w 
 
 ■^Hs^. 
 
 ';.,*•
 
 ■^:m^ 
 
 "L I E> R.AFLY 
 
 OF THE 
 UN IVLR.SITY 
 
 or iLLir^is 
 
 v.l-Z
 
 THE 
 
 Muh JJanner; 
 
 THE SIEGE OF CLAGENFURTH. 
 
 jL romantic tale. 
 
 ■ M gjittii 
 
 IN FOUR VOLUMES. 
 
 THE AUTHOR OF THE BARON DE FJLKENEEJMy 
 MYSTERY UPON MYSTERY, SfCs S^C, 
 
 Thrice is he arni'd that has his qnarrel just. 
 And he but naked, tLo' lock'd up in steel. 
 Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted, 
 
 SHAKESEEARE. 
 
 VOL, I. 
 
 LONDON : 
 PRINTED AT THE 
 
 FOR A. K. NEWMAN AND C0» 
 
 (Sutcessors to Latie, Newman, Sf Coi) 
 lEADENHALL-STREET. 
 
 1811.
 
 THE 
 
 BLACK BANNEK, 
 
 
 _L HRICE croaked the raven on the battle- 
 ments of Clagenfurth ; and, expanding 
 its dusky pinions wide in air, bent its 
 flight to the left, v/hile the anxious gazers 
 followed the direction with palpitating- 
 hearts,, until the distant horizon concealed 
 its destination from their view. 
 
 Albert heard the sound as he sat absorbed 
 in thought within the interior of the 
 Castle; starting from the reverie in which 
 he had indulged himself, he hastily'snatched 
 up his sword, and rushed through the corri- 
 dor to the platform, where the troops and 
 
 VOL. I. B vassal?!
 
 2 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 vassals were assembled^ aiicl were com- 
 menting on the portentous omen. 
 
 The sudden and disordered appearance 
 of their Prince astonished the obsequious 
 attendants ; terror seemed depicted in his 
 countenance; and while his haggard eye^ 
 rolling in frenzied motion^ appeared to 
 gaze on the vacant air, he abruptly de- 
 manded, if they had noticed the particular 
 point to which the raven had directed its 
 flight ? Surprise, for a few moments, occa- 
 sioned a total silence, until Albert, raising 
 his voice, repeated the question, which was 
 answered by one of his officers, who des- 
 cribed the direction the bird had taken. 
 The information seemed to cncrease the 
 terror which so visibly agitated the mind 
 of their chief. Sounds unintelligible 
 burst frequently from his lips, as with 
 hasty and unequal steps he strode along 
 the spacious platform, from whose com- 
 manding summit were observed, far as the 
 eye could reach, the lofty hills of the Ty- 
 rolese, over which the ill-omened harbin-
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 ger appeared to have winged its flight, 
 bending its course towards the interior of 
 Switzerland ; w^hen, as if suddenly recol- 
 lecting himself^ he commanded his vassals 
 to their respective posts^ and retracing his 
 steps, again sought the retirement which 
 he had so hastily quitted. 
 
 Superstition Was the prominent charac- 
 teristic of the age, from the effects of 
 which, neither the prince nor the peasant 
 was exempt; it was ingrafted, as it were, 
 in their existence, and encreased with their 
 years, being constantly nurtured by the ar- 
 tifice and the policy of the priests. 
 
 Albert, although a w^arrior to whom fear 
 was unknown, and vvhose daring mind de- 
 fied the approach of death itself, arrayed in 
 its most hideous forms, vvas nevertheless 
 sensible of its powerful etfects, and vvas 
 anxious to dive into an explanation of 
 those occurrences which this weakness of 
 human nature rendered of consequence, 
 sufficient to determine the actions of its 
 votaries. 
 
 B 2 The
 
 * THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 The entrance of Albert into the Castle 
 and territories of Clagenfurth, had been 
 inarked by blood and desolation ; the in- 
 habitants of the former had chiefly pe- 
 rished in an indiscriminate slaughter, to 
 ^vhich an obstinate, bnt unavailing resist- 
 ance had subjected them. It was in vain 
 that the reigning Prince of Clagenfurth 
 endeavoured to animate his brave follow- 
 ers ; the carnage which ensued on the 
 sacking of the Castle, was executed with 
 such malignant success, that few escaped 
 the sword of the conqueror, and the Prince 
 himself expired in the hall of his ances- 
 tors. The attack had been so sudden, and 
 the subsequent evolutions of Albert so ra- 
 pid, that the unfortunate Princess had 
 scarcely time to effect her escape to a neigh- 
 bouring convent. In that retreat, however, 
 she was secure, as even the most ferocious 
 victor dared not attempt a violation of its 
 sanctity. To this asylum she had been 
 hurried, by a confidential attendant, on the 
 first appearance of the enemy, at the ex- 
 >^ press
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. i) 
 
 press orders of the Prince, her husband ; 
 but so great had been their consternation^ 
 at the moment, that the unhappy parents 
 had forgotten the sole pledge of their mu- 
 tual affection, whose infantine years re- 
 quiring a more constant attention than his 
 mother could, consonant with her other 
 duties, bestow upon him, had been com- 
 mitted to the care of a nurse, of whom the 
 Princess entertained the highest opinion. 
 Scarcely had the wretched mother entered 
 the convent, than the recollection of the 
 young Rodolphit^ burst upon her memory ; 
 and although the streets were moistened 
 with the blood which flowed from the 
 wounds received by her brave^ but unfor- 
 tunate subjects, and the shouts of the con- 
 querors sounded in her ears, she would have 
 rushed forth in search of her beloved in- 
 fant^ had she not been restrained by force ; 
 and it might perhaps be deemed fortunate 
 for her that her reason became, for a length 
 of time, so unsettled as to render her insen- 
 sible of the occurrences that were passing. 
 V.3 The
 
 THE BLACK BANNEK, 
 
 The fury of the conqueror seemed un- 
 appeased by death itself^ as no entreaties, 
 even of his own officers, could persuade 
 him, for several days, to grant the last so- 
 lemn rites to the unfortunate Prince, on 
 whose body the utmost indignities were 
 practised, and whose bravery, in defence 
 of the sole remaining possessions of his fa- 
 mily, merited a better fate. 
 
 As soon as Albert had regained the 
 apartment which the harsh croaking of the 
 raven had impelled him to quit with so much 
 haste, he commanded one of the attendants 
 to seek out for the Chevalier D'Armfeldf, 
 who, among all his officers, possessed his 
 greatest esteem and confidence. On the 
 arrival of his friend, Albert dismissed the 
 vassals, who were in waiting. A heavy 
 gloom overshaded his counfenance, and the 
 mind of the haughty conqueror appeared 
 restless and uneasv. D'Armfeldt, who, 
 having been brought up with Albert from 
 his infancy, although the fortune of the 
 latter had far outstripped his own less- 
 aspiring
 
 THE BLACK BA.XNFR. / 
 
 tispiring genius in the plirsuit of ambition, 
 not only professed, but sincerely enter- 
 tv^ined the greatest friendship for him, wa5i 
 much concerned at those traits of melnn- 
 choly which were so conspicuous in lii,^ 
 behsvionr, 
 
 ** D'Armfeldt/* exclaimed Albert, as 
 soon as he perceived his approach, '* we 
 must hasten our departure from hence/' 
 
 "My Lord !" 
 
 " Yes, my friend, fate drives me on, and 
 1 must obey." 
 
 ^' Pardon me, my Lord,'' rejoined 
 D'Armfeldt, '* if the friendship you have 
 ever honoured me with, and which I have 
 esteemed as the greatest blessing of my life,^ 
 renders me so presumptuous as to inquire 
 the reasons ofso sudden and extraordinary 
 a resolution ; has the principality of Cla- 
 genfurth no further charms for its coa- 
 queror than the conquest itself inspired ? 
 Will Albert leave a court unseen, which as 
 ye^l^s only presented to his view the traces 
 eff slaughter and devastation, but which is 
 B 4 now
 
 S THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 now preparing to receive its master with 
 all the smiles of beauty ? Perhaps too the 
 
 lovely Adeline may " 
 
 *' Hold^D'Arnifeldt, nor drive me to dis- 
 traction ,* her charms have precipitated viiy 
 fate, and that conquest which I once looked 
 forward to as the height of my ambition, 
 and which I believed would have placed 
 me on the pinnacle of happiness, is, through 
 the perverseness of my fortune, the occa- 
 sion of my disappointment. Cursed, fatal 
 revenge ! Was it not enough that my ri- 
 val fell to rise no more, but, that possessed 
 with a demoniacal fury, I should, by 
 trampling on the rights of humanity, wan- 
 tonly cast away the blessing I had so nearly 
 obtr.rned ? I perceive your astonishment ; 
 these mysterious expressions may induce 
 you to fancy that my senses are disordered : 
 listen then with patience to what has hi- 
 therto been buried, even from the re- 
 searches of friendship, within my own 
 breast. But this eventful moment has re- 
 called scenes to my agonized memory long- 
 
 since
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 9 
 
 since past and forgotten^ and impells me 
 to seek comfort and advice from the since- 
 rity of a friend, if the wretched Albert pos- 
 sesses so great a treasure." 
 
 D'Armfeldt, who perceived how deeply 
 his mind was hurt by the impression that 
 was made upon it, took no notice of the 
 last sentence, as he attributed it merely to 
 the agony of the moment ; and with all the 
 persuasive powers he was master of, en- 
 deavoured to obtain his confidence, that he 
 might be better enabled to counteract the 
 effects of this unknown fatality ; he suc- 
 ceeded. 
 
 " It is not unknown to you/' said Al- 
 bert, '•' that my father was remarkably fond 
 of astrological observations ; and indeed 
 he had made so great a progress in the oc- 
 cult sciences, that at last he would never 
 undertake any action without having re- 
 course to these mysterious ordinances, ia 
 the hopes of discovering the certainty, or 
 uncertainty, of success, in any undertaking 
 he was about to commence ; and as the sub- 
 B 5 sequent
 
 10 THE CLACK BANNER. 
 
 sequent events more frequently happened 
 to coincide with the intelligence he sup- 
 posed that he had obtained by these means, 
 than otherwise^ every doubt of their efficacy, 
 or the certainty of the predictions, was en- 
 tirely removed from his mind. I was con- 
 stantly in the habit of participating in these 
 scenes, and in consequence naturally im- 
 bibed similar opinions. When I had ar- 
 rived at the age of eighteen, my father, 
 not chusing to trust to his own skill in di- 
 vination, determined to consult an aged 
 fem.ale, whose predictions the superstition 
 of the country considered infallible, on my 
 future prospects in life. Being myself 
 convinced of her power, I the more rea- 
 dily acceded to the proposition ; and trem- 
 bling with an anxiety natural on so so- 
 lemn an occasion, I arrived at her lonely 
 habitation. It was situated in a rock, be- 
 neath whose arched brows appeared the 
 entrance of a cavern, surrounded with the 
 misletoe, the vervain, and various other 
 shrubs and herbs appropriate to the myste- 
 6 rious
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 1 1 
 
 rious rites performed in the interior. 
 Those ceremonies, however, the eyes of her 
 visitors were seldom permitted to behold * 
 but as my father, as I have before observed, 
 was himself an adept, she was not so re- 
 served before us as was her general custom, 
 and indeed our rank was perhaps a further 
 inducement for her to relax from the se- 
 verity of hergeneral usage. She received 
 us with politeness ; but I must confess that 
 a tremor which I could scarcely overcome, 
 seized me on the first view of the hideous 
 object which I beheld. Independenjt of a 
 figure scarcely human, her habiliments were 
 ornamented with the representation of 
 such grotesque, yet dreadful objects, 
 grouped together in such a manner as to 
 render their appearance the most terrific. 
 Around her apartmicnt, which appeared to 
 be excavated from the solid rock, were dis- 
 posed various hieroglyphics, and -other 
 unknown and mysterious characters, while 
 her sole companions seemed to be a caf, 
 black as jet itself, and of a size superior to 
 E 6 any
 
 12 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 any I had ever beheld : this animal occu- 
 pied a vacant space on her right hand, while 
 perched on the arm of the chair whereon 
 she sat, was a raven, w^hose discordant notes, 
 at my approach, added to that terror which 
 had before so nearly overpowered my fa- 
 culties. I shall not fatigue your patience 
 %vith the description of the ceremonies she 
 performed before she pronounced my fu- 
 ture destiny ; the first part of which gave 
 both my father and myself the greatest sa- 
 tisfaction, and she concluded in these me- 
 morable words : — ' But zvlien Albert suffers 
 his thirst of revenge to overcome his hiima- 
 nity, and wars with the dead, then shall this 
 winged messenger of my power (pointing ta 
 the raven beside her,) remind him of the 
 disgraceful act, and from that time his life 
 ^ill he attended with such difficulties and 
 danger's, that erven the high courage he pos- 
 sesses will scarcely he able to surmount, unless 
 he flies the fatal spot, and restores a lost in- 
 fant to the arms of his distracted mother^ and 
 a legal heir to the birthright he is entitled to/ 
 
 '/ Such,
 
 THE SLACK BANNER. 13 
 
 " Such, D'Armfeldt, was the dreadful de- 
 nunciation ; my blood chilled at the idea, 
 and my senses were for an instant so 
 shocked, that it required a great exertion 
 in iTly father to rouse me from the situa- 
 tion into which the.prophetic speech of the 
 hag had thrown me. His judicious obser- 
 vations, however, soon quieted my appre- 
 hensions, as he remarked, (and indeed his 
 remarks appeared to me too just and con- 
 clusive to be contradicted,) that I might 
 look forward to a life of constant happi- 
 nessj as it was impossible that an heart in 
 which the principles of honour and jus- 
 tice were so firmly rooted, as in mine, 
 could ever incur the dangers denounced ; 
 my own pride assisted the delusion, and I 
 continued in fancied security ; but the mist 
 is now dissolved, and the solemn messenger 
 of fate has announced my future destiny." 
 
 Albert paused. — " My Lord," saidD'Arm- 
 feldt, taking advantage of this cessation, 
 " you surprise me ; forgive my importu- 
 nity, but deign to be more explicit/' 
 
 y Heard you not/* said Albert, " the 
 
 ominous
 
 14 THE BLACK BANNER, 
 
 ominous sound that denounced my crime, 
 mv lo-:s of lion our ?" 
 
 '' Gracious powers/' exclaimed D'Arm- 
 felt, '' what can this mean ? To what do 
 you allude? Believe me, my Lord, no 
 sound uncommon has reached my ears : 
 loss of honour! it cannot be; who dares 
 asperse '* 
 
 *' Patience, my friend," replied the chief, 
 *' all will soon be unravelled. D'Armfcldt 
 must well know that no man dares asperse 
 the honour of Albert ; but Albert himself 
 is the accuser of Albert; conscience cries 
 out, and will be heard. You know the sa- 
 vage fury with which some malignant fiend, 
 jealous^of my glory and happiness, inspired 
 me, and induced me to spurn even the soli- 
 citations of my friends, who requested the 
 solemn rites of the church for the body of 
 the deceased Prince ; call to your recol- 
 lection the last words of the prophetic hagr 
 an hour has scarce passed since the winged 
 denunciator of her prediction, perching 
 on the battlements of Clagenfurth, thrice 
 
 by.
 
 THE BLACK BAN-NEIt. I 5 
 
 by its portentous croak, reminded me of its 
 errand, and having fulfilled the predestined 
 commands of its mistress, directed its flight 
 towards the mountains of Switzerland, iit 
 the sight of my assembled vassals. Is not 
 this more than superstition ? Can we see 
 with our eyes, and hear with our ears, and 
 not believe ? D'Armfeldt, I confess it has. 
 unmanned me ; but I trust that my agita- 
 tion, which was extreme, was not particu- 
 larly remarked by the troops who were as- 
 sembled on the platform^ and that the 
 cause of it will remain undiscovered to all, 
 except the bosom of friendship, to which I 
 fly for consolation and advice/* 
 
 To this solemn appeal D'Armfddt was 
 at a loss in what manner to reply ; he per- 
 ceived how deeply the seeds of superstition 
 were engrafted on the mind of his friend, 
 and he hesitated whether he should believe 
 the tale he had heard as a reality, or consi- 
 der it as the phantom of an heated imagi- 
 nation. He determined^ however, on 
 reflection^, to pursue a middle course, and 
 
 without
 
 16 THE BLACK EANNEH. 
 
 \vithoiit entering into an argument upon 
 the truth or fallacy of the prediction, to 
 stimulate the mind of his friend, and rouse 
 it to exertion ; and the latter part of the 
 prophecy itself would, he trusted, afford 
 reasons sufficient for his purpose : assuming 
 therefore a firm tone, he replied to the last 
 observations of Albert — " My hesitation 
 in answering those claims of friendship you 
 appeal to, proceeds from the astonishment 
 your unexpected disclosure has impressed 
 upon my mind. That Albert, at the age 
 of eighteen, should have permitted the 
 gloom of superstition to have biassed his 
 judgment, particularly when sanctioned by 
 the example of a parent, is not a subject 
 of wonder. The youthful mind will natu- 
 rally receive and cherish those ideas which 
 it is nurtured in, and experience only can 
 convince it of the propriety of adhering 
 to them. Buried in solitude, such ideas 
 may become inherent in the constitution, 
 and will never fail of being countenanced 
 by the artful and designing. But can Al- 
 bert^
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 17 
 
 bertj whose name stands conspicuous 
 among the list of German heroes, can a 
 conqueror, who has just obtained the sum- 
 mit of hk wishes^ by possessing himself of 
 the dominions of his rival, and revenging 
 the disgrace he had before suffered, by the 
 extinction of his enemies, timidly desert, 
 and fly from those blessings he has so har- 
 dily obtained, because — shame on the das- 
 tard thought ! — a solitary bird perches on 
 his battlements, and then flies in a particu- 
 lar direction. Where is that energy which, 
 in despite of all opposition, broke through 
 the iron ranks of the Turkish battalia ? 
 Vv'ould thousands of ravens, croaking with 
 their hoarsest fury, have prevented Albert 
 from performing the glorious action? 
 Forgive me, my friend, for the boldness of 
 my speech, but though the lancet may 
 probe deep, I trust the cure will be more 
 radical. But what does the prophecy, if 
 such it is, require you to do ? It says, ' if 
 you do not quit the spot, your future life 
 shall be attended with dangers and difficul- 
 ties/
 
 .18 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 tics/ Is this denunciLition sufiicient to fer- 
 rify the soul of a warrior? Are dangers 
 and diPikulties so terrinc to his ear as to 
 oblige him tamely to resign the glorious 
 fruits o^ his past labours^ and the hopes of 
 possessing that happinisss he has been sa 
 long in que^J of, nnd v^'hieh I doubt not a 
 &hort period of time ^fill firmly secure to 
 him ? Are the charms of Adeline " 
 
 '•' Hold, D'Armfeldt, no more ; there 
 needs not that name to determine Rie ; 
 your reproaches, too justly merited, have 
 long since pierced my heart, and I blush 
 at the recollection of my weakness. For- 
 give me, my friend; from this instafit 
 Albert shall be himself again, and bravely 
 meet those dangers denounced by my way- 
 ward fate ; let this scene be for ever buried 
 in oblivion !" 
 
 D'Armfeldt rejoiced at the resolution of 
 Albert, and promised eternal secrecy. He 
 however observed, that although he repre- 
 hended pusillanimity, he did not disapprove 
 of caution., and suggested, that it might be 
 
 prudent^
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 10 
 
 prudent, for various reasons, to gain the 
 possession, if possible, of the legal heir to 
 the principality of Clagenfurth. 
 
 '' Has there been any intelligence re- 
 ceived relative to the infant Rodolphus?'* 
 asked the Prince* 
 
 *' None, tviy Lord/*r©plkd D'Armfeklt, 
 " although I hnve taken the utmost pains in 
 the inquiry ; but so few are there remaining 
 who withstood the assault, that it is difficult- 
 to discover any confidential servant; it is 
 certain, however, that he was in the Castle 
 at the first onset, as he was seen in the arms 
 of his nurse not an hour before ; but neither 
 her nor the infant have been heard of 
 since/* 
 
 '^ Offer the greatest rewards,'* rejoined 
 'Albert, '/ for his discovery. It is a matter 
 of the first importance to procure posses- 
 sion of his person ; as the power 1 at pre- 
 sent possess, nay, the future happiness of 
 my life, may depend on my success. You 
 well know, D'Armfeldt, that it was not am- 
 bition, nor the desire of obtaining the 
 
 principality
 
 20 THE BLACK BANNER/ 
 
 principality of Clagenfiirth, that was the 
 principal occasion of my taking up arms; 
 a motive still more povverful urged me on, 
 although cL^guised uncU^r imaginary inju- 
 ries; that motive was love. Long before 
 the Prince of Clagenfiirth obtained the 
 hand of the Princess Adeline, her charms 
 had male an impression on my heart, 
 which not time itself, neither her being 
 possessed by a more fortunate rival, has 
 been able to eradicate. In the bitterness 
 of my disappointment^ I imprecated the 
 most dreadful vengeance on the destroyer 
 of that happiness I had looked forward to, 
 and which I had some reason to believe the 
 lovely Adeline would not have refused ac- 
 cepting at my hands, had not the commands 
 of an imperious parent forced her into the 
 arms of another. The Prince was not ig- 
 norant of my pretensions to the favour of 
 Adeline, notwithstanding which, he ungene* 
 rously took advantage of that authority an 
 ambitious father had armed him with, and 
 led his devoted victim to the altar. But he 
 
 ban
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. SI 
 
 has paid for his insulting superiority ; ven- 
 geance has been awake, and has asserted its 
 noblest rights; it now remains for us to 
 ifeap the fruits of its effect ; but first let my 
 orders respecting the infant Rodolphus be 
 immediately obeyed." 
 
 D'Armfeldt instantly departed to execute 
 his commission, although with a secret re- 
 luctance ; a new and indescribable sensa- 
 tion, for which he could not account, 
 thrilled through his frame ; he knew the 
 disposition of Albert ; a slave to his pas- 
 sions, no trivial impediments could deter 
 him from the gratification of them, and he 
 regarded the fair sex only as slaves to the 
 conqueror. What therefore might be the 
 fate of a lovely woman, exposed not only 
 perhaps to the desires, but to the fury 
 of the present disposer of her destiny, 
 should she fall into his power ? It is true, 
 he professed a regard for her ; but would 
 the gentle Adeline receive the murderer of 
 her husband as her lover, and would not a 
 repulse stimulate the fiery passions which a 
 
 hope
 
 9'2 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 hope ofsuccess only kept dormant ? At pre- 
 sent she was under the protection of reli- 
 gion ; but would that be a sufficient bar to 
 the impetuosity and rage of a disappointed 
 lover ? Ker son too, the young Rodol- 
 phus, should Albert gain possession of his 
 person, might not his innocent life be 
 made the pledge of his mother's acquies- 
 cence to the wishes of her persecutor? 
 D'Armfeldt shuddered at the reflection, yet 
 nevertheless esteeming his duty to his chief- 
 tain far paramount to every other consi- 
 deration, he resolved to obey the orders he 
 had received, and trust to Providence for 
 the event. 
 
 The carnage which had ensued on the 
 sacking of the Castle, had been, as before 
 observed, of so extensive a nature, that 
 D'Armfeldt long sought in vain to find an 
 inhabitant from whom he could procure 
 the least information ;. every avenue, every 
 secret vault and chamber v/ere examined 
 without effect; and he was on the point of 
 returning to inform Albert of his want of 
 
 success.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 23 
 
 success, when one of his emissaries brought 
 an old man to him, whose infirmities for- 
 bidding him to assist in the protection of 
 the Castle, he had sought to secure his own 
 safety by taking shelter in the chapel in a 
 cavity behind the altar. 
 
 To the various interrogatories of D'x\rm- 
 feldt, the old domestic remained mute ; 
 neither entreaties nor threats were of- any 
 avail. Tired at length v/ 1th his endeavours, 
 although secretly rejoiced at his ill success, 
 D'Armfeldt determined to take him into 
 the presence of Albert, as he dared not 
 form an excuse for dismissing him without 
 a more minute examination. He therefore 
 comm.anded his attendance to the apart- 
 ment where he had left his chief. 
 
 D'Armfeldt found Albert pacing the 
 room with hurried steps, and so absoibcd 
 was he in his reflections, that he perceived 
 not his approach. The voice of his friend 
 announcing the discovery of an old domes- 
 tic belonging to the Castle, roused him from 
 his reverie; he hastily advanced towards 
 
 the
 
 24 THE BLACK EANNFR. 
 
 the old man, \vlio, trembling with age, 
 stood at the entrance of the apartment; and, 
 in a voice well calcnlated to strike terror, 
 and to enforce obedience, demanded of him 
 if he knew what was become of the infant 
 Rodolphus. 
 
 Sternheim, such was the name of this an- 
 cient domestic, now broke the silence he had 
 so impenetrably observed to all the inqui- 
 ries of D'Armfeldt: and in a tone more 
 firm than the weakness of his frame appa- 
 rently warranted, informed the haughty 
 chief that he had been removed to a place 
 of safety by the Chevalier Seckendorf, on 
 the first notice of the approach of an hos- 
 tile foe. 
 
 The eyes of Albert flashed with intolera- 
 ble fury at this intelligence ; and so dis- 
 tracted was he at the knowledge that the 
 young Rodolphus had escaped his power, 
 that, forgetting the fatal consequence he 
 had already experienced of giving w^ay to 
 the sudden impulse of rage, he would, had 
 it not been for the interference of D'Arm- 
 feldt,
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 25 
 
 feldt, have annihilated the trembling wretch 
 who had inflicted such a torture on kis 
 heart. 
 
 D'Armfeldt beheld the sudden raire of 
 Albert with astonishment^ but his surprise 
 \\'as much more excited, when, in an in- 
 stant, the mind of his friend appeared calm 
 and unruffled, and he addressed the old 
 man in a tone indicative of compassion ra- 
 ther than of resentment. 
 
 ''How long is it," said Albert, "that 
 you have been an inhabitant of this Castle?'* 
 
 /' I may say/' replied Sternheim, ''that 
 I have lived here alaiost from my birth, as 
 both my parents were retainers belonging 
 the Princes of Clagenfurth, and I was, when 
 of an age sufficient, appointed to attend 
 the late Prince/' 
 
 A flush, like the return of anger, now 
 transiently glowed on the face of Albert, 
 but he instantly dispelled it, observing 
 that he supposed he had been in the par- 
 ticular confidence of his master, 
 
 Sternheim hesitated for an answer ; a se- 
 VGL. L c cret
 
 26 THE BLACK BANKER. 
 
 cret impulse told him that these inquiries, 
 proceeding from so inveterate an enemy, 
 must conceal some purpose prejudicial to 
 the safety or the interest of the Prince's 
 surviving family ; he therefore replied, 
 that the station he held was too inferior to 
 admit of such an honour. 
 
 Albert had remarked the hesitation of 
 Sternheim, and was convinced of the du- 
 plicity of his answer, but having deter- 
 mined in his own mind the conduct he 
 would pursue, it passed unnoticed by him ; 
 and under the plea of compassion for his 
 infirmities, he forbore asking him any 
 more questions, giving orders to D'Arm- 
 feldt, who had remained, in silent wonder 
 and anxietv for the termination of a scene 
 so uncommon, to see that Sternheim had 
 proper care taken of him, as it was his in- 
 tention to provide for his future wants, 
 and make up for the loss of his late master. 
 
 The commands of Albert were no sooner 
 obeyed, and he was left to himself, than he 
 digested a plan for the discovery of the fu> 
 
 gitives^
 
 IRE BLACK BANNElR. 27 
 
 gi fives, without having recourse to harsh 
 and violent measures^ which, if met with 
 fortitude, as he had reason, from the calm 
 intrepidity of Sternheim, to suppose they 
 would be, might tend to render his designs 
 futile, rather than hasten them to perfec- 
 tion. The name of Seckendorf suggested 
 the sudden idea; he was well acquainted 
 with the herosim of his character, and of 
 the great respect he was held in, not only 
 in the city of Clagenfurth, but also in the 
 whole neighbourhood. He knew likewise 
 that he possessed a strength of mind supe- 
 rior to most men ; a mind formed not to 
 be shaken by trivial events, or to bend be- 
 neath the frowns of fortune. To intimi- 
 date a person of this description, he was 
 convinced was beyond the utmost stretch of 
 his power. Albert therefore hesitated not 
 to call in to his assistance the engines of 
 art and duplicity ; he was well aware that 
 the affection of Seckendorf for the late 
 Prince of Clagenfurth was almost paternal ; 
 on thiit affection he built his hopes of success. 
 c2 . It
 
 28 THE ELACK BANNER^ 
 
 It was natural to suppose that Scckcn- 
 dorf would be anxious to know the events 
 which had taken place subsequent to his 
 leaving the Castle with his young protegee; 
 for although common report might have 
 conveyed a summary account, vet there 
 were many minutisD, which would, doubt- 
 less, be interesting to him, could he attain 
 the information of them. The discovery 
 of Sternheim, and his knowledge that by 
 the means of Seckendorf, Kodolphus had 
 been conveyed to a place of safety, sug- 
 gested to Albert the scheme of inveigling 
 the old man, under the pretence of regard 
 for the late Prince, to give intelligence to 
 him in what state affairs were; for he 
 doubted not but that he well knew the 
 place of his retreat, which, if he could once 
 discover, he flattered himself that it would 
 bean easy matter, by surrounding him with 
 spies, to find out where his infant charge 
 was secured. To effect this scheme, he re- 
 solved to treat Sternheim with apparent 
 kindness^ leaving him quite free as to his 
 
 action:^.
 
 THE ELACK BANNEB. ^9 
 
 actions, but still keeping a wary eye over 
 him ; by adhering to this mode, he thought 
 himself certain of throwing him off his 
 guard, and that the accomplishment of his 
 wishes would be finally fulfilled. 
 
 Sternheim had long made mankind his 
 study ; his mind, although not cultivated 
 by education, was of a superior cast ; and 
 the late Prince, who was not only an ad- 
 mirer, but a protector of merit, found his 
 abilities so transcendant over the genera- 
 lity of his other retainers, that he entrusted 
 him with commissions of peculiar delicacy, 
 which he constantly executed so much to 
 his satisfaction, that although pride, or 
 some other unknown motive, restrained the 
 Prince from admittinghim to any othersitua- 
 tion in his household than a mere menial, 
 yet, when alone, he would frequently treat 
 him more like a friend than a servant. Nor 
 did his discernment fail him in this instance; 
 the high confidence placed in Sternheim 
 was repaid by the most scrupulous fidelity ; 
 nor could even the malicious breath of 
 c 3 slander
 
 so THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 slander tax him ^vith having betrayed a 
 secret entrusted to him. 
 
 By a man endowed with these qualities, 
 the superficial friendiihip of Albert was ea- 
 sily penetrated ; but still, it became a mat- 
 ter of the greatest consideration and im- 
 portance, how to conduct himself so as he 
 might appear to enter into the views of the 
 conqueror, without betraying the interests 
 of the late Prince's family. 
 
 Amon^ other secrets of consequence 
 committed to him, was one which he was 
 bound by the most solemn oaths never to 
 discover during the lifetime of his master, 
 as it involved consequences which might 
 effectuate his ruin, by drawing upon Irim 
 the vengeance of some of the most power- 
 ful nobility in the German empire. This 
 important secret was a marriage entered 
 into by the deceased Prince many years 
 prior to his connexion with Adeline; but 
 the object of his affection being supposed 
 to be of a rank whioh the established eti- 
 quette of the empire esteemed a degrada- 
 tion^
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 31 
 
 tion^ for a person of noble birth to enter 
 into a matrimonial engagement with, he 
 had enjoyed his happiness in secret, and no 
 person but Sternheim, his faithful domes- 
 tic, was ever acquainted with the circum- 
 stance that the solemn rites of the church 
 had legally cemented the union. 
 
 Many years passed in mutual felicity, 
 until death deprived the Prince of the af- 
 fection of a lovely woman, whose sole wish 
 had always been the happiness of her adored 
 husband; nor, conscious that she possessed 
 his love and undivided affection, did a sigh 
 ever escape her for the loss of those out- 
 ward marks of respect, which an acknow- 
 ledged wife would have been entitled to. 
 One lovely girl had, if possible, more 
 firmly cemented their mutual affection, 
 who, soon after the loss of her mother, was 
 placed in a respectable convent at some 
 distance from the Prince's dominions, as 
 the orphan daughter of a friend whom the 
 prince respected. 
 
 This deception w^as easily arranged, and 
 c 4 as
 
 3^ THE BLACK BANNETt. 
 
 as readily believed, Sternheim alone, as he 
 believed, being acquainted with the real 
 truth. Some time after this event had 
 taken place, the Prince of Ciagenfurth, in 
 order to overcome the grief which the loss 
 of so amiable a companion occasioned him, 
 determined to travel ; after leaving his domi- 
 nions under proper care, he visited the dif- 
 ferent courts of the empire in a private 
 character, attended solely by the faithful 
 Sternheim. At one of tKesc he met with 
 Adeline de Mountfort ; her charms, and a 
 certain resemblance, v^hich he fancied that 
 he beheld in her features, to those which he 
 had so long been accustomed to behold 
 with the sincerest regard, attracted his at- 
 tention; and finding, on a more intimate 
 acquaintance, her intellectual charms equal, 
 if not superior to her superficial ones, he 
 became sincerely attached to her. The re- 
 gard soon became mutual, and an acknow- 
 ledgment of the Prince's rank obviated 
 every objection that might otherwise have 
 been made by a family, in whose estima- 
 tion^
 
 THE BLACK BAT^NER, 33 
 
 tion, high birth, and an unstained nobility, 
 was a passport sufficient to ensure a ready 
 compliance with a request of becoming a 
 member of it. The Prince was well aware 
 of this foible, that was so firmly engrafted 
 in the minds of the family he was about to 
 implant into his own, and judged that a 
 knowledge of his prior marriage would 
 prove an insuperable bar to the attainment 
 of his present wishes, more particularly if 
 it was known that he had issue by it ; he 
 therefore hastily determined to keep them 
 in ignorance of such an event having ever 
 taken place, and mentally resolved never to 
 acknowledge his innocent daughter as his 
 own. The secret had been faithfully kept, 
 neither was Adeline acquainted that such a 
 being existed. 
 
 Sternheim, as soon as he perceived that 
 it was the intention of Albert to discover if 
 possible the infant Rodolphus, determined, 
 in order to distract his attention, and by 
 that means multiply the difficulties of dis- 
 , covery, to throw out hints respecting a for- 
 c 5 mer
 
 34 THE BLACK BANNEH. 
 
 mer marriage, and that there still remained 
 issue from it, leaving it doubtful whether 
 that issue was male or female. He had been 
 informed by D'Armfeldt of the reasons 
 why Albert was so desirous of gaining in- 
 form.ation respecting the young Rodol- 
 phus; still he suspected his real intentions, 
 and he judged, that as by these hints, it 
 might become doubtful whether Rodol- 
 phus was the legal heir or not, Albert 
 inight relax in his researches after him. 
 But in order to carry on the deception 
 more completely, it was necessary to de- 
 velop the long-concealed mystery to the 
 Princess Adeline ; as otherwise her mater- 
 nal feelings would naturally be alarmed, 
 and in order to protect the rights of her 
 own son, she might possibly be induced,^ 
 by the artful management and specious 
 promises of Albert, to deliver him up to 
 his care, as a sure protection against this 
 sudden and hitherto unknown pretender. 
 The discovery was certainly a matter of 
 great delicacy, but Sternheim trusted to 
 
 the
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 35 
 
 the knowledge of the Princesses character 
 for the reception it would meet with. He 
 had always experienced the friendship of 
 the Princess, and indeed had been so great 
 a favourite as constantly to have been en- 
 trusted with the distribution of those acts 
 of charity she was accustomed to bestow on 
 such who laboured under the scourge of 
 misfortune, and whose characters would 
 bear the n-ecessary scrutiny. To the fail- 
 ings of her own sex she was peculiarly li- 
 beral ; and if any act of beneficence gave 
 her more satisfaction than another, it was 
 when she had it in her power to rescue an 
 unfortunate female from the gulph of mi- 
 sery awd destruction. To such a disposi- 
 tion the tale of the deserted orphan could 
 not prove otherwise than interesting, and 
 Sternheim made no doubt but that, if neces-^ 
 sary, as far as prudence would admit, Ade- 
 line would become a mother to her. 
 
 In consequence of the plan adopted by 
 
 Albert, Sternheim was left the uncontrouled 
 
 master of his actions. But his penetration 
 
 c 6 and
 
 36 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 and knowledge of the human heart, con^ 
 vinced him that this apparent confidence 
 was entirely artificial, and that every step 
 he took, or sentence he uttered, was, by 
 the emissaries employed for the special 
 purpose, made known to their master. This 
 circumstance, far from giving him any con- 
 cern, or deterring him from pursuing the 
 plan he had chalked out, rather encouraged 
 him, as the tale which he intended to pro- 
 pagate respecting the unknown progeny 
 of the deceased Prince, being conveyed to 
 the ears of Albert by his own creatures^ 
 would obtain a more ready belief, and con- 
 sequently operate with greater force on hia 
 mind than if related by accident. 
 
 The convent in which the Princess Ade- 
 line had taken refuge was but a short dis- 
 tance from Clagenfurth ; Sternheim there- 
 fore took an early opportunity of present- 
 ing himself at the gate, under the pretence 
 of inquiring after her health. During his 
 walk thither, he had anticipated the plea- 
 sure and satisfaction his beloved mistress 
 
 would
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 37 
 
 would experience at beholding a person 
 whom she had always treated with a kind- 
 ness far superior to the rest of the domes- 
 tics, and whom she might naturally have 
 supposed had shared the melancholy fate 
 of the other inhabitants at the Castle, more 
 especially as some time had passed, notwith- 
 standing her most diligent inquiries, since 
 she had received the least intelligence res- 
 pecting the occurrences which had hap- 
 pened subsequent to the fatal moment, 
 when the death of her beloved husband, 
 and the destructive massacre that ensued, 
 made her an unprotected widow, and her 
 infant a fugitive orphan. 
 
 With a hand, trembling much more from 
 agitation at the idea of the approaching 
 interview than from age, Sternheim seized 
 the ponderous knocker, the sound of which 
 reverberating through the spacious dome, 
 announced the arrival of a stranger, A 
 few minutes only elapsed before the por- 
 tress cautiously opening the wicket of the 
 larger gate, inquired the name and business 
 
 of
 
 38 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 of the stranger. The first question wa^ 
 readrly answered, but the latter Sternheim 
 replied could only be communicated to 
 the Princess of Clagenfurth in person. 
 
 *' You have had your walk then, I be^- 
 lieve, to little purpose/* rejoined the por- 
 tress, '' as the Princess has given express 
 orders that no one should be admitted to 
 her presence on any pretence whatsoever, 
 except she is previously satisfied that their 
 intentions are not inimical to her." 
 
 '' Well, well/' cried Sternheim, '' tell 
 her my name, and the Princess, I will en- 
 gage, will be perfectly convinced of my 
 good wishes to her.*' 
 
 '' Your name, indeed V* replied the por^- 
 tress ; '' what, is there magic in it ? How 
 is the Princess to know whether it is your 
 name or not ? To be sure, you do not 
 look like an impostor ; those grey hairs 
 ought not to cover the brains of iniquity ; 
 neither should that furrowed countenance 
 wear the mask of hypocrisy : but sur- 
 rounded as the Princess is, with dangers of 
 
 no
 
 THE BLACK BAKNER. SJ 
 
 IK) common import, and exposed to the 
 various schemes which artifice and power 
 conjoined are daily putting in practice to 
 obtain possession of her person, or force 
 her to quit an asylum, which, at present, 
 is her sole protection, you must be sensi-^ 
 ble that a denial to your request is not the 
 result of wanton petulance or arrogant su- 
 periority, but of a just and necessary 
 caution/' 
 
 *' Your observations are correct," said 
 Sternheim ; '^ and I feel most happy in ha- 
 ving experienced a proof of the regard in 
 which the Princess Adeline is held by the 
 sisterhood of these sacred walls/* 
 
 " We should be guilty of the most hein- 
 ous of sins, ingratitude,'* rejoined the por- 
 tress, '' were we to neglect the smallest 
 precaution to ensure her safety, or omit 
 any endeavour to render her residence 
 here as agreeable as possible to her: inde- 
 pendent of the high confidence placed in 
 us, her general affability and kindness to 
 all ranks, has so firmly rooted her in the 
 4 affections
 
 40 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 affections of the abbess and the whole sis- 
 terhoodj that even Envy itself dares not 
 breathe her poisonous venom, but shrinks 
 appalled before the excellence it is forced 
 to admire." 
 
 '*Why you are quite enthusiastic/* re- 
 joined Sternheim with a smile, " in the 
 praises of the Princess ; and really if I had 
 not before been well acquainted with her, 
 your description would have induced me to 
 have attempted an introduction by some 
 means or other: but come,'' continued 
 Sternheim, who perceived the portress 
 looked grave, and was apparently so alarmed 
 at his last observation as almost to close 
 the wicket against him, '' I have just re- 
 collected a token by which the Princess 
 will readily recognize me to be the identi- 
 cal person I assert myself, and no impostor. 
 Take this ring ; tell her it was her gift ta 
 her faithful domestic Sternheim, on the 
 morning of that day when Rodolphus, fal- 
 ling into the moat that surrounds the Cas- 
 tle, was saved from premature destruction.'* 
 
 *' Rodolphus 1'*
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 41 
 
 '' Rodolphus !'' exclaimed the portress, 
 " do you know any thing of him ? What 
 is become of him? Oh! if you bring 
 tidings of Rodolphus^ you will indeed 
 cause the mourner to rejoice, and restore 
 a gleam of happiness to that heart in which 
 sorrow and grief alone has, for some time 
 past, taken up its habitation." 
 
 " A truce with questions and observa- 
 tions," cried Slernheim, with some impe- 
 tuosity, " and hasten to deliver the ring; 
 the spies of Albert are every where, and 
 delay may be dangerous." 
 
 This observation quickened the steps of 
 the cautious portress, who soon executed 
 her commission ; and Sternheim, the faith- 
 ful Sternheim, was ordered by the Princess 
 to be admitted. In the short interval pre- 
 vious to his arrival at her apartment, the 
 mind of Adeline had undergone that va- 
 riety of changes which the uncertainty of 
 the intelligence so unexpected an inter- 
 view might disclose, naturally produced. 
 But hopes and fears respecting tlie fate of 
 
 her
 
 i2 THE ELACK'BANNER. 
 
 her beloved infant, were the chief, nri}% al- 
 most the sole jassions that occupied her 
 ni^nd ; all niiaor mi^fortiui^ji wtr© buried 
 in the magnituda of tha anguish occa- 
 sioned by the vague reports in circulation 
 respecting him, some of which, and these 
 not the most favourable, had penetrated 
 into the interior of her solitary seclusion ; 
 and the doubt that existed of their truth 
 occasioned little less anguish than the most 
 fatal reality would have implanted. 
 
 Sternheim had no sooner entered the 
 apartment where the Princess was pre- 
 pared to receive him, than bending his aged 
 knee to the earthy he offered up his most 
 grateful thanks to Providence, that he had 
 once more been permitted to approach 
 his respected mistress. 
 
