he could not help feeling a stronger and more intense interest in the grief of the father, who upon his return from the police office, with settled sorrow and sobbing accents, related to his wife the result of his visit. He could not conceal his distraction and distress of mind. After reading the letter which Wilhelm had presented, he gave directions that the horse therein mentioned, should be delivered to him.

Wilhelm determined to mount his steed immediately, and quit a house in which, under the circumstances we have narrated, it was impossible for him to feel comfortable; but the good host would not allow the son of a friend to whom he was so much indebted, to take his leave without experiencing a more cordial welcome, and without having passed one night at least beneath his roof. He partook, however, of but a melancholy supper, passed a restless night, and at early dawn he was glad to leave a family who by their observations and remarks had not failed, however unintentionally, to wound his feelings most severely.

He rode slowly and thoughtfully along the road, when suddenly he observed a crowd of armed men approaching through the fields. He perceived at once by their attire, by their long loose coats, their wide sleeves, their shapeless hats, and heavy muskets, as well as by their lounging gait and self-satisfied bearing, that they were a detachment of the country militia. They halted presently beneath a large oak tree, and laid down their muskets, taking their seats comfortably upon the grass to smoke a pipe. Wilhelm paused near them, and entered into conversation with a young man, who approached on horseback. He was now obliged to listen again to the history of the two fugitives, with which he was, alas! already too well acquainted, and the account was interspersed with observations not very flattering to the young couple, or to their parents. He learnt at the same time that the police had arrived to take charge of the accused. They had been overtaken in the neighbouring village, and placed in confinement there. Shortly afterwards a vehicle was seen approaching in the distance. It was surrounded by the civic guard, whose appearance was far more ludicrous than terrible. A strange-looking official now rode forward, and having joined the young man with whom Wilhelm had been conversing, they exchanged compliments together, at

the boundary of their respective districts. This was done with great gravity and many strange grimaces, reminding one of the ghost and conjuror, when they perform their fearful midnight incantations, the one within, the other without the limits of an enchanted circle.

The attention of the spectators was in the mean time attracted to the vehicle, and not without sympathy did they behold the poor unhappy culprits, sitting together upon bundles of straw. They looked at each other tenderly, and scarcely seemed to notice the crowd of bystanders. An accident had occasioned them to be conducted from the last village in that disagreeable manner, as the old coach which had been procured for the lady having broken down, she had thereupon begged that she might be permitted to sit beside her friend, who, under the idea that he had been guilty of some capital offence, had been loaded with fetters. His fetters, however, served to enhance the interest which the loving couple excited, especially as the demeanour of the youth was both reserved and dignified, and he frequently kissed the hand of his beloved with the most affectionate respect.

"It is true we are most unfortunate," she exclaimed to the bystanders, "but we are, however, not so guilty as we appear. This is the way in which cruel men reward faithful love, and parents who care but little for the welfare of their children, tear them violently from that happiness and joy which, after many a weary day, they have at length succeeded in attaining."

Whilst the bystanders gave expression to their sympathy in a variety of ways, the officers having completed their formalities, the vehicle moved on, and Wilhelm, who was deeply interested for the fate of the lady, hastened forward along the footpath to introduce himself to the police authorities, before the procession should arrive. But he had scarcely reached the Court-house, which was already in a state of bustle and confusion in consequence of the preparations made to receive the fugitives, before the young clerk overtook him, and by a circumstantial account of the whole proceedings, and afterwards by a particular eulogy upon his own horse, which he had the day before received in barter from a Jew, he completely prevented any further conversation.

The misguided pair had in the mean time been conducted

through a garden which was connected by a private entrance with the Court-house, and in this manner they were introduced to the Court. The lawyer was most cordially complimented by Wilhelm for this display of humanity, although in truth his only motive was to disappoint the people who were assembled round the Court-house, and to deny them the pleasure of seeing a fellow-creature in distress.

The magistrate, who had no especial love for unusual cases of this description, being in the habit of committing all sorts of mistakes, and of being requited for his good intentions with the stern censure of the government, proceeded with much solemnity to his office, whither the clerk, Wilhelm, and some of the more respectable citizens soon followed him.

The lady was first introduced. She came forward with an air wholly devoid of boldness; she was calm and selfpossessed, and shewed both by her air and demeanour that she entertained a high opinion of the respect to which she deemed herself entitled. Without being questioned, she commenced to complain with much emotion of the injustice of the situation in which she found herself placed.

