evening bell, calling its peaceful inhabitants to their vespers, and a transient gleam of satisfaction broke upon her clouded mind, when she thought, that until she could gain some information of her father, she could there in its tranquil cloisters, taste some comfort in the society of Ellen Rosenheim. "There is the convent of St. Roch," said Adeline to Rosenheim, there we shall meet with your sister-perhaps she is now pacing the cloisters in melancholy musings, little thinking of the happiness she will soon enjoy.

66

"O how I shall enjoy myself to night," exclaimed the governess, "on being once more.

within the walls of Niolo.”

"We have still a melancholy office to perform," said Adeline, "how will my good aged grandfather receive the tidings of the loss of his son ?"

"Let that office devolve upon me," said Rosenheim-" the grief which is occasioned by a melancholy event is half assuaged by the manner of relating it; there are some people, who experience a malicious joy in depicturing every accident in the most distressing colours, and find their happiness in the distress which they occasion."

"Can that heart be a good one," asked Adeline, "which can have recourse to such measures ?"

"It is a melancholy truth," said Rosenheim, "but it is a disposition too much incorporated

with our natures-it has its origin in self-love, and in proportion to the distresses of another, is our own happiness comparatevly exalted. The man who is the bearer of disastrous tidings, feels a secret pleasure in the communication of them-the preferable situation in which he then stands presents itself to his view, and the consciousness, that he is an object of envy, raises him in his own opinion, and increases the sum of his felicity." I don't believe a word of all that you have been saying," said the governess, "it is all a newfangled notion, for I never heard such an opinion advanced before-I am sure the abbot of Arienheim would not talk so."

How easy it is to contradict-but to refute is another point-so thought Rosenheim, but expressed it not.

A person was now sent forward to announce their approach to the Castle, but Adeline particularly cautioned him not to mention any circumstances connected with the fate of her father, as from the advanced age of the old Count, the sudden shock occasioned by such melancholy tidings, might prove of serious consequence. The party had now reached the drawbridge, and Deborah and the old Seneschal, with the remainder of the domestics were seen hastening to welcome them. Adeline, however, observed with surprise, that all the servants were habited in black, and as old Rupert approached her, she perceived an unusual depression on his counte

nance.

Ou her inquiry of the health of her grandfather, he turned his head aside, and gave no answer. They entered the Castle, and Adeline was hastening to the apartment usually occupied by her grandfather, when Old Rupert gently took her hand-" not that way, my dear young lady, I have prepared another apartment for you and your father."

"Let me first hasten to my grandfather," said Adeline, "how rejoiced he will be to see me." "He is in a long sleep now," said the Seneschal.

"I will not awake him,” said Adeline; " often have 1 kissed him when he slept, and if perchance I awoke him, he seemed always happy to find me near him."

"When next he finds you near him," said the Seneschal," he will indeed be happy-but come with me to the apartment provided for you, and

The old man turned his head aside, and Adeline observed him to draw his hand across his face.

"What mean those tears?" Adeline exclaimed, whilst fear was depicted on her countenance. "I never saw you weep before-explain, I beseech you, explain the cause, and if any terrible calamity has occurred since our departure, keep it not from me."

"Pooh, poolt," said the governess, "he is only crying for joy to see us here again, but he

1

should have put on his holiday-dress to welcome us, rather than a dull, cheerless suit of mourning.

"I shall never put on my holiday-dress again," said the Seneschal, "and though my old heart feels some little joy in again beholding my dear young mistress within these walls, yet my tears flow from a cause, which will soon force the tears of others to flow also."

Rosenheim now perceived that the Seneschal had some disastrous intelligence to communicate, and he contrived for a moment to turn the conversation, by advising Adeline to take some refreshment, and for that purpose he requested the Seneschal to conduct them to the destined apart ment. On their way thither, they passed the room which the old Count generally occupied, and Adeline gently opened the door, but all was. dark within. Rosenheim, however, hurried her along, for a strong suspicion hung on his mind of the nature of the intelligence which the Seneschal had to communicate. Being seated in the apartment, and the refreshment set before them, the Seneschal inquired of Adeline, "how far her father was behind on the road, adding, that he would set out to meet him." Rosenheim explained in as few words as possible, the unfortunate adventure in the mountains, and which old Rupert had no sooner heard, than he clasped his bands, exclaiming, "O that I should live to this old age, and see such misery in this worthy family?"

What misery, do you mean," the governess cried-“ you ought to be glad and clap your hands for joy, to think we escaped as we did

-what would you have said if my young lady and myself had fallen into the hands of the banditti? but thanks to this young and valiant knight, we have escaped unpolluted by their touch, and that ought to be a source of joy to you,"

"In one point it is," said old Rupert with a sly look at the governess-" yet these are sad doings-but I now see the goodness of heaven in removing my good old master from us-his heart would have broken to hear such tidingsI care not how soon I follow him."

A dreadful suspicion now burst on the mind of Adeline" if any calamity has befallen my grandfather," she said, "I beseech you let me know it this suspense is harrowing to my soul."

Aye, my lady, a woful time we have had of it since you left us," Rupert said, shaking his head," and not one of his family to be near him to close his eyes."

"Is he then dead," Adeline exclaimed, whilst a trembling pervaded her whole frame.

"He is in heaven," said Rupert, and hid his face with his hands.

A loud shriek broke from the labouring bosom of Adeline-the colour fled from her cheeksher lips quivered the lustre of her eye, was