courtesy, she said, "Keep them for yourself, Miss Margaret. They would only destroy my dress. But take this for your good intention." She then offered her a double ducat; but Margaret started back, and motioned, with the flowers, a refusal of the money. "Ah, Barbara!" she exclaimed, struggling with sobs and tears, "Ah, Barbara! how grieved am I for you! Oh, do not give way to excessive pride, and think still on St. Andrew's eve!" She then hastened down stairs, covering her face with her veil. The bride remained standing at the door, pale and motionless.

The bridegroom soon returned home, almost as agitated as herself. Lorenz Falk, whose madness was inflamed by Margaret's unusual absence, had met him in the street, and seized upon him, and shrieked into his ear," St. Andrew's eve! St. Andrew's eve! it was even thus on St. Andrew's eve!". That night had been painfully impressed upon his disordered senses; for then, also, she whom he loved was not to be seen. A convulsive shudder, like a mortal pang, crept over the ardent bridegroom, and yet he could not account for it satisfactorily. Bewildered, he tore himself from the maniac's grasp, rushed up stairs, and sought to stifle his horrible feelings by wine and dancing. But as he was attempting, after a waltz, to exchange some trifling words with his pale bride, one of the company stepped up to them, and said jestingly, playing on the superstition at that time so prevalent," Did the beautiful pair then see each other for the first time on St. Andrew's eve?" With an exclamation of horror the bride and bridegroom started back, and, from that moment, a sad misgiving, like a dark cloud, lay heavy on the festive splendours.

Soon after the marriage, the Count, with his young wife and her parents, left the town; but Barbara cast only indignant glances on her friend, who was standing before the door to see her depart. In the house, as well as in the thinly-inhabited street, all was again silent. Poor Lorenz Falk every evening passed by at the usual hour, and never failed to re

VOL. XVIII.

ceive the attentions that delighted him so much.

- In this way several years ran on. It was then reported that a savage robber was lurking in the HartzMountain. He had often ventured even into the plain, and had come off victorious in so many combats, that he was now considered invineible. Some of the most spirited youths in the town had taken arms against him; but instead of marching triumphantly through the gates with the robber as their captive, they returned bleeding, exhausted by the quickness of their flight, and partly without their horses and accoutrements. Other expeditions of the same kind were attended with the same results. The bloody Würfler, so was the robber-chief called, met with no further opposition. On this account, his audacity increased to such a height, and so many ruffians were continually trooping to his standard, that the fathers of the good town of Magdeburg, concerned for its ancient honour, and its widelyrespected name, issued a proclamation, that all who had strength and courage to oppose the bloody Würfler, should place themselves under the town-banner, for the protection and peace of the neighbourhood. But though the herald blew his trumpet loudly and lustily, only a very small band collected round him. As he was crossing. the Elbe, some young citizens were standing on the strand, and were saying how will ingly they would take arms in any other war, but not against the wild, robber-magician, with the frightful name. "Shame upon you! Quit yourselves like brave Magdeburg. ers!" exclaimed a young man close beside them; and such an impas sioned flow of martial and animating words gushed upon their ears, that their hearts were already on fire, and their limbs braced for action, when they first remarked, that it was only the maniac, Lorenz Falk "Go into thy hut, poor Lorenz," said they; but he replied, "If I have been sick and deranged, I am so no longer, since there is something glorious to be done. Be assured, that the blasts of the herald's trumpet and his proclamation have 4 A

completely restored me." To this he added many excellent and sensible observations, which fully convinced them that his understanding had actually returned; and they did not even hesitate to place themselves under the waving banner, with him at their head.

As they proceeded, the strength of the party was every moment increased, by people who, at first, merely wished to inquire what the maniac Lorenz could be doing; but when they learned, from the testimony of his companions, and from his own inspiriting addresses, the wonderful change which had been produced upon him, they found themselves unable to quit his side. The band of volunteers at last presented themselves before the fathers of the city; and here Lorenz Falk, with amiable humility, told how his senses had abandoned him, when the terrible thought, that he was chargeable with the ruin of his father-land, rushed upon his mind; and how light and strength had returned to him, when he heard the proclama tion, enjoining all to attempt something for the liberties and peace of fellow-citizens and countrymen. The young men demanded him, with loud acclamations, for their leader against the bloody Würfler. The council, overcome with joyful astonishment, willingly complied with the proposal; and Lorenz Falk, in full martial attire, attended with the cheers and good wishes of the people, soon marched at the head of his troops past Margaret's door, and bowed to her as he passed. Her heart, which had never disowned him, in the wandering visions of phrenzy, met with a full return of its love, now that he was crowned with pomp and splendour. She hastened into her little room to offer up thanks to God; and when she returned with the lambent smile of devotion on her lips, "Do you see, child," said the old matron," how wisely He knows to gather what has gone astray?"

