forehead is contracted into a deep scowl, the corners of his mouth are bent upwards in a perpetual smile, so that he frowns with one end of his face, and sneers with the other."

"A most appalling portrait, indeed! But you are surely exercising your fancy in the invention of a countenance such as nature never created."

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Then, as for his wife, she looks as gaunt and hungry as a wolf in the winter!-She

ter! She gave a keen glance at me, and looked as sharp as if she longed to eat me. Do you know, my lady, I could not help wondering, in my own mind, if it might not be probable that she is one of those creatures who are human in the day, and wolf at night. You have, no doubt, heard of a were-wolf, my lady?"

"Very probable truly, Barbara. Did ever foolish girl give up her imagination to such follies!"

"Well, my lady, I wish you would observe these people, and judge for your

self. There are some children too about the house, but the devil himself (the blessed saints forgive me !) might be their own father; for such abominable imps did I never behold! Babes as they are, you may read volumes of malice in their little frightful faces! I declare, my lady, I can compare them with nothing but the ugly shapeless things that flitted about my bed, grinning and chattering, and pointing at me, when I had the fever.”

The Baroness could not but be amused by the family picture, thus sketched for her entertainment by her garrulous attendant: yet, as she knew Barbara was a shrewd, intelligent observer, in spite of her volatile spirits, she inwardly congratulated herself on the strength of her retinue, which she hoped might bid defiance either to treachery or violence, should either be at hand. It was yet early, and the household were not disposed of. The host had allotted an apartment to Father Felix, if the narrow dark hole

up

which was to be his dormitory could claim such an appellation; and invited the remainder of the suite to take their lodging, some in the stables with their steeds, and others in a ruinous out-building at some distance from the house. Conrade, who acted as head of the retinue, answered with indifference, that, wrapped in their cloaks, they cared not much for such moderate shelter as was offered them; and that, as exercise would keep them warm better than lying in a roofless hovel, he would resume. his old post of sentinel, and march to and fro before the house; the others, meanwhile, except a few who chose to seek repose in the stable, had taken his hint, and would follow his example.

"It is a pity I have no better lodging to offer such a number of brave gentlemen," said the host, "I never was so vexed before; but I am thinking, as you are so many, you might spare above half your company, to push on towards So

pron to-night. A finer moon never shone, and the stars sparkle like so many diamonds. Your horses are quite fresh by this time. I will give you a guide, who knows every inch of the moor, so you need not fear straying, though it is a wild waste, and might puzzle a stranger. The people at Sopron will detain you, if they have not good notice for preparation; you are too many for one inn, and will find it good policy to divide."

"Your advice is excellent, friend Sturmo," said Conrade, "but one night's watch will hurt neither me nor my comrades. What! I have served under Vallenstein, man. Do you think I value a few hours stargazing? We will send our courier forward to Sopron, as we did here, and shall find all ready for us, I doubt not."

"Well, gentlemen, as you please; it is your own business," said Sturmo sulkily; "but you may have nothing to say against a little additional warmth,

perhaps; I can give you a drop of famous mead, if that suits your fancy." "Ay, ay, Sturmo, with all my heart."

In Sturmo went, and presently returned with the promised beverage, of which Conrade, and each of the suite who were standing about him, took a copious draught. The courier, who had arrived at this post-house an hour before his lady, had whispered a word in Conrade's ear, which satisfied him at once of the necessity of keeping his force concentrated. Loitering about the moor, he had passed a hollow, thick with furze ; and, in passing it, heard a half suppressed sneeze this furze covered nearly half an acre, and was therefore capable of concealing a formidable banditti. The courier, startled by a sound the source of which he perceived not, turned hastily, and his eye resting on the covert, he was aware that the neighbourhood was better peopled than he had suspected; he, however, assumed an unconscious air, and