now returned to Louisa and during their conversation was informed by her of the circumstances that preceded the daring outrage of the Count Altoną.

It has been stated that the Count, the day after the death of the Marchese de Carlentini, left the Castello with his attendants; he had, however, on the day he unfortunately had met Ricardo at the residence of Louisa, beheld that lovely female, and then resolved on forcing her away to his own residence.

He went not far from her abode and concealed himself in a peasant's cottage for a few days with two

of

of his men ; he then left it, and lurked about the abode of Louisa in order to find an opportunity of effecting his designs.

That evening she was taking a solitary walk on the banks of the stream that meandered through the valley, when she perceived three men swiftly following her. Terrified at this, and alarmed at the lateness of the hour, (for ruminating on Ricardo the minutes had passed insensibly by,) she exerted all her speed in order to avoid the men who were evidently pursuing her; but her attempts were of little avail. Breathless with terror she had sunk insensibly on the ground, and the steps

of

of the ruffians sounded close to her ear, when a party of peasants who had been cutting timber in the forest happily came up, at the sight of whom the men who had given her so much alarm slunk away, and under covert of the grey mantle of evening escaped.

It was under the influence of the terrors excited by this circumstance that she betrayed such evident tokens of the melancholy that pervaded her breast in the letter she wrote to Ricardo, which, however, she forbore mentioning to him, as she felt unwilling to increase the distress he then endured for the loss of his father.

Some