A few days afterwards, there are rived a dreadful report, that the wild Würfler had enticed those who had marched against him into the wildest part of the mountain, and had there

destroyed them. All the town was thrown into dismay. But Margaret's heart beat calmly:" I cannot think," she said, "that the blessed God has so miraculously restored him, merely in order that he might be defeated!" and with internal serenity she continued to perform her domestic duties as usual, so that she gave her mother real pleasure. Soon afterwards, with the first misty rays of dawn, the sound of joyous martial music struck upon the ear of the early-waked Margaret. Blushing, like the fair morning itself, she hastened to the window, and beheldLorenz Falk approaching, in all the pomp of victory. In front of him was borne a curious sword, and a long spiral helmet, which a powerful blow had dyed with blood, and almost shattered to pieces. A herald announced, "that these were the arms of the bloody Würfler,--that the brave young captain had wrested them from him with his own hand,

that the grim robber had then rushed in despair over a ledge of rocks,-that the whole of his band had been either taken prisoners, or eut down, or dashed to pieces, and that the neighbourhood was now se cure from all danger!" Loudly did the people shout, and Lorenz Falk bowed to those around him, even more handsomely and more joyfully than when he marched into the field.

Honoured by all his fellow-citizens, the young man was presented, a few weeks afterwards, with a senator's golden chain. He then rebuilt his house, which had been burned down, on the Elbe-strand; and conducted Margaret to it as his wife, amid the tearful blessings of her mother.

The married pair had lived to gether for two years in happiness and unanimity, and the heart of the old woman was filled with joy as often as she went to see them; for she could not be prevailed on to give up her own house. Also Margaret had presented her delighted husband with a beautiful boy. The amiable woman was sitting, one mild evening, before the door, awaiting the return of her Lorenz, who had gone out on the town's business. The

child was playing at her feet. A sorry vehicle, covered with red tentcloth, and drawn by one lean horse, rattled slowly over the ill-repaired pavement. The boy, delighting, like his father, in horses and all that pertained to them, crept towards it; his mother sprang up in terror, and while she was carrying her dear child to the side of the street, halfcaressing, half-chiding him, she threw a cursory glance on the vehicle, and it was just stopping at her door. Margaret was so shocked, that she almost sunk to the ground with the child in her arms; for the pale face which, shaded with a deepmourning veil, peered from the linen cover, was that of her old friend Barbara, she who was once so proud and so cheerful. "Noble Countess," said Margaret, with a low courtesy, "how do I see you here, and with such an equipage ?" But Barbara, with weeping eyes, descended from the conveyance; and as Margaret observed that she had some secret to confide, she conducted her hastily into the house, commanding her servants to unload the little baggage, and to satisfy the demands of the driver.

Long and dismal was the tale of woe which Barbara had to unfold. In Vienna the Count had sunk deeper and deeper into all the miseries of gaming and drinking, and when he had exhausted his whole fortune, and Barbara's dowry, he absconded, and was now roaming, according to report, in utter desperation. Sorrow had brought her parents to a premature grave; and she had contrived to return, though with much difficulty, to Magdeburg, relying solely on the good feelings of a friend once despised. "God be praised and thanked, Barbara, that you have arrived here in safety!" said Margaret, and she immediately prepared for her a handsome room in the upper storey, taking care to render it as agreeable and comfortable as she could, in order that her friend might be happy in her house, and contented to stay.

When Lorenz Falk returned, and heard of his new inmate, he seemed not to be altogether pleased; but, ever ready to do what is right, he immediately commanded his feelings,

and received the stranger cheerfully and hospitably.

