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to this demand Herrmann replied by send-parisoned, stopped one morning at the ing Him the four quarters of an ox, and a doctor's gate. He was the bearer of a dozen, roasted lambs. The murmurs of letter, written in the most pressing terms, the soldiers rose louder with their increas which entreated Belgarbo to set out with ed conviction of the magic defences op- out delay for a castle in the neighbourposed to them; and there was great rea- hood of Idra, in order to employ the reson to apprehend that the panic which had sources of his skill in behalf of a lady of spread among them would render the fur rank, who was severely indisposed. Not ther prosecution of the enterprise useless. unaccustomed to such summonses, the The governor, however, had come to a doctor at once took his cloak and case of different conclusion; and, on the same instruments; and, having delivered a few day, he wrote to his court the assurance instructions to the assistant, who supplied of a speedy and successful termination to his place during his short absences, he the siege, in consequence, he said, of cir- mounted the horse brought for him, and cumstances which had just been commu- set out with his guide in the direction of nicated to him. Germany.

The severe season was drawing towards After a few hours' riding, they passed its close. The snow yet covered the through the village of Wipach, and about whole of the Julian Alps, amid which the sunset arrived at the extremity of the valcastle of Lueg is situated; its streams and ley leading to the foot of the mountains, lakes were still frozen. But, at the south- over which lies the road into Carniola. ern foot of this chain, the soil of Italy had During their ride, the doctor had time begun to put on its garb of greenness. to remember that the letter mentioned The wood-cutters of Carniola were still neither the name of the sick lady, nor shut up closely in their smoky cabins, that of the place to which he was thus while the dwellers on the banks of the suddenly summoned; and he had more Isonce, at only a few leagues' distance, than once endeavoured to extract some had already spread themselves abroad information on these subjects from his over the fields, and, cheered by the ear-guide. But the man either could not or liest beams of a March sun, resumed their would not give him any further explanarustic occupations. tion than the assurance that they should In the little town of Gorice, the capital reach the place of their destination on that of that happy country, had, for many same evening.

years, resided an honest disciple of Escu- At length, at the entrance of a very lapius, who, in the quiet and benevolent confined. gorge, and on the brink of a exercise of his useful art, had conciliated stream whose noisy waters were crossed the respect and affections of the simple by a rude bridge, his guide turned aside, people amongst whom he dwelt. And and struck into a narrow and difficult detruly did the Doctor Belgarbo deserve the file to the right, following the edge of the reputation which he enjoyed, and which torrent in a direction contrary to its course, had somehow spread beyond the neigh and penetrating among steep and abrupt bourhood which might have seemed to be rocks, whose bases formed its rough bed. the natural limit of its influence. An ex- The doctor could not help feeling some terior somewhat rude, and manners which surprise that such a path should lead to had taken their tone and forms from the any habitation; in fact, after a few minutes mountains, were combined with an up of travel, the by-road itself disappeared right spirit and a gentle heart. To his at the foot of a perpendicular cliff, whose skill as a physician, he added the fidelity lofty and abrupt front was separated by a and the judgment which made him a sure kind of esplanade, only a few fathoms in and fast friend, and, in cases of difficulty, breadth, from. a precipice, at whose dark a safe and prudent counsellor. foot the torrent flowed with a dismal sound.

It was towards the close of Lent, in the Here his guide paused and dismounted, year which witnessed the events just nàr- directing the doctor to do the same. "The rated, that a servant in livery, and leading rest of our journey," said he, " can be perby the bridle a riderless horse, richly ca- formed only on foot.".

The doctor threw a distrustful and un-fing man the spot on which we now stand. easy glance around him. The sun had But, trust me, should you complete the sunk below the visible horizon; but, by journey, you will find no cause to repent the imperfect light which still lingered in it. My master is generous, and will freethe heavens, he perceived, at a few paces'ly requite the services he seeks at your distance, the entrance of a low cavern. hands-to say nothing of the urgency with While his eye was fixed upon it, two men which humanity calls on you to exert the issued from its mouth, and began silently power of your art for a beautiful and unbusying themselves about the horses, the happy lady, whose real danger alarms bridles of which they tied to the hanging all who love, and grieves all who serve shrubs which clung to the face of the rock. her."