 The Princess, although extremely agi- 
 tated, soon regained a considerable degree 
 of composure, and ordered him not only 
 to rise, but to seat himself, an honour he 
 would have declined^ had not the command 
 been repeated in a. manner that convinced 
 
 hina
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 43 
 
 him a ready compliance would be satisfac- 
 tory to the Princess. A few moments of 
 anxious silence ensued, which was at la^t 
 broken by th© tremulous voice of Adeline, 
 whoj fixing her eyes on Sterheim, with a 
 ]ook sufficiently expressive of her feelings, 
 faltered out, *' IsRodolphus-- — ** 
 
 The sentence remained unfinished; but 
 her maternal anguish was quickly dissipated 
 by the immediate reply of Sternheim — 
 '* Madam, Rodolphus is safe,** Yet scarce 
 had these important words escaped his lips 
 than Nature, unable to bear the sudden 
 tide of joy, became imbecile, and Adeline 
 sunk into a temporary inanition. Stern- 
 heim was alarmed, and hastily calling for 
 assistance, the abbess herself approached, 
 attended by some others of the sisterhood; 
 the scene they beheld surprised them, and 
 suspicions, very unfavourable to the faith- 
 ful domestic, v/ere beginning to arise in 
 their minds, when the, remedies which had 
 been applied to the Princess produced 
 
 their
 
 4i THE ELACK BANNEH. 
 
 their effect. She immediately perceived 
 the astonishment depicted in the counte- 
 nances of the abbess and her attendantr;^ 
 and also the impression that the presence 
 of Sternheim had made on them. A flood 
 of tears however having considerably re- 
 lieved her heart, oppressed with an over- 
 flow of joy, at the happy discovery of the 
 safety of her darling infant, she hastened 
 to explain the cause of the late alarm^ and 
 gracefully thanking the abbess for her so- 
 licitude concerning her, requested to be 
 left alone with Sternheim, as, satisfied of 
 one fact, she found her spirits fully equal to 
 encounter any other intelligence, of what- 
 ever nature it might prove. The informa- 
 tion respecting the welfare of the young 
 Rodolphus gave scarcely less satisfaction to 
 the benevolent abbess and the rest of the 
 society, than it had to the Princess herself 
 and they all united in the wish. that Provi- 
 dence would not desert the fatherless and 
 the widow, but would in due time put an 
 
 end
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 4^ 
 
 end to their sufferings, and restore them to 
 those rights of which a tyrannic conqueror 
 had deprived them. 
 
 No sooner were the inhabitants of the' 
 convent withdrawn, than the Princess sum- 
 moning up all her resolution, requested 
 Sternheim to acquaint her with the trans- 
 actions that had taken place subsequent 
 to her removal from the Castle ; and more 
 particularly by what means the young 
 Rodolphus had been preserved from falling 
 into the hands of the conqueror. Al- 
 though this was a task that would recall 
 scenes calculated to awaken the moiit acute 
 feelings, yet, being well acquainted with 
 the natural strength of Adeline's mind, and 
 judging that the relation would ultimately 
 tend to alleviate rather than add to her 
 distress, Sternheim complied with the re- 
 quest. 
 
 " It IS needless for me,'' said he, '' to 
 describe the terror that pervaded the great- 
 est part of the Castle on the approach of 
 Albert ; the threats he made use of almost 
 
 paralized
 
 46 THE BLACK. BANNER. 
 
 paralized the feelings of many ; yet, even 
 amidst this general alarm, the safety of 
 their respected Princess became the prin- 
 cipal object of concern, not only to the 
 domestics, but to the Prince. Scarcely 
 had those who were commanded by him to 
 convey you to this convent departed, than, 
 the enemy appeared at the gates. At that 
 instant, Madame Seckendorf, to whose care 
 Rodolphus had been entrusted, ignorant 
 of your departure, approached in the ut- 
 most terror the apartment where the Prince 
 was issuing his final orders to the diifer- 
 ent officers and his principal domestics. 
 At the sight of the infant he started, and 
 hastily summoning the Chevalier, her hus- 
 band, requested him, by the hopes he en- 
 tertained of an eternity hereafter, to save 
 his child, the sole remaining heir of 
 his family, from the grasp of his per-, 
 sec u tor. 
 
 "It was with the greatest difficulty that 
 the Chevalier was persuaded to leave a 
 master in whose cause he had so frequently 
 
 and
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. \1 
 
 and saccessfuily combated, and who^ he was 
 well assured, would want all the assistance 
 that courage and resolution could give; 
 neither was it, until the Prince almost 
 with tears implored^ not commanded him, 
 to be the protector of his child, that he 
 consented. No time was to be lost; 
 taking therefore a last farewell of his be- 
 loved sovereign, he immediately escaped 
 from the city by a private gate, accom- 
 panied by his wife, and her infant charge. 
 The scene was awful and solemn ; but al- 
 though the pearly drop trickled un per- 
 ceived adown the furrowed cheeks of the 
 hardiest veteran, yet the feelings excited by 
 it served as an additional stimulus to their 
 ardour. The final catastrophe is too well 
 known to need a repetition ; let us then 
 draw a veil over the past, and consider only 
 the most effective means to ensure the 
 safety both of yourself and the young Ro- 
 dolphus." 
 
 Sternheim paused, in order to reflect on 
 the best method of introducing the sub- 
 ject
 
 4S TKE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 J€ct he wished to mention. The Princess, 
 however, takin^^ advantacre of this cessation, 
 inquired if he was acquainted with the re- 
 treat chosen for Rodolphus, and how he 
 himself had been so fortunate as to escape 
 X\\e indiscriminate massacre which was re- 
 ported to have taken place ? 
 
 "^ A most sacred oath," replied Sternheim, 
 ^' forbids me to disclose, even to his mo- 
 ther, the intended residence of Rodol- 
 phus, without the permission of the Che- 
 v^ilier. This was exacted of me by the lat- 
 ter, who, thinking that I might hereafter be 
 ofservice, and satisfied, that not all the tor- 
 tures the tyrant could invent would force 
 the secret from me, intrusted me with the 
 knowledge, as he hastily passed by my 
 apartment ; and I trust my Princess will 
 not think me wanting in my duty or res- 
 pect, for declining to give the answer she 
 tnight wish.'* 
 
 '' Certainly not,*' replied Adeline ; '''yet 
 it is hard — but no matter, all may be for 
 the best ; perhaps the conqueror might 
 
 take
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 4§ 
 
 take advantage of some weak moment, and 
 one incautious word might render me com- 
 pletely wretched. Thank Heaven that such 
 faithful friends are yet spared to me, under 
 whose fostering care my Rodolphus may 
 inherit the virtues of his father, and re- 
 venge the wrongs inflicted by malicious 
 hatred. But say, how came you to escape ? 
 Had the cruel Albert a respect for those 
 grey hairs_, or did fortune favour you ?" 
 
 *'Alas,Madame! had the latter deserted me, 
 the former would have availed me but little. 
 As soon as Iperceived that no hopes remain* 
 ed, and trusting that I might at some future 
 time be of service to the relics of mv dear 
 master, under whose protection I was born 
 and bred, I contrived, during the height of 
 the massacre, to conceal myself in a cavity 
 behind the altar, intending to have joined 
 the Chevalier Seckendorf the earliest op- 
 portunity ; but the emissaries of Albert 
 discovered me, and I was taken before the 
 conqueror. Death and destruction at first 
 blazed with fury in his eyes, until of a sud- 
 
 voL. I. D den
 
 6D THE BLACK BANKER. 
 
 den his countenance assumed a serenity 
 that a moment's reflection convinced me 
 was the mask of hvpocrisVj and the prelude 
 io some concealed design. I was not long 
 Ivept in ignorance of his plan, as he in- 
 quired of me most particularly respecting 
 the infant Rodolphus. As it was generally 
 known that he had been conveyed away by 
 the Chevalier Seckendorf, I made no secret 
 of the fact, and that he had accompanied 
 him in his flight. The chief perceiving 
 thnt he cc\]ld not gain any particular intel- 
 ligence from me at thai lime, dismissed me 
 V/ith many friendly assurances of his future 
 protection, and com.manded his principal 
 oflicer to take char«e of me, «:iviniT me at 
 the same time full liberty to dispose of my- 
 self as r thought proper. By this apparent 
 lenity, he flattered himself that he should 
 throw me oiTmy guard, and make me sub- 
 servient to his purpose, respecting the dis- 
 covery oTthe infant Rodolphus, as he made 
 no doubt but that I should eagerly 'avail 
 myself of my fancied liberty, and hasten to 
 
 join
 
 THE BLACK BANNEP, 5 I 
 
 join the fugitives. But I am too well ac- 
 quainted with the insidiousness ofhis views, 
 to fall into the snare that was so artfully 
 laid for me, as I well know that I am sur- 
 rounded by his spies, who have orders to 
 watch every motion, more particularly 
 should I attempt to leave the territories of 
 Clagenfurth.'* 
 
 *' Alas \" exclaimed the Princess, ''your 
 observations have destroyed the flattering 
 hope that was rising in my bosom^ of re- 
 ceiving soip.e inielligence concerning Ro- 
 dolphus through your means ; but no, that 
 must not be wished; and sooner would I 
 deprive myself for ever ofhis sight, than hv 
 a weak and culpable fondness betray him 
 iiito the hands of his persecutor. Butwhv 
 is Albert so anxious to get him into his 
 poiver ? Is his mind so soon pregnant 
 wiih fears for the future, that he dreads an 
 avenger of his father's v;rongs in an infant, 
 vrho as yet can scarce pronounce his name ? 
 If such are his alarms^ I envy him not tlie 
 powci' he has acquired." 
 
 D 2 : '' Madame," 
 
 ^ OF ILL ua
 
 52 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 '' Madame/* replied Sternheim, ^' the 
 •views of Albert are buried in uncertainty, 
 and although brave, he is a slave to super- 
 stition. Accident has made me accjuainted 
 ivith a circumstance, on which he believes, 
 or affects to believe, that his future pros- 
 pects in life depend ; and indeed, to ac- 
 quaint you with this, and another most ma- 
 terial occurrence, was my chief view in pre- 
 suming to solicit an audience." — Sternheim 
 here related to the Princess the prophecy, 
 iilso the subsequent events arising from it, 
 to which she appeared to pay more than 
 usual attention. — '' This," proceeded he, 
 *Meaves it in doubt whether his intentions 
 are friendly towtirds Rodolphus or other- 
 wise ; certain am I that he will make it a 
 pretence for wishing to discover his retreat. 
 But can we suppose a resentment so deter- 
 minate, so inveterate as that which recently 
 actuated the breast of Albert, and caused 
 him to forget even the common duties of 
 humanity, is so easily subdued, as in an in- 
 auanc to assume the resemblance of regard ? 
 
 Can
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 0:>- 
 
 Can he imagine that the friends of the 
 Princess of Clagenfurth are so blind, or sp 
 forgetful of her injuries, as to be hilled inta 
 so preposterous a security ? If such are 
 his ideas, I trust that he will find them exist 
 only in his own breast, and that those who 
 wish well to the injured orphan will spurn; 
 at the conciliating overture with the con- 
 tempt it deserves. But a greater cautior* 
 than ever is necessary, as it is much more 
 difBcult to counteract insidious artifice than: 
 open and avowed force. The emiosaries 
 whom Albert employs are numerousj and 
 although I am firmly persuaded that ail 
 their endeavours at discovery will be fruit- 
 less, yet I have too often known the dan- 
 gers attendant on what has been deemed 
 perfect security, to relax in the smallest 
 degree from the means offered of counter- 
 acting their designs/' 
 
 " I thank you most sincerely for the cau- 
 tion you have given me/' replied Adeline, 
 '' as it is possible that in an unguarded 
 Booment;, deceived by the plausibility of 
 D 3 the
 
 64 THE ET.ACK BANKER. 
 
 ihe well-told tale, and anxious to press a 
 beloved infant to my widowed heart, I 
 might voluntarily have joined with the spe- 
 cious deceiver, and instead of endeavouring 
 to secrete the precious charge, have rashly 
 deemed those friends rebels to their duty, 
 who were performing it in the most essen- 
 tial manner. But you mentioned another 
 occurrence that you had to acquaint me 
 with ; does it relate at all to our present 
 subject ?" 
 
 '^ It does, Madame, and that most mate- 
 rially, as it will tend not only to distract 
 the attention of Albert, but, as it is in our 
 power to manage it, perhaps to draw it off 
 entirely from Rodolphus. The tale will 
 doubtless surprise you, but I must request 
 your patience until the conclusion, when I 
 trust the existing circumstances will be 
 considered as an ample apology for the 
 concealment so long observed/' 
 
 ''You interest me extremely/' said Ade- 
 line ; '^ pray proceed/* 
 
 " You are, Madame, too well acquainted 
 
 with
 
 THE BLACK BAXVER, 55 
 
 Kith the prejudices entertained by the Ger" 
 man nobility respecting intermarriages with, 
 ramilies of inferior rank to themselvesy 
 however desirable the connexion may be iri^ 
 other respects, or however amiable the ob- 
 ject, for me unnecessarily to dwell upou 
 riie subject. Neither, notwithstandintr ttie 
 inducement, should I have the courage to 
 proceed with this specimen of private his- 
 tory, was 1 not sensible that the Princess- 
 of Clagenfurth entertained notions far 
 more liberal than the generality of her 
 rank, and that in her estimation the trulv" 
 virtuous are the truly noble. It was, per- 
 haps, this kindred sentiment that first at- 
 tracted the notice of the late Prince, and 
 which convinced him of the value of that 
 heart, which even amidst scenes where the 
 estimation of rank was considered of the 
 highest importance, could preserve the pu- 
 rity of its sentiments so iincontaminated 
 by example. Many years before my be- 
 loved master had seen you, or indeed had 
 any knowledge of your existence, his heart 
 had submitted to the. charms of a lovely 
 D 4 woman.
 
 55 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 woman, who was possessed of every attri- 
 bute to constitute the happiness of man, 
 except that one deemed the most essential, 
 a lonj: train of iliustriousiancestors. Amelia 
 Wiklenhaim was the orphan daughter of an 
 officer, whose sole property was his sword> 
 and who had perished bravely fighting in 
 the cause of his country before the walls 
 of Vienna, leaving his child, then about 
 fifteen, to the care of a distant relation;^ 
 who, from his situation in life, being the 
 cure of a small village, was ill calculated 
 for taking the charge of so precious a trust. 
 Fortune however was favourable to the in- 
 teresting orphan, and raised her up a friend 
 in the mother of the late Prince. The im- 
 provements she made in every science, 
 renderedher one of the most accomplished 
 of her sex; but these superficial ornaments 
 lost their lustre when compared with the 
 more solid virtues of her mind. The loss 
 of his mother (for the old Prince had been 
 dead some time before) removed the sole 
 obstacle to his intentions : he soon found 
 
 that
 
 THE BLACK EANNKR.- 5T 
 
 that he was not indifferent to the lovely- 
 Amelia, and honour forbidding him to take 
 an improper advantage of her regard, he- 
 secretly became her husband. One lovely- 
 child, whom he called Matilda, is the con- 
 sequence of this union." 
 
 *' Is she living?" eagerly exclaimed Ade- 
 line. 
 
 ''She is," replied Sternheim, ''and has 
 just attained her sixteenth year; hitherto 
 she has been educated as the. child of an? 
 intimate friend, who confided her to the' 
 care of the Prince, nor i& her real rank, 
 known to herself, or indeed to any one but 
 myself and the abbess of the convent in 
 which she is placed for her education." 
 
 " Ah, Sternheim," exclaimed the Prin- 
 cess, "of what real satisfaction has a false 
 mistaken pride deprived me !" 
 
 " It was not, Madame, a doubts of your.- 
 affection for her that induced the Prince 
 to conceal the circumstance from your, 
 knowledge, but pardon me if I add, it was- 
 a dread lest the high rank of your relatives^ 
 D 5 should
 
 58 THE ELACK BANNER. 
 
 should be esteemed injured and sullied by 
 the acknowledgment of such a connexion ; 
 often have I wished to reveal it, but a most 
 solemn oath, never to drop the smallest 
 hint of it, during the lifetime of the Prince, 
 obliged me to be silent. An opportunity 
 however has now^ offered, which I could not 
 resist, as I flattered myself that I should not 
 only promote the interests of the long-ne- 
 glected orphan, but at the same time ren- 
 der the discovery of her existence servicer 
 able in the present situation of affairs to 
 the Princess of Clagenfurth/' 
 
 '' Sternheim," replied the Princess, ''be 
 more explicit ; I do not clearly understand 
 you." 
 
 "My design, Madame, is this — to spread 
 abroad the report that there is a child ia 
 existence by a prior marriage ; this will at 
 least serve to encrease the difficulties of 
 Albert, in respect to the succession of the 
 principality, if not render them impossible 
 to be overcome. I make not the least 
 doubt but that a^ soon as it reaches the ears 
 
 of
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 59 
 
 of the chief, I shall be strictly questioned. 
 Fortunately I can confirm the mnrriao-e 
 beyond the possibility of a cavil, and it 
 will be no difficiiU^ matter for me to pre- 
 tend ignorance of the consequences which 
 resulted from it." 
 
 '' I now perceive your drift/' replied 
 the Princess; " but although lam not so 
 sanguine in my expectations as to the re- 
 sult as you appear to be, yet I will not dis- 
 appoint your zeal to serve me, by cautious, 
 and perhaps frivolous objections, being 
 convinced that whether the scheme answers 
 the end purposed or not, you are guided 
 . solelv bv affection and jjratitude in the re- 
 commendation of it. But may I not be 
 intrusted with the present residence of 
 this newly-discovered relation ?*' 
 
 "' Most undoi! btedk, Madame,'' rejoined 
 Sternheim ; '' she is pkced .under i\\e. carjC 
 of the Abbess of St. Pierre, a convent situ- 
 ated in a most romantic and beautiful part 
 of Switzerland/' . • 
 
 At this instant their conversation w<^s 
 D 6 interrupted
 
 60 THE ELACK BANNER. 
 
 interrupted by the abbess, who, apologi- 
 zing for her intrusion, mentioned that she 
 thought it necessary to inform them that 
 several people had been observed walking 
 round the environs of the convent ; and as 
 it was an unusual circumstance, she judged 
 that it might have some reference to the 
 present interview. The suggestion of the 
 abbess appeared very probable, and as the 
 Princess was now sufficiently on her guard 
 against the artifices of Albert, it was 
 thought most prudent to break up the con- 
 ference, neither, unless on any particular 
 emergency, was it to be renewed. 
 
 No sooner was Sternheim departed than 
 the Princess retired to her private apart- 
 ment, in order to ruminate on the extraor- 
 dinary occurrences of the day. That faith- 
 ful domestic had truly appreciated the 
 feelings of her mind at the knowledge of 
 an event so totally unexpected, as a prior 
 marriage entered into by the Prince, and 
 that issue existed from the connexion. No 
 envious thought obtruded itself on her ima- 
 gination.
 
 THE BLACK BANNEKi» 61 
 
 gination^ which was employed solely on 
 revolving plans for her future proceedings. 
 One determination, however, she had men- 
 tally made, almost instantaneously, that if 
 a reverse of fortune should ever restore 
 her to that rank and power she was entitled 
 to, the unacknowledged orphan should 
 share her prosperity, and be placed in that 
 sphere of life, from which a mistaken pride 
 had cruelly secluded her. The informa- 
 tion which she had received respecting 
 Rodolphus, had entirely tranouillized her 
 mind concerning him ; the fidelity of those 
 who had taken him under their protection 
 was too firm to be overcome, either by ar- 
 tifice or force ; while, at the same time, 
 their various qualifications rendered theni 
 eminently capable of conducting the educa- 
 tion of a young Prince, and of implanting 
 into his mind those virtues which are not 
 only the chief ornaments, but the most es- 
 sential supporters of sovereign power, mo- 
 deration, and justice. In Seckendorf the 
 
 dignity
 
 62 THE BLACK BANNER, 
 
 dignity of the hero was so artfully blended 
 with the humility of the man, that he im- 
 perceptibly led his followers willing cap- 
 tives to his opinions; nor did those in the 
 highest or the lowest situations in life, ever 
 leave him without being deeply impressed 
 with the excellence of that character, whose 
 principal, indeed sole employment, was, as 
 far as human nature is capable of, the ful- 
 filling his duty towards God and man. 
 While therefore the young Rodolphus 
 %vould be receiving the necessary instruc- 
 tions of virtue fr: in one who might with 
 justice be deemed its fountain head, he, at 
 the same time, would gain experience, and 
 the knowle-Jge of other duties so essential 
 to the fame :-.]:■ d welfare of a Prince ; as his 
 repulation, both as. a c^taiesman and a war- 
 rior, rivalled the greatest luminaries of the 
 age. Blessed with the acquisition of such 
 a preceptor for the infant Rodolphus, the 
 Princess reconciled herself to his absence, 
 and even thought, perhaps with justice, 
 
 that
 
 THE BLACK BANNEK. 63 
 
 that the school of adversity was more likely 
 to form a good sovereign than that of flat- 
 tery and prosperity. 
 
 As the abbess within whose convent she 
 had taken refuge had given the most une- 
 quivocal testimonies of her attachment to 
 her, and of a sincere regard for her future 
 welfare, the Princess had long ceased to 
 have any reserve with her; she accordingly 
 repeated to her the intelligence she had re- 
 ceived from Sternheim, and also the plan 
 they proposed pursuing on the occasion. 
 She observed, however, that no symptom 
 of surprise was exhibited by the abbess on 
 the occasion, and could not help making a 
 remark of it to her. " The wonder of your 
 Highness will cease,"' replied trie abbess 
 with a smile, '' when I inform you, that 
 notwithstanding the assertion of Sternheini 
 that he was tlie sole partaker of the secret, 
 I was myself acquainted with the fact; al- 
 though I must so far justify him as to ob- 
 serve, that he could not possibly suspect 
 my kr.owled^e of it. The truth is, that at 
 
 the
 
 64 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 the time yon, Madame, was sent here forpro- 
 tcction, the Prince wrote to me his confes- 
 sion of the whole transaction, requesting me, 
 that should he unfortunately fall in the de- 
 fence of his life, or what was far more dear, 
 his honour, that I would, at a proper time, 
 acquaint you with it, and solicit your pro- 
 tection for the innocent orphan. This 
 duty I should have discharged before, had- 
 I not considered that the uncertainty you la- 
 boured under respecting the fate of Rodol- 
 phus, left little or no room for the recep- 
 tion of new claims upon your compassion. 
 That obstacle is, thank Heaven, removed,- 
 and I most sincerely congratulate you on 
 the fortunate event. The letter of the 
 Prince is of material consequence^ as it 
 places the fact asserted beyond the possi- 
 bility of a doubt, and gives you, in con- 
 junction with myself, full power to act as 
 ourjudgmentsmay direct, and circumstances 
 permit. In respect to the plan proposed 
 by Sternheim, although I have doubts of its 
 answering any material purpose, yet I 
 
 should
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. (55 
 
 shottkl advise the experiment^ as it will al- 
 ways be in our power to clear up any ap- 
 parent mystery ; and it may be productive 
 of some advantage, should Albert experi- 
 ence any reverse of fortune, whose mind 
 would then be harrassed by the fears that 
 the misfortunes predicted in his juvenile 
 days were ready to burst in vengeance over 
 his head ; for although he may discard 
 those terrors for the moment, while en- 
 gaged in active pursuits, yet a mind early- 
 habituated to superstitious notions, can ne- 
 ver entirely eradicate them ; and it is not 
 impossible but that, in order to avoid the 
 threatened danger, he may make a virtue 
 of necessity, and resign the rights he has 
 usurped to the legal owner. But this we 
 must leave to fate, and at present be guided 
 by circumstances. It had been my origi- 
 nal intention, after having disclosed to you 
 the birth of the young Princess, to have re- 
 moved her to this convent ; but such a plan 
 would now not only be imprudent, but at- 
 tended with extreme hazard ; as should 
 
 Albert^
 
 6t> THE BLACK BANNER^ 
 
 Albert^ whose emissaries ,are every where 
 on the alert, gain intelligence of her in- 
 tended arrival, he might seize her person, 
 and detain her as an hostage for any further 
 sacrifice he might deem necessary to re- 
 quire.'* 
 
 " Can the person under w^hose protec- 
 tion she is nov7 placed be depended upon ?" 
 inquired the Princess. 
 
 " I believe she may/' replied the abbess, 
 "^ as by direction of the Prince, she is not 
 to deliver her up to any one before she at- 
 tains the age of twenty, except the person 
 ^vho demands her produces a particular to- 
 ken, the counterpart of w^hich was left with 
 her. This was sent to me with the letter ; 
 but as you will be a better judge how to 
 act when you have seen it, permit me to 
 s?nd both that and the token to your apart- 
 ment." The abbess now left the Princess ; 
 but'a few minutes only had elapsed before 
 one of the sisters brought the letter, toge- 
 ther w^ifh the token. The v/eil-known 
 writing of the Prince affected Adeline ex- 
 tremely ;
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 67 
 
 tremely ; and it was some time before she 
 could bring her feelings to a state sufii- 
 cientlv calm to insoect the interesting^ con- 
 tents, rendered doubly so by the recollec- 
 tion of the time when thev were written. 
 
 '^ MADAME^ 
 
 " It is at the instant when the 
 horrors of war threaten destruction to these 
 hitherto peaceable battlements, thcit the 
 Prince of Clagenfiirth feels himself im- 
 pelled, by a duty too long delayed, through 
 motives which his own heart revolted 
 against^ but which a dread of the sarcasms 
 of the world induced him to cherish, to 
 make a confidant of the Abbess of St. Veil, 
 and disclose to her a circumstance of the 
 utmost importance, and which has hitherto 
 been solely confided to the breast of my 
 faithful attendant, vSternheim. The weli- 
 knosvn generosity of your sentiments are a 
 sufficient security to me, that however cul- 
 pable you may esteem the concealment, 
 
 you
 
 68 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 yon will lose sight of (he act itself, and by 
 extending your protection to the object of 
 it, prevent her suffering any ill effects from 
 the adoption of a measure so inconside- 
 rate. To you I shall commit the task of 
 disclosing the secret to the Princess Ade- 
 line^ should it be m.y fate to fall a victim 
 in the defence of my faithful subjects. I 
 well know her heart, and am sensible that 
 the sole resentment she will feel against 
 me will be for having deprived her of exe- 
 cuting a duty, which, to a mind moulded as 
 my Adeline's is, would have been attended 
 with the most exquisite delight : but time 
 presses, and I must be brief. 
 
 ''A marriage contracted many years 
 ago, has left me the father of one child> 
 whom I have named Matilda. To describe 
 the charms that captivated me would be a 
 task of difficulty; suffice it to say, that it 
 was a strong resemblance between the 
 Princess Adeline and my lost Amelia, both 
 in mind and person, that led me a second 
 lime to the altar, a second time to experi- 
 ence-
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. G9 
 
 ence the utmost happiness that wedded love 
 can bestow. One drawback alone accom- 
 panied my former felicity, but this was a 
 trivial care, when contrasted with the years 
 of solid enjoyment we both experienced^ 
 and which was dissolved only by death ; 
 need I add, it was that deficiency in the no- 
 bility of my Amelia's birth, to which the 
 pride of the German princes too often sa- 
 crifice every other consideration. Indeed, 
 so impressed was the mind of Amelia that 
 the knowledge of my connexion with her 
 might hereafter prove a serious injury to 
 me, and be of little service to her child, 
 especially as it was a female, that it was 
 principally to her earnest entreaties on her 
 deathbed, that I consented to conceal her 
 rank, and educate her as the orphan daugh- 
 ter of a friend. For this purpose, as soon 
 as the awful event of Amelia's decease had 
 taken place, I conveyed her, then quite an 
 infant, by the sole assistance of Sternheim, 
 to the convent of St. Pierre, in Switzerland, 
 leaving particular directions respecting her 
 
 futur-
 
 70 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 future destiny, and also a token, of which I 
 reserved a counterpart, vvhich^ on being de- 
 livered to the abbess, would prove the 
 rioht of the bearer to take the charge of 
 the young orphan. 
 
 ^' This counterpart you will receive with 
 this letter. I am sensible that it is needless 
 for rnc to urge your attention towards the 
 Princess Adeline ; ycur own friendship for 
 that amiable woman is a sufficient security 
 for your care. — Hark ! the trumpet an- 
 nounces the approach of the enemy ; I 
 have no more time to spare ; Adeline 
 mwA this instaiU awav, or every avenue of 
 escape will be secured. Farcweil; if Stern- 
 l.eim survives, from him you may learn the 
 ])articu]ars. Once more farewell ; I go to 
 conquer, or to die. 
 
 '' RODOLl'IIUS, PRINCE OF CLAGENFURTir. 
 
 '*' To theZWocss of St. lair 
 
 The feelings of Adeline, during the per- 
 usal of this letter, were excited to the 
 
 highest^.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 7 I 
 
 liigbest degree ; it gave her^ however^ great 
 v.;tisfactidn to find that the secreting the 
 rank and birth of the young orphan did 
 not originate in any false pride, the growth 
 of the Prince's own ideas, but from a source 
 ^vhich added lustre to his character, namely, 
 a sincere and affectionate regard for Vac last 
 request of a beloved wife, who had so. gene- 
 rously sacrificed the feelings of a mother to 
 the prejudices of the world, and to her 
 anxiety for the future happiness of a luis- 
 band, whose attention had been, during 
 their connexion, solely devoted to her. 
 This very circumstance endeared her newly- 
 discovered relative more than ever to the 
 Princess; and many were the liours that 
 were spent in consuliation between her 
 and the abbess, in forming plans for hv r 
 removal, so as she might be more il^imedi- 
 ately under their own care and proH^cUon ; 
 but all were rejected as dangerous :*stiIJ, 
 although nothing could be decided upon, 
 the employment gave a diversity to the 
 thoughts of the Princess, who no longer 
 
 experienced
 
 72 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 experienced that agonizing sameness of 
 reflection, which being drawn into one 
 focus, and consequently acting with greater 
 force upon the nervous system, had already 
 began to undermine her health, and depress 
 her spirits. The good sense oC Adeline 
 was not long in perceiving the beneficial 
 effects that proceeded from this mental ex- 
 ertion, and confident, that in her future 
 journey through the stages of life, she 
 should have occasion for more than com- 
 mon firmness and resolution, she prepared 
 to encounter the difficulties that she might 
 meet with, by habituating herself to a con- 
 duct she had so early found a strong op- 
 poser, if not a conqueror of ennui. 
 
 At a small distance from the gates of 
 Clagenfurth, Sternheim. was met on his re- 
 turn from the convent by the Chevalier 
 D 'Arm feldt, who readily entered into an 
 easy and familiar conversation with him, 
 and as if by mutual consent, the late occur- 
 rences became the principal topics of their 
 discourse. The Chevalier lamented with 
 
 apparent
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 73 
 
 apparent warmth the indignity that the re- 
 mains of the late Prince had received from 
 the fury of Albert, a fury, he observed, 
 which had left such pang? of remorse in the 
 bosom of the chief, that not even the con- 
 solations of friendship could at times alle- * 
 viate. Perceiving, however, that Srernheini 
 listened to his discourse with a respectful 
 silence, without presuming to make any > 
 comments, he artfully changed his mode of 
 attack, by expressing his surprise that the 
 Princess Adeline had not made any inqui- 
 ries res])ec{ing the transactions which had 
 taken place in the Castle subsequent to her 
 removal from it; adding, that he was well 
 satisfied that Albert entertained so high a 
 respect for the Princess, that not even the 
 sacred walls of St. Veil could prove a more 
 secure retreat for her than the Castle of 
 Clagenfurth. 
 
 "' Perhaps not," replied Sternheim^ 
 
 who was willing to discover the drift of 
 
 D'i\rmfeldt's discourse; "but you must 
 
 'ow for the terrors of a woman^ unaccus- 
 
 voi , r. E tomed
 
 74 TUE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 torned to scenes of f:laughler, or rather for 
 the fears of an hui>band, who, from a know- 
 ledge of the usages of war, naturally trem- 
 bled at the idea of her situation, should for- 
 tune, as it proved, desert his cause. The 
 Princess Adeline is still in ihe bloom of 
 youth, and possessed of charms sufficient to 
 subdue the heart of an anchorite: think 
 you, Chevalier, that such a form was to be 
 placed at the mercy of a young hero, 
 flushed with conquest, and whose will alone 
 ^vns law ? I am sensible that Albert, novv^ 
 reflection has resumed its powers, would 
 scorn to sully his own honour, by a base at- 
 tempt upon that of a virtuous and defence- 
 less woman ; but Albert, in the moment of 
 conquest^ and in the moment of reflection, 
 may justly be supposed two very different 
 beings/' 
 
 '•' You judge rightly," replied D'Arm- 
 feldt, ''and I am rejoiced to find that you en- 
 teitain so high an opinion of a man to 
 whom I profess myself bound by every tie 
 of gratitude and honour. Sternheim, I 
 
 can
 
 ^'HE BLACK BANKER. 75 
 
 can read your thoughts at this declaration. 
 Vou believe me the slave of Albert, ready 
 to assist him in every action^ however dero- 
 gatory to his or my own honour. Time only 
 can convince a man of your experience to 
 the contrary, as I am sensible that, situated 
 as I am, all the professions I can make 
 \vould be received if not with total disbe* 
 lief, yet with a jealous ear. Let time 
 therefore be the touchstone of my present 
 sincerity ; it wi]l not be long before we shall 
 meetagainj yet ere we part, let me remind 
 you, that it is no difficult matter for a man 
 possessed of integrity to act with fidelity to 
 those to whom gratitude binds him, while 
 at the same time he pays due respect to that 
 person whom capricious fortune may have 
 appointed as his future master. Farewell, 
 remember this conversation." 
 
 Before Sternheim could recover from 
 
 the astonishment into which an address so 
 
 lotallyunexpected had thrown him, D'x\rm- 
 
 fcldt had pursued his walk,^ and by the di- 
 
 C'ction which he appeared to take, seemed 
 
 E ^ to
 
 76 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 to be going towards the convent of St 
 Veil. Sternheim now thought it extremely 
 fortunate that he had obtained an inter- 
 view with the Princess, prior to any mes- 
 sage that Albert might think it necessary to 
 send thither, as he doubted not but that 
 D'Armfeldt was commissioned for that pur- 
 pose. She would now be prepared for an 
 answer, without experiencing that embar- 
 rassment whiich an uncertainty of the trans- 
 actions that had latterly passed at Clagen- 
 furth would naturally have occasioned. 
 It had been the intention of Sternheim to 
 have disseminated the intelligence respect 
 ing the unknown progeny of the late 
 Prince, immediately on his return to the 
 city; but he now determined to delay it 
 until the arrival of D'Armfeldt^ as should 
 his conjectures have been correct respect- 
 ing the mission of the Chevalier, he thought* 
 it highly probable that the Princess would' 
 mention to him the pnor marriage of her 
 late husband, and the consequences of it; 
 an information that would come with a 
 
 better
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 77 
 
 better grace from her, and have greater 
 effect than if it was propagated in a casual 
 manner by himself. 
 
 Such were the meditations of Sternheiirr 
 while pursuing his solitary walk toWards the 
 walls of Clagenfurth ; yet at times they 
 w^ere interrupted by the recurrence to his 
 mind, of the extraordinary conversation he 
 had just held with the Chevalier D'Arm- 
 fekltj a conversation he found it difficult 
 to reconcile with the ostensible situation 
 be held in the service of Albert, or with the 
 friendship he apparently professed for him ; 
 neither did his actions agree with the tenor 
 of the discourse. Grown cautious by age, 
 he thought it might be a plan formed to 
 ensnare him, and to induce him, under the 
 plausible pretence of its being serviceable 
 to the parties concerned, to discover any 
 secrets he might be in the possession of. 
 However, as his utmost penetration could 
 not at present pierce through the myste- 
 rious veil, he resolved to be more circum- 
 spect in his conduct than usual; and al- 
 E 3 thougli
 
 78 TFIE BLACK BANNEE- 
 
 though it was his greatest wish to have con- 
 trived either an interview, or to have sent 
 a message to the Chevalier SeckendorP, yet 
 he nobly determined to sacrifice his own 
 inclinations, rather than run the smallest ha- 
 zard of endangering the safety of the young 
 Kodolphus, or of adding to the misfor- 
 tunes of the Princess Adeline by an indis- 
 creet zeal. 
 
 The commands of Albert respecting 
 Sternheim had been most faithfully obeyed 
 by his emissaries ; every action was mi- 
 nutely watched, but it was in vain that they 
 endeavoured to detect him in any corres- 
 pondence that could in the smallest de- 
 gree afford a clue for the discovery of 
 the infant. The visit to the convent was 
 made known to Albert as soon as it hap- 
 pened, and it was chiefiy to watch whether 
 he returned from thence, or bent his course 
 any other w^ay, that the spies, whose ap- 
 pearance had so alarmed the sisterhood, 
 were wandering around the environs. As 
 Albert, however, made no doubt but that 
 
 Stcrnheiiu
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 79 
 
 Sternheim would make known to the Prin- 
 cess the safety of the voung Rodolphus, 
 which he judged she might possibly have 
 been i<j:norant of, he artfully determined 
 to take advantage of the circumstance^ and 
 by obliquely taking the merit of the disco- 
 very on himself, endeavour to pave the 
 way for a reconciliation with the Princess. 
 . He therefore immediately dispatched the 
 Chevalier D'Armfeldt on the embassy, to 
 offer his congratulations on the safety of 
 her son, which he trusted her antient do- 
 mestic Sternheim had acquainted her with ; 
 that he much lamented the cruel necessity 
 which forced him to take up arms against 
 the late Prince, but trusted that the good 
 sense of the Princess would in time eradi- 
 cate those impressions a late deplorable 
 event must necessarily have impressed upon 
 her mind ; and that, in the mean time, it 
 Would be his ambition to shew every res- 
 pect both to herself and the young Rodol'- 
 phus, whom, if she would permit him, it 
 would be liis pride to educate in a man- 
 E 4 ner
 
 80 THE jjr.ACK BAlvNEIl. 
 
 uer suitable to the station he was born to 
 ill]. 
 
 Such were the subtile, the fallacious in- 
 structions given to the Chevalier, who, al- 
 though he made no comments upon them, 
 was sensible, from the high character he 
 had heard of the Princess Adeline, that they 
 would be received with the scorn they me- 
 rited. D'Armfeldt had never seen the 
 l^rincess; he , was therefore rejoiced at an 
 opportunity of beliolding her, at a time, 
 and on an occasion which would naturally 
 call forth the energies of her mind, and dis- 
 play that firmness of character fame re- 
 ported her to possess. On his name being 
 announced at the convent, the Princess, 
 knowing the rank he held in the estabiish- 
 jnent and favour of Albert, and having ex- 
 ])ected to receive some message from the 
 conqueror, commanded him to be admitted. 
 Upon his entrance into the apartment in 
 which the Princess, attended by the abbess, 
 was prepared to receive him, he was struck 
 with such astonishment at the graceful, yet 
 
 m:\jestic
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 81 
 
 majestic figure of the Princess, that he 
 could scarcely articulate the accustomed 
 compliments. The Princess perceived his 
 embarrassment, and in a firm tone requested 
 to know what could occasion a visit from a 
 friend of the conqueror of Clagenfurth ? 
 
 *^ The conqueror," replied D'Armfeldf,^ 
 *' if such he can be called, who is himself a 
 captive, mocst sincerely laments the fatal 
 necessity that enforced him to take up 
 a^-ms ; but imperious honoAir admitted of 
 no oilier resource: nor could Albert have ap- 
 peared among the nobility of the empire^ 
 had he tamely submitted to tlie disgrace he 
 sufFered. Yet his success is attended with 
 stings more poignant even than those he 
 before experienced, when his mind reverts 
 to the idea, that by revenging his own inju- 
 ries, he has accumulated them tenfold on 
 one of whose happiness he once fondly 
 hoped he should have been the protector. 
 Sensible of the error he has committed, he 
 requests the indulgence of the Princess 
 Adeline, while he submits the prrncipalify 
 E 5 of
 
 82 THE BLACK BAN N F.I?. 
 
 of Clagenfurth to her disposal, and oiTers 
 to- her his sincere congratulations, that the 
 young Rodolphus so fortunately escaped 
 that dreadful day of fury and madness; 
 and should it meet with the approbation of 
 the Princess, he pledges himself to prove 
 a faithful guardian, until such time as the 
 age of the young Prince shall enable him 
 to take the reins of government into his 
 own hands/* 
 
 During the speech of D'Armfeldt, the 
 Princess maintained a dignified silence ; 
 no feminine emotions betrayed the interior 
 ao^cnv of her mind, while listening' to the 
 insidious overtures that were made to her. 
 If D'Armfeidt was surprised at his first ap- 
 proach to her presence, how much was that 
 surprise increased, when he perceived a 
 young and beautiful woman, who, instead 
 of bewailing her fate with bitter lamenta- 
 tions, and calling on every power to 
 avenge her injuries, calmly listened to the 
 recital of them ! lie awaited her reply with 
 anxious expectation, as notwithstanding 
 
 the 
 3
 
 THE filACK BANNER. 83 
 
 the friendship he experienced for Albert, 
 he couid not avoid admiring the heroic 
 fortitude of the lovely widow; and from? 
 that instant he mentally resolved to protect 
 her from any sinister designs, should such 
 be meditated against her, even should her 
 ultimately be obliged to desert the cause 
 which he had hitherto maintained witb 
 the utmost zeal. 
 
 For a fcvv moments after the conclu- 
 sion of D'Armfeldt's address, the Princess 
 paused, as if rejecting on the nature of the 
 answer she should return. Her penetra- 
 tion easily discovered the drift of Albert's^ 
 aiisumed generc-sity ; but she felt it as aii 
 additional insult, that he should esteem her 
 of a disposition so light and capricious as to 
 afibrd the most slender hopes to a man by 
 whose revengeful arm a beloved husband 
 had so recently fallen. Yet even this time 
 might have conquered; but the inhuman 
 cruelty tha-t followed the act itself, was so 
 indicative of a naturally cruel and savage 
 heart, as not to admit a shadow of hope. 
 E 6^ 1$
 
 84 THE BLACK BANNFR. 
 
 It was true, and her heart had confessed it, 
 that there was a time v^hen Albert stood 
 high in her estimation ; nor would the 
 chance of war have entirely obliterated it, 
 had it been accompanied bv honour. Im- 
 pressed with these ideas, she determined to 
 silence his hopes at once, if he had the 
 boldness to entertain any, and to commit 
 the care both of herself and of her beloved 
 Rodolphus to the protection of Provi- 
 dence ; she therefore returned the follow- 
 ing answer : — 
 
 *' I will not pretend to misunderstand 
 the tenor of Albert's proposals, or by a too 
 fastidious sense of propriety, defer giving a 
 positive and decisive reply to them. I 
 know not whether you are acquainted with 
 the earlier life of the person who?e cause 
 voii now espouse; if you are, it will be 
 needless for me to revert to that period/* 
 
 D'Armfeldt bowed an acquiescence, and 
 the Princess proceeded. 
 