Under the influence of retirement and affectionate attention, Barbara's cheeks bloomed once more,-her eyes began to glisten anew,-and the amiable light-heartedness which had formerly brought misfortunes upon her, now assisted her to forget these misfortunes. But others were besetting her steps. Her heart was gored, whenever she looked upon the noble, the intelligent, the universally-respected Lorenz Falk, as he sat opposite her at table, or by her side in the private circle; for she could not divest herself of the thought that he was destined for her. It was he who had entered the room, on St. Andrew's eve, as her promised husband; and only an incomprehensible blindness, which was at best to be charged upon magic, had deprived her of him. She did not omit any opportunity of throwing out such thoughts in the form of jests, and was particularly studious to conduct herself in the most agreeable manner, and with the utmost elegance. It could not be denied, too, that the unobtrusive Margaret, although she might be considered handsomer than Barbara, frequently appeared to disadvantage upon comparison with her; and Lorenz often fixed his eyes involuntarily on the attractive stranger. Barbara observed this; and though she thought there was no ill in it, she was secretly very well contented. But the brave Lorenz Falk was not contented; and he did what, in such cir cumstances, all should do,-he kept at a distance from danger. It was to be regretted, however, that this honourable conduct occasioned the loss of many a happy hour to the family, and the ladies were almost always left alone with the child in the lengthening winter nights, while Lorenz was quite exhausting his constitution in the service of the town, with the view of expelling from his mind all idle thoughts.

At last Christmas, dear and blessed Christmas, approached. A weihnachtslust (a Christmas feast) was to be prepared for the child's amusement, and before it all troubles and deceitful thoughts vanished from the father. He now delighted in home,

and his mind was bright and clear, like a stream at noon-day, pure and tinted with "heaven's own blue." Barbara, on the contrary, frequent ly retired from the social circle, with feelings not a little hurt; but Lorenz, in the fulness of his domestic joy, did not appear to notice her absence. One afternoon, the child had been sent over to its grandmother, and the happy parents were busily employed in gilding the apples and nuts which were designed to glitter at the approaching festival between the lights of the green Christmastree: Barbara, too, was accompany ing her harp with a sweet song, and they were listening to her. Deject edly, she placed the instrument in a corner, and, with winged speed, hastened up to her chamber.

As she sat alone in the dusky room, while night was gathering over the windows, her thoughts reverted to years long past, and she almost felt as if she had reason to expect every moment an old acquaintance, who was to produce a wonderful change on her whole being and circumstances. She at last recollected that this was St. Andrew's eve, the anniversary of that day when the noble Lorenz Falk had appeared before her so unhappy and so deranged. Transported into a sudden gush of tears, she buried her face in her hands, and exclaimed, "He was mine-he was destined for me!"

And hark! the stair-case echoed with the sound of footsteps, really and truly, they were heavy and firm, like a man's,-the door creaked,-a face peered into the room.

Barbara might be rather said to be dead than alive. Every thing from that moment appeared to be a repetition, only a far more hideous one, and a fulfilment of the terrible prophecy. In his lean, up-raised hand, the monster now carried a lantern, a light from it fell upon his horrid shaggy hair, his madlyrolling eyes, and his foaming lips. "Art thou my bride?" he exclaimed, opening his mouth convulsively. But instead of hopping and running about her, like Lorenz Falk on St. Andrew's eve, this more horrible visitant, singing and laughing most hideously, lifted her up, and bore her to the door. Barbara uttered a scream

of anguish, which brought forth her brave landlord. The monster, quitting his prey, now attacked Lorenz with fury; but the latter soon perceived that he had to cope with incensed madness, and must of neces sity fall before it. With a halfstifled voice he called upon his servants to assist him. After many struggles, they gained the mastery over the frantic stranger, and bound, and threw him-for he had now fainted-on a servant's bed. But when all the people of the house were gazing upon him with looks of curiosity, and the glimmering light fell upon his wild countenance, pale as death, Lorenz Falk, shuddering, commanded every one to leave the room. All obeyed him except Bar barba: she remained alone with him and the horrible prisoner.

"My lady," said Lorenz, after a pause, "depart before he revives, for his revival will be terrible." "Lorenz," she replied, with deep and altogether unusual solemnity, "it would be more proper that you should leave him than I, for you do not know this man."

"Well do I know him," said Lorenz;" it is the bloody Würfler, whom I conquered in the Hartzmountains."

Barbara became pale, and a visible shudder passed over her. At last, she said with a deep sigh, "I might easily have conceived it would be thus: yes, I knew it, already in confident anticipation. But when I am told it so explicitly, the intelligence crushes my heart, for you must know, Herr Lorenz Falk, that in the bloody Würfler I recognise the Count, my unfortunate husband. Alas! the prediction is now completely fulfilĺed."

Barbara never moved from the maniac's side. Compunction for her multiplied offences appeared suddenly to have rushed upon her, but, at the same time, the full feeling of her duty. Lorenz Falk, in all this, recognised a mysterious finger-mark, a saving warning, from Heaven, and, with humble gratitude, he founded an hospital, and conducted the unhappy Count thither as its first nurseling. Poor Barbara did not scruple to become the superintend ant of the institution; and a few