Their spatterdashes of leather, and caps During this harangue, the doctor fixed made of the skin of the wild-boar, gave his eyes searchingly on the open countethem the appearance of miners; but they nance and composed features of the speawore, besides, over their shoulders, each ker; and the deep and earnest gaze apa bear-skin cloak, reaching down to the peared to satisfy him. As the man prowaist. ceeded, his reluctance seemed gradually

By the time, however, that he had com-to vanish; and the concluding words depleted his hurried survey, his guide had termined him to pursue the adventure at struck a light; and, the men who had is-all hazards. Though past the age of passued from the cavern having kindled twosion or enthusiasm, the image of a young torches, he turned to Belgarbo, and, with and suffering woman had still a powerful a motion of the finger, directed him to interest for the doctor; and the sentiment enter the subterranean passage. The doc-of manly pity was, on the present occator was a man of resolution; and, without sion, strongly reinforced by that of curi giving way to unnecessary alarm at the osity, which, also, the doctor had not outsomewhat extraordinary position in which lived. After a short pause, therefore, he he found himself, he resolved to break its expressed his willingness to follow his conmystery. Turning to his conductor, he ductors.

ner.

addressed him in a firm tone and man They then entered the cavern. The miners led the way, one of them carrying "I came here to visit a sick lady in ala torch, and the other a plank, which serknightly castle," he said, " and not to ex-ved as a bridge for passing over the gaps plore gloomy caverns with unknown com-and fissures, which in many places crossed panions. Unless the object for which their path. The doctor followed, and the have been brought hither, the place to order of march was closed by his travelwhich it is proposed to conduct me, and ling companion carrying the other torch. the name of the parties having need of my After a progress of a few minutes, the services, be explained to me in clear terms, vault seemed to terminate; and the two I refuse to proceed further, and will atleaders, having removed with great effort once endeavour to retrace the road by a huge block of stone, which turned on a which I have been led into this wild place." secret pivot, discovered a low and narrow "You are wrong," said his guide, in a passage, which could only be entered mild tone, "to distrust us. No danger singly and in a stooping posture. This awaits vou. The master whom I serve inco venient path, after some hundreds of has, in truth, placed himself in your pow-paces, opened into an immense hall, whose er, since I have 'conducted you, without sides, embellished with stalactites of vataking any precautions for secrecy, into a ried and grotesque forms, reflected in all place, which it is of high importance to directions the glare of the flambeaux, and him that no stranger should know. My produced the effect of a thousand lights. orders are to lead you into his presence; The floor of this immense cavern, was but I am forbidden to employ any means traversed in its centre by a torrent which of compulsion. If you persist in your 1e-flowed through a fissure in the rock. Havfusal to follow us, it will be my duty to ing crossed this melancholy stream by conduct you back to Gorice, without fur-means of the plank, the path passed at ther condition on your part than your some little distance from its banks over word of honour never to point out to liv-narrow ledge, suspended, as it were.

a dark precipice, whose depth could only my reckoning-must pass very near this be guessed at; and, after having led them hill-fortress of yours."

painfully up a steep and toilsome ascent, "I could not be sure," replied Herrterminated, at length, in a series of ca-mann, "that the memory of our ancient verned halls of different dimensions, whose ties would suffice to determine you upon varied incrustations and transparent co-this expedition; and, in the event of your lumns, startled into splendour by the lights refusal, prudence required that my name which they carried, almost blinded them should not he disclosed to you. As for with their sudden and dazzling brilliancy. the way, it was impossible for me to select Their progress continued long amid the a more commodious one, the troops which windings of this vast and splendid laby-besiege me, occupying all the other aprinth; and the amazed doctor would glad-proaches to the castle."

ly have paused more than once, both for "You in a state of siege!" exclaimed rest and that he might examine, more the astonished doctor; "wherefore ?---by closely these natural wonders. His guides, whom?"

