to ascend, and, though in complete darkness, had just reached the second floor, or first story of the western angle, when the screams of persons as in torture struck his ears. In a moment, the floor sinking with a horrid crash, there appeared before him a vast and yawning chasm, which poured forth torrents of smoke and ruddy flame, and in which he could discern demons, of tremendous form and stature, tormenting, in every savage mode, the spirits of the damned.

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With one foot planted on the verge of this dreadful abyss the knight stood gazing, for some moments, with astonishment and terror. An insurmountable obstacle seemed now opposed to his progress, and death inevitable, he was convinced, awaited his return. Recollection, however, in a short time, resuming its wonted energy, the scene presented itself in its true light, and justly deeming it the effect of infernal agency, and, therefore, the mere work of delusion, he promptly decided on his duty. With a shout that shook the tower to its centre, and, at the same time, imploring the protection of Heaven, he leapt, at one bound, into the apparent

gulph. The whole vanished with the effort, and a deep groan resounded through the castle.

The glow of triumph and satisfaction warmed the bosom of our Hero, and, feeling conscious of assistance from superior power, the prepared with renovated hope and vigour to prosecute his attempt.

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Ascending, therefore, another flight of steps, he passed into a lofty apartment on the third floor, whose dimensions were only partially discoverable by the light of the moon, which streamed through the latticework of its pointed windows. Here, whilst cautiously surveying the illuminated space, he was roused by the clash of armour, and the noise of persons struggling vehemently at no great distance from him. He paused and listened with attention, and in a few moments the dreadful cry of murder! murder! resounded through the building. It was ut tered with convulsive strength, and in tones which brought to his recollection the wellknown voice of Conrad. Agonized with fearful apprehensions for his friend, he sprang

precipitately to the spot whence the exclamations seemed to issue, and which, after returning twice with feebler power, had ceased suddenly, as if stifled in the throat by the hand of ruffian violence.

Sir Egbert, whom anxiety for Conrad had rendered totally regardless of his own safety, having rushed through an aperture at the darkened extremity of the chamber, was drawing near, as he supposed, the horrid scene of slaughter, when a flash of intense lightning, and which quivered for some seconds on the floor, providentially snatched him from destruction. It was doubtless the interposition of Heaven, and was considered as such by Sir Egbert, for in the blaze which momentarily surrounded him, he beheld himself on the brink of a deep well, running through the partition wall to the bottom of the castle, and into which another step would have plunged him-to be lost for ever.

A cold tremor, at this discovery, pervaded his frame, and starting with involuntary terror, he hurried back into the apartment he had so rashly deserted. There, falling on

his knees, he returned thanks to the Preserving Power, during which faint shrieks of lamentation were heard in the air, and another hollow groan resounded through the castle.

It now appeared to Sir Egbert, that the agents employed by De Weldon, unable by threats or the delusions of necromancy to oppose his passage to the turret, had determined to effect their purpose by so operating" on his feelings, that obedience, to their immediate impulse, should conduct him to destruction.

He resolved, therefore, to act, in future, with the utmost caution, least sympathy or surprise should effect, what neither difficulty. nor danger had hitherto produced. Having formed this resolution he quitted the apartment, returning, as far as the dim light afforded by the moon enabled him to judge, to his former situation on the stair-case. The last flight of steps, leading to the fourth floor of the turret, was before him, and, after a short pause for recollection, he began their ascent.

Except where a few faint beams, through the loop-holes in the wall, cast a line of pallid splendour, across the gloom, all was, at first, immersed in thick obscurity. He had not, however, proceeded far, before this began to clear away, and was presently succeeded by a steady and bright illumination, though from what source it took its rise he was yet unable to ascertain. On reaching the fourth floor, a scene of exquisite brilliancy and beauty immediately presented itself. To the right appeared an elegant saloon, decorated with the most voluptuous taste. Its roof and sides were hung with flowers of every delicate hue and odour, whilst in recesses, lined with the greenest moss, amongst which peeped forth the opening buds of roses, played fountains of the purest water. Voices sounding remote, and whose melody, the effect of magic, melted the soul to softness, chaunted themes of wanton pleasure, which the artist, likewise, in glowing colours, had embodied and dispersed in compartments on the walls. In a deep alcove, at the extremity of the saloon, and which was vaulted with purple and gold, swelled a couch of the cygnet's down, whilst curtains of the palest yellow,