 ''The honour of Albert was then with- 
 out a stain, and an alliance with his family 
 
 would
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. &5 
 
 Would not have degraded even that of De 
 Mountfort. But I now look up vviih grati- 
 tude to that Providence which ordained I 
 should escape an union that would .have 
 embittered my future days, and left me no- 
 thing but sorrow and ai^guish. The cru- 
 elty, the savage ferocity of Albert, was then 
 concealed under the specious covering of 
 heroism ; but no sooner did a fancied in- 
 sult rouse his passions, than they blazed 
 forth with a fury that not even the entreaties 
 of his dearest friends could controul ; and 
 on what object was this fury exerted ? On 
 the lifeless body of the husband of that v/o- 
 man whom he affected to love, and whom 
 he still dares insult with a repetition of it. 
 If such is his conception of my ideas, happy 
 is it for him that fate so early separated 
 us. Tell Albert, that Adeline, Princess of 
 Clagenfurth, will accept of no offers that 
 an usurper can make; tell him likewise, 
 that she is not so destitute of friends as lo 
 commit the safety of her infant to the pro- 
 tection of the murderer of his father, and 
 
 that
 
 S6 TITE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 that she trusts that her wrongs will call 
 forth an avenging power, that shall hurl 
 him from the fancied security he possesses.**" 
 
 '' I admire/* replied D'Armfeldt, " this 
 generous animosity, even against a friend 
 I respect ; and it is this admiration that 
 pronipts me to submit to your considera- 
 tion, v/hether a direct refusal to all the of- 
 fers of Albert, may not tend to exasperate 
 him beyond all bounds ; and should his- 
 emissaries, who are numerous and vigi- 
 lant, succeed in the task they are engaged 
 in, the discovery of the young Rodolphus,^ 
 he might be tempted to revenge the slight 
 of the mother on the iiinocent inHmt/' 
 
 '' Hold, Sir,'' exclaimed the Princess, "I 
 perceive your design ; but think not that 
 I have formed my resolution rashly, or 
 have not reflected on the consequences, 
 should such an event happen, which you 
 predict ; but even then, Albert will learn^ 
 that although the heart of his victim may- 
 break, it will never bend ; nor could you, 
 with all your ingenuity, have afforded me a 
 
 juster
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. ST 
 
 jiisfer ground for my refusal, than in the 
 bare hint of the savage threat you have just 
 mentioned, as it proves that the actions of 
 Albert are not the result of instantaneous 
 fury, but of innate deliberate cruelty." 
 
 '* I should not presume to urge you, 
 Madame,'* replied D'Armfeklt, '' was I not 
 convinced that Albert, for reasons most 
 powerful, is sincere in the offers respecting 
 the young Rodolphus ; for^ believe me, 
 Madame, although a friend of Albert's, I 
 shall never countenance a dishonourable 
 action in him. It is my sincere wish to 
 serve the Princess of Clagenfurth, at the 
 same time to promote the welfare of my 
 friend. Hereafter you may prove ray sin- 
 cerity ; I ask not your cfjnf]<lence but as I 
 deserve it; and although my avocations 
 may prevent m.y interfering openly, yet, by 
 the help of Sternheini, I may be able to 
 afford that assistance no other person could, 
 with any hopes o'i success, offer. Permit 
 me at least to moderate your refusal to 
 more gentle terms." 
 
 *' Although
 
 8S THE BLACK BANNER, 
 
 '' Alilioiigh hypocrisy. Sir/' rejoined the 
 Princess, '' is sometimes deemed j)o]iTic, 
 yet f consider it as a vice of so detestable 
 a grovvtlj, as not for a moment to be ad- 
 mitted into a heart that aims at beins: ac- 
 counted virtuous. They who endeavour 
 to deceive, deserve themselves to be de- 
 ceived ; neither can 1 consider it of any 
 advantage ; the mask must be in tiir.e vviih- 
 drawn, and the real truth a|:.p?ar ; then in- 
 deed the punishment that disr^ppointrnent; 
 might inflict, would be just; neither ought 
 the sufferer to murmur. There is, how- 
 ever, Chevalier, a sliew of friendship ia 
 your actions that demands my thanks; whe- 
 ther real or fallacious, I am yet to learn ; 
 if the former, it will be received with plea- 
 sure; if the latter, I shall experience no 
 disappointment. Thus far, therefore, I will 
 concede to you; couch my refusal in what 
 terms you please, so as they are pe- 
 yemptory." 
 
 ''I feel myself highly flattered," replied 
 the Chevalier, ''at the confidence the Prin- 
 cess
 
 THE BLACK EAXKER. 89 
 
 cess of Clagenfurth deigns to place in me, 
 and shall implicitly obey her commands; 
 and I trust that the days of calamity will be 
 succeeded by those of satisfaction/* 
 
 D'Armfeldt made his obeisance, and was 
 about to withdraw, when the Princess, 
 seeming as if she had just recollected her- 
 self, said, "There is a circumstance, of which 
 perhaps Albert is uninformed, which may- 
 have some w^eight on his future operations 
 and intentions. Rodolphus is not the s-ole 
 heir remaining to the principality of Cla- 
 genfurth, as should any sinister misfortune 
 happen to him, another claimant, of equal 
 affinity to the late Prince, is in existence, 
 and would prove a serious obstacle to the 
 ambitious views of any pretender." 
 
 *' Madame!" exclaimed D'Armfeldt, with 
 unaffected astonishinent ; but recovering 
 himself, humbly said, '' May I take the li- 
 berty of requesting a solution of th^ 
 mystery." 
 
 To this request the Princess condescend- 
 ingly replied, by relating to him the his- 
 tory
 
 so THE BLACK BANKER* 
 
 tory of the Prince's prior marriage, tooe- 
 ther with all the attendant circumstances^ 
 except mentioning the country to which the 
 young Princess had been sent for her edu- 
 cation. During the relation, the counte- 
 nance of D'Armfeldt discovered an anxiety 
 which greatly surprised both the Princess 
 and the abbess, who, although they could 
 not avoid perceiving it, let it pass unoi:)- 
 served. But their astonishment was consi- 
 derably heightened, when, at the conchi- 
 sion, the Chevalier addressing the former 
 with respect, blended with satisfaction, in- 
 formed his auditors, that the narrative he 
 had just heard, while it afforded him a plea- ' 
 sure no words could describe,, bound him 
 by an indissoluble tie to the family of the 
 Prince of Clagenfurth ; at present he dared 
 not be more explicit, but the Princess 
 might rest assured, that, from that moment, 
 not only her welfare, but that of the young 
 Princess and Rodolphus, should be the ob- 
 jects of his unceasing attention. D'Arm- 
 feldt then taking an hasty leave, quitted 
 
 the
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. f> I 
 
 the apartment, before either the Princess or 
 the abbess could recover from the surprise 
 his unaccountable and mysterious speech 
 had thrown them into. Various were the 
 conjectures that passed between them af- 
 ter the departure of D'Armfeidt, and they 
 ransacked their imagination in vain, to^dis- 
 cover a probable cause for the sudden at- 
 tachment of the Chevalier ; but although 
 they were unable to form any precise judg- 
 ment on the occasion, yet the mind of the 
 Frincess became impressed with a greater 
 belief of the intended rectitude of his con- 
 duct towards her, as his emotions were too 
 genuine to be the offspring of design or 
 hypocrisy ; and it was remarked with the 
 greatest satisfaction by the abbess, who 
 most affectionately loved and respected her 
 royal protegee, not for the adventitious su- 
 periority of birth, but for those splendid 
 virtues she possessed, that the visit of the 
 Chevalier, and the circumstances attending 
 it, had diffused a greater serenity over the 
 mind of the Princess^ than she had expe- 
 rienced
 
 9"^ THE BLACK FANNER. 
 
 rienced since she sought the protection of 
 those walls. Nor did Adeline herself deny 
 the charire ; before that period the pros- 
 pect aroimd her appeared dark and 
 gloomy;- no cheering ray illumined the 
 dreary path to direct her to security, or 
 prevent her from falling down the preci- 
 pices of destruction ;. one beam, however, 
 had now pierced through the cloud, and 
 Hope, although distant and uncertain, glad- 
 dened the scene. The judicious remarks 
 also of the abbess tended very much to as- 
 sist her in regaining that strength of mind 
 v^'hich the late disastei-s had weakened, but 
 not overcome ; and a short period beheld 
 her not only restored to her former health 
 and beauty, but to that energetic firmness- 
 of mind which bade defiance to tyranny 
 and oppression. The occurrences of the 
 few preceding days had withdrawn the veil 
 of uncertainty respecting Rodolphus, and 
 the important discovery made by Stern- 
 heiin liad opened a wide fuid for action. 
 For the present, however, she determined 
 
 tCk
 
 THE BLA-CK BANNER, " OS 
 
 to remain passive, and to curb her mater- 
 nal wishes with so tight a rein, as not to 
 sutrer her eagerness to obtain a knowledge 
 of the retreat chosen for Rodolphus to 
 overcome the prudential motives of his 
 concealment. 
 
 The Chevalier D'x\rmfeldt no sooner 
 found himself without the walls of the con- 
 vent, than he recapitulated in his mind the 
 occurrences of the day. They had been 
 such as the most fervid imagination could 
 not have presupposed, and although they 
 had afforded him the p.^os,t exquisite satis-'j^v 
 faction, vet when reflection resumed it^ 
 sway, he found himself involved in diificuf- 
 ties, which, to overcome with honour, 
 would prove a task of no easy accomplish- 
 n.ent. To the friendship of Albert he was 
 indebted for that rank in the world which 
 he held; honour therefore attached him to 
 his interests ; still he determined never to 
 assist him in acts of tyranny and oppression; 
 and so paradoxical are sometimes the wishes 
 of man, that whilehe would have defended his 
 
 friend
 
 9? THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 friend at the certain loss of his own fife, yet 
 he wished, at the same time, that that friend 
 would afford him a sufficient reason to 
 abandon his cause ; so great was the tran- 
 sition that a few hours had occasioned 
 in the sentiments of D'Armfeldt. Intent 
 on planning schemes to assist the Princess, 
 without swerving in his duty to Albert, he 
 arrived within sight of the gates of Clagen- 
 furth, even before he supposed that he had 
 left the environs of the convent. He 
 wished if possible to see vSternheim, and to 
 have some conversauon with him, before he 
 gave an account of his embassy to Albert, 
 for which purpose he bent his steps to- 
 w^ards a private entrance at the opposite 
 end of the town from the principal gate. 
 His design, however, was interrupted by 
 the impatience of Albert, who, knowing 
 from his emissaries that Sternheim had been 
 at the convent, was so impatient to hear 
 somethino: of the Princess, that he ordered 
 him to be brought immediately before 
 him. The information, however, that he 
 
 received
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 95 
 
 received from Sternheim was too trite to 
 alford him any satisfaction ; and dismissing 
 him with a degree of anger, occasioned by 
 his chagrin, he himself watched the road 
 leading from the convent, that he might 
 have the earliest notice of D'Armfeldt's re- 
 turn. It v/as with the greatest pleasure 
 that he perceived his near approach; but 
 seeing him deviate from the usual way, 
 which he was fearful would procrastinate 
 his interview with him some time longer, 
 he immediately dispatched a messenger to 
 meet him, and require his instant attend- 
 ance. This hasty summons obliged D'Arm- 
 feldt to change his measures, and with ap- 
 parent readiness he followed his conductor 
 to the presence of Albert. 
 
 '^ My impatience,*' said the latter imme- 
 diately on his entrance, '' ofgaining intelli- 
 gence of your reception at the convent, 
 was too great to allow you to lengthen 
 the distance between us, as I perceived it 
 was your intention to have entered the city 
 by the postcrn-gate. Tell me, have you seen 
 
 the
 
 96 TEIE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 the Princess ? How does she look ? Is 
 she' " 
 
 '' A truce, my friend/* exclaimed D'x^rm- 
 feldt smiling, ''with all these questions; it 
 is impossible for me to answer them all at 
 once ; but to sa'tisfy you as well as I can, 
 the Princess Is as beautiful as ever; thnt^ 
 you know, includes every thing, health, 
 et cetera, et cetera." 
 
 '' Ah, D'Armfeldt ! it is easily seen that 
 you have never experienced the tortures 
 and anxieties of love." 
 
 '' True, my Lord," retorted D'Armfeldt, 
 " ncH' me presumption/' 
 
 ''Presumption, D'Armfeldt I" 
 
 '' Excuse the freedom of a friend," re- 
 joined D'Armfeldt; "but can Albert con- 
 ceive the idea that the Princess of Clagen- 
 furth, whom he has so lately injured in the 
 most essential point, can ever entertain aa 
 aO'ccticn for him, without meriting the epi- 
 thet of presumptuous?" 
 
 " You are totally unacquainted with the 
 nature of women," replied Albert; *' vio- 
 lent
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 97 
 
 l^nt grief never makes a lasting impression, 
 but at the same time, as it debilitates the 
 mind, it makes a more easy transition to 
 that sensibility which readily receives the 
 effiisions of a softer passion ; more es- 
 pecially when at a former period the pre- 
 sumptuons mortal, as you term him, may 
 have created some degree of interest in the 
 heart of the woman who is the subject of 
 his wishes. But say, in what maixner was 
 you received ?'* - 
 
 '' If," replied D'Armfjldt, '*' yon estimate 
 the measureof your hopes according to the 
 definition you have just made, you will have 
 little cause to congratulate yourself by the 
 manner of my reception. I confess that I 
 expected to have beheld a woman harassed 
 by misfortunes, and almost broken-hearted 
 at the scenes she had so lately encountered. 
 How much therefore was I surprised, whcn^ 
 on my arrival at the apartment of the Prin- 
 cess, where, attended by the abbess, she 
 Tvas awaiting my approach, I found a fe- 
 male whose appearance at once struck the 
 VOL. I. F beholder
 
 ^ THE BLACK BANNED. 
 
 iDcholder with a sensation bordering on reve- 
 rential awe! When I entered on the sub- 
 ject of my enibassy, not the smallest ap- 
 pearance of feminine weakness escaped her; 
 her expressions were dignified, and proved 
 that she possessed a mind that rose superior 
 to the malice of her fate. To the offers I 
 was commissioned to make, she gave a res- 
 pectful, yet decided refusal ; neither^ al- 
 though 1 ventured to hint how prejudicial 
 such conduct might everituaily prove to 
 the interests of the ) oungRodolphus, could 
 she be persuaded to swerve from her deter- 
 mination^ but observed that the fortunes of 
 the house of De Mountfort were not sunk 
 so low as to need the protection of the 
 conqueror of Ciagenfurth." 
 
 " By Heavens, D'Armfeldt,'* exclaimed 
 Albert, ** every word you utter serves 
 only to add fuel to a flame that already 
 blazes with almost irresistible force; it is 
 now that I glory in my attachment, since the 
 object of my ambition rises as superior in 
 the nobler qualities of the mind, as she is 
 
 pre-eminent
 
 THE BLACK BANNE^c 99 
 
 pre-eminent in exterior beauty. Adeline, 
 the lovely Adeline, must and shall l^e mine." 
 
 '' I am sorry, Albert," said D'Armfeldt^ 
 interrupting hira_, '' that your passion so 
 far drowns your reason, as to prevent the 
 consideration of the difficulty, not to say 
 the impolicy of the pursuit. Could you 
 with the hand of the Princess secure a 
 right to her dominions, you might urge the 
 plea of ambition ; but to,thi: Rodolphus is 
 a bar not to be overlooked.** 
 
 '' Is Rodolphus immortal ?" cried Albert 
 liasrily. 
 
 " I perceive the drift of your question," 
 returned D'Armfeldt; '' but I have a tale 
 to relate, which, even should any casualty 
 happen to Rodolphus, will still encrease 
 rather than diminish the diSiculties and 
 •distance between your hopes and the reali- 
 zation of them. Did you ever hear of a 
 marriage that the late Prince of Chigenfurth 
 •contraoteJ some time prior to his union 
 with /\deline de Mountfort?'* 
 
 ''A marriage !'* exclaimed Albert; ^'ne- 
 F 2 ven
 
 100 THE BLACK EARNER. 
 
 ver. I recollect a report that was circulated 
 some few years ago, that the Prince kept a 
 riiistressjn such entire sechision as not even 
 to admit his most intimate friends to her ac- 
 quaintance : whether he was actuated to this 
 conduct by jealousy, or by shame, was fre- 
 quently a matter of dispute among his 
 friends; and this, I suppose, has given rise 
 to 'the report of this pretended marriage; 
 pretended I am certain it must be, as the 
 Prince was too proud to form a serious al- 
 liance with a person however fascinating, 
 who was so much beneath him as the fe- 
 male alluded to was supposed to be." 
 
 During these observations, a flush, as if of 
 anger and resentment, crossed the counte- 
 nance of D'Armfeldt, though unperceived 
 by his chief; it v.'as, however, only momen- 
 tary; and D'Armfeldt quickly recovering 
 himself, soon discovered to his astonished 
 auditor the fact he had so peremptorily 
 doubted; for the letter to the abbess, of 
 which D'Armfeldt had been informed, ren- 
 dered it impossible not to admit the reality 
 
 of
 
 THE BLACK BAN^R. 101 
 
 of the circumstance. No sooner had D'Arni- 
 feldt finished his relation, and given an- 
 swers to the various questions which Albert 
 put to him, than a total silence ensued ; 
 and buried in deep reflection, which hi^ 
 friend did not think proper to interrupt, 
 the former seemed unconscious that he was 
 subject to observation. But the various emo- 
 tions which alternately discovered them- 
 selves in his countenance, plainly indicated 
 that the intelligence created him consider- 
 able embarrassment. Unwilling to disturb 
 the reverie into which he appeared to have 
 fallen, D'Armfeldt, whose thoughts had not 
 been unemployed, retreated to a window 
 in the apartment that, overlooking the city, 
 gave a distant view of the convent in which 
 the Princess Adeline had taken refuge; 
 this was a discovery he had never before 
 made, and he now readily guessed why Al- 
 bert had made choice of this room, in pre- 
 ference to the many others that were infi- 
 nitely superior both in size and elegance 
 of appearance. But this little incident^ 
 F 3 trifling
 
 10 '2 Tif^EI.AfK BAKKEil. 
 
 trifling as It might appear^ gave him consi- 
 derable uneasiness, as it proved to him the 
 great extent to which Albert carried his in- 
 fatuation ; and he dreaded the result of a 
 passion apparently so deeply rooted, and 
 v/oich, without a crime, was so unlikely to 
 "he successful. His mind was involved in a 
 <:haos of perplexities, and wandering in a 
 labyrinth of uncertaintv, when he was sud- 
 denly roused to recollection by Albert^ 
 who exclaimed, " D'Armfeldt, prepare to ' 
 jittend me ; I will see the Princess of Cla- 
 genfurth myself, and inquire into the par- 
 ticulars of this strange history ; her inte- 
 rests are involved in the discovery ; and I 
 flatter myself that I shall be doing the in- 
 jured Adeline an essential service, by offer- 
 ing my interference to investigate this re- 
 port with the utmost minuteness." 
 , '' My Lord,*' said D'Armfeldt, in a tone 
 \\'hrch rather surprised the chief, " the Prin-. 
 cess of Clagenfurth does not esteem herself 
 injured ; and the only resentment she feels 
 is, that the Prince had not permitted her to
 
 TITE BLACK BANNER^ 105 
 
 pay the attention of a mother to his Ibr- 
 rncr child. Your intended visit, my Lord, 
 will not, I am convinced, be productive of 
 the smallest good, but wilt rather tend to^ 
 exasperate the Princess ; neither do I think 
 that even the conqueror of Clagenfurtli 
 would be admitted within the walls of the 
 convent of St. Veil/' 
 
 The eyes of Albert were fixed on' those 
 of his friend, during this speech, with an> 
 earnestness that seemed intended to pene- 
 trate into the most secret repository of his 
 heart. D'Armfeldt shrunk not from the 
 scrutiny, bu\ met the inquiring gaze with a 
 steadiness that disconcerted the jealous 
 chief, who had entertained a suspicion, im- 
 probable as was the idea, that D'Armfeldt 
 himself dared to indulge a passion for the 
 Princess, as he could not conceive that his 
 unusual eagerness in her concerns could 
 possibly proceed from any other motive. 
 The calmness, however, that pervaded his 
 countenance, obliged him to dismiss the 
 susDicion ; but as he foresaw a determined 
 s 4 opposition
 
 ^C'i THE BLACK EANNER. 
 
 opposition to his wishes, policy whis- 
 pered him to temporize, as on D'Arm- 
 ieldt's assistance alone, he could depend 
 V. ith any certainty ; he therefore deter- 
 mined on making a merit of givrng up his^ 
 intentions to the advice of his friend, and 
 accordingly thanked him for restraining the 
 impetuosity of his temper, with the usual 
 expressions of kindness and friendship, 
 promising that if he did not entirely give 
 lip his design^ he would at least consider 
 it with calmness, and acquaint him with 
 his determination before he put it into 
 execution. 
 
 The Chevalier easily perceived the mo- 
 tives of Albert's ready acquiescence, but 
 satisfied with having obtained a temporary 
 reprieve for the Princess, he made suitable 
 acknowledgments to the chief, i^or his con- 
 descension in listening to his advice ; and 
 they separated in all appearance with un- 
 diminished friendship. 
 
 No sooner was D'Armfeldt disengaged 
 from his attendance on Albert, than he has- 
 tened
 
 TOE BLACK BANNER. 105 
 
 fened to find Sternheim, whose assistance 
 was absolutely necessary to him^ in order 
 to perfect those intentions he had already 
 formed in his imagination. From the con-- 
 duct he had formerly experienced from 
 him, when commissioned to bring him be- 
 fore the conqueror of Clagenfurth;, lie was 
 convinced of the steadiness of his princi- 
 ples^ and h:.s sincere attachment to the fa- 
 mily of the late Prince;, he made no 
 doubt, therefore, if he could obtain his con- 
 fidence so fiir as to assure him that he was. 
 equally as ready to serve the Princess as 
 himself, that he would be a most useful and 
 powerful auxiliary in his future proceed- 
 ings. Neither did he doubt of success, as^ 
 he was in possession of a secret, the con- 
 fiding of which to Sternheim would as- 
 suredly convince him of his sincerity.. 
 Fraught with this expectation, he ap- 
 proached the house in which the latter had 
 taken up his abode, and which, in order tO' 
 be less observed, was at the very skirts of 
 the city. On inquiring for Sternheim, he 
 F 5. hi\d
 
 106 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 had the mortification to find that he was 
 from home, but hearing at the same time 
 that his absence was not expected to be 
 long, he determined to wait his return. 
 Near an hour however elapsed, yet Stern- 
 heim did not make his appearance ; and 
 D'Armfeldt, impatient of any further de- 
 lay, prepared to quit the apartment in 
 which he had been sitting, when the door 
 opened, and instead of Sternheim, whom 
 D'Armfeldt naturally thought was the in- 
 truder, Albert entered. The surprise they 
 mutually experienced on encountering 
 each other at a place so little expected by 
 either, was so great as to occasion an invo- 
 luntary start in both. In a few moments, 
 however, each had recovered their self- 
 possession, when Albert, with a sarcastic 
 smile, congratulated his friend on the inti- 
 macy he had formed with a man of such 
 well-known probity as Sternheim, not 
 doubting but that his lessons would implant 
 in his mind the moral duties both of friend- 
 ship and loyalty. 
 
 •' My
 
 THE bla<:k bann^. lOr 
 
 '^My Lurd/' replied D'Armfeldt, *^ I 
 perfectly understand your insinuation ; 
 neither shall I attempt to enlighten the- 
 blindness of prejudice. I confess, my Lord, 
 the obligations I have been under to you,, 
 but a suspicion of my honour cancels all. 
 D'Armfeldt can be the friend of Albert,, 
 but will never be the slave/* 
 
 At the conclusion of this spirited speech, 
 the Chevalier, making an obeisance to his 
 chief, whose emotions were variously ex- 
 cited by the fiiTnness of the tone in which, 
 he had been so unexpectedly answered,, 
 was on the point of leaving the apartment, 
 when Albert, who recollected how disad- 
 vantageous it would be to all his pros- 
 pects, should he be deprived of a friend 
 in whose breast he had hitherto been ac- 
 customed to deposit both his hopes and 
 his fenrs, caught him by the hand, saying, 
 *' Forgive, D'Armfeldt, the impetuosity of 
 the moment ; my mind, agitated by the un- 
 expected intelligence that you brought 
 me respecting the long-concealed mar- 
 F,ii riage
 
 Jos TFIE BLACK BAN.NER. 
 
 riage of the late Prince of Clagenfiirth, 
 had for the instant lost that bias which 
 should regulate its motions, and too rea- 
 dily admitted a suspicion that even the 
 friend of my earlier days was become an 
 enemy to my repose ; and you must allow- 
 that finding you here almost immediately 
 afler so momentous a communication, ap- 
 parently waiting the return of a man who 
 cannot entertain those sentiments for the 
 destroyer of his late benefactor as are 
 friendly, was to an already irritated mind 
 an additional source of disquiet ; but let 
 me assure you that every impression made 
 is entirely eradicated, as I make no doubt 
 but that my friend can explain this acciden- 
 tal meeting, so as not only to give perfect 
 satisfaction, but even raise him higher in the 
 opinion of his chief.'* 
 
 '' Had you, my Lord,** replied D'Arm- 
 feldt, at the same time returning the 
 friendly pressure of the hand that Albert 
 had taken, *' deigned lo have made thisin- 
 «]uiry before the cruel, and Imust add un- 
 just.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 109 
 
 just, insinuation - escaped your lips^ you 
 would have saved me the anguish of in- 
 sulted honour, and yourself the hunnilia- 
 tion of deprecating the offence. Believe 
 me, my Lord, while Albert pursues the dic- 
 tates of honour, the sword, the life of 
 D'Armfeldt is at his command. Neither 
 shall I now refuse that explanation which a 
 too hasty resentment perhaps was on the 
 eve of burying in oblivion. The prior 
 marriage of the late Prince of Clagenfurth 
 not only created in me the utmost asto- 
 nishment, but also an uncontroulable de- 
 sire to be made acquainted with the parti- 
 culars of it, a knowledge which I was con- 
 vinced would be beneficial to all parties; 
 and I flattered myself that I should have an 
 opportunity of giving you fresh proofs of 
 my zeal for your service, by procuring the 
 intelligence. From the specimens I have 
 already seen of the disposition of Stern- 
 heim, I am sensible that no motives of 
 fear, nor the dread of death itself, would 
 compel him to disclose those secrets, the 
 
 discovery
 
 liO THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 discovery of which he judged might be in- 
 jurious to the family of his benefactor. 
 As he a]one was privy to the transaction, 
 prior to the discovery of it by the letter 
 of the Prince to the abbess, from him only 
 can any intelligence be gained. Sensible, 
 as I before observed, that terror would not 
 procure it, I determined to wait upon him, 
 under the pretence of a message from the 
 Princess, and which indeed is really the 
 case ; it was an opportunity which might 
 never occur again, and a delay might have 
 prevented my taking the advantage of it. 
 This introduction I trusted would prove the 
 means of my ingratiating myself into his 
 favour, and perhaps confidence, particu- 
 larly when he found that the Princess en- 
 tertained a good opinion of me, and had 
 not hesitated entrusting me with a mes- 
 sage of some importance to her. By this 
 means I hoped that in time I might obtain 
 from him not only the particulars of the 
 marriage, but even the present residence 
 of the young Princess, a circumstance of 
 
 equal
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 1 1 1 
 
 equal importance both for the Princess 
 Adeline and yourself. Such^ Sir^ were the 
 sentiments by which I was actuated, you 
 must consequently imagine how much my 
 feelings were hurt, when my intentions 
 were so cruelly misinterpreted/' 
 
 '' Enough, D'Armfeldt, say no more ; I 
 am perfectly satisfied with your explana- 
 tion: from this moment let the unfortu- 
 nate misunderstanding be buried in obli- 
 vion. I confe s it was a similar intention 
 that brought me here, but I esteem it a for- 
 tunate circumstance that I was anticipated, 
 as my impetuosity at a refusal, which 
 would probably have been the case, might 
 have eventually prevented the important 
 discovery. But I think you hinted that you 
 had a commission from the Princess to de- 
 liver to Sternheim.'* 
 
 ^'Ah, my Lord!" replied D'Armfcldt, 
 '^ I perceive the nature of that insidious 
 question ; suspicion is again at work ; but 
 if you cannot rest satisfied with my ho- 
 nourable attachment to your interests^ let 
 
 me
 
 115 THE BLACK BANNER, 
 
 me again resume that situation from whicF^ 
 your partiality raised me ; no murmurs 
 ^hall escape my lips, except those occa- 
 sioned bv the reflection, that I am no Ion- 
 ger esteemed worthy of the friendship of 
 my patron. If, my Lord, you are con- 
 vinced of my honour, you must be con- 
 vinced that I should not undertake any 
 commission prejudicial to your interests; 
 and consequently tliat it would be the 
 highest breach of that honour, was I to dis- 
 close, even to my friend and chief, the 
 commission I am entrusted with/' 
 
 *' D'Armfeldt," replied Albert, '' my 
 mind is so unsettled, that I scarce know 
 what 1 say ; once more forgive me, and let 
 us drop the subject ; when you have exe- 
 cuted the enviable trust imposed upon yoUj 
 let me see you at the palace, till then, 
 adieu." 
 
 Albert immediately left the house, and 
 returned to the palace; his mind, however, 
 was ill at ease; and he retired to the interior 
 of the apartments^ giving express orders to 
 
 his
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 113 
 
 his attendants not to suffer him to be dis- 
 turbed, or to admit any one except the 
 Chevalier D'Armfeldt. Although he had 
 succeeded in calming the agitation of his 
 mind during the latter part of his confer- 
 ence at the house of Sternheim, yet now 
 ]eit to his reflection, it returned with dou- 
 ble force. His imagination hastily ran over 
 those scenes in which both himself and the 
 Chevalier had been eno^a^ed in the earlier 
 part of their lives, and on the most minute 
 investigation, he could not find the smallest 
 deviation from the strictest honour. But 
 although he felt the injustice of his suspi- 
 cions, still he could not avoid their making 
 an impression upon his mind. The expla- 
 nation which D'Armfeldt had given was 
 certainly plausible, and yet he found him- 
 self impelled to distrust it. Amid this con- 
 trariety of ideas, the future appeared to 
 him big with important events^ and for- 
 getting that he was alone, he exclaimed, 
 '' This then is the prelude to those misfor- 
 tunes I have been threatened with; should, 
 
 they .
 
 114 THE BLACK BAI^NER. 
 
 they increase in horror, v;e!l might the- 
 vrrinkled hag assert, that not even the courage 
 I possessed would scarcely be able to siir- 
 nuHint them; fbrohlwl^nt more dreat'ful 
 can occur, than to be obliged to distrust 
 that friendship which for so many years has 
 been my consolation in the most urgent 
 emergencies? Rodolphus, thou art already 
 revenged ; but it is not vet too late to 
 expiate my inhumanity. The restoration 
 of the injured heir will appease the ven- 
 geance denounced against me, and this^ 
 heart, once the seat of quietude and happi- 
 ness, shall regain that serenity which a fatal 
 impulse has overpowered. Perhaps even 
 Adeline too may receive a repentant vic- 
 tim to fury and ambition ; oh that D'x\rm- 
 feldt was returned ! this would be a commis-- 
 sion he would execute with fidelity ; it 
 shall be so/' 
 
 During this soliloquy, Albert paced the 
 apartment with disordered steps, and his 
 heated imagination had almost convinced 
 him of the sincerity of his intentions, vA\exv 
 
 his
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 115 
 
 his meditations were interrupted by the en- 
 trance of oneof the attendants, whose coun- 
 tenance sufficiently indicated that his intru- 
 sion was occasioned by a matter ofimport- 
 ance. Albert started at the interruption, 
 and in a voice that testified his rage at this 
 disobedience of his orders, asked the trem- 
 bling menial how he dared to approach 
 uncalled. 
 
 The alTrighted domestic, terrified at the 
 anger which he dreaded would fall heavily 
 upon him, endeavoured to articulate that a 
 person was just arrived at the Castle, who 
 would take no denial, but demanded an im- 
 mediate interview with the conqueror of 
 Clagenfurth, such were his expressions: 
 "' It was in vain, my Lord,** continued he, 
 '' that we informed him you was retired to 
 your repose, and had given express orders 
 not to be disturbed on any account ; he in- 
 sisted on being obeyed ; and his counte- 
 nance assumed an air so determined and 
 majestic, that I no longer dared to deny his 
 request/' 
 
 *' Is
 
 116 ' THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 '' Is the Chevalier D'Armfeldt in the 
 Castle ?" demanded Albeit, without giving 
 any answer to the servant, 
 
 *' Noj my Lord." 
 
 '' Send for him instantly/' said Albert, 
 with the utmost impatience ; *' he is at 
 Sternheim's, near the postern-gate." 
 
 "But what answer shall I return to the 
 stranger P" asked the servant. 
 
 Albert paused ; he was undetermined 
 how to act ; and an involuntary sensation, 
 though not of fear, crept through his veins 
 as he rem.aiiied for some few instants in 
 deep consideration, while the domestic be- 
 held him in mute astonishment. A casual 
 glance, however, which he cast on the ser- 
 vant's countenance, roused him from inac- 
 tion, and he instantly recovered that firm- 
 ness of mind which nothing but the agitation 
 he had so lately given way to, could have 
 shaken. '' Shew the stranger," said he, ''into 
 \\\t apartment of ceremony, and tell him 
 that Albert will attend liim i:nmediately : 
 but haste and seek the Chevalier; let several 
 
 messengers
 
 TilE BLACK BANNER. 117 
 
 Tnessengcrs be sent different ways, in case he 
 shoul I have left the house of Sternheim, as 
 Lis presence is <3f importance to me." 
 
 The servant immediately retired to obey 
 the commands of his master, and accord- 
 ingly conducted the stranger to the hall of 
 ceremony, while he hastened to execute 
 the remaining part of his orders. 
 
 In the mean time, Albert, attended by se- 
 veral of his household, entered the hall, 
 where the stranger was waiting with no lit- 
 tle impatience for his arrival. Having paid 
 the first compliments, and seated himself, 
 surrounded by his dom.estics, he requested 
 the name and business of the stranger, 
 which he supposed must be of more than 
 com.mon urgency, as he had been so pe- 
 remptory in his demands of an audience. 
 Vvhile asking these questions, Albert per- 
 ceived that the countenance of the stranger 
 underwent various changes, and from the 
 fury that flashed from his eyes, he readily 
 guessed that his mission was not of a friendly 
 
 nature;
 
 118 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 nature ; he therefore awaited his reply 
 %vith anxiety. After a few moments, the 
 stranger looking round the apartment vvitii 
 a smile indicative ef contempt, said, 
 *'\\]her) I demanded an interview with the 
 conqueror of Clagenfurth, I thought to 
 have found a hero, who would have dis- 
 dained to have entrenched himself in the 
 forms of ceremonv, and thus force a person, 
 for all he at present knows, his equal, if not 
 his superior in point of birth, to disclose 
 his sentiments before the menials of his 
 householcl. Is the conscience of Albert so 
 tremendously awake as to dread the fury of 
 an assassin, or the revenge of injured in- 
 nocence, that he dares not grant a private 
 audience ? If such is the result of his am- 
 bitious views, if such is the consequence 
 of those acts of valour and inhumanity, 
 that is the theme of every tongue, the in- 
 jured may rest in peace, for they are abun- 
 dantly revenged/' 
 
 '' And who are you/' cried the enraged 
 
 Albert,
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. If 3 
 
 ATbert, '' who dares asperse my name, 
 -even within those walls^ that acknowledge 
 me as their master ?'* 
 
 " Examine well your own heart/* re- 
 plied the stranger calmly, '* and see whe- 
 ther or not it will acquit me of aspersion." 
 Albert trembled at the appeal ; he hastily- 
 put his hand before his eyes, and seemed 
 to await the further reproaches of the ua- 
 known, with a mind of despairing sal- 
 lenness. 
 
 '*" I perceive your confusion,'* rejoined 
 the stranger ; ''dismiss this shew of pride 
 and pomp, and you shall be satisfied as to 
 inv intentions of demanding: this interview." 
 
 Albert waved his hand, and the domes- 
 ■iics immediately obeyed the signal, won- 
 dering what would be the event of this ex- 
 traordinary intrusion. 
 
 As soon as the stranger perceived that 
 the apartment was clear, he advanced to- 
 •wards Albert, who still maintained the po- 
 sition he had thrown himself into, and in a 
 
 firni
 
 120 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 firm and manly tone exclaimed, ^' Albert, 
 in me behold Theodore de Mountfort/* 
 
 Albert started from his reverie, and ga- 
 zing upon him with a look of incredulity, 
 seemed to examine every feature, in order 
 to call to his recollection any traces of that 
 family, a principal member of which the 
 stranger asserted hims:elf to be ; it is true 
 that he fancied there was some resemblance 
 to the Princess Adeline, but it was so faint 
 as scarcely to be called a resemblance ; he 
 hesitated therefore whether or not he 
 .should credit the assertion, as it was well 
 known to him that Theodore, the real bro- 
 ther of the Princess, had been lost to his 
 family ever since he was ten years old, 
 and notwithstanding every possible inquiry, 
 had never been heard of since; yet now, 
 at this critical instant, a person, certainly 
 of a noble mein, and whose whole appear- 
 ance indicated a superior birth, suddenly 
 appeared, and declared himself to be the 
 Ion o- lost youth. 
 
 Theodore
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 121 
 
 Theodore, for so in future must we call 
 the stranger, perceived the uncertainty of 
 the chief, and accosting him in a tone more 
 mild than he had hitherto assumed, said, 
 " Albert, I perceive the incredulity that 
 arises in your mind respecting the iden- 
 tity of my person, and before I, acquaint 
 you with the purport of my business here, 
 will, by making known to you the events 
 that have happened to me since I was taken 
 from the Castle of the Count de ?vIount- 
 fort, my father, prove myself to be the bro- 
 ther of the Princess of Clagenfurth, and the 
 real but unfortunate representative of the 
 house of De Mountfort. 
 
 '' How!" exclaimed Albert, ^' is the 
 Count de Mountfort no more?'* 
 
 '' It is but a few days,'* replied Theodore 
 with a gloomy ferocity, ''since he expired 
 in my arm's, leaving me the heir to his pos- 
 sessions, and to his revenge; but the cause 
 of his death," added he, perceiving that Al- 
 bei't was again going to interrupt him, ''will 
 he amply elucidated in my. history/' 
 
 VOL. u G At
 
 122 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 At that instant the Chevalier D'Arm- 
 feldt entered, and perceiving a stranger, 
 was about to withdraw^ when Albert, apo- 
 logizing in an hesitatinj:^ manner to Theo- 
 dore for the interruption, introduced him 
 to the astonished Chevalier, at the same 
 time requesting that his friend might be 
 permitted to be present at the relation of 
 his adventures. 
 
 Theodore, looking at D'Armfeldt with 
 an emotion he could ill conceal, replied 
 to the equal surprise of both his auditors, 
 •' that it gave him the sincerest pleasure to 
 be introduced to a man whom he had long 
 since been taught to admire, and whose 
 character stood so high in the estimation 
 of the world, for a scrupulous sense of ho- 
 nour and propriety ; far from having any 
 objection to the presence of the Chevalier, 
 I should think myself happy in reposing the 
 most secret emotions of my heart in his 
 breast ; and I look forward with confidence 
 that this unexpected but fortunate meet- 
 ing, will be the means of obviating many 
 
 difficulties
 
 THE BLAtK BANNEK, 1S5 
 
 tlifficulties that, from the nature of my bu« 
 siness here, might otherwise have prevented 
 such a conclusion of mv mission as v/ould 
 in future be beneficial to all concerned.'* 
 
 D'Armfeldt bowed to this unexpected 
 compliment, while the mind of Albert was 
 again agitated with a thousand ideas that the 
 enthusiastic speech of Theodore suddenly 
 gave rise to. His suspicions of the Cheva- 
 lier, scarcely dormant, were again roused 
 with greater force ; and it was with diffi- 
 culty he could conceal the impression- 
 made upon him ; he succeeded, however, 
 at last, and requested Theodore to begin 
 his tale, which, after a few moments 
 thought, he entered upon as follows: — 
 
 '' It is unnecessary for me to give any 
 description of a family so well known 
 throughout the whole German empire^ as 
 that of De Afountfort, or to enumerate the 
 virtues of the last possessor of that title, or 
 those of the amiable Countess — virtues 
 that might have reasonably been supposed 
 to have been an insurmountable barrier 
 o 2 against
 
 t-24 THE BLACK BAXNER. 
 
 sgahist the malicious designs of a concealed 
 but inveterate enemy. To that malice I 
 owe the clangers I have experienced, but 
 through which a protecting Providence has 
 guided me with safety, although too late, 
 except to behoi'd the last agonies of an af- 
 flicted father, and to receive his blessing 
 and final instructions. My mother was, as 
 you well know, a daughter of a junior 
 branch of the family of De Mountfort, who 
 in rase of my father's death without male 
 heirs, would become both the possessors of 
 the title and the extensive possessions be- 
 longing to it. It was therefore with the 
 utmost satisfaction that they received the 
 overtures of my father for a matrimonial 
 connexion with their daughter, as it was 
 most likely to prove the means of pre- 
 serving the estate in the same family, should 
 the marriaoe be attended with the conse- 
 quences naturally to be expected from it. 
 Their hopes were not disappointed, and 
 few years elapsed before myself and Ade- 
 linc encreased the happiness of the Count 
 
 and
 
 TFfE Br ACTC EAVNER. 135 
 
 and Countess. The latter -had one bro- 
 ther, two years vounger than lierself, but 
 with whom she had always lived in the ha- 
 bits of sisterly afiTection ; and no one seemed 
 more rejoiced at the bright prospects 
 that awaited her than the young Baron 
 D'Erlach. I have since been informed^ that 
 at my birth he discovered such extravagant 
 symptoms of joy as was the surprise even; 
 of his own family, that he insisted on per- 
 forming the ofiice of godfather, and after 
 the ceremony was concl'udedj gave a most 
 magnificent entertainment, which ended 
 with a tournament. These exterior marks 
 of satisfaction so completely obtained for 
 him the regard of^ the Count and Countess 
 de Mountfort, that from that period the 
 Castle of De Mountfo^t might be with more 
 propriety called his home than his own pa^ 
 ternal dwelling. In this manner several 
 years past, with little variety, except the 
 birth of Adeline, the present Princess of 
 Clagenfurth, an event which my uncle 
 again made a pretence of shewing his re- 
 G 3 gard
 
 1'26 THE BLACK BANNER, 
 
 gard for the family. I should have oh- 
 served, however, that prior to this, his own 
 father had paid the debt of nature, and he 
 had become possessed of no inconsiderable 
 property ; but as his mother still existed, he 
 made no alteration in his manner of Irving, 
 but continued a resident at the Castle of 
 De Mountfort, mnch to the satisfaction of 
 the Count and Countess, who were become 
 so habituated to his company, that the loss 
 of it would have been esteemed by them a 
 serious misfortune. 
 
