himself to be conducted to the castle. They placed him on a horse
belonging to one of the domestics, after binding up his wounds as well

as they were able. Theodore marched by his side; and the afflicted
Isabella, who could not bear to quit him, followed mournfully behind.

CHAPTER IV.
THE sorrowful troop no sooner arrived at the castle, than they were

met by Hippolita and Matilda, whom Isabella had sent one of the
domestics before to advertise of their approach. The ladies causing

Frederic to be conveyed into the nearest chamber, retired" target="_blank" title="a.退休的；通职的">retired, while the
surgeons examined his wounds. Matilda blushed at seeing Theodore and

Isabella together; but endeavoured to conceal it by embracing the
latter, and condoling with her on her father's mischance. The

surgeons soon came to acquaint Hippolita that none of the Marquis's
wounds were dangerous; and that he was desirous of seeing his daughter

and the Princesses.
Theodore, under pretence of expressing his joy at being freed from his

apprehensions of the combat being fatal to Frederic, could not resist
the impulse of following Matilda. Her eyes were so often cast down on

meeting his, that Isabella, who regarded Theodore as attentively as he
gazed on Matilda, soon divined who the object was that he had told her

in the cave engaged his affections. While this mute scene passed,
Hippolita demanded of Frederic the cause of his having taken that

mysterious course for reclaiming his daughter; and threw in various
apologies to excuse her Lord for the match contracted between their

children.
Frederic, however incensed against Manfred, was not insensible to the

courtesy and benevolence of Hippolita: but he was still more struck
with the lovely form of Matilda. Wishing to detain them by his

bedside, he informed Hippolita of his story. He told her that, while
prisoner to the infidels, he had dreamed that his daughter, of whom he

had learned no news since his captivity, was detained in a castle,
where she was in danger of the most dreadfulmisfortunes: and that if

he obtained his liberty, and repaired to a wood near Joppa, he would
learn more. Alarmed at this dream, and incapable of obeying the

direction given by it, his chains became more grievous than ever. But
while his thoughts were occupied on the means of obtaining his

liberty, he received the agreeable news that the confederate Princes
who were warring in Palestine had paid his ransom. He instantly set

out for the wood that had been marked in his dream.
For three days he and his attendants had wandered in the forest

without seeing a human form: but on the evening of the third they
came to a cell, in which they found a venerablehermit in the agonies

of death. Applying rich cordials, they brought the fainting man to
his speech.

"My sons," said he, "I am bounden to your charity - but it is in vain
- I am going to my eternal rest - yet I die with the satisfaction of

performing the will of heaven. When first I repaired to this
solitude, after seeing my country become a prey to unbelievers - it is

alas! above fifty years since I was witness to that dreadful scene!
St. Nicholas appeared to me, and revealed a secret, which he bade me

never disclose to mortal man, but on my death-bed. This is that
tremendous hour, and ye are no doubt the chosen warriors to whom I was

ordered to reveal my trust. As soon as ye have done the last offices
to this wretched corse, dig under the seventh tree on the left hand of

this poor cave, and your pains will - Oh! good heaven receive my
soul!" With those words the devout man breathed his last.

"By break of day," continued Frederic, "when we had committed the holy
relics to earth, we dug according to direction. But what was our

astonishment when about the depth of six feet we discovered an
enormous sabre - the very weapon yonder in the court. On the blade,

which was then partly out of the scabbard, though since closed by our
efforts in removing it, were written the following lines - no; excuse

me, Madam," added the Marquis, turning to Hippolita; "if I forbear to
repeat them: I respect your sex and rank, and would not be guilty of

offending your ear with sounds injurious to aught that is dear to
you."

He paused. Hippolita trembled. She did not doubt but Frederic was
destined by heaven to accomplish the fate that seemed to threaten her

house. Looking with anxiousfondness at Matilda, a silent tear stole
down her cheek: but recollecting herself, she said -

"Proceed, my Lord; heaven does nothing in vain; mortals must receive
its divine behests with lowliness and submission. It is our part to

deprecate its wrath, or bow to its decrees. Repeat the sentence, my
Lord; we listen resigned."

