the next morning I pursued my way along the road we have just passed, driven almost to madness to think of my blindness and folly in allowing myself to be made a dupe of, and in consequence turned out on the world to endure the extremes of wretchedness and poverty.

In this temper of mind I was attacked by a banditti, and almost glad of an opportunity of reeking my passions on some one, and careless about my own safety, I fought with their leader, whom I killed, and severely wounded two others. Numbers then

overpowered me, I was disarmed, and

keeping

keeping gloomy silence, I entered the building where you found me.

"The actions I performed, which, though seemingly the result of bravery, were only the rash attempts of a man weary of life, and incensed against his fellow creatures, were regarded with astonishment by the banditti. They saw I did not fear to die, and that carelessness of my personal safety preserved my life. Their troop was now without a leader, and, strange to tell, they pitched on me to supply his place.

"The offer was made me. What was I to do? I had no home to go to, beggary must have been my lot. To be

brief, I accepted the situation. Thus, through a cursed desire for gambling, the Count de Leoni became the chief of a band of robbers."

Here the Count paused. The thoughts of what he once, and what he now was, crowded to his memory, and grief sat heavy on his heart. Ricardo, re

specting his feelings, and acutely suffering for the cruel and base conduct of his parent, was silent. At length the Count broke a silence so painful to Ricardo, and thus concluded his relation:

"I had not been long with, these men before. I perceived that many of

them

them under their ruffian forms had hearts which with a little culture might become the residence of humanity. Now I had it in my power to revenge myself on my fellow creatures my nature began to relent, and I employed my time in tutoring my savage troops, and in weaning them from their dreadful propensity to shed guiltless blood. With many I have succeeded; but there are still some wretches among them whose savage bosoms the gentle dew of mercy will never penetrate.”

Thus did the unfortunate Count de Leoni conclude his tale; and now Louisa, who almost fainting with the fatigues she had undergone had laid: c. 5. her:

her head on the soft turf, and for a short time gladly courted the refreshing influence of sleep, awoke from her slumbers, which with the returning composure of her mind had greatly contributed to refresh her, and the domestics bringing up their horses, they hastened to leave the forest ere the gloom of evening should render their journey difficult.

The dark mantle of night was swiftly descending on the earth when Ricardo and his party entered the valley. The hapless Signora Bononi was standing at the gate of her little garden, anxiously awaiting the return of Ricardo, when her bosom was gladdened by the

tender