upon travellers. I saw a handsome watch-chain in his fob, and several handsome rings on his fingers.'

Osmond laid his hand upon his breast.... Trust my honour,' said he ; ' if all the things you saw are not forthcoming, I shall not ask you to fulfil your present generous intentions respecting us.'

'That's an honest lad,' returned the Captain, clapping him on the back; but remember you tell your friend there must be no jabbering till we have done our work in the castle. About twelve I intend landing; by which time, as there is no moon at present, the night will be as dark as we could wish. By the help of scaling-ladders, we shall easily surmount the walls that encompass the castle. Our difficulties and dangers commence when we get within those; as in the centre of the outer court is a double row of low buildings, occupied by the male domestics.'

But what then?' asked Osmond, anxiously. You reckon upon their all being asleep, or at any rate in bed, I conclude before you make your entry.

Why, yes. But as I was going to observe.... whether up or abed, never being off their guard, too much caution cannot be used in passing their lodgings to the upper court, which once having got possession of, we may, by having the whole of the castle and all the rest of its inhabitants then completely in our power, bid them defiance,"

• Never off their guard, do you say? cried Osmond, with difficultly suppressed eagerness.

No, they have always arms and lights beside them, in case of a surprise like the one I meditate, and which, from the situation of the castle on a lonely part of the coast, its owners have always been apprehensive of. So recollect, my friend, to keep in mind the necessity of circumspection; for once alarmed, and we have but little chance of succeeding in our enterprize.'

Rely upon my making a proper use of what you have told me,' said Osmond, with sparkling eyes and a flushing cheek; and now, with your permission, I'll return to my friend below.'

He accordingly descended to the cabin, and found the poor Count the very picture of despair. He motioned him to the window, and in a low accent, and as briefly as possible, revealed to him the motive of his fabricated story to the Captain, and the result of it.

Extravagant as were the transports the Count had given way to on former occasions, they were trifling compared with those he now betrayed. He laughed and wept at the same instant, returned thanks to Heaven, and rapturously embracing Osmond, called him not only his preserver, but the preserver of his family. Then putting all his valuables into his hands.... Here, here, my dear friend,' he cried, let the rascal have all these immediately; and if not sufficient to satisfy his rapacity, let him send me a bond for any sum, and I will sign it.'

Osmond, again terrified for his senses, endeavoured to calm the transports which in his opinion endangered them, by reminding him of the fatal consequences that might result from the least imprudence, and the recent assurance he had given him of endeavouring to gain a command over himself.... In order to prove to me that you were sincere in giving it,' continued he, 'tis requisite you should bear the present change in your prospects with moderation.'

'My dear friend,' cried the Count, gently pressing his arm, rest assured that you shall never again see me so disturbed. But now, not to be all extasy, all transport, that I find we are on the point of regaining the liberty I feared was for ever lost to us, would, in my opinion, be to argue me possessed of a dull inanimate soul.'

A reply from Osmond was prevented by the entrance of the Captain.

Heyday, my young sparks,' cried he, as he rushed in, have you got to loggerheads, that you speak so loud? at least you, Don........, I forget your name,' glancing at the Count.

Osmond immediately deposited in his hands the valuables of the Count, accompanied by his own; and while with a greedy eye he was examining these, cast a look of mingled sorrow and anger at the Count, which he return

ed with a deprecating one, expressive of his determination to conform himself without delay to the wishes of Os mond.

CHAP. XIV.

And therefore wert thou bred to virtuous knowledge,
And wisdom early planted in thy soul,

That thou might'st know to rule thy fiery passions,
To bind their rage, and stay their headlong course;
To bear with accidents, and ev'ry chance
Of various life; to struggle with adversity;
To wait the leisure of the righteous gods;
Till they, in their own good appointed hour,
Shall bid thy better days come forth at once,

A long and shining train ;till thou, well pleas'd,

Shall bow, and bless thy fate, and own the gods are just.'

ROWE'S ULYSSES.