however, walked silently and steadily on; To these questions. Herrmann replied and the echoes of their footsteps died so-by a recital of the events with which the lemnly and mournfully away amid the far reader is already acquainted, adding some recesses and beneath the vast and gloomy particulars which he has yet to learn. vaults. "The ten soldiers," said he, "who were The wearied doctor at length began to buried beneath the avalanche, which my think that this subterranean maze was to people had prepared in front of the castle have no end. It appeared to him, judg-terrace, were speedily extricated from it. ing from the fatigue and hunger which he They were brought, in a state of insensibegan to feel, that he must have walked bility, into this hall, and restored to life. for many hours along this damp and dan- Scarcely had they regained the use of gerous floor, when he found himself at the their faculties, when we administered to entrance of a corridor, whose sides, hewn them a sleeping potion, which, in their exand wrought with care and regularity, in-hausted condition, soon reconsigned them dicated, at length, the handiwork of man. to unconsciousness. In this state they At the further extremity of this artificial were carried, by the same route which passage, a thick iron door creaked on its conducted you hither, till they reached massive hinges, and disclosed a flight of the frontier of Italy. There, a faithful thirty or forty steps, at the foot of which agent, with two covered cars, awaited the two peasants stopped. Up this stair-them, conveyed them to Wipach, and laid case his first guide alone preceded him, them down in the market-place, while its carrying the light; and, on arriving at its inhabitants were buried in slumber. Thus summit, a small door, invisible without, did I contrive to get rid of these inconvewas opened from within; and Belgarbonient guests, without the necessity for found himself in a saloon, magnificently more bloodshed, and without compromifurnished, and warmed by a blazing fire, sing the important secret of my defence. and in presence of a man of noble appear- With the exception of you alone---of the ance, who advanced to meet him. three men whom you have seen, and of *whose fidelity and prudence. I am assured By my faith," said the doctor, setting---and of myself---no living being knows down his glass on the table at which he the avenue by which you have reached and his host were, seated, "the honest fel-this castle."

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low was right when he said that I should "And now," said the doctor, after a monot repent following him, since I find my-ment's pause," what is your intention? self once more in companionship with an Do you reckon upon holding out, with a old acquaintance-I think that I may ven-dozen peasants against the forces of his ture to say a friend-of my youth. But imperial majesty?" why was I brought hither with such mys- "It would be mere madness !" said the terious precautions?-and why by that in-knight. "A month hence, the ice and fernal route?-A word of yours, Lord of snow which render this castle unassailable Lueg, would have drawn me to you by will be dissolved, and the vigorous attack he highway, which-unless I am out in of a few hours would force. an entranc

My design is to withdraw into the state ny years of faithful service to outweigh of Venice, to which city I have already in my mind the loose and experimental transmitted all that I can realize of my rules of a conjectural science.'

property,"

"Despise not those rules, though you "Then the sooner the better," said the know them not. I have been rarely dedoctor. "I marvel that, having a sureceived in their application. Again I say retreat at your back, you have not sooner beware of that man! I have read him taken the wise step on which you have closely. The prominent cheek-bones, the resolved." thin lips, the pointed chin, the triangular Ten days ago," replied Herrmann, I forehead-these, when they come togethshould have abandoned this castle but for er, are the unfalling indices of treachery the illness of my child, who appears to me and crime."

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too weak to bear removal. It is precise- "I will not dispute with you," said ly to assist me in overcoming this difficul- Herrmann. "I have, however, nothing to ty that I have need of your skill. When fear from that man. He is not one of you have seen my poor girl," continued those whom I intend to make the companhe. ringing, a bell which stood on the ta- ions of my flight; and the secret of the ble, you will tell me if it be possible, subterranean outlet is entirely. unknown without destroying her life, to transport to him. To this circumstance is owing her by the route which you have travel- the grotesque surprise which he exhibited led this evening. If not, I must stay here, on seeing you here, without being able to and perish with Ida. divine whence you could have sprung; The large door of the saloon opened and the place which I shall select for my and a servant appeared. "Tell my retreat will remain equally unknown to daughter," said the knight, "that the phys- him."

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ician whom I expected is here, and ask Belgarbo received these assurances as if she is ready to receive him." an homage paid to science by one whom The servant seemed scarcely conscious he had succeeded in convincing; and the of the order which he had received; re- conversation returned to the subject which mained as if turned into stone, with his this incident had interrupted. "I have eye fixed upon. the doctor. The strange- told you," said the knight, "that the decliness of his demeanour excited the notice ning health of my unhappy child is the of Belgarbo, who met the stupified gaze only obstacle to my immediate departure." of the man, and in his turn began to scrut- Since her arrival in this castle, my fair inize his features. girl has dropped daily, and our coming "Well!" cried Herrmann, " why do was too sudden for me to make the necesyou linger there? Did you not hear my sary arrangements for her comfort. I commands?" am almost her sole attendant: and that The servant left the room without ut-circumstance has forced me to see, more tering.a word; and Herrmann was about closely than I can well bear to think of, to tesume the conversation, which his en- the bloom daily withering on her cheek, teance had interrupted, when he was stop- and the light fading in her eyes. My ped by Belgarbo, who, laying his hand poor Ida, the sole remnant of my house, solemnly on the arm of the knight, inqui- droops her head like a dying lilly. To red, in an earnest tone of voice," Who is all my representations of the necessity of that man?-is he well known to you?" our immediate removal she answers with "He is an old servant of our house," looks which seem to assert it utter imreplied Herrmann'" who since, the siege, possible in her own case; and when she has discharged in this castle the functions implores me to leave her here those same of mojor-domo." looks add, what her tongue spares me "Beware of him!" earnestly answered-to die! Doctor! the fortunes of my the doctor. "I have looked well upon ancient and unstained house have waned the lines of his physiognomy, and they with that sweet and, I fear me dying girl, speak of no good." But I cannot leave her here to the chan