The clerk commanded her to be silent, and held his pen over his folded paper. The magistrate assumed a grave look, turned to his clerk, hemmed several times, and then asked the poor girl what was her name and how old she was,

"Pardon me, sir," she replied, "but it does appear singular that you should enquire my name and age, when you know the former so well, and are aware that I am just as old as your eldest son. Any thing that you really wish and require to learn I am ready to explain to you fully.

"Since my father's second marriage I have always felt myself wretched at home. I might have formed several advantageous matrimonial connections, but they were always thwarted by my step-mother, on account of my marriage portion. Having at length become acquainted with young Melina, I felt compelled to love him, and as we foresaw the obstacles which would prevent our union, we determined to seek together in the wide world that happiness which seemed unlikely to await us beneath the paternal roof. I carried nothing away with me that was not my own. We did not fly like thieves or robbers, and my beloved does not deserve to be thus led about, loaded with chains and handcuffs. The

Prince is a just man, and will never sanction such harshness. If we are guilty, we are at least not so to this extent."

The embarrassment of the old magistrate was now more than redoubled. He was about to express his sympathy; and the eloquent address of the girl had quite deranged the plan of his protocol. The mischief became greater, when, notwithstanding repeated peremptory questions, she refused to answer, and alluded with firmness to the statement she had already made.

"I am no culprit," she said. "I have been disgraced by being brought hither, seated upon straw; but there is a higher tribunal that will restore us to honour."

The clerk had in the mean time written down her words, and then whispered to the magistrate that he might proceed, as a regular protocol could be prepared afterwards.

The old magistrate once more took courage and began in the dryest manner, and with the aid of official formulas to enquire into the sweet secrets of love.

The blood rushed into Wilhelm's face, and the cheeks of the pretty culprit were likewise tinged with the charming hues of modesty. She was silent and confused, until her embarrassment at length seemed to invest her with courage,

"Depend upon it," she exclaimed, "I should confess the truth, even were it to my own disadvantage; and should I now hesitate to do so when it reflects honour upon me? Yes, I have considered him as my husband from the first moment when I became certain of his attachment and truth; I have willingly conceded to him all that love demands, and all that a devoted heart is unable to withhold. Do with me what you will. If I hesitated for a moment to make this admission, it was caused solely by a fear that it might prove injurious to my beloved."

Wilhelm, upon hearing this confession, formed an exalted idea of the maiden's sentiments, whilst her judge looked upon her as a good for nothing outcast, and the citizens who stood by, thanked God that such an occurrence had never happened or at least been discovered within the circle of their own families.

Wilhelm's imagination now pictured the possibility of Mariana being brought to a court of justice, and he framed in his mind an eloquent speech in her defence, rendering her

innocence even more affecting, and her confession even more noble, than that to which he just listened. He was seized with the most anxious wish to assist the two lovers. He made no secret of his desire, and privately requested the wavering magistrate to conclude the investigation, insisting that every thing was as clear as possible and needed no farther enquiry.

This suggestion was so far of use that the maiden was permitted to depart; and the young man was now brought forward, after his fetters had been removed at the door. He seemed to consider his position in a more serious point of view. His replies were more precise, and if he on the one hand displayed less heroic generosity, he on the other created a more favourable impression, by the decision and candour

of his statement.

When this enquiry was also concluded and was found completely to agree with the preceding one, except that the lover, in order to protect the maiden, obstinately denied what she had already confessed, she was once more brought forward, and thereupon a scene ensued between the parties which completely won for both of them the heart of our friend.

Here in an humble Court of Justice he was actual witness of an exhibition which seldom occurs except in romances and in comedies, the struggle of mutual generosity -the force of love in misfortune.

"Is it then really true," he asked himself, "that timid affection which shrinks from the glare of daylight and of mankind, and only dares to revel in retired solitude and in the deepest secresy, when called forth by some disastrous accident, can display more courage, strength and boldness than the more noisy and ostentatious passions?"

Soon afterwards, to his great delight, the whole affair was concluded. The accused, however, were both detained in custody, but if it had been possible, Wilhelm would have restored the young lady to her parents that same evening. For he had determined to become her protector, and to promote a happy and prosperous marriage between the two lovers. He requested the magistrate's permission to speak with Melina in private, a favour which was conceded to him without difficulty.