 While the whole family were thus cares- 
 sing a man to whom they looked up with 
 gratitude and affection, one froward heart 
 alone dared to dissent from the general 
 opinion. It was myself; for whether it 
 'was an intuitive presentiment of w^hat I 
 was hereafter doomed to suffer from one 
 to whom I was constantly taught to look 
 up to with reverence and respect, or from 
 any other motive which I cannot define, 
 certain it is, that from the instant, nay, even 
 before it might be supposed that the facul- 
 ties
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 127 
 
 ties of youth could distinguish between 
 love and hatred, the latter sentiment was 
 forcibly impressed on my mind against my 
 iincle^ which not even his attempts to in- 
 gratiate himself with me, by those little 
 attentions that are usually so gratifying to 
 the infar.Vine mind, could diminish. As 
 my ideas expanded, the stronger my origi- 
 nal dislike grew ; and indeed it was often 
 so very apparent, that I received very se- 
 vere lectures on the subject, both from the 
 Count and Countess. I had nearly arrived 
 at my tenth year, when, notwithstanding 
 the conduct I had constantly pursued to- 
 'v\'ards my uncle, he determined to celebrate 
 that era, being the half period, as he termed 
 it, of my infancy, with the same magnifi- 
 cence as he had my birth. The idea met with 
 the approbation ot the Count and Coun- 
 tess, and notwithstanding my dislike, I felt 
 myself interested in the magnificent pre- 
 parations that were making, and looked 
 forward to the time with no small impa- 
 tience. At length it arrived; the Castle 
 G 4 was
 
 ll^S THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 was completely lilled with the nobility arrd 
 their attendants, who were invited upon 
 the occasion, either to take a part in the 
 different amusements, or to be spectators 
 of them. Martial music annourCed the 
 beginning of the entertainment, and my 
 uncle appeared busy in his attendance on 
 those who had honoured him by their 
 company. Still there was an agitation in 
 his manner, whenever he addressed me, 
 which he did frequently daring the amuse- 
 ments, that I could not account for; and in- 
 deed so apparent was it at one time, that 1 
 could not forbear asking him if he was not 
 well ? To this question he gave a vague 
 answer, which however quieted my appre- 
 hensions, and I entered into the various 
 pleasures with all the avidity of inexperi- 
 enced youth. These amusements were kept 
 lip with spirit during the whole day; nei- 
 ' ther was the night destined to put an end 
 to them, as, on a signal given, the exten- 
 sive gardens belonging to the Castle sud- 
 denly became illuminated, and emitted a 
 
 splendor
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. l^B 
 
 splendor that even rivalled the mid-day 
 sun. While I was admiri.ng the effect pro*- 
 duced by this assemblage of light, I was in^ 
 formed that the Count rev-juired my attend- 
 ance at a different part of the garden; I 
 immediately obeved the summons, and lea*- 
 ving my uncle, with whom I had been talk" 
 ing, hastened to join my father. On pas- 
 sing through a narrow avenue, which, 
 either by accident or design, had been left 
 in almost total darkness, I was suddenly- 
 seized by two men, whose countenances 
 were disguised in masks, and who instantly 
 putting a gag in my mouth, and blind»- 
 ing my eyes, conveyed me away with th^ 
 utmost rapidity. How long I was forced 
 to travel in this manner I am ignorant > 
 at length, however, the gag was taken^ 
 away, but at the same time I was threa- 
 tened with instant death, even if I spoke, or 
 endeavoured to raise the least alarm. Ter- 
 ror, however, had so deprived me of utter- 
 ance, that there was no occasion of making 
 use of these threats. Still my eyes re-- 
 G 5 mained-
 
 ISO THE BLACK BANNER, 
 
 mained blinded, and I was perfectly igno- 
 rant of the road I was travelling. Several 
 days passed in this manner, during which 
 time I had crossed a considerable river. At 
 length the liberty of sight was restored to 
 me, and I found myself surrounded by se- 
 veral men, who were totally strangers to 
 me, but whose appearance sufficiently indi- 
 cated their profession. In short, I had so 
 frequently heard a description of banditti, 
 that I became immediately sensible of being 
 in the power of such ; the shock I received 
 on the discovery was more than I could 
 bear; a faint dizziness seized upon my 
 senses, and I fell insensible at the feet of 
 one who appeared the chief. On my re- 
 covery I found myself in a comfortable 
 apartment, and close by the bedside sat a 
 female, who appeared awaiting my return 
 to reason with some anxiety, as immedi- 
 ately on the restoration of my senses, she 
 discovered such satisfaction as convinced 
 me I had made some interest in her heart. 
 As my disposition was naturally open toacts 
 
 of
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 131 
 
 of kindness, I received her attention with 
 so much placidity as proved how sensible I 
 v?as of it ; and from that instaat she be-- 
 €ame not only my nurse, but my friend. 
 The agitation I had undergone, and the ra- 
 pidity with which I had been^ hurried 
 along, had caused a fever, from which the 
 care ofmy female friend, and a good con^ 
 stitU'tion alone, could have recovered me,. 
 Notwithstamimg the attention I receivedj^, 
 and the friendly disposition that appeared 
 in the chief towards me, still I could not 
 obtain the smallest intelligence respecting 
 the outrage that had been offered me,*; andl 
 to the various questions that at differentf 
 times I ventured to make, a determined sr^ 
 lenre was observed The place in which I ' 
 was detained appeared an immense cavern>. 
 situated in an unfrequented part of a large 
 forest, but rendered extremely difficult of 
 access by the dangerous precipices that sur- 
 rounded- it, the interstices between which 
 were so extremely narrow, that scarcely- 
 one person at a time could pass; and these 
 G 6 were
 
 132 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 were so strictly guarded, that it was impos- 
 sible either for any one to escape, or for 
 the residents to be surprised by an enemy. 
 My mind was naturally strong, and the pas- 
 sion of fenr was unknawn to me but by 
 name; neither was I startled at those ima- 
 ginary ideas which superstition so fre^ 
 quently give rise to ; undaunted I wan^ 
 dered through the dark recesses; neither 
 did the hopes of obtaining my liberty once 
 forsake me, although tht? probability of it 
 was so greatly against me. Thus passed 
 several years, the occurrences of which, as 
 they are not immediately relative to my- 
 self, I shall pass over. 1 was nearly eigh- 
 teen when the person who had been ap- 
 pointed to watch my conduct, was one 
 morning brought home desperately wound- 
 ed. Notwithstanding he had at times 
 treated me with harshness, I could not see 
 him in this condition without rendering 
 him the assistance it was in my power to do^ 
 and his comrades perceiving my attention, 
 find having other employments which oc- 
 cupied
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 133 
 
 cupied therr timej at last left him solely to 
 my care. The assiduity with which I 
 seemed to administer to his ease affected 
 him extremely, and one morning, the last 
 indeed he remained in this world, he, to my 
 utter astonishment, thus addressed me:- — 
 
 ' I'hrodore,, (for I still preserved that 
 name) I feel that my life is drawing to a 
 close ; it has been a guilty one ; yet still it 
 is in my power to perform one ac t of justice, 
 which I trust niav, in some degree, be an 
 atonement for mv former transgressions. 
 In me behold one of those who forced you 
 from the Castle of De Mount fort, urged to 
 it by the temptations held out to me by the 
 brother of your mother; he it was that 
 planned the whole scheme, in order that he 
 might obtain the succession to the im- 
 mense property of the Count, by a mar- 
 riage with your sister Adeline, a scheme he 
 had long formed in his m nd, in which^, 
 from the great regard the Count and Coun- 
 tess expressed for him on all occasions^ he 
 made no doubt of succeeding, notwith- 
 standing
 
 I34r THE BLACK BANNER; 
 
 Standing the great disparity of their 
 ages. 
 
 ' Our orders, I confess, were of th€ most 
 cruel nature, and we promised obedience ; 
 but conceiving, uporv reflection, that it 
 might be more beneficial to us to permit 
 you to live, m by that means we should 
 have a constant hold upon your uncle, we 
 brought you to this cavern. Fate, how- 
 ever, has ordained that he should not reap 
 the benefit of his crimes, as he fell in a tri- 
 vial encounter with some of those very 
 people whose services he had often made 
 use of for purposes the most atrocious : as a 
 proof,* continued he, ' of the fact, in that 
 closet are the letters that passed between 
 us, and the ultimate agreement; take them ; 
 hereafter you may find them of use.' He 
 now became faint, and although he par- 
 tially recovered, yet his speech was gone, 
 and he soon afterwards expired. I imme- 
 diately took possession of the important 
 papers, and secreted them in the best man- 
 ner I could ; and in this I was assisted by 
 
 the 
 
 3
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 135 
 
 the female I have before mentioned, who 
 had never ceased giving me such marks of 
 her friendship as she cauld, without raising 
 suspicion in the brotherhood. The time 
 now became peculiarly irksome, and various 
 were the plans I meditated formy escape, but 
 all for a long time proved abortive. For- 
 tune, however, weary of persecuting me, at 
 last proved favourable, and I left the cavern 
 where I had spent so many years of my 
 youth, at a time when 1 least expected it. 
 During the last two yea_rs, I had been trusted, 
 in company with one of the society, occasi- 
 onally to go in disguise to the neighbour- 
 ing town, in order to procure certain arti- 
 cles which were materially wanted. It 
 happened that not long after the death of 
 the person I have mentioned, the whole 
 society being absent on one of their accus- 
 tomed expeditions, which was at some dis- 
 tance, these articles were wanted, and as 
 there were none left in the cavern but those 
 just sufficient to guard the different ave- 
 nues, it was determined that I should repair 
 
 to
 
 136 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 to the town alone, as from my long resi- 
 dence and apparent acquiescence in the 
 mode of life, no idea of mv escape was en- 
 tertained. Still one difficiiliy remained, 
 which was to get possessian of the papers, 
 without givino- an intimation of my iiHen- 
 tion. This I foi tunately effected, although 
 I am certain that my female friend VNas 
 aware of my design^ as on paitrng from her, 
 she whispered me to be cautious. Assoon 
 as I had got at a suiticient distance irom 
 observation, I immediately clianged my 
 course, and travelled with the utmost ra- 
 pidity, until wearied with thegreat exertionj 
 Nature was obliged to seek repose. I ar^ 
 rived in a mountainous country, and being 
 fearful of discovery, had not ventured. to 
 approach any of those habitations which 
 were so thinly scattered, and which seemed 
 the residences of those shepherds whose 
 flocks I couM perceive grazing on. the 
 sides of the mountains. The night was 
 dark and gloomy, and the wind howling 
 through the adjacent forests^ indicated a 
 
 tempest;
 
 TJIK BLA.CK BANNER. ) 37 
 
 tempest; one of these niitswas'at no great 
 distance, and not wiliini^ to encounter the 
 fury of the threatening elements, I deter- 
 mined on risking the demand for shelter. 
 Accordingly I approached the door^ and 
 requested admittance; a venerable perso- 
 nage soon madehis appearance, and although 
 he was evidently surprised at my figure, he 
 hesitated not at granting my request, parti- 
 cularly as the rain began to pour in torrents, 
 accompanied by tremendous bursts of thun- 
 der, which reverberating along the neigh- 
 bouring mountains, seemed to shake them 
 from their very foundations. Perceiving 
 that I was faint and almost exhausted, the 
 old man ordered such provision as his cot- 
 tage supplied to be placed before me ; and 
 immediately two youths, apparently about 
 my own age, and whom 1 had not before 
 seen, entered, and in a most cheerful manner 
 complied with the command ; still I could 
 perceive that their eves were intently fixed 
 upon me, whenever they thought thev were 
 unobserved. It was now that I recollected 
 
 what
 
 138 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 v.hat the hurry of my thoughts and the joy 
 I experienced at my escape, had hitherto 
 prevented me from doing — the dress I had 
 on, which was such as wasusually worn by the 
 banditti. A sensation bordering on horror 
 at the idea of what these innocent cottagers 
 must suppose me, seized my imagination, 
 and the blood mounted in torrents to my 
 face, and overcame me with confusion. 
 The old shepherd noticed the sudden alte- 
 ration of my countenance, and kindly in- 
 quired if I found myself indisposed ? A 
 moment's reflection dictated my answer, 
 and requesting his attention, I recounted to 
 him the principal events of my life, not 
 even concealing from him my real title. 
 The astonishment of the old man was very 
 great, but so plain and simple was my re- 
 lation, that he could not doubt the truth 
 of it, and addressing his grandsons, for such 
 I now found the two youths were, he com- 
 manded them to be in readiness early on the 
 next mornino: to attend me throuijh the dif- 
 ficult part of the mountains, until I arrived 
 
 at
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 13^ 
 
 at a place of safety. Perceiving me un- 
 willing to accept of this generous offer, he 
 added to my astonishment by saying, ' My 
 Lord, it is their duty to follow you, not 
 only to the spot I have before mentioned, 
 but wherever else you chuse to command, 
 as they owe you obedience as your father's 
 vassals/ — * Heavens,' I exclaimed, ' in what 
 country am I, that I am thus recognized ?* 
 — ^ My Lord,' replied the old man, 'you 
 are now in the mountains of Apenzel, in 
 Switzerland. ' This answer immediately sa- 
 tisfied my curiosity, as. I was sufficiently 
 acquainted with the concerns of my family, 
 as to know that the house of De Mount- 
 fort possessed several districts in that coun- 
 try ; and young as I was, I could not help 
 admiiing the providential chance that had 
 conducted me to a place where, even should 
 the banditti discover me, I po.sessed the 
 means of resistance. But from this hazard 
 I was assured by the old shepherd that ! 
 was perfectly safe, as for many years none 
 of them had dared venture into these dis- 
 tricts ;
 
 140 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 tricts; and it was the knowled^ye oC thk 
 th?A occasioned so much surprise in the 
 countenance qf my friendly entertainers, 
 Vvhen I first entered their cottage. Feeling 
 myself safe from any pursuit^ I slept saiind, 
 aivJ awoke with the first rays of thesun^, per- 
 fectly refreshed. A coarse but wholesome 
 breakfast aWaited my ap;.roach; and every 
 thing being ready for cur departure^ I 
 bade adieu to the old shepherd, and accom- 
 panied by his grandsons, proceeded upon 
 my journey. A stranger to the beauties 
 of nature, from the sight of which I had 
 been so long excluded, every step I took 
 rivetted my attention : as my good fortune 
 would have it, my companions were en- 
 dowed with understandings far superior to 
 what could have been expected from 
 youths bred up in so retired a situation ; 
 their remarks were sensible and acute ; and 
 I soon began to suspect that their grand- 
 father, from whom they informed me that 
 they had imbibed what little knowledge 
 they were possessed of;, had not been bred to 
 
 the
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. Ill 
 
 the occupation of a shepherd : at that time, 
 however, I could not obtain any informa- 
 tion respecting him further than I was al- 
 ready acquainted with. We travelled but 
 slowlv, as I was anxious to examine a coun- 
 try of which I had heard so nuich talk du- 
 rijig my juveniie ycai's^ and where my fa- 
 inih pcsser.sed such considerable influence ; 
 and although I mojit earnestly /longed to 
 ease the despair of a parent's heart, yet I 
 could net rcsi'^t, the temptation which the 
 opj}ortunity oifer-cd me orgaiijing an inti- 
 mate knowledge of the people, and of- 
 making myself known to the different 
 branches of my family. It is not un' ijown 
 to you," continued Theodore, particuJ-uly 
 addressing himself to Albert, " that the fa- 
 fnily of De Mountfort is divided under three 
 banners, the red, the white, and the black, 
 and that the Count De Mountfort is the 
 present chief of the latter, which is the 
 most powerful of the three. Neither can 
 you be ignorant, that although ambition 
 and jealousy have sometimes unfortunately 
 
 severed
 
 142 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 severed the connexion, yet, that when an 
 injury is received by either from an alien, 
 that they nobly forget their private animo- 
 sities, and unite against the daring en- 
 croacher of their rights. I was received by 
 all as one risen from the grave; but to those 
 who could not recollect my features, the 
 documents I had so fortunately obtained 
 were an ample proof of my identity, and 
 the Baron D'Erlach was execrated by every 
 branch. Finding myself safe from all dan- 
 gers, I took leave of my two companions, 
 whom Ipcrciiadedto return to their grand- 
 father, as I was confident he must mate- 
 rially miss their services, promising that as 
 soon as I had regained my paternal roof, 
 they should be the first objects of my 
 consideration ; but events of which I was 
 then ignorant, and was little prepared to 
 expect, have hitherto prevented the accom- 
 plishment of this promise. After having 
 satisfied my curiosity, and having been re- 
 ceived as became a son of the Count De 
 Mountfort, I proceeded towards the Ger- 
 man
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 143 
 
 man dominions. The nearer I approached 
 the abode of my infancVj, the more my imr 
 patience increased to reach it. The way 
 led through the Hartz Forest, and I had pe- 
 netrated nearly to the centre of it, when an 
 event happened^ that although I was per- 
 fectly free from the trammels of supersti- 
 tion, could not avoid leaving a most serious 
 impression on my mind. As I was journey- 
 ing forward, r'.ininating on the past cir- 
 cumstances of my life, and anticipating the 
 satisfaction that my unexpected return 
 would cause my parents, I unconscio:Jsly 
 deviated from the direct course, and before 
 I was aware of my mistake, had entangled 
 mvself so far in the intricacies of the forest, 
 as not to be able to regain the proper tract. 
 While revolving what course it was best to 
 pursue, I suddenly perceived a person 
 walking slowly on before me, whose totter- 
 ing step evinced the age of the traveller, 
 I soon overtook the unknown^ and to my 
 surprise beheld a female, whose shrivelled 
 countenance and tattered apparel denoted 
 
 the
 
 144 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 the extremest poverty. Hopins^ however 
 to gain some intellioence that might be be- 
 neficial to me in the perplexity I was un- 
 der, I made no hesitation to ask her by 
 what means 1 could recover the road I had 
 so unguardedly left ? Instead of answering 
 the question, she commanded me to follow 
 her, and without knovving for what reason, 
 I found myself insensibly compelled to 
 obey the order. We proceeded onward in 
 entire silence, as I dared not hazard addres- 
 sing this incomprehensible being a second 
 time, such an instantaneous effect had her 
 presence on my senses. In this manner 
 we travelled nearly a mile, when turning to 
 the left, she bent her course more into the 
 interior of the forest, and in a direct oppo- 
 site point to that where the road I had 
 been instructed to pursue lay. On per- 
 ceiving this deviation, I paused, when my 
 companion, from whose lips not a syllable 
 had passed, seeing my irresolution, said, in 
 a tone that vibrated through my v;hole 
 frame, "' Theodore De Mountfort, follow 
 
 me.
 
 THB BLACK BANNEIS. 145 
 
 we, and fear not." — I started at hearing 
 myself addressed by that appellation, and 
 coald not but imagine that my guide was 
 possessed of more than human knowledge* 
 Hesitation however was at an end ; I obeyed 
 the solemn injunction, and a few minutes 
 brought us to her habitation. To attempt 
 a description of what 1 beheld there, is far 
 beyond my power ; suffice it that it was or- 
 namented with all the implements which I 
 had heard were made use of by those who 
 were supposed to be possessed of superna- 
 tural agency. But what struck me most 
 was a black cat of an immense siz€, and a 
 raven, which perched on the chair near the 
 table, seemed by its croaking to welcome 
 the return of its mistress/* 
 
 A groan from Albert at this instant inter- 
 rupted the narrative of Theodore, who, 
 looking more intently at his countenance, 
 perceived such an expression of horror as 
 filled him with amazement, although he 
 well knew the source from which it origi- 
 nated. The change did not escape the 
 
 VOL. I, H Chevalier
 
 145 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 Chevalier D'Armfeldt, who, willing to re^ 
 lieve his mind, proposed that the remain- 
 der oi^ the young Count de Mountfort's 
 narrative should be postponed until the 
 morrow; but Albert suddenly recovering 
 himself, haughtily desired him to proceed. 
 " I now made no doubt/'said Theodore, 
 *' but that I was in the dwelling of one of 
 those beings I have before mentioned. 
 The hag perceiving me almost exhausted, 
 instantly spread before me such food as her 
 retirement afforded, and insisted on my 
 taking a cordial, which would soon reno- 
 vate my spirits. . Although fear was a 
 stranger to me, yet I felt myself a mere au- 
 tomaton in her presence, and obeyed her 
 "vvith the simplicity and readiness of an in- 
 fant. I soon, however, perceived the ef- 
 fects of the elixir I had taken. My whole 
 frame became invigorated, and a confi- 
 dence I was destitute of before, gave such 
 a turn to the animal spirits, as even to be- 
 hold the horrors by which I was surrounded 
 without emotion, I now began to be im- 
 patient 
 
 J
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. Ii7 
 
 patient for the conclusion of .this adven- 
 ture ; whether my hostess intuitively knew 
 my thoughts or not, I am ignorant; how- 
 ever, rising from her homely seat, she com- 
 manded me to keep a strict silence, neither 
 to make the smallest observation, whatever 
 I might see or hear, adding, that if I was 
 obedient, I should soon be satisfied as to 
 the motives for which she had brought me 
 to her retired situation. I promised obe- 
 dience ; when leaving me in total darkness, 
 she instantly disappeared. In a few mo- 
 ments I heard the sound as if thunder rolled 
 at a distance, and while I was listening to 
 this strange phenomenon, for when I en- 
 tered the house there was not the least ap- 
 pearance in the atmosphere to indicate 
 such a circumstance, the ground shook' un- 
 der me with such violence as almost to 
 throw me down, and I should certainlv have 
 rushed from the hut, had I not called to 
 mind the injunctions of my conductress. 
 The effect however was momentary, and 
 after waiting a considerable time, involved 
 H 2 hi
 
 1'48 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 in total darkness, the sorceress, for such I 
 TjOW deemed her, returned; immediately 
 the apartment was iiluminared, and I be- 
 held written in characters of fire, these 
 words on the wall — '* Theodore clc Mount- 
 fort, the destined avenger of injured inno- 
 cence.'* Surprised, yet gratified at the 
 sight, I gazed at the inscri] tion with a feel- 
 ing no language can descrilDe, and my heart 
 eagerly panted for the glorious opportu- 
 nity promised me by fate. So rapid were 
 my sensations that my ideas became uncon- 
 nected, and it was some time before my 
 mind could recover its usual tone. But 
 from this reverie I was soon recalled by 
 the voice of the sorceress, who perceiving 
 the tumult that raged within me, addressed 
 me in ^ manjier mild, yet impressive. 
 ' Theodore,* said she, ' listen to me with at- 
 tention, while I explain to you the wonders 
 you have beheld, and dispei the mist of ig- 
 norance by which you are surrounded. 
 Skilled in the mysteries of nature, I well 
 kntvi the calamities that had befallen you, 
 
 and
 
 THE BL-ACK BANNEK^ 141 
 
 and the moment of your deliverance' from 
 captivity ; various are the occurrences 
 which have happened to those most deai* 
 to 3'ou during that period ; these I shall 
 now unfold, that you may be enabled to 
 direct the vengeance due to its proper 
 point ; but remember, let victory and hu- 
 manity be inseparable companions.* 
 
 " It is needless for me to repeat the in- 
 formation that the old hag gave me ; suf- 
 fice it that I became acquainted with every 
 minutia that in any degree respected my 
 family ; from her I learnt the marriage of 
 my sister Adeline, and the subsequent 
 death of her beloved husband." 
 
 Theodore paused, but cast a look on the 
 gloomy Albert, which spoke volumes to his' 
 soul, and he appeared even to shrink from- 
 the scrutiny. Albert, however, remained 
 silent, and seemed to await the conclusion 
 of the narrative with sullen apathy, while 
 D'Armfeldt, though he admired the intre- 
 pid sincerity of the young Count, for 
 whom he already felt an increasing inte- 
 H 3 rest.
 
 150 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 rest, dreaded the final issue of a tale so re- 
 plete with wonder, and which so materially 
 implicated the conscious Albert. Theo- 
 dore perceiving that neither of his audi- 
 tors chose to haznrd any remark proceeded. 
 *' i\fy informer ila^inQ[ thus made me ac- 
 quainted with every thing necessary to be 
 known, commanded me to hasten my re- 
 turn to my father's ; ' the same fate/ added 
 she^ Ml\at caused yoa to deviate from the di- 
 rect course, shall henceforward be your 
 guide; follow the flight of this my faithful 
 servant,' pointing to the raven that sat be- 
 side her, *and you shall experience no fur- 
 ther difficulties.* 
 
 " I arrived without encountering any fur- 
 ther adventures at the Castle of Be Mount- 
 fort, and made myself known to the warder, 
 previous to my introduction to the family. 
 Kindly had the old sorceress concealed 
 from me the agony I was doomed to expe- 
 rience, on my entrance into the abode of 
 my ancestors. Instead of rejoicings, the 
 sounds of anguish echoed through the spa- 
 cious.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 15! 
 
 cious dwelling, and the trappings of funereal 
 magnificence spoke volumes to my tortured 
 henrt. It was the corpse of my respected 
 mother, who, unable to bear up against the 
 dreadful accounts she had received of the 
 demoniacal malice of the conqueror of Cla- 
 
 genfurth '' Albert started, while a fury, 
 
 which he ill endeavoured to conceal, flashed 
 in his eyes, and threatened to burst forth 
 unrestrained; Theodore perceived his agi- 
 tation, but proceeding with an undaunted 
 spirit, added, " fell a sacrifice to her wound- 
 ed feelings. A gleam of satisfaction, how- 
 ever, even amid all his misery, illumined 
 the features of the old Count, on recogni- 
 zing his long-lost son, whose safety, from 
 the confession which the Baron D'Erlach 
 left behind him, he had t(*-tally despaired of. 
 But the misfortunes which had so rapidly 
 succeeded each other had undermined the 
 seat of health, and he likewise, in a few 
 days, followed my beloved mother to the 
 grave ; not however before he had received 
 my solemn oath as a knight to revenge the 
 H 4 disasters
 
 162 THE BLACK BANNBR. 
 
 disasters an inhumanity disgraceful to on^e 
 invested with that honourable distinction 
 had been the occasion of. Yes, Albert, 
 Theodore de Mountfort challenges tiiee to 
 the field : this arm shall avenge the wrongs 
 of Adeline, and punish the inhuman mur- 
 derer of her husband." 
 
 '' Murderer 1" echoed Albert, *' it is false. 
 Guards/* continued he, in a fury, *' seize 
 that slanderous ruffian, and plunge him in 
 the dungeon beneath the Castle gates; the 
 stripling shall be taught that Albert is not 
 to be insulted within his own palace witli 
 impunity.'* 
 
 The guards and domestics, who had witl>- 
 drawn only to the anti-chamber, immedi- 
 ately entered, and were about to execute 
 the commands cj their chief by seizing 
 upon Theodore, who, calm and unruffled, 
 beheld the passing scene with a smile of 
 contempt; when D'Armfeldt, who perceived 
 that the young Count was unarmed, and that 
 the honour of his chief would be materially 
 injured should he put his hasty intentions 
 
 into
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 153 
 
 into executron, suddenly stepped forward, 
 and before the officious menials could obey 
 the orders which they had received, com- 
 manded them, with a tone of resolution, to 
 desist. Albert put his hand to his sword ; 
 but D'Arnifeldt, who perceived the move- 
 ment, addressed him in a manner calm, yet 
 dignified. — " My Lord, forgive me for da- 
 ring to prevent an action that will not only 
 inflict indelible disgrace upon you, but 
 which, in your cooler moments, I am satis- 
 fied you would repent; the quality of the 
 Count de Mountfort ought at least to screen 
 him from such an insult.'* 
 
 "The Count de Mountfort!" replied 
 Albert, in a tone of derision ,* '' think you 
 that I am to be made the passive tool of an 
 impostor, or that I shall ^.ttend to the artful 
 fabrication of an adventurer ? Guards, 
 obey the orders of your chief; and you, 
 D'Armfeldt, take heed how you again ven- 
 ture to interpose against my authority." 
 
 D'Armfeldt indignantly retreated from 
 
 before the young Count, who still raain- 
 
 h5 tainedr
 
 154: TTTE BLACK BANNEF. 
 
 tainecl a dignified silence, never ofrerm<^ 
 to deprecate the rage of the chief, or to 
 inake the smallest resistance; and the 
 guards were just ready to seize upon their 
 victim, when the ominous messenger of the 
 forest sorceress was heard croaking forth its 
 discordant notes on the battlements of the 
 Castle. An ashy paleness overspread the 
 countenance of the haughty chief, who, a* 
 if seized with a sudden mania, rushed for- 
 ward to the platform, leaving both D'x\rm- 
 feldt and Theodore in the hall of audi- 
 ence, when the former, saying that he 
 would be answerable for the appearance of 
 the young Count, hastily dismissed the as- 
 tonished menials, and accompanied by his 
 protegee, followed the footsteps of the 
 frenzied Albert. 
 
 No sooner had that chief reached the 
 platform than his ears were a,2;ain saluted 
 by the same hateful sounds, when casting 
 his eves towards the eastern tower, he be- 
 held the omfnous denouncer of his fate 
 perched upon its summit. Fury flashed m 
 
 his
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. t5^ 
 
 his eyes, when snatching his arms from an 
 attendant archer, the feathered shaft reached 
 its destined mark, and the puny object of 
 his wrath fell without motion at his feet^ 
 A sudden and indescribable horror seized 
 the soul of Albert as he cast his eyes upon: 
 the dead raven, and ere he could recover 
 from its effect, a tremendous burst of thun- 
 der increased his terror. At this instant 
 D'Armfeldt and Theodore approached the 
 platform, while Albert, gazing upon the va- 
 cant air, took no notice of the intrusiona 
 The sky gradually became darker, while 
 flashes of lightning, that threatened des- 
 truction even to the Castle itself, terri- 
 fied, while they astonished the beholders^ 
 During this convulsion of nature, a flash 
 more powerful than the rest struck Albert 
 to the ground, and at the same time re- 
 duced the winged victim of his WAith to 
 ashes, which a rapid whirlwirki scattered ia 
 the air. Theodore was the first who per- 
 ceived the situation of the chief, ar^d sup- 
 posing him dangerously hurt, if not anni- 
 11 G hilated.
 
 15t5 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 hilated^ his threatened vengeance gave 
 place to the milder virtues of humanity, 
 and he readily tendered that assistance his 
 situation demanded ; while the sky, which 
 but a short space before threatened an in- 
 crease of the tempest, had become clear, as 
 if satiated with the vengeance it had taken 
 for the wanton deprivation of the life of an 
 harmless bird. In the mean time, Theo- 
 dore and D*Armfeldt, pondering on the late 
 events, conveyed Albert, who still conti- 
 nued insensible, to his apartments, and 
 sending for the physicians of the Castle, 
 to whom they explained the cause of his 
 illness, they left him to their care; and 
 D*Armfeldt, who felt himself more and 
 more interested for Theodore, prevailed 
 with him to accompany him to his own re- 
 sidence. The young Count readily acqui- 
 esced in his wishes; for although he might, 
 m the confusion attendant upon Albert's 
 illness, have easily left Clagenfurth, yet his 
 honour would not permit him to do it in a 
 clandestine manner^ or without the know- 
 ledge
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 157 
 
 ledge of the chief. The Chevalier admired 
 the heroic and noble conduct of the youth, 
 and could not avoid making the compari- 
 son between the boisterous valour of the 
 one, and the calm courage of the other; 
 and he determined within himself, that 
 should Albert proceed to extremities, he 
 would oppose him, even should he lose his 
 friendship in the cause. But from this 
 predicament he was soon relieved. The 
 stimulants that the physicians applied pro- 
 duced the wished-for efTect, and Albert 
 w^as restored to life and to reason. The 
 first use he made of it was to inquire what 
 was become of the person who asserted 
 himself to be the Count de Mountfort, and 
 on receiving intelligence that he was at 
 the Chevalier D'Armfeldt's, he immediately 
 sent thither, commanding that the stranger 
 should quit Clagenfurth, under pain of 
 death, if found within the walls after twenty- 
 four hours. It was with some difficulty 
 that D'Armfeldt could persuade the young 
 hero to pay obedience to the order, but 
 
 his
 
 158 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 his judicious and friendly representations 
 at length produced the wished-for effect, 
 and Theodore left the city, resolved that 
 since the caution of Albert prevented his 
 obtaining an individual satisfaction for the 
 injuries his family had received from him, 
 that he would convene the different bran- 
 ches of that fan>iiy, and by resorting to 
 arms, seek a public,, and possibly a more ef- 
 fectual reparation. 
 
 Duri'^g the time that Theodore remained 
 at the Chevalier D'Armfeldt's, he had, by 
 the assistance and connivance of that friend, 
 obtained a private interview with his sister, 
 the Princess of Clngenfurrh ; and so v,'eU 
 conducted was the plan, that not ev^en the 
 numerous emissaries of Albert obtained 
 the least intelligence of it, or even enter- 
 tained a suspicion that such had been his 
 intention. The meetings as may naturally 
 be supposed, was attended with circum- 
 stances the most affecting ; the strength of 
 Fiiind, hov/ever, that both possessed, would 
 not suffer them to lose the opportunity 
 
 that
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 159 
 
 that fortune had offered in unavailing 
 corn plaints of the past, but they prudently 
 deliberated on the operations necessary to 
 be pursued in future. Adeline acquainted 
 Theodore with the prior marriage of the 
 late Prince of Clagenfurthj and that there 
 existed a daughter, the legal issue of that 
 marriage. Although this intelligence was 
 received with apparent indifference by 
 Theodore, jet it made a deep impression 
 upon his mind, and he secretly hoped that 
 some fortunate change of circumstances 
 might place her under the protection of 
 his sister. To her he developed the con- 
 duct of Albert, and expatiated with just 
 warmth on the friendship he had experi- 
 enced from the Chevalier D'Armfeldt; 
 this disclosure gave gr^at satisfaction to 
 Adeline, as it atfbrded her hopes that 
 should there he a necessity, she also would 
 experience the same friendly attention. 
 But the'plans of Theodore, if successful, of 
 which, from the powerful connexions of 
 his family, he niade little doubt, were well 
 
 calculated
 
 160 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 calculated to secure both the Princess and 
 the young Rodolphus from the future op- 
 pression of Albert. 
 
 The unexpected appearance of the young 
 Count de Mountfortat a time so extremely 
 critical, was considered both by the Princess 
 and abbess as theharbinger ofgood fortune; 
 and the former, although she wished to 
 procrastinate his departure from Clagen- 
 furth, was so sensible of the dangers he 
 would incur by remaining, without any 
 proportionate advantage arising from such 
 a delay^ that she became reconciled to this 
 hasty but necessary determination. It had 
 been judged prudent, on a consultation be- 
 tween them, and in which the abbess was a 
 party, that no steps should be taken for the 
 discovery of the young Rodolphus, until 
 such time as the issue of the intended ap- 
 peal to arm.s was decided, when, should it 
 ultimately prove favourable to their cause, 
 there was little doubt but that the Cheva- 
 lier Seckendorf would emerge from the 
 obscurity to which the pressing necessity 
 
 of
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. ]6l 
 
 of the case had condemned him, and to 
 which his own patriotic spirit had induced 
 him cheerfully to retire. It was not 
 withont great reluctance that the Prin- 
 cess consented to this arrangement, as 
 she had flattered herself that by the joint 
 endeavours of Sternheim and the Chevalier 
 D'Armfeldtj she should have had the heart- 
 felt satisfaction not only of learning the 
 place of his retreat, but also of joining him 
 at it, an intenlion, however, which she 
 kept secret even from her most confidential 
 friends. Maternal tenderness at last yielded 
 to the cooler suggestions of prudence ; 
 and to the reasoning of the benevolent ab- 
 bess was she principally indebted for this 
 victory over the powerful suggestions of 
 natural affection. 
 
 Various were the sensations that the ar^ 
 rival of Theodore caused in the minds of 
 those who were principally interested in 
 the circumstance. The Princess became 
 more tranquil, D'Armfeldt more myste- 
 rious^ and Albert more restless and uneasy. 
 
 No
 
 162 THE BLACK BANNER". 
 
 No sooner had the young Count left the 
 city, than the latter, awake to the dangers 
 that surrounded him, and which, should 
 Theodore have the power of putting his 
 threats into execution, might in the end 
 overturn all the brilliant prospects Vv'hich 
 his fancy had pourtrayed as within his 
 grasp, cursed the irresolution of the mo- 
 ment that permitted a declared enemy to 
 escape him. It is true^ that although he 
 pretended to treat him as an impostor, yet 
 in his own mind he was convinced of the 
 rectitude of his pretensions to the honours 
 he laid claim to; for notwithstanding his 
 long confinement, his features still retained 
 a forcible resemblance to those of his more 
 juvenile years; and the great similitude 
 which they bore to those of the Princess 
 was, if any corroboration was necessary, a 
 material one in his favour. But while he 
 reflected on these circumstances, a thought 
 crossed his imagination, which still further 
 unsettled his mind, already too much agi- 
 tated for cool deliberation^ by the extraor- 
 dinary
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 163 
 
 dinary events that had so recently pas;ed 
 in review before him/ The Princess Ade- 
 line, she for whom he had waded through 
 seas of blood, was now in ail probability 
 lost to him for ever. Her objections, his 
 vanity prompted him to imagine, might be 
 easily removed ; but how was he to conci- 
 liate a high-spirited youth, who had already- 
 dared to hurl defiance in his teeth, even 
 within his own Castle. Would the Count 
 de Mountfort, burning with revenge for 
 the injuries of a sister, forget them so far 
 as to consent that that very sister whose 
 husband fell by his sword, should prove 
 the bond of alliance between them ? and 
 yet, should he tamely resign his hopes? 
 impossible. Such were the thoughts that 
 crowded on the brain of Albert; he be* 
 came restless and uneasy ; his orders were 
 indistinct, and frequently contradictory; 
 nor could even those attendants about his 
 person, most in favour, engage his atten- 
 tion. Even the Chevalier D'Armfeldt was 
 again looked upon with the eye of suspi- 
 cion^
 
 154 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 cion, v/bich the generous protection of the 
 youthful Theodore had been the occasioi 
 of exciting. 
 
 While the mind of Albert was thn: 
 racked with doubt and apprehension, su 
 . perstition, which, although weakened for •< 
 time by the spirited apostrophe of the Che 
 valier, had never been eradicated, reco 
 vered its pristine power; and the recollec 
 tion of his destiny, foretold by the sorce 
 ress of the forest^ and which had receivec 
 additional support from the narrative o 
 Theodore, corroborated by still more re 
 cent occurrences, almost overcame tha 
 courage with which Nature had so pre-emi- 
 nently endowed him ; and m addition tc 
 the other dangers by which he was threa 
 tenedj he had to dread the anger and the re 
 vengevof the powerful foreteller of his for 
 tunes. It was now that he once more de 
 precated the rage he had given way to, \ 
 rage at once pusillanimous and useless, anc 
 which could serve alone to reiader him des 
 picable in the eyes of his menials, and o 
 
 thos(
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. I G5 
 
 t^iose brave soldiers who had beheld the ef- 
 fects of it. This feeling, even independent 
 et the dread that he experienced from a 
 power which he fancied superior to mor- 
 tal agency, was of itself sufficient to ''cow 
 hh better part of man,'* and almost to ren- 
 der him listless to the passing events, as he 
 %vas well convinced that when once a chief 
 has lost the confidence of his troops, al- 
 though they may mechanical'ly pay obedi- 
 ence to his orders, yet that the energy and 
 spirit necessarv to ensure victory will be 
 wanting. Intelligence, however, of some 
 vi'arlike preparations in the neighbouring 
 states, roused him from his inactivity, and 
 rekindled in his soul the fire of ambition; 
 and although he was ignorant whether he 
 was the object against whom they were to 
 be directed or not, the city of Clagenfurth 
 was immediately put in a state of defence, 
 the frontiers were doubly guarded, and the 
 troops of the whole principality received 
 orders to be in readiness at a moment's 
 warning. The alacrity of the Chevalier 
 
 D'Armfeldt
 
 166 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 D'Armfeldt upon this occasion^ once more 
 restored him to the full confidence of the 
 chief, who entrusted him with the com- 
 mand of the army that was in readiness to 
 be called together, while he himself took 
 upon him the defence of the city; and thus 
 prepared, he awaited the storm that aj)- 
 peared ready to burst over his head. 
 
 Albert had been so entirely engaged in the 
 unexpected events which had taken place, 
 that his attention to the m.ptions of Stern- 
 heim, and his wishecl-for discovery of the 
 infant Rodolphus through his means, had 
 not only relaxed, but had totally subsided ; 
 and the emissaries employed upon the oc- 
 casion were either otherwise engaged, or, 
 perceiving that their services were become 
 useless, they no longer busied themselves 
 in watching his steps. The Chevalier 
 D'Armfeldt, who, it may be remembered, 
 remained at the habitation of Sternheim 
 after the departure of Albert from thence, 
 under the pretence of delivering a message 
 to him from the Princess Adeline, but in 
 
 reality
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. iG? 
 
 reality to procure what information he 
 could respectiniJ: the recently-discovered 
 proo^cny of the deceased Prince, and which^ 
 from the secret he was alone in the posses- 
 sion of, he made no doubt but that he 
 should obtain, was disappointed in his 
 wishes, as Stern heim, contrary to his usual 
 custom, and to the surprise of his family, did 
 not return until very late the same evening, 
 and the sudden orders of Albert prevented 
 D'Armfeldt from awaitino; it. Sternheim 
 was immediately made acquainted with the 
 visitors that had called during his absence, 
 and readily conjectured that the purposes 
 of each were similar, namely, to gain from 
 him, if possible, further intelligence of 
 what had passed at the convent of St. Veil, 
 as he could not avoid perceiving that Al- 
 bert was far from being satisfied with the 
 fonner explanation he had given; but al- 
 though he wished to have seen D'Armfeldt, 
 yet, as Albert was present, he thought his 
 absence from home was more fortunate 
 than otherwise, as it would have been im- 
 possible
 
 1<)3 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 possible to have had any private conversa- 
 tion with the former, without giving- just 
 reasons for suspicion. He was however 
 much surprised at not having heard from 
 either of them since; for^ living at the ex- 
 tremity of the city, and purposely confi- 
 ning himself ta his quarters as much as pos- 
 slble^ he was ignorant of those events which 
 had taken place, and he judged that it 
 would be the height of imprudence in him 
 to solicit an audience of D'Armfeldt, as^ 
 notwithstanding his appearance of friend- 
 ship towards the Princess, and those who 
 were connected with her family, he had 
 given no solid proofs of his attachment, 
 sufficient in the opinion of Sternheim to 
 place unlimited confidence in his asser- 
 tions. Possessed of these sentiments, Stern- 
 heim determined not to throw himself vo- 
 luntarily in his way, but to act as opportu- 
 nity offered. Notwithstanding he most 
 closely concealed his designs^ even from 
 the Princess, he had never lost sight of his 
 original intention of making his escape 
 
 fron>
 
 THE BLACK BANKER. 169 
 
 from Clagenfurth ; but he had been so nar- 
 rowly watched, that hitherto he had found 
 it impossible: to his great satisfaction, 
 however, he perceived the remissness of 
 the spies, a circumstance he determined, 
 if possible, to take advantage of. One mo- 
 tive alone at times tempted him to forego 
 his design, the service he might render the 
 Princess Adeline, and the loss she would 
 sustain by his absence. Accident, how- 
 ever, made him acquainted with the return 
 of Tlieodore, a few days only previous to 
 the departure of that gallant youth from 
 Clagenfurth, and also with the conduct he 
 intended to pursue. AU anxiety on ac- 
 count of the Princess was instantly removed, 
 and he resolved to gratify his ardent wishes, 
 and seek out the abode of Seckendorf, to 
 whom he judged the news of the late ex- 
 traordinary events would be a subject of 
 importance. Having made every necessary 
 preparation for his departure with the ut- 
 most secrecy, he accordingly left the city 
 of Clagenfurth the morning before the en- 
 voL. I. I forced
 
 570 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 forced departure of Theodore from thence. 
 To prevent any suspicion of his design, he 
 took the road to the convent of St. Veil ; 
 hut when he had arrived at a sufficient dis- 
 tance, and was perfectly satisfied that none 
 of the usual emissaries of Albert watched his 
 motions, he hastily turned aside, and bent 
 his course towards the retreat where he ex- 
 pected to find the Chevalier. The jour- 
 4iey h€ had taken was hazardous, and would 
 require some lime to accomplish ; but 
 Sternheim, although long past the prime of 
 life, still possessed a strong and vigorous 
 constitution ,* and the hopes that he might 
 "be of service to the young Rodolp'uis, 
 buoyed up his spirits and strengthened his 
 nerves. Previous to his leaving Clagen- 
 furth he had taken care to procure himself 
 the dress of a pilgrim, it being not only the 
 surest disguise, as it was almost universally 
 worn by travellers, but likewise a certain 
 passport into the splendid castles of the no- 
 bility, and the more retired, bui scarcely less , 
 luxurious abodes of the monks. Report had 
 
 fixed
 
 THE feLACK BAKNERo 171 
 
 Ti\ed the residence of Cyprian, a monk 
 whom he remembered to have been in the 
 confidence of the late Prince, and of the 
 Chevalier Seckendorf, in the monastery of 
 Pludenze, at the extremity of the Tyrol, 
 near the Lake of Constance, from which, 
 however, he was accustomed to absent him- 
 self occasionally, although seldom for lon- 
 ger than a month at a time. From this 
 Sternheim conjectured that the retreat" of 
 the young Prince was at no great distance 
 from the place of Cyprian's abode; his 
 I'oad lav throuH:h almost uninhabited wastes 
 and extensive forests, and to chance alone 
 must he depend on the discovery of some 
 abstruse hut, the lonely habitation of a la- 
 bouring hind^ who daily earned his slen- 
 der pittance by the sweat of his brow^ and 
 whose stock of provisions was most pro- 
 bably but ill calculated to afford refresh- 
 ment to the weary traveller. It is true that 
 by swerving from the direct road he might 
 possibly obtain admission into a monastery, 
 but these were so distant from each other, 
 I 2 that
 
 1:72 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 .that he had the prospect ofspendlnf^ many 
 a weary night, the turfhis pillow, and the car- 
 nopyof heaven his sole covering. Yet these 
 discouraging prospects in no degree les- 
 sened his zeal^ and he boldly committed 
 himself to the protection of an all-ruling 
 Providence, and pursued his way with all 
 the expedition which the roughness of 
 the roads would permi>t. Fortune wa« so 
 far favourable at the onset as to afford him 
 a clear and unclouded ^ky ; and having had 
 tbe precaution to take some provision with 
 him, he sat cheerfully down by the side of 
 a small rivulet to his frugal repast; the 
 :mQQnbeams .afforded a sufficient light, 
 while .they illumi-ned the shadowy heights 
 of the ^distant mountains, whose brows, co- 
 vered with majestic forests, undulated to 
 and fro, at the will .of the refreshing 
 breeze. To add to the pleasure of the 
 scene, the plaintive notes of the nightin- 
 gale were heard in various directions, 
 whose melody, while it charmed the listen- 
 ing ear, -seemed to lull thesensesto repose. 
 