The smile of an instant passed across ces of that which must ensue upon my the features of the knight of Lueg. "You departure; and, and if her removal canmust forgive me," he said "if I suffer ma-not be effected, with safety, then must

Maximilian avenge his minion. and I must was relieved from a silence which, underemain and perish with the blossom I standing as he did its meaning, was growing painful to him, when it was at length

have reared in vain."

"It shall go hard," said the doctor, af- broken by the castle bell. The knight ter a pause, which did not redeem his raised his head at the sound, and as he voice from faltering-" it shall go hard, returned the grasp of Belgarbo's hand, his but we will contrive to remove her as far face was calm, and his voice clear, but as my dwelling at Gorice, where she can mournful.

remain in safety and secresy till the soft "Eleven. It is the hour in which this breath of our Italian air has enabled me arm unintentionally, but most justly, slew to restore her to her father, with the roses that villian. He perished amid a debauch, of the south upon her cheek." all unprepared for the tribunal to which

"Could that be effected," said Herr- my rash hand dismissed him. The crime, mann, straining the hand of his old and each evening, at this hour, I strive to exkind friend," I should owe you a larger piate. Go with me! let us pray for the debt of gratitude than I could ever pay. soul of Pappenheim !-And," he added af But see my child, and judge for yourself. ter a moment's pause, but in a voice that This man will conduct you to my daugh- had lost its clearness and trembled sensibly ter." "we will pray, too, for my daughter."

The major-domo had just entered, with On leaving the hall, they were met by a lamp in his hand. The doctor rose, and the major-domo, with a flambeau in his approaching him, sought to resume the hand. who conducted them to the door of course of his physiognomical observations the chapel, a small edifice, of which it is upon the repulsive features of the man; indispensable, for the understanding of the but the major-do:no escaped further exa- subsequent events, that we should give mination for the present, by turning round some description.

to lead the way towards the apartment of At the extremity of the platform, or forethe Lady Ida: and a moment afterwards court, of the castle of Lueg, on the side the doctor found himself alone with his fronting its entrance, the rock is rent by young and beautiful patient. a vertical fissure, visible from the out

When Belgarbo returned into the saloon side, and descending to the level of the his cheek was pale, and his eye rose not plain below. At the foot of this chasm, to meet the glance of the anxious father. there existed, in ages prior to the time in "What think you of my daughter's which our narrative is laid a reservoir, state?" said the Lord of Lueg, earnestly. fed from some neighboring springs; and as "May we prepare to depart?" the castle was, in summer, ill supplied with

"I have arranged with the Lady Ida," water, its ancient possessors had taken said the doctor, "for our departure on the advantage of this accidental circumsecond day from hence. Lord of Lueg!" stance to remedy that inconvenience.he continued, looking quickly up, as he Over the summit of the fissure, and on heard the deep and long-drawn inspiration the margin of the castle terrace, a little which proclaimed that a heavy weight was building had been erected, projecting over taken from the listener's heart-" Herr- the edge of the precipice, and furnished mann of Lueg! I have no consolation to with a windlass and pulley. The floor offer you. We will, at all events, try this had in its centre an opening like that of journey. It is, on all accounts, necessary, a well-and in truth, this building was and may be so conducted that Ida shall made to serve the purpose of a well, by be no great sufferer from its fatigue. In the help of two buckets, and a rope some my quiet dwelling she will be better than hundred feet in length, by which water amid the anxieties which beset her here was slowly raised from the reservoir in on your account; and remember, my the plain, when the supply from the hills friend," he concluded, as he took the hand was insufficient for the wants of the cas of the knight," remember that I speak of tle. both hope and fear when I say that the But for many years this slow and labosoft air of the plains is essential to the rious mode of supply had been superceded Lady Ida." by the discovery of a spring in the side of There was a long pause: and the doctor the rock, which shelters the fortress.

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