me spurn at danger, and urge me on to

As he uttered these words, he ventured to cast a look at Rhodisha, who crimsoned, and cast her eyes towards the ground.

"Let every one, but this young man, leave the room," said the Count; " and I charge you that not a syllable transpire of what you have heard. Let Let every attention be paid to the old man and his son."

"Brave youth!" added the Count, so soon as he was left with Leopold, "I feel and tremble for your situation. If you have a just claim to the title and possessions of Rosomaski, yet you have a most crafty and powerful competitor. I think I know his character-he will go any lengths to gratify his ambition."

"Is there no law then in Poland ?” said Leopold.

"Certainly," answered the Count; "but there, as in every other country, it is only for those who can afford the expence of it."

"Then

"Then I will rely on mine own arm for redress," said Leopold-" Lanfranco shall either yield me my right, or deprive me of life."

"Be not rash, if you would prosper,' said the Count-" As some poisons are antidotes to others, so is policy the surest weapon against a designing enemy. Take

my advice-Our gracious sovereign knows the value of a good soldier, and rewards him according to his merit, be his rank what it may. The army is now going to make a campaign on our frontiers: go and join it. Your skill, bravery, and intrepidity, will, in all probability, cause you to be distinguished, and that is the readiest road to favour and fortune. You may

then enter the lists with Lanfranco, upon equal terms."

"Count," replied Leopold, " your advice is highly reasonable, and I will follow it. I will seek danger in the tented field; and, when my sword shall have been accustomed

tomed to victory, it will fall the heavier on the head of Lanfranco."

May Heaven crown you with success!" said the Count-" and whatever I can do to ensure it to you, shall not be wanting. I will write to Colonel Zulmandorf, whose regiment is one of those about to take the field, and request him to take you under his protection. If his answer be favourable, as I expect from our long acquaintance, you shall depart in a manner which would not disgrace you, even if you were the acknowledged Count Rosomaski."

After Leopold had uttered all that a grateful heart could dictate, the Count insisted upon his supping with him, and tarrying the night, as it would be then late. Leopold would have joined Byloff and his. son, but the Count insisted on his sitting at his own table. Leopold's heart beat high at the honour of being admitted a com-. panion of the Count, although he would. have preferred the company of his father

and

After

and brother, as he still termed them, if it had not been for the presence of the lovely Rhodiska. During the whole supper-time, she was particularly attentive to help him, although he ate scarcely any thing; and she seemed more disposed to prevent his wants, than to have any of her own. supper, they conversed for several hours; and the Count and his daughter were surprised at the propriety of Leopold's ideas, the quickness of his perception, and the dignity of his expression, which were far beyond what might have been expected from the situation in which he had been brought up. Amongst the books, however, which Byloff had brought away from Vistulof, was a translation of Plutarch's Lives into the Polish dialect, which Leopold had ever perused with avidity, as if` to ground himself on the example of those illustrious characters; and thence he had drawn the chief of his maxims, and formed his ideas. At length they retired for the night, and Leopold was left at liberty to indulge

indulge the reflection of his happiness, in being under the same roof with his beloved Rhodiska,

CHAP. II.

ON the first appearance of the sun above

the horizon, Leopold rose, and met Byloff and his son in the hall. He acquainted them with the Count's advice, and his own resolve.

"I approve of both," said Byloff—" It was the very plan which I myself had laid down for you, when you should have arrived at a proper age: that season is now come. Excuse the dreadful suspicions which I entertained of you yesterday; my son has convincd