 Such
 
 THE BLACK BANNEH. N U" 
 
 Such was the spot in which Sternheim passed 
 the first nig:ht of his wanderings; and his 
 mind, awakened to the simplicity of Na- 
 ture, paused with astonishment on there- 
 flection, that men could prefer the false 
 glare and dangerous precipices of ambition 
 to the steady light and smooth road of ru- 
 ral content; and even felt himself as if 
 eased of an immense burthen> by havings 
 escaped from the bustle and turmoils of a- 
 city, where every motion was strictly 
 watched, and where even his life itself de- 
 pended an the captious will of a chief., the 
 destroyer of his former patron and protec- 
 tor. His mind thus comparatively at ease. 
 Nature claimed her rights, and a gentle 
 slumber drowfied his senses in oblivion. 
 No dreams of fearful import agitated his 
 repose ; all was calm and tranquil; and long, 
 ere the morning dawned, he awoke vigo- 
 rous and refreshed. It was with some re- 
 gret that he left a place so congenial to 
 his feelings; but as he had some indistinct 
 knowledge of the country, he conjectured 
 1 3 that
 
 174 TJIE BLACK BANNEll. 
 
 that by setting off thus early, he might ar^ 
 rive at a monastery, which, although at 
 some small distance from the direct road, 
 he preferred visiting, to the risk of again 
 passing the night unsheltered, more parti- 
 cuiarly as the rising clouds indicated a ma^ 
 terial reverse to the beauties of the prece- 
 ding evening. The road was intricate ; but 
 having the good fortune to meet with twa 
 or three straggling peasants, one of whom 
 belonged to the place he intended to call 
 at, and to which he was returning with 
 some provisions he had been ordered to 
 procure, he arrived there without difficulty. 
 From his companion he had learnt that a 
 stranger, of noble appearance, had arrived 
 at the monastery the day before, with an in- 
 tention of pursuing his route in the morn- 
 ing; but that having been seized withase^- 
 vere illness, which even threatened his life> 
 he had in consequence of it been obliged 
 to postpone his design ; and that it was in 
 order to procure some necessary articles for 
 this stranger^ which had occasioned him to. 
 
 travel
 
 TTfE BLACK BANN'KKv 175 
 
 travel that road. Stern heim- listened witb 
 nttcntion to the peasant, as it immediately 
 struck him (hat it was Th^ocFore, the youni^ 
 Count De Mountibrt, who wns thus depen- 
 dant on the boimty and attention- of stran- 
 gers ; and he felt greatly interested to be 
 eonvinced of the fact. It was true, he had- 
 never seen Theodore, but still hehiade- 
 no doubt ofrecognizing him, bvthe resem- 
 blance he bore to the Princess of Cfagen*- 
 furth. While revolving the means af in- 
 troduction, he arrived at the gates of the 
 monasterv, and was readily admitted, and 
 consigned to the care of one of the lay 
 priests. It happened that this person w^as 
 one of those meddling, inquisitive minds- 
 that not only seek the knowledge of every 
 person's concerns, but was himself of so- 
 talkative a disposition, as to render it a mi- 
 sery to him, not to be able- to communicate* 
 his discoveries to others. He of course as- 
 sailed Sternheim with a variety of ques- 
 tions, to which the answei-s he received; 
 were so vague and indeterminate, as most 
 1 4 efTectually-
 
 J76 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 effecrually to puzzle him. However the 
 monk did not resent this conduct by keep- 
 mcr silence himself, but most readilv an- 
 swered every question which Sternheim 
 asked him. Of the sick stranger however 
 he could give no information ; but during 
 the conversation, Sternheim obtained so 
 much' knowledge, as to convince him- that 
 should the invalid prove to be Theodore, 
 it was of the utmost consequence to him 
 not to discover his name or rank in the si- 
 tuation he was in, as the abbot and most 
 of the brotherhood were the staunch friends^ 
 and indeed the creatures of Albert. A ca- 
 sual inquiry that he made respecting Father 
 Cyprian disclosed this secret, and conse- 
 quently he became more anxious to obtain 
 an interview with the stranger, as should it 
 prove to be Theodore, he might put him 
 upon his guard. He threw out several 
 hints of his wishes to see the invalid, but 
 they were totally disregarded ; and he was 
 even upon the point of applying to the 
 abbot himself for permission, under the 
 
 pretence
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 177 
 
 pretence that he was acquainted with the 
 sick person, when he received a message 
 from the former that he wished to see him. 
 Although rather surprised at this summons, 
 he immediately prepared to obey it, and 
 accordingly accompanied the messenger to 
 the apartment where the abbots, attended 
 by two of the superior monks and another 
 person, not in the monastic habit, seemed 
 in deep consultation. The customary ci- 
 vilities having been exchanged, the abbot 
 informed him, that having accidentally 
 heard that a pilgrim was in the monastery, 
 and having frequently experienced the 
 skill of many, who, under that habit, pos- 
 sessed a superior knowledge^ he bad re- 
 quested his attendance, to know whether he 
 had at any time made physic his study suf- 
 ficiently to judge of the illness of a patient, 
 as at present they had a young man under 
 their care, who had been taken dangerously 
 ill in the night, and who still coatinued sa 
 much so as to baffle the skill of the physi- 
 cian who usually attended the monastery, 
 i a whom
 
 178 TifE BLACK BA?7KER, 
 
 whom Sternheim now understood was the 
 person present. During the long- residence 
 of Sternheim in the family of the Prince of 
 Clagenfurth^hehad^ from his constant persc^- 
 nal attendance whenever any of them were 
 indisposed, obtained some little knowledge 
 of medicine, which he had occasionally im- 
 proved by administering gratis to his fel- 
 low domestics, and the poor retainers in 
 general. But although this was most pro- 
 bably a case that required much superior 
 skill to any he could pretend to^ yet it gave 
 him such an opportunity of gratifying his 
 wishes, and, if his suspicions were just, of 
 rendering a most essential service to the 
 brother of the Princess of Clagenfurth, 
 that he resolved boldly to undertake the 
 commission, and trust to fortune for the 
 event; he therefore, without hesitation, 
 acknowledged that he was not ignorant of 
 the art of medicine, which he had practised 
 with some success ; but that having some 
 material business in a distant country, he 
 had chosen the habit of a pilgrim as the 
 
 most
 
 THE BLACK BANNElt, 1^7^ 
 
 most convenient to travel in, and so escape 
 the prying obsen^ations of the curious; 
 that although he- could very ill afford the 
 delay requisite- on such an occasion, yet he 
 ^could not refuse an application from a> 
 person of the abbot's consequence, whick 
 was so flattering to his vanity. Having 
 thus, as he hoped, gained a firm footing in 
 the opinion of the abbot, and silenced all 
 further curiosity respecting himself by the 
 trifling deceptionv, if it mightbe so called^- 
 he had made use of, he requested, that he- 
 might be introduced to his patient. The- 
 physician of the monastery accordingly led:: 
 the way, and recounted to Sternheim the- 
 various methods he had tried to rouse the* 
 invalid from the torpid situation in whkh« 
 he appeared to be, all of which however 
 had been applied in vain. Sternheim, who> 
 listened very attentively to his discourse^,, 
 fancied that he had discovered the source^ 
 of his illness, and that he should havenc 
 difficult matter to restore the invalid: From^ 
 what he now heard, he had littk doubt butt 
 I 6 . that
 
 180 THE BLACK BANNEK. 
 
 that his patient was the Count De Moiint- 
 fort, and taking this for granted, he found 
 himself in a difficult predicament, as the ut- 
 most caution was necessary, lest he should^ 
 on the first symptoms of convalescence, 
 betray his quality,, and thereby put himself 
 in the power of his^ most inveterate enemy,. 
 for such Sternheim naturally supposed Al- 
 bert was. No sooner had he entered the 
 apartment than allhisdoubts were removed,, 
 and Sternheim beheld the youthful Theo- 
 dore, who> though pale and insensible, still 
 retained a likeness sufficient to identify him 
 as one of the famJIy of DeMountfort, par- 
 ticularly to a person so many years accus^ 
 tomed daily to behold the resemblance. 
 
 Here we shall leave this faithful domes- 
 tic of the house of Clagenfurth examining 
 with deep attention the lineaments of his 
 youthful patient, and revolving in his 
 mind by what means he could procure the 
 absence of the physician without raising any 
 suspicion of his motives, while we trace the 
 steps of Theodore, from the time of his de- 
 parture
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. l&l 
 
 parture from Clagenfurth to his arrival at 
 the monastery. 
 
 It may be recollected, that twenty-four 
 hours was the limited time given by the en- 
 raged Albert for his departure — a command 
 that the entreaties of D*Armfeldt, and the 
 hopes of future revenge, induced him to 
 obey. Indignant at the treatment he had 
 received, his mind was ill calculated to ar- 
 range those measures which were necessary 
 to be taken previous to his making any at- 
 tempt upon Albert. He was sensible that 
 his affairs wanted a guiding head, while he 
 himself undertook the executive part. 
 Those whom he could most depend upon, 
 and whose geniuses were calculated for 
 such an undertaking, were at a great dis- 
 tance, and many would be the difficulties 
 that would arise to prevent the concentra- 
 tion of a force sufficient for the purpose 
 required, and which was to be drawn toge- 
 ther from a quarter so distant from the 
 scene of action While reflecting upon 
 these circumstances, the walls of Clagen- 
 furth
 
 1182 THE BLACK BANNER; 
 
 fiirth lessened to his view, and he foimd' 
 himself in theopen country, before he had 
 determined which way he should first direct 
 his course. Having been taken from Ger- 
 many at so early a period, he was totally 
 unacquainted with the situation of any par-- 
 ticular place ; and he now began to be sen- 
 sible of his error, in persisting in the refusal' 
 of an offer made to him by the Chevalier 
 D'Armfeldt, of procuring for him an atten- 
 dant, who would not only be a companion, 
 but whose services he would find extremely 
 beneficial, in procuring articles of refresh- 
 ment and other necessaries. It was then^ 
 however too late to repine, and the only 
 consolation he had was a resolve to remedy 
 his pertinacity the earliest opportunity. 
 Fear was a total stranger to his bosom ; be- 
 sides he was well armed, and the hardy life 
 he had been accustomed to lead during his 
 lono' residence with the banditti, had alike 
 rendered him insensible to the effects of 
 heat or cold ; to him the downy couch, or 
 the rough hewui stone, were the same; his 
 
 conscience^
 
 TirE BLACK BANNER. 183 
 
 conscience, unsLillied by reproach, slept as 
 undisturbed amidst the rolling of thunder, 
 as in the more^ placid retirement of the shel- 
 tered grove : yet, although armed against 
 these attacks, the late scenes he had been 
 ^vitness to, and the loss of those parents 
 whose old age he had fondly hoped to have 
 protected against the frowns of fortune, for 
 whose sake alone he had supported with 
 patience his long confinement in the sub- 
 terraneous caverns of the banditti, had gra- 
 dually and imperceptibly undermined the 
 nobler germs of existence, and left them 
 incapable of resisting the multiplied at- 
 tacks that so rapidly followed each other. 
 Thus high in bodily health, but oppressed 
 with mental debility, Theodore pursued 
 his journey, taking a western direction, and 
 had the good fortune, by this accidental 
 deviation from the direct road, of escaping 
 those inconveniences that Sternheim en- 
 countered the following day, as he arrived 
 at the small village of Villach, where he re- 
 ceived such attention as the poor inhabi- 
 tants
 
 184 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 tants could afford him ; they were however 
 so extremely illiterate as not to be able to 
 give him the smallest information, but re- 
 commended him to the fathers of that mo- 
 nastery where he was aftei*wards so fortu- 
 nately joined by Sternheim. In pursuance 
 of this recommendation, after amply remu- 
 nerating his friendly entertainers, he left 
 them the next morning, and having re- 
 ceived such directions as he could not well 
 mistake, set off for the object of his search, 
 where he arrived, as before observed, late 
 the same evening. Although he appeared 
 in good health, yet those whose province 
 it was to receive and provide for strangers 
 who required lodging, remarked a gloon** 
 on his countenance, which di<l not at all 
 seem natural, and either from curiosity, or 
 yeally with the intention of beguiling that 
 melancholy so unnatural to a yauthful dis- 
 position, they asked him several questions 
 relative to his situation, at the same time 
 expressing their surprise that he should be 
 travelling through so dreary a country, with.- 
 
 out
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 185 
 
 out a companion ; to all these they re- 
 ceived answers that sufficiently indicated an 
 unwillingness at conversation ; until at 
 last, roused to exertion by one question 
 more pointed than the rest, he suddenly 
 rose, and demanded to be shewn to the 
 apartment allotted for him. This was itn- 
 j^iediately complied with, and Theodore 
 hastily dismissed the attendant,, observing 
 only that he should depart early in the 
 morning. In about two hours, a monk 
 >vho slept in an adjoining cell to that which 
 Theodore occupied,- having arisen to per- 
 form some act of devotion, fancied that he 
 heard groans issue from the apartment, as if 
 proceeding from a person in the agonies of 
 death ; unwilling, however, to raise an use- 
 less disturbance, he listened with more at- 
 tention, and was confirmed in his suspi- 
 cions. Alarmed at such a circumstance, he 
 instantly hastened to the apartment of the 
 superior, to whom he was bound by the 
 prescribed ordinances of the monastery to» 
 apply on such an occasion, and acquainted 
 
 him
 
 ISG THE BLACK BANKER. 
 
 hini with the cause of his intrusion. The' 
 abbot rose ijrj mediately, and calling np the 
 physician, hurried to the cell, where they 
 found the stranger apparently in strong 
 convulsions. He frequently attempted to 
 speak, but his speech was so inarticulate,, 
 that nothing could be discovered from it. 
 The methocb hosvever, ])rescribed by the 
 physician, in some measure gave relief ta 
 the suffering patient, as the convulsions 
 became less powerful, yet, at the same time, 
 the patient sunk into a torpid inactivity ; 
 his eyes seemed fixed upon some external- 
 object, from which they in vain endea- 
 voured to withdraw his attention ; meither 
 did a syllable escape his lips; yet he re- 
 fused not the sustenance it was thought 
 proper to give him, thougb he received it 
 mechanically, and seemingly unconscious 
 of its purport. Such was the state ia- 
 which Theodore, who had so lately re- 
 velled in the bloom of youth, and whose 
 high courage had even daunted the dacihg; 
 soul of the eoncj^ueror of Clagenfurtlv, h}\
 
 TIfE BLACK B ANN BR. IS7 
 
 at the mercy of men u'ho, had they been 
 acquainted with his real quality, would 
 most probablv, IF they had not left him to 
 his fate, have betrayed him into the power 
 of his most inveterate enemy. 
 
 Sternheim had not long made his obser- 
 vations, before Theodore, who had taken no 
 notice of their entrance, gave a deep sigh, 
 and opening his eyes, fixed them intently 
 upon him, as if endeavouring to recollect 
 his person; of this, however, Sternheim 
 conceived there could be no danger, as sa 
 many years had elapsed since he had been 
 seen'by Theodore, and then only for a short 
 time, when he once attended the late 
 Prince of Clagenfurth to the Castle of De 
 Mountfort, about two years prior to his. 
 sudden disappearance from thence. Nei- 
 ther would he have recollected the youth,, 
 had not his features been perpetually re- 
 newed in his mind, by the similitude of the 
 Princess Adeline. The intent manner, 
 however, with which he looked at him, 
 gave him some alarm, and in order to take 
 
 off
 
 188 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 off his attention, he turned from him under 
 pretence of addressing his companion. 
 Still, however, Theodore gazed upon him^ 
 until it drew the attention of the physician, 
 who remarked to Sternheim that their pa- 
 tient seemed to have recovered a degree of 
 recollection, as from his looks he appeared 
 to have some imperfect knowledge ofhim;- 
 to this Sternheim, who wished to put an 
 end to such an idea, replied, that he consi- 
 dered such a circumstance as impossible; 
 as he was certain that the patient had never 
 seen him for many years, and if at all, it 
 must have been at so early a period of his- 
 youth, that it was scarcely passible any 
 traces of resemblance could remain in his 
 memory. Another sigh drew their atten- 
 tion, and they perceived that he ^vas more 
 restless than usual ; this thev considered as 
 a favourable sign> and they determ.ined to 
 await the result. At this instant one of the 
 fathers requested admittance ; he appeared 
 hurried, till at last he stammered out that 
 the physician was wanted^ instantly to.at^ 
 
 tend
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 189 
 
 'tend the abbot, who had suddenly fallen 
 into a fit while officiating in the chapel. 
 This intelligence raised an hope in vStern- 
 heim that he should now be left alone with 
 Theodore; nor was he disappointed, as his 
 companion, hastUy saying that he must leave 
 the stranger to his care, instantly departed 
 with the monk. No sooner was the door 
 closed, than Theodore, whose recollection 
 had returned, asked Sternheim, in a low 
 voice, if he had not many years ago seen 
 him at the Castle of De Mountfort ? Stern- 
 heira was surprised, but readily acknow- 
 ledged it, at the same time assuring him 
 that he was his friend, and requesting io 
 know what could have thrown him into so 
 dangerous a state? "I can no otherwise 
 account for it," replied Theodore, '* man 
 that it was caused by the perpetual agitation 
 that my mind has undergone for some 
 days, as soon after my retiring to this cell, 
 I became for a time delirious, and after- 
 wards sunk into a state of apparent insensi- 
 bility.
 
 190 Tii£ :blacjc banner. 
 
 bility. Yet although I lay almost without 
 tnotion, I could distinctly understand every 
 thing that passed: I perceived they were 
 very attentive to me, but at the same time 
 some conversation, which I overheard be- 
 tween two of the monks, convinced me 
 that I was surrounded by enemies; yet I 
 could uot distinguish whether they knew 
 rr.e or not. This discovery, although I 
 fo J nd mvoolfalmost totally recovered from 
 the efT'ects of my sudden illness^ determined 
 rne to prolong the scene, and still to coun- 
 terfeit a dereliction of reason. My suspi- 
 cions Vr'cre soon confirmed, as I found that 
 the abbot was the particular friend of Al- 
 bert ; but to my great relief, he appeared 
 ignorant ot the late transactions at Clagen- 
 furth, consequently I supposed he knew 
 not of my reappearance ; and I was medi- 
 tating how to act when you made your ap- 
 pearance. I was instantly struck with your 
 features, but caution whispered me not to 
 be too precipitate ; I therefore acted as 
 
 you
 
 THE BLACK BANNSR. 101 
 
 you have seen ; and as I feel myself quite 
 strong enough to pursue my intended jour- 
 3iey, am impatient to commence it/* 
 
 Sternheim, howevej*, here interrupted 
 Theodore by observing, that such a con- 
 duct might really induce a suspicion, add- 
 ing, *^ Trust to me, and before to-morrow 
 we will depart, for i am no less anxious 
 than yourself to quit thio place, and when 
 once in sccuritv, have not onlv much to in- 
 form you of, but also a propoaal to make. 
 At present appear to iiavc recovered your 
 reason, and when next 1 visit you, be calm, 
 but take no notice of any prior knowledge 
 ofme. " 
 
 Sternheim left Theodore to himself, but 
 although the latter felt some surprise, he 
 determined to act as directed. Sternheim, 
 however, returned in a much less time tlian 
 he eould have expected liim ; his counte- 
 nance betokened agitation and impatience, 
 while in a hurried manner he inquired of 
 Theodore if he found himself strong 
 enough to rise r Theodore answered in 
 
 the
 
 192 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 the affirmative, and instantly dressed him- 
 self, when Sternheim, in a low voice, whis- 
 pered, " Follow me, and for your life let 
 not a .word escape you." The youth, 
 snatching up his arms, which lay near the 
 couch, mechanically obeyed the order, al- 
 though extremely astonished; yet he 
 doubted not but that his conductor had 
 powerful reasons for acting in so precipi- 
 tate a manner. They passed through the 
 iong avenues of the monastery without mo- 
 lestation ; all was silent, until at last they 
 heard the solemn chaunt which proceeded 
 from the chapel. This circumstance oc- 
 casioned them to change their direction, as 
 Sternheim dreaded the meeting with some 
 of the monks, either going to or from the 
 chapel. Turning therefore to the right, they 
 at last arrived at a private gate, which as it 
 was fastened only on the inside, proved no 
 impediment to their design, and a few mi- 
 nutes beheld them in the open air. The day 
 had just began to break, and although The- 
 odore was impatient to be made acquainted 
 
 with
 
 tlTE BLACK BANNER, lOS 
 
 with the reasons for this hasty procedure, yet 
 as Sternheim seemed averse to conversatron> 
 and wished to push forward, he restrained 
 "his eagerness until a more suitable opportu- 
 nity. But although Theodore was thus fat 
 recovered^ yet the haste with which they tra- 
 velled began to have a sensible effect upon 
 him, and he candidly confessed to Sternheim 
 ^hat he felt it impossible to go much fur- 
 ther: Sternheim pointed to a forest at no 
 great distance^ and asked him whether he 
 could not sustain himself until they reached 
 it, as they should then be in little danger of 
 discovery ? This consideration roused him 
 to exertion, as he was satisfied that his com- 
 panion would not have been thus urgent, 
 had he not a sufficient t:ause; and with the 
 utmost difficulty they effected their wishes. 
 
 No sooner had they gained the friendly 
 shelter, than Steniheim, who had been 
 aware of what might happen to Theodore, 
 produced a cordial, which he procured un- 
 der the pretence of its being necessary for 
 his patient, and which, from the great value 
 
 VOL. I. K put
 
 194 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 put upon it by the abbot of the monastery, 
 and the many wonderful cases he had heard 
 described as cured by it, he had reason to 
 believe was a most powerful restorative. 
 A few drops only were reckoned suffi( lent ; 
 those he administered to the almost ex- 
 hausted Theodore^ and he soon found that 
 the virtues of the medicine had not been 
 exaggerated, as in less than an hour Theo- 
 dore not only felt himself recovered from 
 his fatigue, but scarcely retained any lassi- 
 tude from his late severe attack. Per- 
 ceiving the effect it produced, Sternheim 
 carefully preserved the remainder, sensi- 
 ble that both himself and his companion 
 might have further occasion for it. As the 
 young Count found himself so much re- 
 freshed, he wished to enter into the parti- 
 culars of the late events, but Sternheim 
 again requested that he would delay his cu- 
 riosity until the next day, when they would 
 most probably be perfectly secure, and pro- 
 posed immediately pursuing their journey, 
 although as yet they had come to no deci- 
 sion
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 195 
 
 sion Upon their future plans; the only ob- 
 ject being at present security from the dan- 
 gers which threatened them. A peasant*s 
 hut afforded them shelter and refreshment, 
 the ensuing evening; and the next morning 
 beheld them pass the boundaries of Carin- 
 thia, and enter the Tyrol. Here they 
 judged themselves safe, either from the 
 emissaries of Albert or the inquiries of the 
 monks, and they determined to take up 
 their abode for a few days in a romantic 
 village not far from the borders, in order 
 to obtain some rest, and arrange their 
 plans for their future proceedings. A 
 mutual confidence soon took place, and a 
 reciprocal relation of events cemented 
 their friendship; for Theodore would not 
 permit Sternheim to consider himself as a 
 menial, but from that instant consulted 
 him on every occasion, as one whose pru- 
 dence he could rely upon, and whose know- 
 ledge of mankind, and his great attachment 
 to the Princess Adeline, could not fail of 
 being beneficial to him on any emergency. 
 k2 The
 
 a 9^ THE -BLACK BANNEH^ 
 
 The village in which they had taken up 
 their residence was sitiiated on the banks 
 of the river Drave, at some distance from 
 aiiy main road, and frequented chiefly by 
 a few fishermen^ who seemed so intent 
 upon their own occupation as not to trou- 
 ble themselves in the concerns of their 
 neighbours ; nor did even the arrival of 
 two strangers interest them, further than as 
 they contributed to a larger sale of th« 
 produce of their labour, indeed the whole 
 village was so well calculated for seclusion, 
 that both Theodare and Sternheim thought 
 themselves extremely fortunate at having 
 S0 ^.ccidentally wandered to it ; and ihey 
 determined if, after a proper trial, no ma 
 terial objection arose, to make this their 
 place of private rendezvous on all future 
 occasions, for which purpose it was requi- 
 site to gain a thorough knowledge of th-c 
 environs, and the most secure and secret 
 parses into the province of Carinthia. 
 This would necessarily take up some time ; 
 a circumstance they did not regret, as they 
 
 should
 
 TTTE BLACK lANNRIT. Y9T 
 
 sTionrd be enabled to bring tfieir plans to 
 greater maturity, and \vith a probability of 
 success superior to what an hasty determi- 
 nation could ensure. 
 
 Seated one evening on the banks of the- 
 Drave, contemplating the fishermen^ who, 
 with unwearied diligence, pursued their 
 daily occupation, Theodore requested 
 Sternheim to inform him of the reason that 
 induced him to hurry from the monastery 
 in so secret and mysterious^ a manner^, to- 
 which the latter readrly agreed. . 
 
 " You may remember/' said he, " that 
 I quitted you after giving such directions as 
 suited the exigency of the moment^ intend- 
 ing to repair to the apartment of the abbot, 
 for the double purpose of making inquiries 
 respecting his health, and to announce 
 your relura to reason, and that as your 
 complaint proceeded merely from fatigue, 
 your convalescence would take place as 
 rapid as did your illness. As I was passi-rrg 
 through one of the passages leading tothe- 
 apartm exits of the superior, I met the phy- 
 K 3 siciaii>
 
 198 "the black banner. 
 
 sician, who had been attending him, atid of 
 course inquired the state of his health ; I 
 found that he was so much recovered as to 
 be able to give audience to a person whom 
 he was just going to conduct to him. I 
 expressed myself much gratified by the ac- 
 count, and in return communicated your 
 restoration to reason, and that I made no 
 doubt but that a few hours would complete 
 your cure. He appeared pleased to hear 
 it, and we parted. Curiosity, however, for- 
 tunate as it proved, induced me to postpone 
 my intentions of going to the abbot, and 
 instead of paying that visit, to endeavour to 
 make a discovery of the person who was so 
 earnest for an interview ; indeed I confess 
 my suspicions pointed out to me that it was 
 not impossible but that I might be the ob- 
 ject of it. Concealing myself, therefore, 
 where I could both see and hear without 
 being discovered, I awaited the arrival of 
 the stranger ; and the first view discovered 
 to me a face well known as one of the 
 principal friends of Albert. Willing to 
 
 hear
 
 TiTE BLACK BANN2R. 199 
 
 hear the extent of his commission, I kept 
 my place, and found that you, my Lord, 
 was the principal object; that x\lbert, 
 repenting he had suffered you to depart 
 from Clagenfurth, had dispersed his emissa- 
 ries round the country, ^vith orders the 
 most sanguinary. The description he gave 
 of your person was so exact as not to be 
 mistaken ; in short, the abbot, who I per- 
 ceived was the creature of Albert, consented 
 to every thing, confessed that you was in 
 the monastery at present deprived of rea- 
 son, and that it would be no difficult mat- 
 ter to have it believed, that in one of the 
 paroxyms, you had laid violent hands upon 
 yourself. Fearful of the consequences, 
 and that they might proceed to the imme- 
 diate execution of their diabolical plan, i 
 instantly retreated ; the rest you already 
 know, and it was this that made me so very 
 urgent to get beyond the bounds of Al- 
 bert's power, as, should his emissaries dare 
 to penetrate further, I was sensible that the 
 inhabitants would protect us; and I own, 
 K 4 that
 
 SOO THR BLACK BANNER. 
 
 that fearfuh of your high spirit^ I delayed 
 acqiifiinting you with the circumstance, 
 lest you might have been induced, even at 
 the hazard of your life^ to have sought- 
 revenge." 
 
 *' Sternheim/' cried Theodore, pressing 
 his hand, ^' little did I imagine I was so 
 much indebted to you, but believe me, the 
 life you have saved shall henceforward be 
 under your guidance ; you shall modulate 
 those fiercer passions whicK' riot in m^^ 
 heart, and direct, with the caution of expe- 
 rience, that revenge which burns to be let 
 loose on the assassin.*' 
 
 After this interesting communication,, 
 the two friends, more united than ever, 
 proceeded in the task they had allotted to 
 themselves. The dawn of day beheld them 
 piercing the most intricate recesses, while 
 the evenings v/ere employed in such con- 
 versations with the innocent inhabitants as 
 they could, without danger of discovering 
 their views, indulge themselves in, and from 
 'which they obtained much local, and to 
 
 tbeai.
 
 THE BLACK BATNNERi 20 t' 
 
 them useful knowledge. HaA^ing extentled 
 their researches one day so far as to render 
 it impossible for them to return to the vil- 
 lage in the evening, to their great surprise- 
 they found themselves not far distant from 
 the Julian Alps, a discovery of the utmost 
 importance to Theodore, who l^ncw that the 
 banditti, with whom he had so many years 
 been detained, freqjuently visited that' 
 neighbourhood. He immediately apprized^ 
 his companion of the circumstance, ob- 
 serving that a more than usual caution was- 
 necessary, a« should he be discovered by 
 them, it was more than probable that his 
 life would become a sacrifice to their re- 
 sentment for his escape. Sternheim was- 
 sensibleof the danger, and advised their at- 
 tempting to return to the village as soon as > 
 possible^ when they might consider at lei- 
 sure the measures it mioht be necessary for- 
 them to adopt. The evening, however, was 
 hv advant:ed, and unfavmirable for there 
 attempt ; dark clouds obscured ther ligKt 
 o£ the moon, which, at- its, first rising, hadx 
 X, 5 ^-omise J
 
 go 2 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 promised assistance ; and although no rain 
 added to the uncomfortableness of their si- 
 tuation, they found themselves obliged, 
 after repeated trials, to desist from their in- 
 tention, and await with patience the return 
 of day. One reflection, however, consoled 
 them — that the same darkness which pre- 
 vented their proceeding would most pro- 
 bably secure them from observation. They 
 accordingly took advantage of a large oak, 
 which, spreading its branches to a great 
 distance, afforded a comfortable shelter; 
 and after partaking of some refreshment, 
 which, on such excursions, they always 
 made a point of taking with them; well 
 knowing the difficulty of procuring any 
 necessaries in that neighbourhood, fatigued 
 with the exertions they had made, they 
 sunk into a placid and undisturbed re- 
 pose. It was about the hour of midnight 
 when Theodore was roused from this state 
 of oblivion by the reflection of a light, 
 which, flashing across his eyes, banished 
 the trammels of sleep. Snatching up his 
 
 swordj
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 203 
 
 sword, which lay close by him, he instantly 
 prepared for his defence, when perceiving 
 an old man, whose hoary locks bespoke age, 
 bending over him with anxiety in his coun- 
 tenance, every suspicion of injury was in- 
 stantly banished from his mind. The ac- 
 tion of Theodore awakened his compa- 
 nion ; he appeared much surprised at the 
 figure before him, who, before they could 
 recover from their astonishment, addressed 
 them in a tone which immediately conci- 
 liated their esteem, and at once dissipated 
 every rising suspicion. 
 
 " My sons,'' said the old man, " I per- 
 ceive your surprise, not unmixed with fear; 
 but dispel every idea of terror, and con- 
 sider me as a friend, who would, if possible, 
 not only be serviceable to you, but to all 
 mankind. But this is no proper place 
 either to make such offers, or to explain 
 rnyself more fully. The dews begin to fall, 
 and the whistling of the wind through the 
 adjacent forciits indicate an approaching 
 tempest. Suffer me therefore to offer you 
 K 6 an
 
 904 TII-E BLACK BANNEl^. 
 
 an asylum, where free either from the dart" 
 gers of the atmosphere, or others, which 
 may accidentally occur, you may finish that 
 repose my appearance has disturbed, m^ 
 peaceful security. The distance is not f^r, 
 and perhaps if you are wandering through, 
 these wilds for any particular purpose, it 
 may be in my pow^^r, old as I am, to assist. 
 you in your inquiries; but come_, let us pro- 
 ceed." — Neither Theodore or Sternheim 
 Blade the least hesitation in complying with 
 his request. The readiness with which they 
 accepted ©{ his invitation, seemed to give 
 the old man: great satisfaction, and he 
 thanked them for the confidence they had- 
 placed m him, '^ a confidence,*' added he, 
 with energy, ^^ that shall be most amply re- 
 paid." Theodore wassurprised at the warmth' 
 ©f er^pre^sioa w^hich their conductor had 
 made use of,.whiie Sternheim, although free 
 from any app2»ehension, could not avoid re- 
 garding him with the scrutinizing eye of 
 wary experience. Thus employed in con- 
 jectarei and ia almost total silence^ they ar- 
 rived
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 205 
 
 rivectat tlie hal)itation of the hermit, for 
 siich we shall at present call him. The ap- 
 proach to it was so extremely intricate, that 
 Kad they not keptquite close to their con- 
 ductor, it would have been almost impossi- 
 ble for them to have found the entrance, 
 I/, however, they had been surprised at the 
 sight of the hermit himself; they were mucb 
 more so at the first view of his abode. la 
 appearance it ^vas a large cavern, excavated 
 i^om the side of the meuntain, close to* 
 iN'hich a small but refreshing spring amply 
 supplied its inhabitants, and gently flowing 
 through the intricacies of the grove in 
 which it was situated, formed itself, at some 
 little distance, into a natural bath; while 
 around shrubs and flowers of the most ex- 
 quisite scent diffused their odorit'erous fra- 
 grance, and added not only to the beauty 
 but the luxury of the scene. But althougb 
 the eye might wander here in pJeasing va- 
 riety, still it was, if possible, more gratified? 
 hy the interior of the cavern, whose archedJ 
 »oof,, o^littering with, natural spars, seemed 
 
 l!0>
 
 206 1 
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 to dim the lustre of the artificial light pro- 
 duced by the lamps around it. On their 
 entrance into this enchanting abode^ the 
 hermit, who, notwithstanding his age, ap- 
 peared strong and active, placed before 
 them such fruits as were in season ; neither 
 was the vintage of the country wanting; 
 and it was with a smile that their host be- 
 held the surprise of his guests, who could 
 scarcely restrain their amazement at what 
 they beheld. As soon as Nature had been 
 satisfied, the hermit proposed to them to 
 retire, adding, ''To-morrow shall be dedi- 
 cated to your service; at present we all 
 want rest." Although both Sternheim and 
 Theodore were extremely anxious for an 
 explanation of these wonders, yet they 
 couid not avoid paying obedience to the 
 suggestion of the hermit, and retired to a 
 couch composed of the finest rushes, which 
 were strewed in an interior apartment of 
 the cavern. Sleep soon made them in- 
 sensible both ot the pleasure they had ex- 
 perienced, and the anxiety with which they 
 
 had
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 207 
 
 had coveted an explanation ; nor did they 
 awake until the sun darting its beams 
 through the thick foliage^ discovered to 
 them the length of their repose. On ap- 
 proaching the exterior, where they had 
 partaken of refreshment the evening before, 
 they found the morning repast in readi- 
 ness, consisting of fruit, milk, and other 
 simple and rural food. The hermit, how- 
 ever, was absent, and they accordingly 
 strolled to the entrance of the cavern, in 
 order to contemplate those beauties be- 
 fore described, of which they could have a 
 very faint idea, from the small reflection 
 that the solitary lamp of the hermit had af- 
 forded the foregoing evening. Fearful of 
 losing themselves in the labyrinthian wind- 
 ings of the environs to the cavern, they 
 contented themselves with viewing those 
 beauties contained within the narrow hori- 
 zon by which they were bounded. While 
 thus employed, they perceived the hermit 
 approaching them from one of the avenues 
 which led into the adjacent country; after 
 
 apologizin;?
 
 2Q8 THE BLACK BANNEff;- 
 
 apologizing for his absence, the reason of 
 which he would afterwards inform them 
 of, they returned into the cavern, and par- 
 took of their hiimble yet' delicate fare. 
 This completed, the hermit, who had, 
 ^ough not unpsrceived, looked at Theo- 
 dore with peculiar attention, asked tiiem to 
 accompany him through his little domains, 
 when he would acquaint them with his his- 
 tory, and the occasion of his present mode 
 of life, " a mode," added he, with a sigh; 
 *^ which misfortune first prescribed, but 
 which ha^ n«w become so habitual as to be 
 my greatest consolation. To you, Theodore 
 
 De Mountfort '* Theodore started at 
 
 hearing himself named, and without giving 
 the henTiit time to finish the sentence, 
 asked him with impatience, " How he came - 
 to knaw him ?'* The hermit smiled, but it- 
 was a smile of complacen^^cy, which set the 
 heart of Theodore, and even of Sternheim, 
 at ease, who had instantly eoaceived suspi- 
 cions that they were betrayed, and more par- 
 ticularly asTheodore recollected that he had? 
 
 sometimes
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 209 
 
 soraetimes heard the banditti mention the 
 hermit of the Alps. To Theodore^s ques- 
 tion, however, the old man readily answered, 
 '' I guess your thoughts, hut believe me 
 they are injurious to me, and I call Heaven 
 to witness that your safety and future ho- 
 nour is the chief employment of my 
 thoughts. I have known you almost ever 
 since your birth, and have even watched 
 over your welfare among those moun- 
 tains; but I will not anticipate ; the relation 
 I purpose giving you will amply convince 
 both yourself and companion, whom I have 
 also some faint recollection of, that you 
 possess not a tcuer friend than the hermit 
 of ihe Alps." 
 
 This deckration evidently encreased the 
 astonishment of both ; but in order to en- 
 sure a mutual confidenre, Sternhcim made 
 himself known to the hermit* who ap- 
 peared much gratified by the intelligence. 
 The old man led them to a seat in the most 
 retired part o^f the wilderness, the beauty of 
 which was even superior to what they had 
 
 before
 
 210 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 before seen, where, seating themselves be- 
 neath the shady trees, he began his pro- 
 inrsed history. 
 
 '' Although now cloathed in the habili- 
 ments of pe^ce, once, like yourselves, my 
 soul panted for fc^me and honour. To me 
 the clashins: of arms, and the neighins: of 
 the pampered steed, affbrded the greatest 
 delight; neither did I conceive any enter- 
 prize too dangerous to be attempted, or 
 too difficult to be overcome. This war- 
 like spirit I inherited from my parents, who 
 fostered my rising ambition, and delighted 
 to encourage that daring ardour which so 
 evidently displayed itself from the earliest 
 period of my infancy, and proved rae a true 
 and genuine scion from the parent stock; 
 since nobility, pure and uncontaminated, 
 flows in these veins, which can boast the 
 noblest blood of Germany and Switzerland. 
 In me, Theodore, behold a man long 
 thought no more, Henry Count Von Wer- 
 denherg." 
 
 Theodore and Sternheim uttered aery of 
 
 astonishment
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 2H 
 
 astonishment at hearing the name of a pei^ 
 son of whom no certain intelligence had 
 been received for many years, and who 
 was in general supposed to have been no 
 longer in existence; and their counte- 
 nances almost testified their incredibility. 
 The hermit perceived their doubts^ and 
 continued : 
 
 '^ 1 am not surprised at the hesitation 
 you make in crediting the assertion^, as so 
 many years have elapsed since any public 
 tidings have been heard concerning me; 
 and although the history of my life will ex- 
 plain the mystery of my reported death, 
 and sufficiently identify my person, yet to 
 engage more the confidence of my young 
 relation, and also that of his faithful com- 
 panion, behold a mark, which you, Stern- 
 heim, are sufficiently acquainted with the 
 occasion of my receiving." 
 
 The hermit laid bare his chest, and dis- 
 playing to his wondering auditors a deep 
 scar in the centre of it, in the shape of a 
 cross, which Sternheim no sooner beheld 
 
 tha»
 
 212 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 than he instantly recognized the circum- 
 stances that occasioned it, and hastened ta 
 pay such respect as was due to the man so 
 dear to his country ; while the heart ofThe- 
 odore glowed with an enthusiastic ardour at 
 the sight of a wound received in so glorious 
 a cause as that he then beheld ;. and he be- 
 came more impatient than ever to hear the 
 eventful history of his life, and the reasons 
 that could induce so favoured zn hero to 
 bury himself in the obscurity of the 
 mountains. 
 
 The old Count checked the zeal of Stern- 
 heim, requesting him for the present at 
 least to consider him as the hermit of the 
 Alps, and to lose sight, in that single titles 
 of those high-sounding names which it had 
 once been his pride to acknowledge, but 
 which he had for so many years relin- 
 quished ; and perceiving by the looks of 
 Theodore his impatience to be made ac- 
 quainted with these mysterious occurrences, 
 he proceeded, first observing that he 
 should not anticipate his narrative by ex- 
 plaining
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 213 
 
 ptainirig the circumstance of the wound, 
 and the occasion of it, as it would naturally 
 make part of his history, which, as Theo- 
 tlore was not perfectly acquainted with the 
 events of earlier times, he should com- 
 mence from the period of his first taking 
 up the profession of arms. 
 