Frederic was grieved that he had proceeded so far. The dignity and
patient firmness of Hippolita penetrated him with respect, and the

tender silent affection with which the Princess and her daughter
regarded each other, melted him almost to tears. Yet apprehensive

that his forbearance to obey would be more alarming, he repeated in a
faltering and low voice the following lines:

"Where'er a casque that suits this sword is found,
With perils is thy daughter compass'd round;

ALFONSO'S blood alone can save the maid,
And quiet a long restless Prince's shade."

"What is there in these lines," said Theodore impatiently, "that
affects these Princesses? Why were they to be shocked by a mysterious

delicacy, that has so little foundation?"
"Your words are rude, young man," said the Marquis; "and though

fortune has favoured you once - "
"My honoured Lord," said Isabella, who resented Theodore's warmth,

which she perceived was dictated by his sentiments for Matilda,
"discompose not yourself for the glosing of a peasant's son: he

forgets the reverence he owes you; but he is not accustomed - "
Hippolita, concerned at the heat that had arisen, checked Theodore for

his boldness, but with an air acknowledging his zeal; and changing the
conversation, demanded of Frederic where he had left her Lord? As the

Marquis was going to reply, they heard a noise without, and rising to
inquire the cause, Manfred, Jerome, and part of the troop, who had met

an imperfect rumour of what had happened, entered the chamber.
Manfred advancedhastily towards Frederic's bed to condole with him on

his misfortune, and to learn the circumstances of the combat, when
starting in an agony of terror and amazement, he cried -

"Ha! what art thou? thou dreadful spectre! is my hour come?"
"My dearest, gracious Lord," cried Hippolita, clasping him in her

arms, "what is it you see! Why do you fix your eye-balls thus?"
"What!" cried Manfred breathless; "dost thou see nothing, Hippolita?

Is this ghastlyphantom sent to me alone - to rue, who did not - "
"For mercy's sweetest self, my Lord," said Hippolita, "resume your

soul, command your reason. There is none here, but us, your friends."
"What, is not that Alfonso?" cried Manfred. "Dost thou not see him?

can it be my brain's delirium?"
"This! my Lord," said Hippolita; "this is Theodore, the youth who has

been so unfortunate."
"Theodore!" said Manfred mournfully, and striking his forehead;

"Theodore or a phantom, he has unhinged the soul of Manfred. But how
comes he here? and how comes he in armour?"

"I believe he went in search of Isabella," said Hippolita.
"Of Isabella!" said Manfred, relapsing into rage; "yes, yes, that is

not doubtful -. But how did he escape from durance in which I left
him? Was it Isabella, or this hypocritical old Friar, that procured

his enlargement?"
"And would a parent be criminal, my Lord," said Theodore, "if he

meditated the deliverance of his child?"
Jerome, amazed to hear himself in a manner accused by his son, and

without foundation, knew not what to think. He could not comprehend
how Theodore had escaped, how he came to be armed, and to encounter

Frederic. Still he would not venture to ask any questions that might
tend to inflame Manfred's wrath against his son. Jerome's silence

convinced Manfred that he had contrived Theodore's release.
"And is it thus, thou ungrateful old man," said the Prince, addressing

himself to the Friar, "that thou repayest mine and Hippolita's
bounties? And not content with traversing my heart's nearest wishes,

thou armest thy bastard, and bringest him into my own castle to insult
me!"

"My Lord," said Theodore, "you wrong my father: neither he nor I are
capable of harbouring a thought against your peace. Is it insolence

thus to surrender myself to your Highness's pleasure?" added he,
laying his sword respectfully at Manfred's feet. "Behold my bosom;

strike, my Lord, if you suspect that a disloyal thought is lodged
there. There is not a sentiment engraven on my heart that does not

venerate you and yours."