THE Captain's manner soon convincing them the sound of their voices was all he had heard, the alarm his words excited quickly subsided, and nothing further of any moment to them took place on board. Long before the midnight hour, the vessel was anchored within sight of the castle; and exactly at twelve, the party destined to attack it was landed beneath its walls, armed with pistols, cutlasses, and boarding-pikes. The walls, by means of scaling-ladders, were surmounted with ease. Osmond took care to be amongst the first who attempted them. The night was of a pitchy darkness....dark as the deed the pirate hoped to perpetrate beneath its mantle; but a glimmering light at a distance pointed out to Osmond the buildings occupied by the servants.

With cautious steps he drew away from the ruffians, and advancing up to the court drew a pistol from his belt, and fired it. The consequence was such as he looked for. The domestics, alarmed, quickly sallied forth; some with arms, and others with torches. The moment they appeared....' The walls have been scaled by banditti,

my friends,' exclaimed Osmond; be prompt in your measures, and they cannot escape.'

This way, this way,' (to the utter astonishment of the domestics, who had no idea of his being then more than on his way to the castle) vociferated the Count, who unperceived had followed the steps of Osmond; but notwithstanding their astonishment, no time was lost in making inquiries; and after a slight scuffle the pirate and his crew was seized.

A servant then hastened to the inner court, to account to the Marchesa for the recent disturbance, and prepare her for the approaching interview with her nephew. By the time, therefore, he and his friend reached the castle, she, with several of her attendants, was ready to receive him.

Their meeting was truly affecting: for several minutes neither had power to express the mutual pleasure it gave rise to. When at length tears had a little relieved the fulness of their hearts, the Count, gently disengaging himself from the enfolding arms of the Marchesa, turned to Osmond, and taking him by the hand....' Behold, my dearest aunt,' he cried, as he led him towards her, 'the person to whom, under Heaven, you are indebted for your present safety....to whom I am indebted for the power of congratulating you on it. But for his interposition, I should ere this, I make no doubt, have been no more. After saying this it were superfluous to add, the obligations I owe him are unreturnable. Receive him my dearest aunt....receive the Chevalier Munro as a second son. Trust me the welcome and esteem which you may now grant him on my account, you will shortly accord him on his own.'

The Marchesa extended her hand, and taking Osunond's, pressed it to her lips and to her heart.

Welcome, thrice welcome,' she said, 'to Acerenza. Oh how unnecessary for the Count to desire me to receive as a son him to whom he informs me I am indebted for the preservation of his life!?

The Count rates quite too highly, Madam, the servces I had the happiness of rendering him,' returned Osmond, as with the warm glow of gratitude and sensibili

ty diffusing itself over his check, he bowed respectfully on her hand. 'He does more....he forgets that for any I conferred, I have received more than an adequate reYes, my dear Madam, believe me I am more a debtor than a creditor of the Count.'

turn.

'Generous souls ever endeavour to make light of the obligations they confer,' said the Marchesa: but come,' added she, we'll change the subject for the present, for I am certain you both need refreshment: and besides I am all impatience to learn the particulars of the recent affair, to what circumstance your arriving at such a moment, and in such company, is owing.'

As she spoke, she led the way to a table which the delighted and affectionate domestics had already spread with the refreshments; and seating herself at it, the Count on one hand and Osmond on the other, was soon gratified by the recital she wished to hear; when agitation impeded the utterance of the Count, Osmond taking up the story; and when modesty caused Osmond to pause, the Count impetuously pursuing it.

Good Heaven!" exclaimed the Marchesa, on their concluding; how wonderful are thy ways, in all how manifest thy wisdom and goodness! How forcibly does what I have just heard convince me that we should never be impatient under afflictions! Had you not been taken by the pirate,' addressing herself particularly to the Count, a meeting like the present would never in all probability have taken place; and yet I dare say at the moment you were not a little disconcerted at the circumstance.'

The Count blushed, and Osmond involuntarily smil ed at these words, which the Marchesa perceiving, also smiled herself, but in a manner which gave Osmond to understand she was thoroughly acquainted with the temper of her nephew.

After two hours passed at table, she insisted on the friends retiring to repose. Accordingly, Osmond was conducted to a magnificent chamber, where fatigue, united to the happy consciousness of security, quickly closed his eyes.

On awaking in the morning, he touched a bell, as he had been desired to do, when he chose to rise. A servant