 " I scarce need,'* cont-nued (he hermit, 
 particularly addressing himself to Theo- 
 dore, ** mention the near connexion in 
 which we stand to each other by blood, as 
 you are sufficiently acquainted with the 
 genealogy of the De Mountforts, to know 
 that your father and myself were sister's 
 children. I was, however, nearly ten years 
 ■older than the Count Be Mount fort, and 
 made my first essay in arms soon after I 
 h..d attained my sixteenth year, under the 
 immediate eye of my father, who was at that 
 time engaged in a dispute with the Pjiiice 
 Bishop of Bamberg, r^ative to the seizure 
 of two of his vassals, under the pretence of 
 their having committed some depredations 
 on the frontiers of the principality. The 
 
 Bishop
 
 214 THF. BLACK BANNER. 
 
 Bishop was proud in the extreme, and es- 
 teemed himself of so much consequence 
 in the empire, as to make him imagine that 
 he could insult the less powerful nobility, 
 without apprehension of any reprisal, or 
 dread of their vengeance. Indeed, whe- 
 ther it was owing to a want of unanimity 
 among themselves, or a narrow jealousy of 
 each other, that prevented a coalition be- 
 tween the weaker estates, in order to op- 
 pose the imperious oppression of the Prince 
 Bishop, certain it is that they never at- 
 tempted any resistance to the various acts 
 of encroachment, which he was perpetually 
 making upon their inherent rights, but 
 tamely S4.ibmitted to whatever terms he 
 chose to impose. The insult, however, he 
 had offered to my father, in the persons of 
 his vassals, aroused his indignation ; but, 
 sensible that he was too weak to cope with 
 him singly, he seemed like the rest of his 
 neighbours to submit tamely, until he had 
 privately sounded the sentiments of the 
 difTerent branches of the family. All seemed 
 
 actuated
 
 THE BLACM BANNER. 215 
 
 actuated as if by one spirit; nor was any 
 one more forward than your grandfather. 
 But our principal reliance was from our 
 friends in Switzerland, who felt themselves 
 bound, as members of a solemn league 
 which had irany years before been con- 
 cluded between our ancestors, to afford 
 every aiisistance in their power to each 
 other, whenever they were attacked or in- 
 sulted. These preparations, however, could 
 not be made so secretly, but that the Prince 
 Bishop obtained inteliiuence of them, and 
 judging that the storm would soon burst 
 over his head, he made the most active pre- 
 piarations for repelling for<.e by force. 
 
 " Notwithstanding my youth and inex- 
 perience^ my father had entrusted me with 
 the command of a choice squadron of ca- 
 valry, but at the same time joined with me 
 an officer of well-known experienceand con- 
 summate bravery. Several petty skirmishes 
 took place, in which each party obtained 
 alternate advantages, which were, however, 
 of no further service than to harrass both 
 
 without
 
 SI6 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 without bringing the contest to a final issue. 
 As the most considerable part of our force 
 was comprised in those allies who came 
 from a distance, and who, as soon .as the 
 campaign was over, would return into their 
 own territories, it became a matter of the 
 utmost importance to us to bring on a de- 
 <;isive engagement, which the enemy con- 
 sequently wished t-o avoid, For the same 
 reasons that excited us to obtain it. 
 
 " Several weeks were passed in this de- 
 sultory warfare, when a sudden thought 
 striking my conception, which might pos*- 
 sibly bring on a battle, I mentioned it to 
 the old officer who had been joined with 
 me in the command. He seemed evidently 
 surprised that a youth unaccustomed to the 
 theory or practice of war should have hit 
 upon a method which, on minutely exa- 
 mining the plan, he judged would not only 
 be productive of the efii?ct, but also of a 
 certain victorv ; and with a sincere plea- 
 sure, unalloyed by envy, he immediately 
 communicated my ideas to my father, to- 
 gether
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 217 
 
 gcther with his own observations on them. 
 *I was accordingly sent for, and was re- 
 ceived by that brave man, not only with the. 
 nfTection of a parent, but with the warmth 
 and enthusiasm of a hero. After canvas- 
 sing over the scheme, during which the ju- 
 dicions remarks made bv the chief consi- 
 derably simplified the manoeuvres neces- 
 sary, ' Go,' said he to me^ ' and as the 
 idea is your own^, let the honour of its suc- 
 cess be also yours.' It is unnecessary for 
 me to enter into the mirrutia of the en- 
 gagement that followed ; suffice it to say, 
 that fortune favoured my attempt, and I 
 returned victorious, having taken the 
 Prince Bishop himself prisoner, who, not 
 conceiving it possible for us to make the 
 attack in the quarter we did, thought him- 
 wself in no danger. This event was produc- 
 tive of a peace, but at the same time re- 
 moved me from my fiither's protection, 
 and placed me under the more immediate 
 care of the Emperor. That monarch had 
 been made acquainted with the particulars 
 VOL. I. - L of
 
 ^18 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 ol the late engagement, and ever ready to 
 encourage (hose who in any way distin-' 
 guished themselves by their personal cou- 
 rage, he immediately requested my father 
 to resign me to him, an honour so flattering 
 as not to be refused. 
 
 '' A r.ew scene was nov/ opened to my 
 ambition ; caressed and distinguished by 
 one of the most powerful monarchs of the 
 age, nothing appeared out of my reach, 
 and the Emperor soon discovered the re- 
 gard he had for me, by assigning me a post 
 near his person. Some years passed in this 
 manner, during which period my interest 
 seemed rather to increase than diminish, 
 and I even flattered myself that my exalta- 
 tion was beheld without envy : at least, if 
 the minds of any were prejudiced* against 
 ine, their sentiments were so well concealed 
 as entirely to escape detection. Nor was it 
 in public alone that I found myself caressed 
 by n)y sovereign ; our private hours were 
 devoted to a friendship 1 have the vanity 
 to think was equally dear to both. At 
 
 these
 
 THE BLACK BANNEK. *J! I f> 
 
 lliesc times the cold frigid ceremony of 
 state was exchanged for the more genial 
 >varmth of confidential intercourse : but the 
 war which broke out with France roused 
 us from our dreams of tranquillity ; and al- 
 though I was oflfcred the most honourable 
 ct)mmands, F made no hesitation in sacrifi- 
 cing the hopes of fame to the wish of re- 
 maining about the person of the lu-nj)eror, 
 more particularly as I well knew it was hig 
 intention to take the field in person. Thii 
 arrangement accordingly took place in the 
 following spring, and his arrival at the 
 grnnd army inspired the troops with so en- 
 thusiastic an ardour as to promise the most 
 s])lendid victory. But we were now 
 doomed to experience the fickleness of for- 
 tune, which had hitherto smiled on our ac- 
 tions, nnd enabled us to repulse the enemy 
 at all points. 
 
 " As soon as the reinforcements which 
 the Fjuprror had brought with him had re- 
 covered from the fatigues of their march, it 
 was determined to give battle to llie enemy. 
 L ii Aware
 
 220 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 Aware of our intention, they prepared to 
 receive us with ^ courage equal lo our own, 
 ^ and for a long time victory was doubtful, 
 sometimes inclining to one party, and 
 again as suddenly changing to the other. I 
 liad taken my station close to the Emperor, 
 who, perceiving his right wing borne down 
 by the impetuosity of their opponents at- 
 tack,- and on the point of giving way, has- 
 tened with the guards to support it. An 
 immense slaughter now took place; the 
 Emperor, careless of danger, rushed into 
 the thickest of the engagement, and, over- 
 powered by num'bers, was thrown from his 
 horse. Already had one of the enemy 
 lifted up his battle-axe to put a period to 
 his existence, when, rushing forward, I re- 
 ceived the blow intended for my sovereign 
 on my own breast; I instantly fell, but 
 our troops perceiving the imminent dan- 
 ger that surrounded us, rallied, and bore 
 both the Emperor and myself ofT.the field, 
 although not without the greatest difficulty. 
 'Mv senses had totally forsaken me, neither 
 
 did
 
 TIIF BT.ACK BANNER. 221 
 
 did I recover them for several davs, when^ I 
 found that I had been conveyed to Cob- 
 lentz, which was at some distance from the 
 ])lace where the engagement took place. 
 My first inquiry was concerning the Em- 
 peror, and I was happy to find that he had 
 escaped with a wound of a very trifling na- 
 ture. As soon as he was informed that I 
 was in a state of convalescence, he came 
 with all the familiarity of a friend to visit 
 me ; the thanks I received, both from him- 
 self and from the empire at large, for ha- 
 ^ing preserved the life of their sovereign 
 at so critical a moment, at the greatest ha- 
 zard of my own, were such as to gratify the 
 most unbounded vanity. Even public re- 
 joicings were made on my recovery, and 
 every attention that a grateful nation could 
 bestow, was most freely given. The dis- 
 asters we had met with rendered peace de- 
 sirable; and that object being accomplished, 
 and my health nearly established, I pur- 
 posed putting in practice a scheme I had 
 long meditated, of making the tour of Italy. 
 L 3 I had
 
 §22 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 I had little difficulty in obtaining the per- 
 mission of the Emperor; we parted^ and 
 as if seized with a presentiment of the fu- 
 ture, the separation was attended with the 
 most painful emotions to both. I em- 
 barked on board a Genoese, preferring go- 
 ing by sea rather than by land, with a suffi- 
 cient number of attendants^ purposing to 
 reach the city of Genoa, where I had some 
 connexions who were impatient to see me. 
 Fate, however, ordained we were not to 
 meet, ay a few days after we had lost sight 
 of the land, a strange sail made its appear- 
 ance, which, on its nearer approach, was 
 easily distinguished to be one of those pi- 
 ratical corsairs that enrich themselves at the 
 ex pence of every other nation by plunder. 
 Confident that victory or slavery were our 
 only alternatives, and being tolerably well 
 manned, we prepared for the enemy, who 
 bore down upon us, and after firing a 
 broadside, immediately attempted to board 
 UH. In this attack, however, he was beat 
 off, but returned to it again with redoubled
 
 THE BLACIC BANNER, 223 
 
 vigour. The conflict then became more 
 furious, and we were again so far success- 
 ful, as not only fo drive those out of our 
 vessel who remained alive, but also to 
 board our opponent. The battle now 
 seemed but just began, and it continued 
 for a length of time with the utmost fury ; 
 in the midst of it I fell, and, as I have since 
 been informed, to all appearance dead. 
 It was this circumstance that spread the re- 
 port of my death, which was further con- 
 firmed by those who escaped the slaughter^ 
 and with some difficulty reached Genoa. 
 The blow% however, by w^hich I fell only 
 stunned me; but when I recovered I found 
 in\self a prisoner on board the Turkish 
 galley ; and although I vvas attended witb 
 an humanity not usual to those despera- 
 does, a horror of my future situation occa- 
 sioned so violent a fever, that for a Ieno;-tfi 
 of time my life was despaired of; neither 
 had I any wish to preserve it. Youth and 
 a good constitution, however, prevailed; 
 and when we arrived at Tunis^ our destined 
 L 4 port.
 
 224 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 port, I was nearly in a state of convales- 
 cence. It was in vain that I disclosed to 
 the captain of the ship my rank, and of- 
 fered such a ransom as I doubted not would 
 tempt the most covetous. He told me that 
 he had observed my bravery^ and that I 
 should be a most acceptable present to his 
 brother, who was the principal aga of the 
 janizarie^j at Constantinople. To that city 
 therefore was I sent, as soon as I was able 
 to travel without danger, while my poor 
 companions were dispersed in variousdirec- 
 tions. I was received by Selim, the aga, 
 in a manner that convinced me his brother 
 had been very particular in his representa- 
 tion of me. At my first audience he in- 
 formed me that if I was faithful, I should 
 BOt find my situation so terrible as perhaps 
 I had formed it to myself in idea, as 1 should 
 not be put to any degrading employment. 
 These assurances rather raised my spirits; 
 and being perfectly sensible that any at- 
 tempt to regain my liberty immediately 
 was impossible, I determined to prove piy 
 
 obedieace
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 225 
 
 obedience in the best way possible ; i\n& 
 toid him in answer, that as I had known how 
 to command, so also I knew how to obey. 
 He appeared much pleased, and immedi- 
 ately consigned me to the care of one of 
 hisoffiters, who he told me v,?ould give me 
 instructions as to what was expected franr 
 me. I was not entirely una-cquainted witb 
 the Turkish language, so that I found little 
 difiiculty either in comprehending what 
 was ordered, or in making, known my 
 wMnts. A. vest more magnificent than the 
 generality of the slaves was given to me, 
 and I found that my business was to instruct 
 his eldest son Ibrahim, then sixteen, in the 
 use of arms, and the complete management 
 of a horse. I confess tliat this employ- 
 ment was so perfectly congenial to my dis- 
 position, that I entered upon it witb ala- 
 crity, and had the happiness to find my 
 pupil so docile, as to promise his attaining: 
 the highest perfection. Selim beheld the 
 progress of his son with astonishment, and 
 I soon found the effects of his satisfaction, 
 L 5 as
 
 226 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 as my slavery existed but in name. Equally 
 beloved both by the father and the son, I 
 passed my time in something like happi- 
 ness; indeed, had it not been for tjie recol- 
 lection of the sorrow 1 well knew the Em- 
 peror would experience, on hearing of the 
 fatal event that had happened to me, I 
 might perhaps have insensibly lost every 
 wish of returning to my native country ; 
 on this subject only Selim was inflexible ; 
 kind and generous in every other respect, 
 he would have loaded me with riches, but 
 never would consent either to my emanci- 
 pation, or that I should by any means ac- 
 quaint my former friends of my existence. 
 *' The temptations which were held out 
 to me to become a Musselman, might have 
 sta^oered a man much more ambitious than 
 myself; indeed that alone was wanting to 
 have raised me to the highest dignities of 
 the nation, so much had my reputation in- 
 creased, through the encomiums which the 
 father and son took every opportunity 
 of passing upon *ne. Thus honoured and 
 
 beloved.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 927 
 
 beloved, I at length felt myself insensibly 
 attached to them, and even formed the re- 
 solution never to desert them clandestinely, 
 or to obtain my liberty without consulting: 
 my benefactors, for such I could not avoid 
 considering them ; but fortune destined, 
 me to experience a-nother change, v/hk:h>, 
 although it increased my happiness for 
 sometime, was but the forerunner of irre- 
 mediable misfortunes." 
 
 The hermit paused, and his attentive audf- 
 tors perceived a-tear trickling down his aged 
 cheek, whilea con^udsive sigh-seemed almost 
 rcridy to burst the bonds of existence. The^ 
 odore, who had become more and more 
 interested in the narrative, felt concerned 
 that the relation of it should have recalled 
 scenes to the old Count*s memory, v/hicb. 
 time had nearly buried in oblivion, and ob- 
 serving that it was with difficulty he could 
 restrain his agitation, considerately pro- 
 posed, as the day was far advanced, that he 
 should postpone the remainder until he- 
 found himself more comp«sed^ adding, that 
 li ti althouirh
 
 f2S THE BLACK BANNED'. 
 
 although it was his desire to return tc the 
 village, yet he would readily delay his in- 
 tention, if that remaining at the hermitage 
 "ivould not prove an inconvenience. The 
 old Count apologized for the interruption,, 
 observing;, that time had not so entirely 
 blunted the keenness of his feelings, as la 
 render him insensible to the lo^ises he had 
 sustained, the recollection of which never 
 failed to affect him ; but although the im- 
 pression was over, and he found himself 
 sufficiently composed to pursue the narra- 
 tive, yet he readily acquiesced m the pro- 
 posed delay* '' Time,*' added he, " has 
 flowed so imperceptibly, that the sun has 
 already passed the meridian, and summons 
 us to the duties of the day, and to a repast 
 ■which we shall find prepared for us in the 
 cavern; to-morrow we will resume our 
 discourse; nor need you fear intruding 
 upon my comforts, which, simple as they 
 are, are still sufficient for a greater number 
 ol guests than at present make j^art of my 
 society." 
 
 The
 
 TTiE BLACK BANNER. 2^2^ 
 
 The old Count rising, led the way to the 
 cavern, where, if his guests were surprised 
 at the entertainment of the evening before, 
 they were quite astonished at beholding 
 the repast, which might ahnost be deemed 
 sumptuous, as it consisted of various kinds 
 of fruits in the highest perfection, cream, 
 and bread of a superior whiteness and qua- 
 lity, added to which were ditlerent species 
 of dried fish and caviare, together with the 
 various wines and liqueurs produced in that 
 country. What increased their wonder 
 was, that hitherto they had seen no attend- 
 ant, except a female, whose years bespoke 
 her perfectly incapable of executing such 
 ofEces as the plenitude before them ren- 
 dered indispensably requisite. The old 
 Count was aware of their thoughts, and 
 smiling, observed, that solitary as he ap- 
 peared, his table was amply supplied with 
 those innocent delicacies which ixature af- 
 forded ; " Tieither," continued he, " are 
 they the gift of supernatural agents, or a dis- 
 play of ostentation, but .are furnished by 
 
 the
 
 2'30 TFTE BLACK EANNKR. 
 
 the genuine affection and benevolence of 
 the neighboiirrng peasantry, who no sooner 
 hear t!iat my hermitage is hononred with 
 visitors, than they severally hasten with- 
 whatever assistance they can afrord, while 
 two faithful slaves, the sad companions<and 
 partakers of inv former mis fortunes, whose 
 intrinsic worth is far above my praise, ar- 
 range the wholesome refrcshiricnt. These, 
 however, I never suiTer to w-ait upon me, 
 but when real necessity obliges me, as I 
 owe too much to their past services to treat 
 them as menials, though I cannot prevent 
 their affection from actiiig as such. The 
 sequel of my history will sati.t»factori[y ex- 
 plain the nature of my obligations to them/* 
 The attention both of Sternheini and 
 Theodore was strongly excited by the rela- 
 tion of the Count, and no sooner was the 
 frugal repast concluded, than the latter be- 
 traved an impatience to hear the sequel of 
 so eventful a tale, which had for so many 
 years deprived Germany of its greatest 
 hero. The Count smiled at his eagerness, 
 
 and
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 231 
 
 a^nd making some good-huiTiourec] observa- 
 tions on his curiosity, again led the way to 
 the sequestered bower, where seating them- 
 selves on its moss- covered seats, he thus re- 
 sumed iiis narrative. 
 
 "The conduct both of Selim and Ibra- 
 him towards me was so extremely fjienilly, 
 that I had become, as I before observed, in 
 a great degree reconciled to my situation ; 
 the one treated mc as a son, the other as a 
 beloved l:n*other. The time, however, now 
 arrived when my pupil was to reduce to 
 practice that theory of which I had laboured 
 to make him the complete master. Neither 
 had my instructions been sown in a barren 
 soil ; and it was with the greatest satisfac- 
 tion I perceived the ardent zeal with which 
 he embraced the glorious opportunity of 
 exercising his abilities. 
 
 *' The sovereign of Persia had frequently 
 made encroachments on the territories of 
 the Turks, which, either from the weakness, 
 incapacity, or treachery of the governors 
 of those provinces where such depredations 
 
 had
 
 fS^ THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 had been cornmilted, were for a long time 
 suffered to exist with impunity. Grown 
 more daring by this siipinencss, they at 
 length carried matters so far, as to seize on 
 a considerabfe treasure, which, under a 
 strong escort, was intended to have been^ 
 sent to Constantinople, it being the annual' 
 tril)ute due froni some of the frontier pro- 
 vinces. So daring an insult, in the execu- 
 tion of which much blood w^asshed, and the 
 principal basha himself lost his life, could 
 not pass unnoticed, as, besides the outrage, 
 the disappointment was most severely felt 
 at Constantinople, where the arrival of the 
 money was anxiously expected by the Sul- 
 tan, in order to give the usual presents to 
 those troops he particularly depended 
 upon. Vv^ar became the general cry, and 
 an immense army was immediately formed, 
 of which Selim, who had peculiarly distin- 
 guished himself as a brave and vigilant ofH- 
 eer, had the command. It was now that 
 Ibrahim was to make his first essay in arms, 
 and, as you may naturally suppose, I was 
 
 destined 
 
 I
 
 THE BLACK BANVES. 235 
 
 destined to accompany hlin. Prior, how- 
 ever, to our leaving Constantinople, in or- 
 der to join the main army, which had ad- 
 vanced by forced marches to the frontiers 
 of Persia, Selim, whose multiplied engage- 
 ments were never the occasion of oblitera- 
 ting from his mind the affection he bore 
 his son, took the opportunity of thus ad- 
 dressing him in my presence: — 'Pbrahim, 
 my regard for you, and an eager desire to 
 render you supereminent in those duties 
 which add splendor to the most illustrious 
 name, has induced me in some decree to 
 deviate from the strict letter of the Moham- 
 medan law, by permitting Abdallah (for 
 such was the name given to me when ^a 
 slave) to enjoy many privileges hitherto de- 
 nied to those of his religion^ ; it rs, how- 
 ever, a duty incumbent upon me to declare 
 that he has amply repaid every concessiorv 
 that has been made in his favour, by the 
 great attention he has paid to your educa- 
 tion, more particularly in that branch of it 
 which the insults offered to your country 
 
 now
 
 S34 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 HOW call upon you to exercise. The com- 
 ma nd which I shall entrust to you is oi" 
 that nature which^ ifexecuted with skill and 
 judgment^ will not only immortalize your 
 own name, but amply justify me in the 
 };:;rtiarity I feci for Abdallah. The rules of 
 service v/ill not permit me to associate him 
 with you ; but let me entreat you (command 
 1 shall not) that you will regulate your 
 conduct bv his advice. A solemn 'oath 
 prevents my givii"Jg Him his freedom, yet 
 strll I no longer consider bim as a slave, 
 but the friend of Selim and Ibrahim. On 
 you, Abdallah/ continued he, ' I build my 
 hopes of success, and in private shall ex- 
 pect you to give me such advice as you 
 may, during the campaign, deem necessary. 
 But forgive me,' added he, after a short 
 pause, ' for requesting one thing, which 
 will render my mind perfectly easy/ Be- 
 fore he could proceed, I interrupted him 
 by assuring him that I guessed ihe purport 
 of his uneasiness, and thct although he 
 must be sensible that liberty was the niost 
 
 precious
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 235 
 
 precious gift I could receive, yet that if it 
 was to deprive me of attending Ibrahim 
 and himselfj and being as serviceable as I 
 could during the ensuing campaign, I woii.^. 
 not accent of it, so much did I feel for the 
 eenerousy manner in which he had con- 
 stantly treated me. The old warrior caught 
 me by the hand, exclaiming, 'It is enough^ 
 I am satislied, and my request is needless.' 
 Kotwithstanding this assertion, I begged him 
 to name it, which, with reluctance, and after 
 much entreaty, he complied with ; and I 
 found that he was fearful I might lake the 
 opportunity of a general engagement for 
 making my escape. I most readily forgave 
 his suspicions, as I could not help confes- 
 sing they were natural ; and perhaps, had I 
 not been sincerely attached both to the fa- 
 ther and his son, his suspicions might have 
 been realized. Thus, co-nfident in the ho- 
 nour of each other, we left Constantinople, 
 attended by a large body of hoi-se, and pro- 
 ceeded towards tliC confines of Persia, 
 where tht Sultan Achmet himself was await- 
 ing
 
 25d the black banner. 
 
 ing our arrival. Sclim immediately at- 
 tended his sovereign, with whom he was 
 justly a great favourite ; but both Ibrahim 
 *Tnd myselfthought that his conference was 
 unusually long. At length he returned, and 
 after giving audience to several general 
 officers, he repaired to the tent of his son, 
 where the latter and mvselFwere arransinir 
 a plan of action, which, if carried into exe- 
 cution with vigour, I was convinced would 
 ensure us a complete victory. This plan 
 "Was almost the exact counterpart of the one 
 I have before mentioned, and which was so 
 successful, when my father first gave me a 
 command : it is also rather a remarkable 
 circumstance, as you may observe in the 
 progress of my history, that similar inci- 
 dents raised me in ihe opinion of thearmy 
 in both engagements. The presence of 
 Selim, however, after the customary com- 
 pliments, did not prevent our proceeding ; 
 and 1 had the satisfaction of perceiving that 
 he not only distinctly comprehended the 
 intention, but that by his looks, although 
 
 at
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 237 
 
 at that time he made no observation, he 
 entirely approved of it. It had been re- 
 solved to remain in the encampment we 
 had chosen for some days in order to re- 
 fresh those troops that had marched from a 
 distance, and at the same time to p^ain a 
 more correct intelligence as to the position 
 of the enemv. This delay enabled me to 
 render the plan I had formed more perfect, 
 which indeed had little reference to the 
 main body, but was intended for the spe- 
 cial service on which my young pupil was 
 to be employed, t..at of conducting the 
 body of reserve, a command of the utmost 
 consequence; and I confess I felt myself 
 most highly flattered at the confidence 
 placed in me, as it was evident, from the 
 youth of Ibrahim, that Selim formed his 
 chief dependence upon me. 
 
 ''Two days prior to that intended for our 
 march, as Ibrahim and myself were sittincr 
 in the tent appropriated for me, an orr^er 
 came for him to attend his father, which he 
 instantly obeyed; and as I was not in- 
 cluded.
 
 238 
 
 THE E!,y\CK BAKNER. 
 
 eluded in it, I amused myself during his 
 absence with revising the plan I had 
 sketched out^ so us to lender it more com- 
 plete. It was evening, and I had scarcely 
 began my employment, when Selim and 
 another officer, of whose person I was ig- 
 norant, but who, from his appearance, 
 seemed to be of a superior rank, entered, 
 I was rather surprised, as I naturally con- 
 cluded that Selim was employed with his 
 son ; however I did not deem it proper to 
 make any inquiries before a stranger, but 
 paving those respects I judged due, was 
 preparing to close my labours, when Seliin, 
 who with his companion had approached 
 the table, desired me to shew the plan, and 
 also to explain the intended nianceuvies. 
 This of course I read.iiv complied with, b'Jt 
 I could not avoid observing both satisfac- 
 tion and a degree of astonishment in the 
 countenance of the stranger, who, notwith- 
 standing he freely addressed my patron 
 in language sufliciently flattering, never 
 deigned to open his lips to me; this, how- 
 ever.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 239" 
 
 ever, I readily accounted for, as I made no 
 doubt but that if he was, as he appeared, a 
 particular friend of Selim's, he was also 
 acquainted with my situation ; and there 
 were many, particularly of the higher or- 
 ders, who were so inflexible in their dislike 
 to Christians, as never to hold converse with 
 a person of that religion, however gifted 
 by nature or fortune. The stranger, after 
 having fullv satisfied his curiosity, with- 
 drew, together with my patron, who, on 
 leaving the tent, gave me a look of pecu- 
 liar approbation, by which I well knew 
 how to interpret the satisfaction he at that 
 moment exocrienced. 
 
 " Scarcely had these i.nexpected visitors 
 departed than Ibrahim returned, to v/hom 
 I mentioned the occurrence; for a mo- 
 ment he seemed lost in thought, but sud- 
 denly recovering himself, said with a sir.ile, 
 ' x\Iy dear Abdallah, I foresee that the visit 
 you mention will restore you to liberty, 
 which, was it not for your promise, I should 
 almost lamient, although rest assured that it 
 
 was
 
 240 THE BLACK BANNER. . 
 
 my determination, whenever I had it in mr 
 power, to have set you free, a grateful act 
 -which an unfortunate oath alone prevents 
 my father from performing.' To this 
 friendly intention I made the proper re- 
 turn, again repeating my sssurances, that 
 €ven if free, I would not leave him, at least 
 not until the conclusion of the war, al- 
 though, I observed, I could not see any like- 
 lihood of such an event, knovving how 
 justly tenacious his father was of his word, 
 and consequently much more so of an 
 oath. Here the subject dropped, and after 
 making some arrangements for the morn- 
 ing, we separately retired for the night. 
 But the conversation had made so great an 
 impression upon my mind, that although I 
 soon sunk into a state of calm repose, fancy 
 pourtraycd the goddess of liberty descend- 
 ing to my assistance, arrayed in all those 
 attributes with which the glowing warmth 
 of imagination ornaments her. In a mo- 
 ment, the chains that appeared to have en- 
 circled my limbs became loosened, and a 
 
 voice
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 241 
 
 voice of more than common sweetness 
 said, ' Thy virtues break ihe chains of sla- 
 very/ With these words the beauteous 
 vision vanished, and I was not a little sur- 
 prised when I awoke, to find that although 
 the day had but just began to break, Selim 
 was in my tent, contemplating me with an 
 agitation in which, however, satisTaction 
 and pleasure were equally predominant. 
 Rather confused at being surprised asleep, 
 I was preparing an excuse, w^hen the gene- 
 rous chief hastily interrupting me, said, 
 ' If any apology is necessary, it is due from 
 me, as it still wants some time to the accus- 
 tomed hour of duty ; but I could not enjoy 
 the blessings of sleep, until I had performed 
 a command the most grateful to my feel- 
 ings of any I have hitherto executed. Ab- 
 dallah, you are no more a slave.' Although 
 I was in som.e degree ^Tepared by the vision 
 of the night, as well as by the hints of Ibra- 
 him, for such an event, yet still the intelli- 
 gence came so abruptly, that my usual for- 
 titude forsook me; I attempted to articu- 
 voL. I. M . late.
 
 242 THE BLACK BAKNER. 
 
 late, but words were wanting, and T threw 
 myself at the feet of my benefactor, who 
 hastily raising me in hisarms, embraced me 
 Mnth paternal affection. In a short time, 
 however^ I became more composed, and 
 after pouring forth the effusions of my 
 heart, and repeating those promises I had 
 before made to Ibrahim, I requested him 
 to inform me by what means he could have 
 been induced to grant me manumission, 
 after the solemn oath he had so frequently 
 told me he lamented having taken. — 'Be- 
 fore I satisfy you,' said my generous 
 friend, ' permit me to thank you, both in 
 my own and my son's name, for the assu- 
 rances you have repeated of remaining 
 with us during the campaign ; for although 
 I had no idea that you would forfeit your 
 former promises, and which I find you again 
 repeated last night to my son, yet the repe- 
 tition has assured me of a continuance of 
 your friendship, which, both on my own 
 and my son's account, I prize more than 
 the riches which fill my coffers. But I will 
 
 not
 
 TITE BLACK BANNLER. g43 
 
 not keep you much longer in suspense; 
 in short, you are indebted for your liberty 
 to the stranger who came with me last 
 night.* — This assertion increased my asto- 
 nishment, which J could not help expres- 
 sing: ' Have you no knowledge who the 
 stranger was?' rejoined Selim. — I assured 
 him that I had not, neither could I, in the 
 smallest decree, solve the mvsterv, which 
 appeared to me more inexplicable. — 'Well/ 
 rejoined Selim, ^ I did not conceive you 
 was so ignorant of his person, although 
 now I recollect Achmet has seldom left the 
 €cra2:lio since his elevation to the throne.' — - 
 ' Good Heavens !' I exclaimed, ' was it 
 the Sultan Achmet who conferred such an 
 honour upon me ?' — * It was,' replied 
 Selim; 'but listen, and I will explain the 
 whole. 
 
 *■ The great improvement that Ibrahim 
 had made in the science of war, and other 
 accomplishments, were too conspicuous to 
 escape public notice, and it soon reached 
 the ears of the sultan. I must premise, that 
 M 2 a friendship
 
 244 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 a friendship scarcely ever existing between 
 a sovereign and a subject, has been ihroiigh 
 our lives the greatest blessing both to 
 Achmet and myself; and it is not his fault 
 that I am not at present in the possession 
 of the highest honours that the Ottoman 
 throne can bestow. But I have always pre- 
 ferred the situation I now hold, to the more 
 glaring, yet precarious^ tenure of Grand 
 Vizier, by which means I have hitherto 
 preserved the esteem of my sovereign, 
 •without exciting the envy of competitors 
 for his favour. As he extended his partia- 
 lity to my son, the pleasure he received at- 
 hearing of his improvement was sincere, 
 and he questioned me by whnt means he 
 had been able to attain such excellence. 
 Confident of his protection, although I was 
 aware of having transgressed the strict law, 
 I made no scruple of acquainting him with 
 the truth ; that it wa^; to a Christian of rank, 
 whom the chance of war had thrown into 
 my power, that I was indebted for such able 
 instruction. As 1 had foreseen, he not only 
 
 overlooked
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 245 
 
 overlooked the breach I had been guilty 
 of, but even promised me his protection, 
 should any sinister accident discover it to 
 my prejudice; at the same time, he wished 
 me to induce you to turn Mahommedan, by 
 persuasion only, absolutely forbidding any 
 force or constraint. From that period, 
 which was soon after your arrival, he has 
 secretly overlooked all your actions ; and 
 finding you ready to attend Ibrahim to the 
 field, it was at his express command, that 
 the trust imposed upon you was committed 
 to your charge, as he has an high opinion 
 of the European ofHcers, and more particu- 
 larly as the fame of the Count Von Wer- 
 denberg had long been diffused throughout 
 the empire. The plan you had formed for 
 the inspection of my son was so perfectly 
 correct and feasible, that I thought it a 
 duty incumbent upon me to mention it to 
 the Sultan ; and although I could give the 
 outlines but imperfectly, he was so struck 
 with the idea, that he determined to inspect 
 it himself unknown. The result you know ; 
 M 3 , but
 
 246 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 but I must add, that on entering his tent 
 this morning, I found the mufti with him, 
 who had been purposely commanded to 
 attend. On my entrance^ the Sultan ad- 
 dressed me nearly in the^.e words ; *' Can 
 Selim refuse a favour to his friend ?" Sur- 
 prised at such a question, I immediately 
 answered that I was always ready to obey 
 the comm.ands of my sovereign. — ''That/' 
 replied Achmet, " is not what I ask; I have 
 no commands to give; mine is a favour 
 from a friend to a friend.'' You may rea- 
 dily guess my answer; when the Sultan 
 continued^ '' You know by our laws that^th^ 
 mufti has supreme power to dispense with 
 an oath; it is the liberty therefore of Ab- 
 dallah that I request." Assured of your 
 promise not to leave me at present, I con- 
 sented with unfeigned pleasure ; and thus it 
 is^ my friend, that this magnanimous Prince 
 treats those he favours.' — You may readily 
 suppose that I extolled the generosity of 
 the Sultan in terms appropriate to the oc- 
 casion ;
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 24-7 
 
 casion; and while we remained in conver- 
 sation on the subject, one of the officers 
 in waiting entered^ and informed Selim that 
 a messenger from the Sultan was in attend- 
 ance: he was accordingly introduced, when 
 turning to me, and bending on one knee^ 
 he presented me, in the name of that mo- 
 narch, with a sabre most magnificently or- 
 namented, acquainting me at the same 
 time that he had it in command from his 
 sovereign to request my acceptance of it, 
 not doubting but that in my possession 
 it would be used with effect against his 
 enemies. 
 
 '' So unusual a present to a Christian 
 struck me with surprise, which, however, 
 was still further increased, as the officer 
 desired us to leave the tent, on the outside 
 of which, led by the attendants of the Sul- 
 tan, was an Arabian courser of the greatest 
 beauty, accoutred in the most sumptuous 
 r^ianner. I know not who felt the greatest 
 pleasure at the notice this magnanimous 
 sovereign took of me, Selim, or his son 
 M 4 Ibrahim*
 
 248 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 Ibrahim. I must own, however^ that the 
 sensations I then experienced were the 
 most grateful my heart had known since 
 in}' unfortunate departure from Germany ; 
 as I was now no longer the slave Abdallah, 
 but once more Henry Count Von Wenien- 
 berg, possessing the esteem of one of the 
 most powerful monarchs of the age, and 
 the sincere regard and friendship of his 
 most respected oflicers. 
 
 '' The morning at length arrived on which 
 we were to make an attack upon the enemy, 
 who in numbers were far superior to us; 
 the main body of our troops was led on by 
 the Sultan himself, supported by some of 
 his ablest generals, while Selim commanded 
 the right wing, and an officer of equal ex- 
 perience the left ; the reserve, at the head 
 of which was ray pupil Ibrahim, consisted 
 of about fifteen thousand choice cavalry, 
 which I had stationed in such a manner as 
 to prevent their numbers from being per- 
 ceived by the enemy. The conflict was 
 dreadful ; both armies fought as if deter- 
 mined
 
 THE Br ACK BANNER. 2^9 
 
 mined on death or victory, and success 
 was for some time doubtful. It was at this 
 critical moment that the plan I had formed 
 was to be carried into execution ; our 
 troops gave way^ and the cry of victory 
 was already sounded by the Persians, when 
 the reserve of cavalry having, during the 
 heat of the action, gained their rear unper- 
 ceived, charged them with such impetuo- 
 sity as bore down all resistance. A short 
 period determined the conflict on the right, 
 but the centre still remained engaged. 
 Again we charged, and again the Persians 
 fled: the slaughter was immense; but the 
 greatest pleasure I experienced on that 
 day, was in having the good fortune to pre- 
 serve the life of the Sultan, whose bravery 
 had carried him so far, as to penetrate the 
 very centre of the Persian battalions, 
 where he must inevitably have fallen a vic- 
 tim to superior force, had I not fortunately 
 perceived his danger, and rushing impetu- 
 ously at the head of a few brave men, res- 
 cued him at the very instant a blow froni 
 M 5 a Persian
 
 250 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 a Persian officer had struck him from his 
 hor?^ ; but before the stroke could be 
 repeated, his intrepid assailant met his 
 fate from that sword with which I had so 
 lately been honoured. The victory was 
 most complete ; the Persians fled in all di- 
 rections, leaving their baggage and im- 
 mense riches at our disposal. 
 
 *' It was understood in the army that I 
 served as a volunteer ; this had been previ- 
 ously agreed upon by the Sultan, as in that 
 capacity I could act, without incurring the 
 prejudices of those most attached to their 
 local customs. Achmet, who was deter- 
 mined to humble the Persian monarch, fol- 
 lowed up this victory with such vigour, that 
 the flying troops were obliged to take a 
 temporary shelter within the walls of Bas- 
 sora, which city was speedily invested by 
 the victorious Turks. It would be endless 
 for me to enter into regular details of the 
 siege, or to relate the various occurrences 
 ^hich took place during the space of three 
 Months, at the expiration of which time, 
 
 the
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 251 
 
 the city was carried by assault ; a scene of 
 carnage then ensued which beggars all des- 
 criptioHj while the devouring flames^ burst- 
 ing forth in different quarters, at one and 
 the same time, added new horrors to the 
 tremendous spectacle, of which none but 
 those who have been eye-witnesses to si- 
 milar excesses can possibly entertain any 
 idea. 
 
 '' During this confusion I had penetrated 
 into the palace, occasionally inhabited by 
 the Persian monarchs, which had become 
 the prey of the Turkish soldiers, who were 
 enriching themselves with the various arti- 
 cles that were heaped up there in great 
 abundance : as I well knew their natural 
 disposition, and that to argue with them 
 would draw^ upon me not only their indig- 
 nation, but perhaps a severer fate, I was ne- 
 cessitated to behold this havock in silence, 
 although I could not avoid regretting the 
 despoliation of so many scarce and valua- 
 ble articles. 
 
 " While I thus wandered through the 
 M G spacious
 
 S59 THE BLACK BANNER* 
 
 Spacious apartments, my ears were sud- 
 denly assailed by a scream from a female, 
 which seemed to proceed from the interior. 
 Impelled by an uncontroulable emotion, I 
 rushed towards the spot from which I fan- 
 cied it to issue ; and in a chamber that, 
 from its appearance, seemed to have es- 
 caped the general depredation, I beheld a 
 young female imploring the compassion of 
 a Turkish soldier ; her face was covered 
 with a thick veil, so that I could not dis- 
 tinguish her features ; nevertheless I deter- 
 mined, if possible, at all hazards, to pro- 
 tect her, and calling to the Turk in a tone 
 of authority, I bade him desist. At the 
 sound of my voice he turned round, appa- 
 rently with a design of resisting my com- 
 inands ; but no sooner had he discovered 
 by whom they were issued, than dropping 
 the point of his sabre, he promised instant 
 obedience. Fortunately this soldier was 
 one belonging to the household o^ Selira, 
 and had conceived a great affection for me, 
 3S he had once been indebted to me for his 
 
 life.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 253 
 
 life. Pleased with this lucky encounter, 
 I endeavoured to assure the fair .suppliant 
 of future protection, who, perceiving the 
 influence I had over the man, so lately her 
 terror, naturally supposed me of some 
 rank and consequence, and readily resigned 
 herself to my rare. It now became a mat- 
 ter of consultation in what manner I could 
 dispose of my fair unknown ; my situation 
 was hazardous, as being a Christian, anv 
 Turk might have claimed and taken my 
 prisoner from me : the soldier, however^ I 
 before mentioned saved us from this di- 
 lemma, as he proposed that he should con- 
 vey the lady to my tent as his prisoner, 
 which, no safer mode occurring, and he 
 having by his late conduct obtained my 
 contldence, I agreed to. While we were 
 holding this consultation,, the lady was em- 
 ployed in securing jewels of immense va- 
 lue, which were deposited in a cabinet at 
 the end of the apartment in which we 
 were ; indeed, she appeared very desirous 
 of taking the cabinet itself with us, but 
 6 Ihi^
 
 ^bi THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 this was found impracticable. Fortune 
 favoured my interference^, and my lovely 
 prize arrived safe at the quarters appro- 
 priated to me, where she remained under 
 the pi:otection of the faithful soldier. 
 
 " On leaving the palace^ I immediately 
 repaired to the head quarters^ in order to 
 discover the final result of the assault^ as 
 from the moment we entered the city, I 
 had never beheld either the Sultan, or 
 either of my friends, Selim and Ibrahim ,* 
 it was therefore with no little anxiety that 
 I made my inquiries. Alas ! I found thrat 
 Selim was severely w^ounded, and that my 
 beloved pupil had gloriously fallen in the 
 contest. This intelligence almost un- 
 manned me; but determined to pay every 
 attention to the old general, I hastened to 
 his residence, and without any ceremony 
 or resistance from his attendants, rushed 
 into his apartment, and was kneeling at his 
 bedside even before he had perceived me. 
 Scarce had the dying soldier recognized 
 me, than raising my eyes^ I beheld the Sul- 
 tan
 
 THE ELACK BANNER. 255 
 
 tan Achmet; overwhelmed with confusion, 
 I would have instantly retired, although my 
 heart was bursting at the scene before me, 
 when that generous Prince, reading my 
 thoughts in my countenance, immediately 
 dispelled rny confusion, saying, in an ac- 
 cent so impressive as never to be forgotten 
 by me, ' Count, v, e are met here not as 
 the sovereign and subject, but as the joint 
 friends of Selim, to pay the last duties, and 
 soothe the pangs of the dying warrior; re- 
 sume therefore that station by his couch 
 your affectionate gratitude entitles you to 
 occupy.' From that instant I devoted the 
 principal part of my time to the invalid ; 
 but my attention was in vain ; death 
 claimed its victim, and left me to mourn 
 the loss of a sincere friend. 
 
 " I should now have felt myself an iso- 
 lated being, had it not been for my fair pri- 
 soner, whose company contributed to alle- 
 viate the sorrow occasioned by the recent 
 events. She seemed indeed as if allotted to 
 me by Providence, as a compensation for 
 
 xay
 
 256 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 my past sufferings; and as I was careful to 
 pay her every attention, her confidence in 
 me daily increased ; and I flattered myself 
 that in time mv assiduities would make that 
 impression on her heart, which I began to 
 feel was necessary to my future happiness. 
 '' I shall not fatigue you with a particular 
 description of the beauty or the person of 
 Zulima ; suffice it to say, that she was in- 
 ferior to none of her sex ; but what I 
 held in greater estimation, I found her 
 mind highly cultivated ; this, if any thing 
 had been wanting, convinced me that she 
 was of no ordinary rank, although I dared 
 not make the inquiry, lest I should awaken 
 feelings that might ultimately militate 
 against my wishes; for so sincerely did I 
 respect her, that lam confident had she re- 
 quested her liberty, I should have complied 
 with her wishes, even if my life had been 
 the sacrifice of my disappointment. She 
 herself maintained a studied silence, and I 
 observed, that whenever Persia was men- 
 tioned^ she instantly endeavoured to change 
 
 the 
 
 I
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 257 
 
 the subject, and seemed to feel a terror, 
 lest she should be recognized as one of 
 that country, for which roason she, in the 
 very early part of our acquaintance, re- 
 quested permission to keep herself en- 
 tirely secluded from all, except those slaves 
 who necessarily attended her, and whose 
 interest, as well as oaths, kept them silent, 
 " The state of my heart soon became 
 known to her, and I had the happiness to 
 find that her own was in unison with it; 
 as candour was a conspicuous trait in her 
 character, no false aifectation delayed my 
 happiness, and the lovely Zulima became 
 my bride. It was a fortunate circumstance 
 for us both that we were able to converse 
 with each, as a slave who had formerly at- 
 tended her, had made her mistress of the 
 Italian language, and indeed had infused 
 into her mind an idea of the Christian reli- 
 gion, so that I had little trouble in persuad- 
 ing her to profess it, which she accordingly 
 did, at the same tim.e when she made me 
 
 master
 
 258 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 master of her person. This step was most 
 hazardous^ and v/e were obliged to conceal 
 it with the greatest care; for had a disco- 
 very taken place, so furious is the zeal of 
 the MahoiYimedans, that our liberiy, if not 
 our lives, would have fallen a sacrifice to it. 
 *' Many very powerful reasons now in- 
 duced me to attempt quitting the Turkish 
 dominions assoon as possible ; for although 
 the Sultan's regard for me rather increased 
 than diminished^ yet he himseif could not 
 with propriety pay me those friendly atten- 
 tions which^ under the pretence of visiting 
 Selim, he had been accustomed to do; it 
 was therefore only in formal ceremony that 
 I could have access to him ; this restraint^ 
 so different from our former happy inter- 
 course, determined me on putting my plaa 
 into execution, as soon as I could turn the 
 principal part of my eflfects into jewels^ 
 they being more portable, and less liable 
 to be discovered, than any other commo- 
 dity ; but an event happened whioh threw 
 
 m
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 1^5Q 
 
 US into more immediate clanger, and 
 obliged us to quit our residence with the 
 greatest haste and circumspection. 
 
 " I have before remarked the reasons 
 that had deterred me from inquiring into 
 the parentage and connexions of Zulima, 
 which, even since her marriage, she had 
 kept concealed ; and as 1 was perfectly sa- 
 tisfied with the possession of my lovely 
 bride, I forbore pressing a disclosure, con- 
 vinced that some reasons of consequence 
 prevented her confidence, although little 
 aware of the potency of them ; but the 
 time now arrived when I was no longer to 
 be kept in ignorance. 
 
 ''On our return from the expedition into 
 Persia, and at the decease of Selim, as his 
 residence had become the property of 
 others, I had taken a house on the shore of 
 the Bosphorus, whither, by the assistance of 
 the'faithful Hassan^ the soldier I have before 
 mentioned, whom, at his own particular 
 request, and with the consent of his late 
 master Selim^ I had retained in my service^ 
 
 Zulima
 
 260 THE BLACK BANKER. 
 
 Zulima was conveyed with the utmost se- 
 crecy. In this delightful retreat ''the time 
 pasi^ed in the enjoymenr ofgvary satisfac- 
 tion that tnutual lova could create ; when, 
 as we were one morning consulting on the 
 mode of our ('estined departure, Hassan 
 entered the jipartment uncalled, a liberty 
 be had never before presumed to take, de- 
 siring to speak with me immediately; the 
 words were almost on my lips to rebuke 
 him for his intrusion, when the anxiety 
 his countenance too faithfully expressed, 
 stopped the utterance, and I followed him 
 in silence. As soon as we were alone, he 
 informed me that an officer from the Sultan 
 was waiting for me in my private apart- 
 ment, upon business of the utmost im- 
 portance. Astonished more than ever, I 
 quickened my pace, and hastened to meet 
 this unexpected visitor: on my entrance 
 his back was towards me, but hearing me 
 approach, he turned round, and I beheld 
 Achmet himself. Confused, I stammered 
 out some incoherent apologies, without 
 
 knowing 
 
 I
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 261 
 
 knowing for what, when that generous 
 Prince perceiving my agitation, kindly re- 
 quested me to be composed, while he ex- 
 . plained the occasion of the present visit. 
 I must confess that my imagination in- 
 stantly conjectured that his unexpected ap- 
 pearance had some relation to my mar- 
 riage with Zulima, yet of the exact truth 
 I had not the smallest conception. 
 
 '' As soon as Achmet perceived that 1 
 Iiad in some measure regained my compo- 
 sure, (for 1 could not totally divest myself 
 of my apprehensions) he regarded me with 
 an affection he did not endeavour to con- 
 ceal, from which, of whatever nature the 
 communication might be, I augured more 
 favourably of the result than my fears had 
 hitherto permitted me; he then addressed 
 me nearlv as follows : — 
 
 ' County the services you have rendered 
 to the empire at large, would of itself be 
 sufficient to ensure the protection of its 
 monarch; but when, in addition to such 
 important acts, the life of that monarch is 
 
 likewise
 
 ^69 THE 15LACK EANNFR. 
 
 likewise your gift, every tie of honour and 
 gratitude strengthens that protection. The 
 world at large, deceived by appearances, 
 and imposed upon by the false glare that 
 surrounds the throne, thinks nothing im- 
 possible to its possessor ; and that at his 
 nod all thinos are subservient to his will: 
 It IS true, that towards his own subjects the 
 prerogative of the Ottoman Emperor is un- 
 bounded, and life or death hangs upon his 
 breath; but when the interests or passions 
 of neighbouring powers clash with his 
 wishes, even with those most dear to him, 
 it is then that he feels himself restricted ; 
 and reciprocal ties too frequently forces 
 him to yield to policy, that which he would 
 disdain to do to threats, or to force itself. 
 The task imposed is hard at any time; but 
 when it strikes at the happiness of one 
 whom he is proud to acknowledge hisfriend^ 
 it beconaes an act of tyranny more cruel 
 than the most ferocious despot can invent. 
 '' Your eornexion with a beautiful Per- 
 sian, whom iur humanity and gallantry 
 
 rescued
 
 THE BLACK EANNEB. 96S 
 
 Tescned from certain destruction, and your 
 subsequent marriage with her, according to 
 the forms of your own country, have been 
 long known tome ; and no one could more 
 rejoice in your felicity than the Sultan of 
 the Ottoman throne. But alas ! that feli- 
 city it is now my ill fate to disturb, though 
 I trust but for a time. Be not, however,' 
 continued he, perceiving me change co- 
 lour, as I instantly conceived the dreadful 
 idea of having my beloved Zulima torn 
 from my arms, ' too much alarmed. Ach- 
 met would with pleasure protect his friend, 
 the saviour of his life, and the supporter of 
 his throne, at the hazard of that throne, did 
 absolute necessity require it/ These assu* 
 ranees removed a load of misery from my 
 heart, which was nearly too much to sup- 
 port, when he inquired if I knew from 
 what family my wife derived her origin ? 
 I informed him that it was a subject she 
 had always avoided ; and as I was per- 
 fectly satisfied with her innocence and 
 j beauty, together with the affectionate re- 
 gard
 
 2G4 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 gard she so evidently entertained for me, 
 in consequence of the service she consi- 
 dered I had rendered her, by preserving 
 her from the worst of insults, I had never 
 pressed the inquiry, although my suspicion 
 pointed her out as one of a superior class 
 in society ; and that tiiis suspicion princi- 
 pallv arose from the temporary view I had 
 of the palace she occupied, from the rich- 
 ness of its furniture, and more especially 
 from the costliness of the jewels she was 
 able to secure. I was proceeding to parti- 
 cularize some further reasons, when the ge- 
 nerous Achmet instantly exclaimed, ' My 
 friend, it is sufficient ; we have no time to 
 lose. Know then that Zulima is of royal 
 blood, niece to the Persian monarch, and 
 who was intended to be the bride of her 
 cousin, the destined heir of that proud em- 
 pire. Her loss has been felt most severely ; 
 for a long time he lamented her as slain 
 d^iring the tumult which raged through 
 the city, that fell a prey to your superior 
 knowledge in the art of war, and which, 
 
 being
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. S65 
 
 being SO completely fortified, was deemed 
 by the Persians impregnable, and the most 
 secure repository for their valuable trea- 
 sures. Immense rewards have been offered 
 for the discovery of Zulima, which at 
 length has so far had the effect^ that the 
 Persian monarch has obtained intelligence 
 of her having been preserved from the 
 slaughter by one of my officers, who browght 
 her with him into Turkey : this is however 
 the utmost of his discovery; but on thi§ 
 ground, vague as it was, he has been in- 
 duced to dispatch a special embassy to me, 
 requesting me to command a strict search 
 for Zulima throughout all my dominions, 
 and to send her into Persia, accompanied 
 with the same pomp and ceremony as if 
 she had never left that kingdom. What 
 the intentions of the Persian monarch can 
 be in this proceeding, it is difficult to guess, 
 even should he succeed in his wishes ; and 
 it was to convince you of the very high 
 esteem I entertain for you, that I have thus 
 personally interested myself in preserving 
 
 VOL. I. N to
 
 266 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 to you an object so deservedly beloved. 
 There is but one safe me^hodj however 
 painful for me to adopts did not a power- 
 ful necessity prompt the sacrifice. While 
 you could have remained here, happy in 
 your retreat on the banks of the Bospho- 
 rus^ unbiassed by political motives, life 
 would have passed away unclouded by mis- 
 taken prejudices; neither would my sub- 
 jects have m.urmured at the distinction paid 
 to the Count Von Werdenberg, although 
 of a different religion, particularly when 
 conscious of the eminent services they had 
 received from him. But when a solemn 
 demand, the refusal of which might again 
 awaken the fury of war, is made, and that 
 refusal is caused solely by a wish of giving 
 protection to an alien, whom the esta- 
 blished religion of the country, with mis- 
 taken zeal, enjoins us to view with detesta- 
 tion, it might not only prove fatal to the 
 party supported, but also to the sovereign 
 himself. Fortune, however, favours us by 
 pointing out one mode of reconciling these 
 
 difficulties.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 267 
 
 difficulties. You, my dear friend, must, 
 with your beloved Zulima, instantly leave 
 my dominions, before the Persian monarch 
 can, through his ambassador, make his de- 
 mand in form ; the search I shall then or- 
 der will of course be useless; and although 
 I shall ever lament your loss, the satisfaction 
 of having sacrificed the charms of friendly- 
 intercourse, so seldom enjoyed by princes, 
 to preserve the happiness of my friend, 
 will prove a consoling balsam through the 
 future stao^es of mv life. A fast-sailino; bri- 
 gantine is now moored at the bottom of 
 your garden, to wl»ich all your valuables 
 are removed already, under the care of the 
 faithful Hassan, with whose fidelity and at 
 tachment to you I have been long ac- 
 quainted, and to whom I entrusted the 
 necessity of your immediate departure, 
 though not the real cause of it ; he has 
 therefore acted by my orders. Time presses r 
 but I must enjoin you, although Fortune, 
 envious of the happiness she has hitherto 
 permitted us to enjoy, is about to place an 
 N 2 immense
 
 1268 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 immense barrier between us, to dispatch a 
 trusty messenger, to inform me of your 
 safe arrival in your own country, where^ 
 blessed with the love of your Zulima, I 
 trust no storms may arise to ruffle the 
 smooth current of your future happiness. 
 But we must separate ; hasten therefore to 
 conduct Zulima to the brigantine, where 
 Hassan is anxiously awaiting your arrival ; 
 nor dread the loss you may sustain by this 
 unexpected haste, as I trust you will find a 
 remuneration, which, although inadequate 
 to 5'Glir deserts, or to the claims you have 
 upon my gratitude, will, I hope, prevent 
 your wants until you become reinstated in 
 your own possessions ; and remember, 
 ^hile Achmet lives, that he shall always 
 think himself indebted to the Count Von 
 Werdenberg/ 
 
 '' Such, my friends, was the magnanimity 
 of the Sultan ; the surprise I was in during 
 his address, and the unexpected discovery 
 of the exalted rank of my beloved Zulima, 
 so overpowered me, that it was in vain I at- 
 tempted
 
 w 
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 269 
 
 tempted to articulate my feelings. Falling 
 at the feet of my benefactor^ I clasped 
 them, in an agony too real to be misunder- 
 stood ; and from that posture the name of 
 Zulima, uttered by Achmet, together with 
 a recollection of the impending danger, 
 alone aroused me. She was totally unac- 
 quainted with the passing events ; but ac- 
 customed to a ready compliance with all 
 my wishes, I was convinced she would take 
 little or no notice of our sudden depar- 
 ture, more than supposing it some pleasu- 
 rable excursion that I had hastily planned ; 
 and I therefore determined not to acquaint 
 her with the real state of the case, until we 
 were perfectly free from the Turkish domi- 
 nions. I mentioned my intentions to 
 Achmct, who suggested that it would be 
 more proper to inform her I was going by 
 his orders on a special embassy, which ad- 
 mitted of no delay ; this, he observed, 
 would prevent any questions which might 
 otherwise embarrass me to answ^er, and 
 would likewise be a more plausible reason 
 
 for
 
 970 THE BLACK BAKNER. 
 
 for the length of time that would necessa- 
 rily be occupied in our voyage. This 
 plan I of course adopted; and instantly hur- 
 rying to the apartments appropriated for 
 her use, acquainted her with the urgency of 
 the case, and that the brigantine in which 
 we were to embark, was, by the orders of 
 the Sultan, ready at the bottom of the gar- 
 den, and waited only for her. I particu- 
 larly requested her to take all her jewels 
 and other valuables, under the pretence 
 that it would be dangerous to leave them 
 solely jn the custody of slaves, 
 
 '' A short period sufficed Zulima, who 
 betrayed no marks of surprise at the sud- 
 denness of the scheme, to pack up whatso- 
 ever was necessary ; and attended only by 
 two of her most favourite domestics, and my 
 faithful Hassan, we joined the Sultan, who, 
 having previously enjoined my secrecy as 
 to himself, accompanied us to the place of 
 embarkation as far as he could, without 
 being discovered by any oi^ the mariners; 
 xvhen^ at the last moment, pressing my hand 
 
 with
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 27 1 
 
 y!i{\) all the urgency of the sincerest friend- 
 ship, he forced into it a casket, which, from 
 its value, Lvvas sensible he retained until it 
 was out of my power to make any. resist- 
 ance or refusal to his munificence; but the 
 most precious of the jewels to me was the 
 j)ortrait of himself, set in the most superb 
 style." 
 
 " May I venture a request," said 
 Theodore. 
 
 '' I anticipate your wishes,'* replied the 
 Count, '' and shall readily gratify them/' 
 He accordingly arose, and apologizing for 
 leaving them alone, returned to the cavern, 
 from whence, after having opened a secret 
 cabinet, constructed in the interior of the 
 rock, of which not even his most faithful 
 servants had any knowledge, he soon re- 
 turned, and exhibited to his friends a coun- 
 tenance whose features sufficiently displayed 
 an energy of mind that struck the beholder 
 with awe and admiration. Although the 
 brilliants that surrounded it were of the 
 most costly description, yet Theodore paid 
 6 infinite
 
 ^72 \ THE BLACK EANNEK. 
 
 infinite more attention to the former^ and 
 pictured to his imagination the dignity of 
 action that must necessarily accompany so 
 fascinating, a production of Nature, where 
 majesty and benevolence shone in such 
 complete unity." 
 
 The Count perceived the effect which 
 the portrait of the monarch caused in The- 
 odore, and from those emotions that could 
 not be concealed, he augured most favour- 
 ably of his newly-discovered relative ; while 
 Sternheim, who had been equally obser- 
 vant, viewed, not without anxiety, those 
 traits of magnanimity, blended with heroic 
 intrepidity, which might plunge him into 
 difficulties that would require the guiding 
 hand of sage experience to extricate him 
 from. 
 
 END or VOL I. 
 
 Lane» Darlincr* a^'i Co, TcadenhaU-Street.
 
 THE 
 
 3Slaf]^ 35anner; 
 
 THE SIEGE OF CLAGENFURTH. 
 
 A ROMANTIC TALE. 
 
 IN FOUR VOLUMES. 
 
 BY TEE AVTUOR OF THE BARON BE FALKENHEJMy 
 MYSTERY UPON MYSTERY^ SfC» ^C. 
 
 Fall'n in his crest, that late so dreadful rose, 
 His helm disgrac'd, no more its splendor shows ; 
 His regal vesture strews the dusty plains. 
 And not a trace of all his pomp remains. 
 
 TASSO. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 LONDOJi: 
 
 PRINTED-AT THE 
 
 TOR A. K. NEWMAN AND CO. 
 
 fSuccessors to Lane, Neuyman, and Co,) 
 
 LEADENHALL.STREET. 
 
 1811.
 
 TSE 
 
 BLACK BANNER. 
 
 JrllS guests having satisfied their curiosity, 
 the Count proceeded in the relation of his 
 history. 
 
 '' The morning on which we embarked 
 was calm and serene; no lowering clouds 
 threatened to disturb our voyage, or to 
 >a waken terror, even in the bosom of the 
 timid Zulima : ignorant of the length of 
 time that was necessary to complete our 
 voyage, or of the destiny that awaited her, 
 (for I judged it better to keep her in that 
 ignorance, until we were perfectly safe 
 from any danger of discovery), she gaily 
 
 VOL. II. B made
 
 2 ' THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 inadeher remarks on the casual beauties of 
 the various islaiiff^'^we passed, and seemed 
 delighted with the novelty of the scene by 
 \vhic:h we were surrounded. The curiosity 
 which she expressed to be made acquainted 
 with the nature of objects she beheld for 
 the first time, so engaged my atfe:ition, as 
 to ameliorate the feelings my heart expe- 
 rienced atleavit^ga nation, where, although 
 I had known the pangs of slavery, those 
 pangs had been amply recompensed by 
 the blessings of friendship; and I must 
 confc^ss, that, powerful as were the rea- 
 sons for quitting the Turkish dominions, 
 when the moment arrived, it required all 
 iTjy resolutioil to conceal the agony I felt, 
 when I reflected that I had seen the gene- 
 rous Achmet, in all probability, for the 
 last time. 
 
 '' Several days past in calm serenity. 
 At length, fate doomed us to experience a 
 sad reverse ; the clouds gathered all around 
 us, and a portentous flash of lightning, suc- 
 ceeded by the roaring of distant thunder, 
 
 cautioned
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 cautioned the mariners to prepare for an 
 approaching storm. 
 
 '' The vessel in Vvhich we were em barked 
 had been purposely selected upon this oc- 
 casion^ by the special order of the Sultan 
 himself; she was stout, and manned with 
 the choicest soldiers; neither did the Tur- 
 kish navy boast of a more experience^ 
 officer^ than the person who was appointed 
 to command her. It was some time, not- 
 withstanding the fury of the elements, and 
 the earnest entreaties of myself, and her 
 faithful slaves, who were all most sincerely 
 attached to her, that Zulima cojld be per- 
 suaded to leave the deck, so unwilling was 
 she to be separated from me; until a dread- 
 ful wave, bursting over the ship, would 
 have washed her overboard, had not the 
 attentive, Hassan caught her in his arms, 
 and conveyed her insensible to the cabin, 
 whither I accompanied her. Having, on 
 the return of her senses, in some measure 
 composed and reconciled her mind to re- 
 main there during the storm, the danger of 
 B '^ which
 
 4 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 "which I made much lighter than it really 
 was, 1 returned upon deck, in order to ren- 
 der what assistance I was capable of in such 
 an emergency. Although the tempest raged 
 with the utmost violence, yet the spirits 
 Bnd hopes of the crew were enlivened by 
 the conduct of the captain, who made use 
 of every effort to encourage them, not 
 only by his own exampL-, but also by pro- 
 mises of future reward, although he pri- 
 vately told me, that his hopes of escape 
 were very faint. This intelligence, com- 
 ing from a man of the greatest experience 
 in maritime knowledge, necessarily alarmed 
 me for my beloved Zulima, who, ignorant 
 that the next moment might be her last, 
 was innocently amusing herself with her 
 female attendants in the cabin : even the 
 consolation of being with her was denied 
 me, as the exhausted state of the crew de- 
 manded every assistance that could be 
 given ; it was indeed fortunate that em- 
 ployment was afforded to my mind, as it 
 prevented me from dwelling on the mag- 
 nitude 
 
 I 
 
 II
 
 THE ELACK BANNER, 3 
 
 nitiide of the dansier; and I should have 
 found it a very difiiciilf matter to have re- 
 c:uiated my feelings sufficiently not to have 
 bctraved them to my beloved wife. 
 
 " The night drew on apace, no fiiendly 
 sfar afforded us the least assistance, and we 
 were ol>liired to trust the vessel, bv this, 
 time severely strained in all her joints, to 
 the mercy of the winds and waves^ as all 
 management of her wrts entirely gone. 
 Several hours passed thus on the verge of 
 destruction : at length the tempest seemed 
 to have assuaged its fury; and the blaclc 
 clouds, which rolled like billows through 
 the firmament in awful and tremendous^ 
 majesty, were broken by the bright azure 
 of Heaven ; the forked lightning flashed 
 faintly in the distant horizon, and the 
 bursts of thunder were heard only in low 
 and dying murmurs; while the sun, gilding 
 the extremity of the clouds^ appeared pre- 
 paring to break forth, and, by its invigo- 
 rating and cheering presence^ to give new* 
 life to our exertions. 
 
 B 3 '' Ott
 
 6 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 *' On a sudden the shores of Egypt open- 
 ed to our view; and the once stately and 
 map.nificent city of Alexandria, founded by 
 the Macedonian hero, and which he deigned 
 to honour with his name^ seemed to stretch 
 forth her protecting arms, to afford us that 
 relief our extraordinary fatio;ue necessarily 
 required. With what rapture did I em- 
 brace my Zulima, when, hastening to the 
 cabin, I assured her of our safety! It was 
 thus that my feelings betrayed me ; for al- 
 though she was aware that the weather vvas 
 more unfavourable than at the beginning 
 of the voyage, yet it was the first time she 
 imagined any danger; and timidly up- 
 braided me for keeping her in ignorance 
 of it, and not permitting her to shai*e with 
 me the difficulties I experienced : her gen- 
 tle nature however was soon appeased, and 
 a pleasing serenity succeeded to our toils. 
 
 " We landed at Alexandria without any 
 impediment or danger, necessity obliging 
 us to that measure, in order to repair the 
 Ycssel, which had received, considerable 
 
 damage.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER." 7 
 
 damage^ before we could proceed on our 
 vovasfe. 
 
 "It was now that I found the provident 
 care of the Sultan of the most essential 
 service to me ; as, prior to my embarkation, 
 be had presented me with an order, written 
 and signed with his own hand, command- 
 ing all his subjects, of whatsoever rank 
 they might be, that, if I should find it ne- 
 cessary to land in any part of his donii- 
 nions, I should be treated in every respect 
 as his own person. Accordingly having 
 confided Zulima to the care of Hassan, I, 
 immediately on landing, requested an au- 
 dience of the governor, and was instantly 
 admitted. Although, in consequence of 
 the Sultan's order, I was certain of receiv- 
 ing every attention requisite, yet it gave 
 me great satisfaction to find, that the offi- 
 cer who held the chief command in Alexan- 
 dria, was one with whom I had, during the 
 lifetime of Selim, formed an intimacy : 
 this unexpected meeting was therefore most 
 grateful to us both; and as I had produced 
 B 4 the
 
 8 TEE BLACK EANNgS'. 
 
 the order before mentioned^ he observed, 
 that although such a command might have 
 been requisite in many parts of the Tur- 
 kish empire, yet where he presided, friend- 
 ship would prove a more powerful induce- 
 ment to render the place agreeable to me, 
 than even the express commands of his so- 
 vereign ; ' although/ continued he, ' I feel 
 happy in the ci-rcumstance, as the name of 
 the Count Von Werdenberg is venerated 
 here as the preserver of the life of their 
 Prince; and I am convinced, that the mo- 
 ment your arrival is known, that I shall be 
 called upon, by the gratitude of the peo- 
 ple themselves, to pay you those honours 
 my obedience to the orders of my sove- 
 reign willingly exact of me.' 
 
 " Although this reception was highly 
 flattering to me^ as it proved the triumph 
 of gratitude over prejudice, yet I wished, 
 if possible, to avoid receiving such public 
 marks of attention, and requested the go- 
 vernor to prevent it. My arguments were 
 in vain, as he assured me, that should he at- 
 tempt
 
 THE BLACK BANNER, 9 
 
 tempt to oppose it, he should not only en- 
 danger his own life, but also the displeasure 
 of his Prince. I was therefore obliged to* 
 receive those honours, which the city forced, 
 upon me, as soon as it was known that L 
 was in Alexandria. What these were, it is^ 
 immaterial to my general history to repeat :. 
 I observed, however, that my beloved Zuli- 
 ma seemed elevated above herself, as she- 
 contemplated th^e satisfaction expressed in. 
 the countenances of all ranks, on my first 
 appearance at the celebration of the fete 
 given on that occasion. Prior to this, I 
 had considered her as the timid, lovely 
 partner of my life ; but, when seated by 
 the governor, and arrayed in the pamp* 
 of ceremony, she received the homage o£ 
 the assembled multitude, the dignified pride 
 of royalty shone so conspicuous ia her 
 countenance, that I should instantly have 
 mistrusted, had I not previously known the 
 fact. 
 
 '' I should have mentioned, that imme- 
 diately after my first interview, with the 
 B 5 governor^,
 
 10 THE BLACK BANKER. 
 
 governor, apartments had been providecl 
 for myself and family in the royal palace, 
 where we were treated with reaal ma^fnifi- 
 cence. I sighed however for the moment 
 when we should be enabled to reimbark, 
 and proceed on our destined voyage ; and 
 hearing by accident that there was a vessel 
 bound to France in the harbour, which 
 would sail in a short time, I resolved, if the 
 captain could accommodate me, to take 
 my passage in her; this step, I was con- 
 vinced, would be satisfactory to the Turks, 
 who would then be in less danger from 
 meeting with any of the Maltese galleys, 
 that constantly made prizes of any Turkish 
 vessels they could overpower; and al- 
 though neither myself or attendants would 
 have suffered much inconvenience, yet I 
 might have had some trouble in prevent- 
 ing the crew from being detained prison- 
 ers, and carried into slavery, so great is the 
 animosity, which has for ages existed, be- 
 tween the Maltese and the Turks. 
 
 ''During our remaining- residence at 
 
 Alexandria,
 
 TffE BLACK BANNER. tl 
 
 Alexandria, we amused ourselves with pk- 
 amining the curiosities of the place and 
 neighbourliood, with which we were mucit 
 entertained ; yet it was with the greatest 
 satisfaction that we received the intelli- 
 gence of our new captain being ready tcf 
 sail. We accordingly took leave of our 
 friendly governor, and the generous inha- 
 bitants, who parted from us with reluctance,, 
 and forced presents upon us, nearly equal 
 in value to those I had before received 
 from the munificence of the Sultan him- 
 self. The weather proved favourable iix 
 every respect; and after a most pleasant 
 voyage, we were landed in safety at Mar- 
 seilles. 
 
 "The novelty of the scene was so inte- 
 resting to Zulima, as to engage most of 
 her attention ; and as I perceived the great 
 delight she e}cperienced, I determined, be- 
 fore I returned into Germany, to make the 
 tour of France and Italy. On landing at 
 Marseilles, I, for 'the first time, disclosed 
 the reasons of our hasty depai/ture, and 
 B 6 founds.
 
 IS THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 found, to my greatest satisfaction, that the 
 intelligence, instead of distressing her, had 
 removed a great degree of terror from her 
 mind, asshe confessed that she could not help 
 dreading the consequence of a discovery, 
 whilesheremainedintheTurkishdominions. 
 
 *' Every necessity of secrecy being now 
 at an end, a mutual confidence took place; 
 and she disclosed to me the circumstances 
 of her past life." 
 
 Here the Count paused, as if consider- 
 ing whether he should relate the history of 
 Zulima; which being perceived by Theo- 
 dore, who was anxious to hear every parti- 
 cular relative to one in whose cause he 
 had felt greatly interested, he requested,, 
 if his noble relative had no material ob- 
 jection, that he would indulge them in the 
 recital of her history, prior to his having 
 so fortunately met with her at Bassora. 
 The Count readily acquiesced in his wishes; 
 but observed, that he thought he would be 
 much disappointed, as it contained little 
 variety, except the customs of the Fersian 
 
 court.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. IS- 
 
 court, in the education of the female 
 branches, which indeed were similar to the 
 other Eastern nations; as however it would 
 make his own history rather more com- 
 plete, he should proceed, as near as his re- 
 collection would serve him, in the words 
 of Zulima herself. 
 
 * I need not inform you/ said she, ' that 
 I am descended from that family which 
 now fills the throne of Persia; the present 
 Prince being my uncle. My father, of 
 whom I have little remembrance, long held 
 the high post of Generalissimo of the Per- 
 sian army, and contributed, by his valour 
 and conduct, to rescue the troops from the 
 obloquy w^hich a long series of ill success 
 had thrown upon them ; indeed, he had in- 
 gratiated himself so much with them, that I 
 have since heard, that his brother, the reign- 
 ing Prince, began to entertain a jealousy 
 of his power; whether such was the case 
 or not, his fears were soon appeased ; as 
 my father, being commanded to punish the 
 insolence of a neighbouring chief, who 
 
 had
 
 ]4 THE BLACK BANKET?. 
 
 had raised the standard of revolt, fell a vic- 
 tim to that courage v^hich had so often led 
 him on to victory. My mother, who was 
 before her inarriage a relation, (for you 
 know it is customary to connect yourself 
 even with those of the nearest affinity), 
 Vv'as for a time inconsolable ; she refused 
 to admit any one to her presence; and the 
 sight of me, her only child, which would 
 naturally be supposed to have afforded her 
 some alleviation of her loss, produced the 
 contrary effect; in consequence of which, 
 I became as much an alien to her, except 
 in inhabiting the same palace, as any 
 stranger: but although I was not admitted 
 to her presence, yet she w^as careful that I 
 should receive such an education as was 
 customary for the females of the royal 
 blood. I was about eight years of age 
 when the misfortune I have mentioned 
 happened. Some few years before, my 
 father became possessed of a Christian 
 slave ; she was a female, apparently about 
 thirty years of age ; but who still possessed 
 
 a countenance 
 
 i
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 15 
 
 I- ' 
 
 ' , a countenance so engaging, as to captivate 
 the heart at first sight. It was on some 
 distant expedition that he was employed 
 when the person above mentioned fell in* 
 to his hands; and ere he returned into Per- 
 sia, her various excellencies struck him 
 with such force, that he determined to make 
 her a present to my mother, in order that 
 she should teach me the manners and cus- 
 toms of foreign nations. You wmII per- 
 ceive by this,' continued Zulima, ' that my 
 father was no bigot; indeed, although he 
 cordially professed the religion of his 
 country, his expanded mind paid a due de- 
 ference to that of others. 
 
 ' My mother, whose mind was equally 
 liberal, received Maria, such was the name 
 she wished to be knov>^n by, with the great- 
 est cordiality; and frequently repeated, 
 that the present he had made her was the 
 mcrst grateful she had ever received from 
 him. To this incomparable woman I soon 
 became attached ; to her was committed 
 almost the sole care of my education, and 
 
 so
 
 16 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 SO eager was I to obtain her applause, that 
 my proficiency in the various languages 
 became the admiration even of my in- 
 structress : my parents appeared equally 
 pleased with my attention, and the pro- 
 gress 1 made,, and I may say that it was 
 then I experienced real happiness. 
 
 ' Among the various books that were 
 procured me by Maria^ there were several 
 ► that, in some phces, treated of the Christian 
 religion ; but I will do that excellent wo- 
 man the justice to say, that she would wil- 
 lingly have prevented my perusing those 
 passages^ as she considered it a duty not to 
 pervert my principles, however erroneous, 
 in her idea, from the religion of my coiui- 
 try, in which it was most probable I should 
 ah.vays be a resident. The expanded mode 
 however of my education had burst througli 
 the veil of ignorance; and as I became 
 more and more acquainted with foreign 
 customs and languages, I became more cu- 
 rious in knowing the difference in our re- 
 ligious worship. I w^as not ignorant of the 
 
 hazard
 
 THE BLACK BANNEK. 17 
 
 hazard I ran, shoi'ld my intention be dis- 
 coveredj or of the predicament in which 
 1 should involve Maria ; but an irresistible 
 impulse seemed to drive me or», and, under 
 the promi5e of the strictest secrecy, I at 
 length prevailed on my reluctant governess 
 to comply with my v.ishes. A sincere 
 friendship was established between us, and 
 some years past in unalloyed happiness, 
 except when the thoughts of the impor- 
 tant secret obtruded itself; fortunately 
 however no suspicion was ever entertained, 
 as I was more than ever cautious of per- 
 forming the external duties of Mohamme- 
 dism — a duplicity I detested, but which the 
 safety of myself and my friend obliged me 
 to submit to. 
 
 ' It was known to the Persian court that I 
 was the destined bride of my cousin, the 
 youngPrince. Fame spoke his excellencies, 
 and extolled loudly his beauty; but as the 
 customs of the East did not permit an inter- 
 view until the ceremony of marriage took 
 place, hearsay alone was the basis of my infor- 
 mation.
 
 1-8. THE ELACK EANKEK. 
 
 mation. This subject often became a matter 
 of conversation between Maria and my- 
 self, and, notwithstanding she dwelt forci- 
 bly on the pleasures that attend a throne, 
 and the high satisfaction which a generous 
 mind must i^eel in having it in their power 
 to reward the deserving, vet I could not 
 help contrasting this vMth the amiable li- 
 berty possessed by foreigners, of ch using 
 the partners with whoir they were to pass 
 their future lives: it is true, she made me 
 remark that ail p.rinces. at least the gene- 
 rality of them, were restricted by the same, 
 ties, and that what was termed policy, re- 
 quired this sacrifice of inclination. This 
 observation, far from reconciling me to the 
 idea, only made me lament the more that 
 I had not been born in another clime, and 
 of a race not sufficiently exalted, to be 
 fettered by such ties. 
 
 ' Although these sentiments bad made a 
 strong impression upon me, yet, conscious 
 that I had no probable chance of escaping 
 the lot I was born to, I endeavoured to re- 
 concile
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 19 
 
 concile myself to my fate, in which the ar- 
 guments of Maria considerably assisted me. 
 Hitherto my life had passed calm and undis- 
 turbed^ as since the death of my father, I 
 had experienced no misfortune, which 
 could render me unhappy for any. length 
 of time. I had just attained my seven- 
 teenth year when my beloved governess 
 was taken ill ; and, noiwith^.tanding every 
 assistance, died in mv arms.* 
 
 ''Zulima paused: nor could she proceed, 
 until tears relieved her from the oppressive 
 feeling which the recollection of past 
 scenes caused. As soon as she was reco- 
 vered, she begged to pass over her suffer- 
 ings on that account, as she found herself 
 unable to bear the recital. 
 
 ' Time,' continued she, ** at length pro- 
 duced the usual effect; and as I was of an 
 age not to be under a governess, a sufficient 
 establishment was allotted me in the palace 
 of my mother, who, however, still refused 
 to admit me to her presence. 
 
 ' The period of my marriage with the 
 
 Prince
 
 20 THE BLACK BANNEK. 
 
 Prince of Persia was fixed at my attaininef 
 the nge of eighteen ; it was a matter that I 
 awaited with the most perfect indifference, 
 as my feelings were not at all interested, 
 neither had I then experienced the power 
 of love. From this state of apathy, how- 
 ever, I w^as roused by the information that 
 the Saltan of Turkey had declared war 
 against my uncle, and that the Vr'mce and 
 himself were about to head the army raised 
 upon the occasion. An intimation also was 
 given to my mother and myself, that it 
 would be proper for us to leave the palace 
 ■we resided in, which being at some distance 
 in the country, might be more easily mo- 
 lested, and retire to the city of Bassora, 
 where we should be in safety. No persua- 
 sions, however, could induce my mother to 
 leave that home she had so long been ac- 
 customed to, and where it was her constant 
 practice daily to water with her tears, a 
 tonib she had commanded to be erected to 
 the memory of her beloved husband. The 
 Prince, finding that he could not overcome 
 
 her
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 21 
 
 lier obstinacy, desisted from his importu- 
 nities, at the same time insisting, that as he 
 considered me as his future daughter, I 
 should be at his disposal : this was readily- 
 agreed to; and, attended by a sufficient re- 
 tinue, I took up my residence in the royal 
 palace at Bassora. The event need not be 
 relati^d : I must observe, however, that when 
 the city was taken, my attendants, instead 
 o^ endeavouring to afford me any protec- 
 tion or assistance^ deserted me : although, 
 of course, I was much alarmed, and was 
 sensible of the extreme danger I ran, my 
 resolution did not forsake me: escape I 
 judged to be impossible; yet I hoped to 
 conceal myself in some private apartment 
 in the interior of the palace^ until the fii-st 
 fury of the victorious Turks was assuaged, 
 when, should no other resource offer, I 
 might throw myself on the mercy and 
 compassion of some generous oflicer. 
 
 ' What my heart conceived,* continued 
 Zulima, giving me an affectionate look, 
 ' fortune kindly afforded me. The transi- 
 tion
 
 22 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 tion I felt, vvhen freed from the dreaded 
 insults of the soldier who discovered me, 
 is more than I can describe; his obedience 
 however convinced me, that my unknown 
 protector was of a superior rank; and I 
 hesitated not a moment to accept of that 
 refuge offered me. It is needless for me/ 
 said she, ' to pursue my history further; 
 let me only assure you, that I value the 
 affections of the Count Von Werdenbe^g 
 in a far superior degree than the Persian 
 thione; and shall ever be grateful to Provi- 
 dence for having liberated me from the 
 restrai'it the customs of my country sub- 
 jected m? to/ 
 
 Here the Count concluded the narrative 
 of Zulinia; and having received the apo- 
 logies of his auditors for the request they 
 had made, and the interruption it had 
 caused to his own history, he resumed it as 
 follows : — . 
 
 '*^ I have before mentioned that we 
 landed in safety at Marseilles. So great, 
 however, was the native modesty of Zuli- 
 
 ma.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 23 
 
 ma, that it was with some difficulty she 
 could reconcile herself to expose those 
 features to public view, which the customs 
 of the East most studiously conceal from 
 all but their nearest relations. Our reti- 
 nue consisted solely of two female slaves, 
 and the faithful Hassan, the soldier I have 
 before mentioned, who were determined 
 to devote themselves to us during their 
 lives. According to the plan I I ad pro- 
 jected, w^e visited the iTiost remarkable 
 places both In France and Italv, th(r.igh I 
 studiously kept my real character cor-rcal- 
 ed ; we therefore passed for foreigners, 
 whom curiosity incited to travel; and as^I 
 was ,now fearless of the Persian power, I 
 had assuined the dress of a nobleman of 
 that nation. The riches we had brought 
 over with us, through the munificence of 
 the Turkish monarch, and the subsequent 
 compliment of the city of Alexandria, -to- 
 gether with those secured by Zulima previ- 
 ous to the quitting Bassora, and whic h were 
 of a value nearly equal to all the rest, em- 
 powered
 
 24 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 powered us, without prodigality^ to appear 
 in the first style. Vv^e were consequently 
 treated with distinction wherever we went; 
 invitations poured in upon us from all 
 quarters ; and for a time we experienced 
 neither care nor ennui. So rapid a succes- 
 sion of pleasures, however, soon began to 
 cloy, and both Zulima and myself sighed 
 for retirement ; accordingly I prepared to 
 return to :^.v native country ; and in our 
 way to Germany, where I made no doubt 
 of being recognized, we reached this 
 neighbourhood, and were induced, by the. 
 report of the peasants, to pay a visit to a 
 hermit, whose sanctity was the theme of 
 every tongue. He received us wiih that 
 cheerful afrability which a mind that has 
 long lost sight of the cares and troubles of 
 the world will naturally assume; and at 
 length so ingratiated himself with us, par- 
 ticularly with Zulima, to whom he explain- 
 ed the more intricate mysteries of the 
 Christian religion, which she had so lately 
 professed, that we were insensibly led to 
 
 protract
 
 THE BLACK BANKER. 25 
 
 protract our journey, and to yield to his 
 importunities of remaining some longer 
 time with him. Each party seemed pleased 
 with the arrangement ; the neighbouring 
 peasantry readily supplied the necessary 
 encrease of food, and assisted in enlarging 
 the humble cavern. Soon after our arrival 
 there, Zulima blessed me with the know- 
 ledo^e that she should soon be a mother: 
 this intelligence gave me the highest satis- 
 faction, more particularly as I found that 
 our new friend was perfectly conversant in 
 the obstetric art. A lovely girl cemented 
 our affection for each other, if possible, 
 more strongly than before; but alas! I 
 too soon experienced that perfect happi- 
 ness is not the lot of man. Zulima reco- 
 vered, and, with reluctance, we had pre- 
 pared for the continuance of our journey, 
 when a fever of a most inflammatory na- 
 ture, which baffled every art of medicine, 
 :deprived me of one dearer to me than my 
 -.own existence. 
 
 " Here was a chasm in mj life : wxeks 
 VOL. II. c and
 
 25 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 and months passed away, ere the skill and 
 attention of the benevolent hermit recalled 
 my senses to recollection. Heavens! what 
 a moment ! Gazing around the apartment, 
 I demanded to see Zulima ; a mournful 
 silence, together with the tears of my faith- 
 ful slaves, was the answer to my question ; 
 and I was again near relapsing into insensi- 
 b\Jity, had not the sight of my child, whom 
 the hermit caused to be brought to me, 
 roused my almost dormant faculties to ex- 
 ertion, and sustained my sinking frame. 
 Time, however, and the well-placed admo- 
 nitions of my friend, succeeded in render- 
 ing my mind more composed. He point- 
 ed out to me those duties which I still 
 had to fulfil, and convinced me, that the 
 way by which I could best shew my affec- 
 tion for the departed Zulima, was the ex- 
 erting myself for the future welfare of my 
 child : in short, his arguments were so just 
 and convincing, that I most readily adopted 
 them. The loss however which I had ex- 
 perienced, deterred me from entering into 
 
 the
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 2T 
 
 the busy scenes of life, and I resolved, if 
 asrreeable to the hermit, to remain with 
 him, at least until the infant, who had been 
 named Zulima, after her mother, was of an 
 age to render it necessary to procure for 
 her a female preceptress. This plan was 
 readily acceded to by my host, who seemed 
 to have lost much of his austerity, though 
 not of his sanctity, since our arrival at his 
 sequestered retreat. 
 
 " Although surrounded by accumulated 
 misfortunes, I did not neglect to perform 
 my promise to the Sultan, by informin^f 
 him of our safe arrival, and the subsequent 
 disasters I had experienced. His answer 
 fully proved the high regard with which he 
 still deignel to consider me ; a regard so 
 truly sincere and valuable, that would, I 
 believe, have tempted me to have returned 
 to Turkey, had not the consideration of the 
 infant Zulima been a most powerful argu- 
 ment against sUch a plan; for, notwith- 
 standing the great friendship of the Sultan, 
 I should have found it no small difficulty 
 c 2 10
 
 28 THE Br,ACK BANNER. 
 
 to have educated my child in the religion 
 which had for ages past been professed by 
 my ancestors. 
 
 '' My determination proved fortunate, 
 aSj notwithstanding the mildness of his go- 
 vernmentj and the justice which all ranks 
 experienced from him, Achmet, soon after 
 I had heard from him, fell a victim to one 
 of those ebullitions of popular fury, which 
 has so frequently hurled the princes of the 
 Ottoman race from the throne to the 
 grave. 
 
 ^' It seemed as if Fate was determined to 
 expend its most venomed shafts on my de- 
 voted head. The loved partner of my heart 
 had paid the common debt of human na- 
 ture in the prime of life, and my dearest 
 friend had not long survived her. Still 
 there was. another tie that attached me to 
 the world ; the infant Zulima encreased in 
 beauty, and promised to rival her angel 
 mother in perfection, when one fatal strofce 
 deprived me of this last dream of happi- 
 ness.** 
 
 The
 
 THE BLACK EANNEB. 29 
 
 The Count again paused ; the recollec- 
 tion seemed to agonize him as severely, as 
 ii clays only, instead of years, had inter- 
 vened since that period. Recovering, how- 
 ever, his fortitude, he proceeded — '* Had it 
 pleased the divine Distributor of Justice to 
 have called the lovely epitome of her mo- 
 ther to those celestial abodes of innocence 
 promised to the just and virtuous, it would 
 have been impious in me to have arraigned 
 the supreme decree ; but alas ! even this 
 boon was denied me." 
 
 " How/' interrupted Theodore, in asto- 
 nishment, '^ is she not — not ?" 
 
 *' Alas !" replied the Count, '' ignorance 
 of her fate is added to the many other cala- 
 mities which have at times nearly over- 
 come my fortitude. But you shall hear the 
 heart-rending tale. One morning 1 arose 
 earlier than usual, that I might dispatch my 
 confidential attendants upon some neces-* 
 sary business, previous to paying m-y ac- 
 customed devotions at the tomb of her 
 mother: having dispatched them to exe- 
 c 3 cute
 
 30 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 CLite my orders^ I proceeded to the grave, 
 accompanied by Hassan, \vhom I %vas 
 obliged to take with me, in order to carry 
 some necessary articles, leaving the infant 
 Zulima in a sweet and refreshing sleep, 
 while the hermit proceeded to a different 
 quarter, on an errand something similar to 
 my own. Having finished my devotions, I 
 wandered for some time with Hassan around 
 the grounds, in order to give him direc- 
 tions, in respect to some alterations, which 
 had been planned between my venerable 
 friend and myself. Ere I had finished my 
 survey, the sun had cleared the summit of 
 the mountains, and shone with refulgent 
 splendour; I therefore hastened home- 
 ^^arJ, expecting to have met Zulima, then 
 about three years old, awaiting my arrival 
 upon the vestibule, as was her usual cus- 
 tom. Perceiving, however, she was not 
 there, I felt an unusual tremor seize me, 
 although, I confess, my fears extended only 
 to her illness : Hassan perceived the change 
 in my countenance, and, from having been 
 
 so
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 31 
 
 iK> long accustomed to our meetings, 
 readily guessed the cause of my perturba- 
 tion^ and kindly endeavoured to relieve it 
 by every soothing expression. No sooner 
 had we reached the entrance of the cavern, 
 than without waiting for orders, which in- 
 deed I found myself almost incapacitated 
 from giving, this faithful attendant hastened 
 to the chamber allotted for Zulima and her 
 nurse: scarcely could he have reached it, 
 when a cry of horror struck ray ear, which 
 proceeded from the direction in which the 
 apartment lay : almost unconscious of my 
 actions, I rushed forward, when a sight, 
 more dreadful than the gorgon*s head, 
 encountered my eager gaze: upon the 
 ground, wounded, and to appearance in 
 the agonies of death, lay the faithful 
 nurse of my beloved Zulima, while that 
 cherub, who used to greet my return with 
 infantine smiles of love, was no where vi- 
 sible. The alarm, necessarily created upon 
 such an occasion^ brought the hermit to 
 c 4 our
 
 32 THE BLACK EANKEH. 
 
 our assistance, ^vho endeavoured to caliti- 
 the first transports of onr agony, in order to 
 obtain, if possible, some intelligence from" 
 the wounded slave of the cause of this dis- 
 order. With the assistance of Hassan, for 
 ?s to myself every e?vertion was paralyzed," 
 the hermit placed the victim of fidelity 
 upon the bed, and after examining and 
 dressing her wounds, gave us the pleasing 
 assurance that they were not mortal, but 
 that rest and quiet were essentially neces^ 
 sary ; so that it would be some time before 
 an explanation could be ventured upon. 
 My friend however took upon him to have 
 the grounds searched, as well as the neigh- 
 bourhood around : no traces however of 
 my lost Zulima could be found, nor could 
 we gain intelligence that any strangers 
 had been seen in the neighbourhood. A 
 few days in some measure relieved our 
 anxiety, but only to plunge us into the 
 deepest distress : the nurse left in charge 
 of the infant was deemed sufficiently reco- 
 •- ' vered
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 33 
 
 vercd to give us some account of the 
 disaster, which had so suddenly overwhelm- 
 ed the heart of a parent with despair. 
 
 *' She related, that in about a quarter of 
 an liour after the departure of myself and 
 Hassan from the cavern, three rnen, well 
 armed, with their faces concealed beneath 
 the vizors of their helmets, suddenly rushed 
 into the apartment, as she had just com- 
 pleted the dressing of Zulima, who was 
 impatient to repair to her usual stand ; 
 and, without uttering a syllable, one of them 
 caught her in his arms, and, placing an 
 handkerchief over her mouth, were hurry- 
 ing away with her, when, recovering from 
 the terror which their appearance had 
 caused, she rushed forward, and attempted 
 to rescue her from the grasp of the ruffian 
 ^vho carried her; in an instant she was her- 
 self seized and gagged; and in that state, 
 after having given her repeated wounds 
 with their sabres, the inhuman wretches 
 left her welterinii: in her blood. She soon 
 became insensible, nor recovered until the 
 c 5 arrival
 
 34 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 arrival of Hassan. I listened to this ac- 
 count with the utmost attention, and, as 
 well as my agitated mind would pcj-mit, 
 formed my conjectures upon the subject; 
 indeed I at once suspected that the Sultan 
 of Persia had found means to ascertain my 
 retreat, and had determined to revenge 
 himself upon me for the loss of his niece, 
 by depriving me of the dearest image of 
 her. I mentioned my suspicions to the 
 hermit, who could not deny their probabi- 
 lity. In order to ascertain the fact, I de- 
 termined to travel into Persia, and to pe- 
 netrate even into the recesses of the serag- 
 lio, or perish in the attempt. This hazard- 
 ous and uncertain scheme, however, I was 
 prevented from carrying into execution, by 
 the prudent, and indeed incontrovertible 
 arguments of the hermit, who pointed out 
 my future duty so clearly, that, calling to 
 his assistance the all-powerful aid of reli- 
 gion, he reconciled me by slow but sure de- 
 grees to my loss. Hassan, howeve*^ in- 
 sisted upon making the attempt, nor could 
 
 all
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 85 
 
 all I urged induce him to give it up; and, 
 as he assured me that he would be particu- 
 larly careful of himself, for my sake, 1 was 
 at last prevailed upon to permit his depar- 
 ture. After about two years absence he re- 
 turned, and by the authentic intelligence 
 he procured, convinced me that my suspi- 
 cions were groundless. Left therefore in 
 the wilds of uncertainty, my days passed in 
 a dull monotony, which was interrupted 
 only by the death of my friend and com- 
 panion, the venerable hermit. 
 
 " The scenes I had been a partakfer of in 
 this sequestered spot had so endeared it 
 to me, that I had determined never to aban- 
 don it, as here I have the melancholy con- 
 solation of daily contemplating the tomb 
 of my long lost, though still regretted Zu- 
 lima, which yon thick grove of cypress, in- 
 terspersed with yew, conceals from the 
 prying eye of curiosity. Your unexpect- 
 ed arrival, however, joined to the intelli- 
 gence you have brought, may possibly in- 
 c (5 duce
 
 SG THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 duce me to quit my retreat for a time ; and 
 convince the usurper Albert^ that the fa- 
 mily of Werdenberg are not to be insulted 
 with impunity. How is it that 1 experience 
 the solid wisdom of that advice, formerly 
 given by the hermit, who, as if he had fore- 
 seen future events, most strenuously urged 
 me, even if I persisted in excluding my- 
 self from the world at large, to make known 
 my existence to the Emperor? his argu- 
 ments were unanswerable, and I accord- 
 ingly repaired privately to Vienna; from 
 whence, after receiving the congratulations 
 of his imperial majesty on my unexpected 
 return, I found it a great difficulty once 
 more to retire to this sequestered habita- 
 tion, as that gracious Prince would not 
 only have willingly reinstated me in my 
 former high employments, but would like- 
 wise have loaded me with additional ho- 
 nours. 
 
 " Such, Theodore, has been the princi- 
 pal events of a life, chequered with the 
 
 blessings
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 37 
 
 blessings and the miseries of the worlds the 
 varieties of which have, in some degree, 
 taught me resignation.'* 
 
 The Count concluded his eventful his- 
 tory ; and perceiving that the sun had 
 nearly reached the meridian, he proposed 
 to his friends that they should retire to the 
 cool retreat of the cavern, where thev mi^^ht 
 consult at their ease on the steps necessary 
 to be pursued to avenge the wrongs of the 
 Princess of Clagenfurth. Theodore and 
 Sternheim, who had been much affected at 
 the relation they had just heard, followed 
 the Count in silence ; every spot had be- 
 come more interesting to them, from the 
 recollection that their noble host had here 
 experienced the two greatest opposites,- 
 the height of happiness, and the depth of 
 misery. Serenity, however, accompanied 
 them to the social repast, which the care of 
 Hassan had provided, according to the 
 usual custom. The convei-sation naturally 
 turned on the various circumstances which 
 they had heard ; in the course of whicJi, 
 
 Theodore 
 4
 
 38 THE EI ACK BANNER. 
 
 Theodore inquired if the Count had never 
 become acquainted with the real name of 
 the former possessor of the hermitage ? 
 
 '' It was a secret/'* answered he, *' that he 
 carried with him to the grave ; yet a few 
 hours before his death, he informed me, 
 that in a private recess, the situation of 
 which he distinctly pointed out to me, were 
 papers which would elucidate the mystery 
 in which he was involved ; but I confess, 
 that my mind has been so much employed^ 
 their existence had escaped my memory : 
 as I doubt not but that we can readily find 
 the place, we will commence an examina- 
 tion." 
 
 The whole party accordingly proceeded 
 to the supposed spot ; and after some lit- 
 tle trouble, their perseverance \V'as repaid 
 by success. The papers appeared rather in- 
 jured by time ; but Theodore doubted not 
 but that he should be able to decipher suf- 
 ficient of them to satisfy his curiosity. 
 They accordingly returned to the cavern 
 with their new-found treasure, and so eager 
 
 v/as
 
 THE BLACK BANKER. . 39 
 
 was he to examine the contents, that he 
 would instantly have commenced the task, 
 had not the signal, without which no one 
 could enter the premises, been unexpect- 
 edly heard. The sound startled them, as it 
 was a very unusual circumstance, when 
 none of the family were from home, and 
 at this time both Hassan and the two fe- 
 males were in their own apartments. 
 
 Sternheim, who, from the previous adven- 
 ture at the monastery, was convinced that Al- 
 bert would make use of all his power and art 
 to obtain possession of the persons both of 
 Theodore and himself, instantly conceived, 
 that it might be some of the emissaries em- 
 ployed by him ; and mentioned the suspi- 
 cion he entertained to the Count, to whom 
 the previous circumstances had been made 
 known. As this v^as deemed very proba- 
 ble by the whole party, it was agreed to 
 act with more than usual caution. While 
 they were thus in consultation, a second 
 signal was heard, given in a more loud and 
 hasty manner than the former, Hassan 
 
 was
 
 40 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 "was in consequence ordered to answer if, 
 while the Count, Sternheim, and Theo- 
 dore, prepared to repel any hostile attack 
 that might be made ; and they doubted 
 not but that they should be able (o defend 
 themselves, at least until the neighbouring 
 peasants could be summoned to their as- 
 sistance. Their fears were however soon 
 turned to surprise, as they beheld Hassan 
 bearing in his arms a lovely female, while 
 a man of a noble appearance, whose bleed- 
 ing wounds convinced them they were re- 
 ceived in her defence, supported her as 
 well as he was able. If however the ge- 
 neral surprise was gfeat at first, much more 
 so w^as that of the Count, v/h en on coming 
 closer, he perceived that it was the captain 
 of the banditti who was the protector of 
 the female. Theodore had, on the first view 
 of the intruders, hastened to the assistance 
 of the beauteous unknown, and so much 
 %vas his attention taken up, that he did not 
 observe her companion. As soon as she 
 was consigned to the care of the female 
 
 slaves.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 4t 
 
 slaves, he returned to the party he had leff, 
 and for the- first time recognized tHewelP 
 known and formerly dreaded countenance 
 of the captain of the banditti: the latter 
 however appeared to have forgotten him, 
 as he gave no indication of having seen 
 him before; and Theodore was satisfied, 
 that from the former hints of the Count 
 respecting him, and the friendship with 
 which he at present received him, that he 
 was in no danger, should he at last recollect 
 his features. They were of course impa- 
 tient to hear the history of the unknown 
 female, but were obliged to restrain their 
 curiosity, as she remained greatly indis- 
 posed; and the captain, who- was nearly 
 exhausted by his exertions, and the quan- 
 tity of blood which he had lost, was obliged 
 (o be carried, almost insensible, to an apart- 
 ment, which had hastily been prepared for 
 him, where every assistance, which the 
 Count and his friends could bestow, was 
 afforded. It was some time before the fe- 
 male slaves could recall their lifeless charge 
 
 to
 
 42 Tm: BLACK BANNER. 
 
 to recollection; and even when that wa« 
 cfiected^ so much had her frame been agi- 
 tated, that it threw her into a fever^ which, 
 for some time, threatened the most fatal 
 consequences : youth, and a naturally good 
 constitution, at ength triumphed over her 
 malady ; and the roses again began to re- 
 vive in those cheeks where the lily had so 
 long reigned j redominant. During her 
 illness, she had frequently inquired con- 
 cerning her generous protector^ and felt a 
 great satisfaction at hearing he was under 
 the same roof with her, and that he was 
 nearly recovered of the wounds which he 
 had received in her defence; although, she 
 observed, she was perfectly ignorant of the 
 person to whom she was so much indebt- 
 ed. Theodore had been most regular in 
 his inquiries concerning her health; the 
 appearance of so much youth and beauty 
 (for she seemed not more than fifteen), in 
 so critical a situation, had made an impres- 
 sion on his susceptible heart, the strength 
 . of which he was not aware of; and he be- 
 came
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. . 4S 
 
 came impatient for the convalescence of 
 both the invalids, hoping that he should 
 gain intelligence concerning the unknown 
 fair. The Count spent the greatest part 
 of his time in the apartment of his friend 
 the captain ; and a full explanation took 
 place respecting Theodore, who had been 
 instantly recollected by him, although he 
 had taken no notice of him. At length the 
 parties met, and after the congratulations 
 usual on such an occasion had subsided, 
 the Count requested to be informed of the 
 accident which had obliged them to seek 
 the shelter of his retreat; at the same 
 time, turning to the blushing beauty, who 
 Was seated by him, he begged to know by 
 what appellation he was in future to ad- 
 dress her ? A voice that thrilled through the 
 heart of Theodore, already deeply wounded 
 by the shafts of the blind deity, uttered, 
 '' Matilda." Sternheim started, and turned 
 pale; his visible agitation attracted the at- 
 tention of the whole company ; and, for 
 the moment, put a stop to the required nar- 
 
 rativcj
 
 44 TKE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 rative, which the captain was preparing 
 to relate. Matilda herself ftlt an ^lorm, 
 for which she could not account; and, in 
 trembling accents, asked the still agitated 
 Stcrnheim if he had any knowledge of her 
 — " For, alas!" said she, bursting into tears, 
 ^' I have never known the love or atten* 
 tion of any parent^ although the loss has 
 been amply supplied by the care of my 
 late revered protectress.'* 
 
 " Tell me," cried Slernheim, '^ under 
 tvhose roof you have hitherto resided?" 
 
 "In the convent of St. Pierre," replied 
 Matilda. 
 
 " Great God!" echoed Sternheim, who 
 instantlv fell back in his chair, overpow- 
 ered by the sudden feelings which oppress- 
 ed his heart. 
 
 The surprise of the whole party now 
 gave place to the consternation occasioned 
 by this event; the weeping Matilda, im- 
 pelled by hopes and fears, threw herself at 
 his feet, and, in a supplicating tone, im- 
 plored the veteran to acquaint her if he 
 
 knew
 
 THE BLACK EAMXER. 45 
 
 knew any thing relative to those parents 
 she had never seen ? This action of Ma- 
 tilda's roused the almost insensible Stern- 
 heim^ and recalled his recollection: hastily 
 raising her from the posture which she as- 
 sumed, he gazed so earnestly on her coun- 
 tenance, as suffused it with blushes, when 
 perceiving the confusion into which he had 
 unintentionally thrown her, he replied, in 
 a. voice unusually solemn — "^ Yes; but they 
 sre no more." - The tears of Matilda flowed 
 afresh at this deprivation of those expecta- 
 tions her young heart had began to form, 
 and she awaited in silence the denouement of 
 her origin. 
 
 The assertion of Sternheim was not lost 
 either by the Count or Theodore; the lat- 
 ter recollected the report which had been 
 circulated at Clagenfurth, respecting the 
 infant which the late Prince had by his 
 former wife, and his new-born passion im- 
 pelled him to hope that Matilda was the 
 same ; but the Count, who was ignorant <|| 
 
 . the
 
 4(1 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 the circumstance, desired an explanation 
 of the past scene. 
 
 Sternheim paused a few minutes; but, 
 recollecting that the fact was already 
 known to several, and sensible that in the 
 Count, Matilda would find a powerful pro- 
 tector against all her enemies, he readily- 
 acquiesced in his wishes, and related what 
 is already known to my readers; for Ma- 
 tilda was the identical infant which he had 
 formerly entrusted to the care of the Ab- 
 bess of St. Pierre, under the particular 
 injunctions already mentioned. He was 
 now impatient to know how she came to 
 quit the abbess, and by what accident she 
 fell into the power of those from whom 
 she had so fortunately been rescued by the 
 bravery and generosity of the captain of 
 the banditti? To this inquiry Matilda 
 could give no satisfactory answer; all that 
 she knew was, that the abbess had, after a 
 long conference with a person who arrived 
 0i the convent, and appeared in haste, 
 
 called
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 47 
 
 called her in to her private apartments, 
 and, with much feeling, acquainted her 
 that a person was then within the walls, 
 who bore a commission, which she could 
 not withstand, to receive her into his pro- 
 tection, and to convey her to those who had 
 the most natural right to her affection, 
 when she would be made acquainted with 
 the reasons that had hitherto prevented 
 her being acknowledged by them — •' Bred 
 up from an infant/' continued the interest- 
 ing orphan, '' in the convent^ it was with 
 the greatest sorrow I found myself obliged 
 to quit the companions of my youth, or 
 indeed my venerable protectress, whose 
 kindness had ever been that of a mother; 
 but her judicious observations, although 
 given with tears in her eye^ in some mea- 
 sure enabled me to overcome my reluctan- 
 cy, and leave a society so dear to me. We 
 parted, oppressed with mutual feelings, and 
 it was some time before I could recover 
 myself sufficiently to attend to my compa- 
 nion, who, I at length observed^ looked at 
 
 me
 
 48 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 ir,e frequently with particular attention. I 
 entertained however no fears or suspicion 
 of any sinister design, until on my request 
 to know to what place I was to be convey- 
 ed, he refused to give me any answer, ob- 
 serving, I should be made acquainted with 
 it soon enough. At this reply, so totally 
 , unexpected, I felt a faint sickness seize 
 me, which nearly overpowered me, and 
 iny conductor seeing me turn pale, pro- 
 posed my resting a little time, to which I 
 readily acceded, for indeed I was scarcely 
 able to support myself. This gave me re- 
 lief, and I soon found myself recovered 
 sufficiently to pursue my journey, which I 
 did with some composure; for I reflected, 
 that as I was entirely in the power of my 
 companion, it would be mere prudent to 
 dissemble my suspicions, than betray them. 
 We had not proceeded far, after the recom- 
 mencement of our expedition, before we 
 were joined by another person, who ap- 
 peared well known to the one by whom I 
 was accompanied; they entered into con- 
 versation
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 40 
 
 versation together; but it was carried on 
 in so low a tone, that I could not distinctly 
 hear the subject of it : some words, how- 
 ever^ that were incautiously uttered louder 
 than common, alarmed me greatly, and I 
 first began to think that I was either be- 
 trayed, or that the intentions of those who 
 claimed the power over me, and to whom 
 I was to be conveyed, were far from 
 friendly to me. The words that most ter- 
 rified me were — * It is a pity — youth and 
 beauty — prison.* This I applied to my- 
 self; and the following sentence, which I 
 heard most perfectly, convinced me of the 
 reality of my suspicions — ' What does it 
 signify to us? we only obey the commands 
 of our superiors.* Much more conversa- 
 tion followed ; but 1 was incapable of at- 
 tending to it, as my mind was employed in 
 planning my escape from their power; for 
 so great were the terrors those few w^ords I 
 had overheard caused me, that I had deter- 
 mined to throw myself upon the protec- 
 tion of the first travellers I met, and en- 
 voi. II. D deavour
 
 50 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 deavour to return to the convent of St. 
 Pierre, where I made no doubt of receiving 
 a cordial welcome. In this horrid sus- 
 pense I travelled some time; no friendly 
 form appeared to afford the wished- for 
 succour; and I had almost began to des- 
 pair, when, on emerging from the last de- 
 file, I perceived a person walking slowly 
 on, and soon discovered that he was well 
 a med : my companions looked at one 
 another, and I fancied that they wished to 
 avoid the stranger, as they altered their 
 direction. Fearless of what the conse- 
 quences might prove, which I believed 
 could not be worse than those I had reason 
 to think were awaiting me at the close of 
 my journey, I determined on soliciting the 
 protection of the stranger. No time was 
 to be lost; turning therefore suddenly, I 
 ran towards him, and was as instantly pur- 
 sued by the two men who accompanied 
 me; my cries reached the ears of the tra- 
 veller, who no sooner beheld me, than he 
 flew to my assistance. What passed after- 
 wards.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 51 
 
 %vards, I have little knowledge of, as, ex- 
 hausted by my exertions, I fell lifeless, nor 
 did I recover, until I found myself atteiid- 
 ed by the servants of the Count Von 
 Werdenberg, a name I have been taught, 
 by the venerable Abbess of St. Pierre, to 
 hold in the highest respect ; nor shall I less 
 esteem the generous stranger, to whose 
 valour I feel myself indebted for safety ; 
 to him I must refer the relation of the se- 
 quel of the late adventure." 
 
 Thus ended the tale of the lovely Matil- 
 da, who delivered it with an innocence, yet 
 firmness of manner, that excited the admi- 
 ration of her auditors, and completely fixed 
 Theodore as her slave. At the conclusion, 
 the Count assured her of his protection, 
 and that in future he requested her to con- 
 sider him as her father — '' Alas !" added he, 
 " had fortune permitted, I should now be i:i 
 possession of a daughter nearly your age ; 
 you must supply her place." A tear drop- 
 ped down the cheek of the Count, which 
 he hastened to wipe away ; while Matilda. 
 d2 almost
 
 5^ THE BLACK BANNFR. 
 
 almost overcome by his kindness,, could 
 only utter inarticulate sounds of obedi- 
 ence to his wishes. 
 
 Matilda having ceased speaking, the cap- 
 tain proceeded to relate by what accident 
 he had so opportunely arrived, to rescue 
 her from her former companions — " You 
 know,'* said he, particularly addressing 
 himself to the Count, " the promise I 
 made, when last v/e met, of paying a visit 
 to this retreat, whenever circumstances per- 
 mitted me to absent myself from those du- 
 ties fate has imposed upon me, the diffi- 
 culties of which are not unknown to more 
 than one of my auditors.*' 
 
 At this ob?.ervation, Theodore felt r.it'i 
 uneasy, which a sudden flush of his coun- 
 tenance easily betrayed. The captain per- 
 ceived the change; and taking him affec- 
 tionately by the hand — " Theodore," said 
 he, " the relation of the Count Von Wer- 
 
 denberg must be the friend of the " 
 
 He appeared as if he was proceeding to 
 mention his name; but catching a look 
 
 from
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 53 
 
 from the Count, he stopped short, adding, 
 " at some future period you shall be made 
 acquainted with my history ; at present I 
 shall only observe, that during your former 
 residence in the mountains, I watched, 
 though unknown to you, every action, with 
 the eyes of the most affectionate parent; 
 and your escape gave me uneasiness only 
 as I dreaded you v/ould become a martyr 
 to those snares which I had reason to be- 
 lieve would be set for your destruction ; 
 for I v/as well satisfied that a branch of the 
 noble houses of Von Werdenberg and 
 Mountfort would never betray even those 
 whose actions or principles he could not 
 approve. But although," continued he, 
 smiling, " you doubtless thought yourself 
 secure and undiscovered, I soon gained 
 intelligence of your route, and have con- 
 stantly been made acquainted with all your 
 proceedings, even to the time of your re- 
 treat to these caverns. Excuse this di(;res- 
 sion," continued the captain, *^ which the 
 alteration in the looks of Theodore occa- 
 D 3 sioned ;
 
 54 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 sioned ; I will now resume the former 
 subject, which indeed has some connexion 
 with my late observations. Previous to 
 my leaving the accustomed place of my 
 abode/ I had received information, from 
 one of the numerous spies under my com- 
 mand, of the transactions that were passing 
 in the city of Clagenfurth : the noble and 
 gallant conduct of Theodore was related to 
 me, together with his hasty retreat from 
 that city, and the subsequent proceedings 
 of Albert. Fearful of what might be the 
 consequences, from the zeal of the nume- 
 rous emissaries employed by that usurper, 
 1 instantly summoned my whole force, and 
 sfter having administered to them the oath 
 of secrecy usual on any particular occa- 
 sion, I informed them of the rank of Theo- 
 dore, and of the interest I had in his safety. 
 This discovery, while it surprised them, 
 gave the greatest satisfaction, as it dissi- 
 pated every degree of alarm, which pro- 
 bably some of them might have enter- 
 tained^ in consequence of his escape; and 
 
 they
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. -55 
 
 they unanimously swore to obey every 
 command I might think proper to give, 
 and to sacrifice their lives in his defence. 
 Thus being perfectly convinced of their 
 fidelity^ I divided them into different par- 
 ties, with directions that they should en- 
 deavour to discover any of those employed 
 by Albert, to watch their motions closely, 
 but not to attack or molest them, unless 
 on those particular occasions which were 
 pointed out to them. The different ar- 
 rar.gements were soon completed, and they 
 left the place of general rendezvous in va- 
 rious directions. I had allotted to mvself 
 one task, certainly the most agreeable, as 
 it was to pay my long promised visit to the 
 Count Von Werdenberg, when at the 
 same time I could consult with him upon 
 the steps necessary to be pursued. I well 
 knew that Theodore was in the neighbour- 
 hood, and thought it not improbable that 
 I should meet with him at this sequestered 
 spot, it being, I was aware, an usual cus- 
 tom for the Count to take his solitary ram- 
 D i bles
 
 56 THE BLACK BANKER. 
 
 bles around the environs, in order to ren- 
 der assistance^ if necessary, to the wander- 
 ing traveller, who, from the great intricacy 
 of the roads, might easily be entangled in 
 the various mazes of the surroundins: 
 r/iountains. My conjectures are, to my 
 great happiness, well founded. 
 
 '* On emerging from a secret path, known 
 only, 1 believe, to myself and those under 
 my command, I perceived, at some dis- 
 tance from me, two men, accompanied by 
 a female ; they seemed approaching to- 
 w^ards me : sensible that my appearance in 
 that solitary spot might induce them to 
 suspect the truth, for I was well armed, I 
 cautiously retreated so far as not to be per- 
 ceived, until they came near enough to 
 ensure my overtaking them, should they 
 attempt to avoid me ; my plan succeeded ; 
 and when they had arrived within a small 
 distance from the place where I had con- 
 cealed myself, I came forth from the secret 
 path, and, without seeming to take any 
 notice of them, pursued my journey. But 
 
 although
 
 TffE black: banner. 67 
 
 althoiioh I appeared thus indifferent, I took 
 care to observe their motions; and per- 
 ceiving that they were about to change 
 their course, I was just on the point of 
 turning, in order to pursue them, and ex- 
 amine into their intentions, when the 
 cries of their fair companion for protec- 
 tion quickened rny first determination, and 
 1 soon overtook them. The imprababi- 
 iities of the tales by which they endea- 
 voured to justif}^ their detention of their 
 fair companion, together with the strong 
 assertions of the trembling maid, con- 
 vinced me that they were engaged in some 
 sinister design against her future peace and 
 happiness; and I resolved either to rescue 
 her, or perish in the attempt. Before, 
 however, I began the attack, I demanded 
 the name of the person by wham they 
 were employed on such a diabolical mis- 
 sion ; this they haughtily refused to tell 
 me. One of the ruffians^ who- seemed to 
 he the superior, then endeavoured to seize 
 the lady and carry her off, while the other 
 D 5 attacked
 
 58 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 attacked me ^vith some violence. I soon 
 p'erceived that I was much their superior 
 in the use of arms, and it was with ease 
 that I parried the blow aimed at me by the 
 one who had engaged me. As the rescue, 
 however, of the female was my first object, 
 I disengaged myself from my adversary, 
 and before he could rejoin his accomplice/ 
 had compelled him to relinquish his prey, 
 and to defend his own life. The combat 
 then became more serious; I felt that I re- 
 ceived several wounds, which served rather 
 to rouse than depress my resolution. At 
 length conquest smiled on my endeavours: 
 one was killed instantaneously, and the 
 other so grievously wounded, as to be in- 
 capable of resistance. In this condition 
 I oflered him his life, if he would confess 
 the name of his employer; but his fidelity 
 remained unshaken. I would still have en- 
 deavoured to have saved him^ had any as- 
 sistance been near, in hopes he might ul- 
 timately be brought to confession. Circum- 
 stanced, however, as I was, my f^ir protegee 
 
 insensible.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 59 
 
 insensible, my own wounds beginning to 
 feel uneasv, together with the distance 
 from this retreat, added to the probability 
 that more of his associates might be at no 
 great distance, and by discovering him 
 alive, might, from his information, inter- 
 cept m.e, little capable of resistance, before 
 I could place my precious charge in safety; 
 all these reasons combined, necessitated 
 me to put a period to his existence. I soon 
 found that I had no time to lose, as I felt 
 a degree of fain tness diffuse itself through 
 my frame ; and though I had the pleasure 
 of perceiving that life had partially re- 
 turned to the interesting object, then ray 
 sole care, yet I dreaded the failure of my 
 utmost exertions. Fortune, however, at 
 last favoured me, although a frequent re- 
 petition of insensibility delayed our ap- 
 proach to the hospitable retreat of the 
 Count Von Werdenberg, \ here, I make no 
 doubt, the fair Matilda will find a secure 
 refuge from the future attacks of her un- 
 known enemies." 
 
 D 6 Here
 
 €0 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 Here the captain concluded, and again 
 received the sincere thanks of all his audi- 
 tors, for the bravery and generosity of his 
 conduct. Theodore had, during his rela- 
 tion, frequently expressed, by looks, his 
 surprise at some parts of his narrative, 
 'which he now more openly avowed. The 
 captain smiled at his inquisitiveness, which 
 he observed was natural, although he was 
 sorry he could not, at that time, gratify his 
 ivishes — '^ A period will soon arrive," con- 
 tinued he, '' when every thing, now appa- 
 rently mysterious, will be disclosed; nei- 
 ther will you be displeased at my present 
 silence, when T inform you that my actions 
 in this particular are guided by the obe- 
 dience I owe to the injunctions of the 
 Count Von Werdenberg.'* 
 
 This answer silenced, while, at the same 
 instant, it encreased the perplexity of 
 Theodore^ who, obedient to the hint, im- 
 mediately dropped the subject. A general 
 conversation ensued between the assembled 
 party, Sternheim excepted, who had main- 
 4 tained
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 61 
 
 tained a strict silence from the commence- 
 ment of the narrative; neither was it inter- 
 rupted by the various observations made 
 after the conclusion ; these, as of course 
 might be expected, turned principally upon 
 the late events. Various were the conjec- 
 tures made; but none were thrown out 
 that promised an elucidation of the real 
 intentions of Matilda's companions, or 
 their probable employer. During the dis- 
 cussion, her thoughts had been employed 
 on the unexpected intelligence which had 
 been disclosed by Sternheim. Her young 
 heart was not insensible to the pleasures 
 she had been early taught were the attend- 
 ants of that rank which she bad been so 
 lately informed was her due. It was not, 
 however, the gaudy trappings of greatness, 
 or the pomp and vanities of a court, which 
 caught her attention ; the venerable Abbess 
 of St. Pierre had implanted in her mind 
 the more amiable duties of those whom 
 power and affluence placed over their in- 
 feriors. To assist the unfortunate, to ease 
 
 the
 
 62 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 the pangs of penury and want, to be a 
 parent tc ihe orphan, and prevent oppres- 
 sion, these were the pleasures which she 
 taught were productive of the truest hap- 
 piness, and the brightest gems that orna- 
 mented a crown. Such were the reflec- 
 tions of Matilda, when on a sudden it 
 struck her that Sternheim, who had given- 
 so minute an account of her family, must 
 consequently be well acquainted with its *• 
 different connexions, and therefore might 
 be able to throw some light on the subject 
 which was then discussing. She had re- 
 marked his taciturnity, and fancied that she 
 had at times seen symptoms of agitation 
 in his couiUeiiance; on a pause which en- 
 sued, she accordingly asked him, whether, 
 as he seemed to be so intimately conrrect- 
 ed with her family, he had reason to sus- 
 pect any branch of it as likely to enter- 
 tain any sinister designs against her ? This 
 question roused Sternheim from his reve- 
 rie ; however, he immediately answered in 
 the negative, adding — '' His suspicions 
 
 pointed
 
 THE ELACK BANNER. 63 
 
 j)oiiUe(.l at anotlier quarter; but since the 
 hand of Providence has so unexpectedly 
 conducted you to the protection of the 
 Count Von Werdenberg, I trust that the 
 insidious designer ^vill not be defeated 
 onlv, but that the plot, which he flattered 
 himself would place innocence in his 
 power, will ultimately recoil on his own 
 head." 
 
 ''To whom do you allude?" inquired 
 Theodore. 
 
 " To Albert/' replied Strrnhei.n. 
 
 ''Albert!" echoed the Count and the 
 captain. 
 
 '• Yes, my friends, to that politic usur- 
 per do I attribute this outrage ; yet how 
 he contrived to impose upon the Abbess 
 of St. Pierre, I am at a loss to guess ; nay, 
 I dread even to think of the means by 
 which the token, requisite to be produced 
 to the abbess, before she could resign Ma- 
 tilda to the care of any other person, was 
 obtained." 
 
 " What motives could Albert have to 
 
 gain
 
 64 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 gain possession of an helpless female^ one 
 too whom he must suppose an orphan, 
 bred up under the care of strangers ?"^ 
 asked the captain. 
 
 " You forget/* rejoined Sternheirn, 
 '' that prior to my leaving Clagenfurth, I 
 had, with the consent of the Princess Ade- 
 line, given out the existence of a child by 
 a former marriage; but of its sex, no 
 mention was made ; my reasons are well 
 known : now I m.ake no doubt but that by 
 some treachery, at present undeveloped, 
 Albert has made himself master of the 
 truth; and in consequence, his prolific 
 brain has suggested to him, that by 6)btain- 
 ing possession of Matilda's person, he might 
 be able, either by policy or threats, to work 
 upon the mind of the Princess of Ckgen- 
 furth, in a sufficient degree to terrify her 
 into a compliance with all his demands. 
 Such, my friends,"' continued Sternheirn, 
 *' are the grounds of my suspicions; whe- 
 ther they are well founded or not_, time 
 will develop ; however^ I am determined, 
 
 if
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 65 
 
 if possible, to ascertain one point — the 
 means by which the Abbess of St. Pierre 
 ^vas induced to consent to the departure of 
 Matilda from the convent; should I prove 
 successful in this inquiry, it may aflfbrd us 
 a clue, that may enable us to unravel those 
 circumstances which at present are invol- 
 ved in uncertainty and mystery. For this 
 purpose, I will instantly set off for St. 
 Pierre; a few days will be sufficient; and I 
 trust the present friends by whom I am 
 surrounded will await here my return, 
 when we shall be better able to arrange 
 our future proceedings." 
 
 The arguments of §ternheim made a deep 
 impression upon his attentive auditors^ who, 
 after the most minute scrutiny, readily ad- 
 mitted the probability of hi^ suspicions; 
 but although his intended visit to the con- 
 vent met with general approbation, still 
 they would not consent that he should un- 
 dertake the journey alone, as it was suggested 
 that more of Albert's emissaries might still 
 be dispersed around the neighbourhood; 
 
 and
 
 66 THE BLACK BANKEK. 
 
 and as Sfernheim wai almost an equal ob- 
 ject of the usurper's hatred, his detention 
 would, in soire degree, compensate for the 
 disappointment he would experience at 
 not obtaining posses^iion of Matilda ; be- 
 sides, should such an accident occur, his life 
 would undoubtedlv fall a sacrifice to the 
 resentme ii of Albert against him. 
 
 These friendly insinuations would have 
 bad little weight with the generous Stern- 
 helm J whose courage rose superior to any 
 idle fears, had not Matilda entreated him, in 
 the most innocent and aliectionate manner, 
 not to throw himself, for her sake, into 
 heedlevss and unnecessary danger; adding 
 -— '' It is to you I owe the knowledge of 
 my birth, and from you I have yet to learn 
 many particulars, which neither the time, 
 or situation of affairs, permit me to be 
 made acquainted with ; let me then not 
 lose, by unnecessary rashness,^ the only 
 sourc e through which I hope to obtain that 
 information which can alone give perma- 
 nent happiness to my unexperienced heart.'* 
 
 The
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 07 
 
 The interposition of Matilda conquered ; 
 and it was soma time in debate who should 
 accompany him. Theodore most warmly 
 entreated for that permission, but was 
 peremptorily refused by the Count, lie 
 flattered himself, however, that he had re- 
 ceived ample amends for the refusal, as he 
 thought that a paleness overspread the 
 countenance of Matilda on his offer, which 
 gave place to a look of satisfaction on its 
 rejection ; even this incid**nt, trifling as it 
 was, fed the smothered flame he took no 
 pains to suppress, with hope. The faithful 
 Has«;an was proposed by the Count, and 
 would have been accepted, had not the 
 captain of the banditti, who had hitherto 
 been silent, requested to speak to the 
 Count in private, before their final deter- 
 mination. They accordingly retired; their 
 absence was very short, and on their re- 
 turn it was announced (hat the captain 
 himself offered his services upon the occa- 
 sion; but that it was necessarv to wait a 
 few days ere they undertook the expedi- 
 tion.
 
 68 THE BLACK EA?5NEn» 
 
 tion. This arrangement proved agreeable 
 to all parties^ as ihey were well satisfied the 
 plan would not have been consenicd toby 
 the Count, had it not been the mobt eligi- 
 ble. 
 
 During the time that ^vas occupied in 
 making those preparations which the cap- 
 tain had agreed vviih the Count were neces- 
 sary to be adopted prior to the commence- 
 ment of their journey to the convent of 
 St. Pierre, Theodore had, by the marked 
 attention which he paid to Matilda, dis- 
 closed to the watchful eyes of Sternheim- 
 the secret of his heart. The discovery gave 
 that faithful adherent of the house of Cla- 
 genfurth great satisfaction, as it secured to 
 the child of his beloved master the assist- 
 ance of a family whose power in the em- 
 pire was little inferior to that of the empe- 
 ror himself. Yet amidst the pleasure 
 created by this idea, the fear that the Count 
 Von Werdenberg might entertain far diffe- 
 rent views for one destined to be the fu- 
 ture possessor of his ample property, and 
 
 the!
 
 THE ELACK BANNEK. 69 
 
 the head of that powerful family, would 
 sometimes intrude, and check his rising 
 hopes. He accordingly endeavoured to 
 ascertain whether the Count had any suspi- 
 cion of the attachment which appeared to 
 himself so visible ; for which purpose he 
 narrowly watched his countenance when- 
 ever Theodore appeared to be engaged in 
 an interesting conversation with Matilda. 
 All, however, was placid ; no symptoms of 
 displeasure clouded his brow; neither did 
 he seem inclined to interrupt their dis- 
 course. Sometimes, indeed, when in the 
 absence of the mistress of his affections, 
 Theodore would sit wrapt up in silent for- 
 getfulness of surrounding objects, the 
 cheerful veteran would rouse him from his 
 pleasing meditations, by rallying him on 
 his pensivenesSj observing, with a smile, 
 that those reveries were symptoms of a 
 dangerous disorder. From these occasion- 
 al sallies of good humour, Sternheim judg- 
 ed that no material difficulties would arise, 
 should Theodore declare himself as the 
 
 lover
 
 70 TH^ BLACK BANNER. 
 
 lover of Matilda ; he resolved, however, 
 to take no notice of the discovery he had 
 made ; but trust to time for bringing aa 
 event so beneficial to the orphan child of 
 his former sovereign to perfection. 
 
 At length the preparations were com- 
 pleted, and Berthold, the captain of the 
 banditti, having established a private sig- 
 nal, w^hich alone would indicate either his 
 return, or that of any one employed by 
 him, left the caverns, together with St^rn- 
 heim, accompanied by the blessings of 
 Matilda, and the good wishes of the Count 
 and Theodore for the success of their ex- 
 pedition. 
 
 The hermitage, although thinned of its 
 inhabitants, lost none of its charms in the 
 opinion of Theodore, who found more 
 frequent opportunities of entering into 
 conversation with his beloved Matildu; 
 for the Count was so often engaged in du- 
 ties which he never neglected, that the 
 youthful lovers were insensibly led on to 
 seek amusement in the company of each 
 
 other.
 
 . THE BLACK BANNER. 71 
 
 Other. It is true, the former, aware of the 
 impropriety attached to the residence of 
 Matilda beneath his sequestered and hum- 
 ble shed, without any female, except the 
 old slave who had attended Zulima from 
 Persia, had procured a young person, of 
 an education and address superior to the 
 generality of the peasantry in that neigh- 
 bourhood, to be her companion. The pre- 
 sence of Selima, however, who constantly 
 attended them in their various excursions 
 around the domains, beyond which they 
 dared not venture, was far from being a 
 restriction to Theodore; indeed, on the 
 contrary, it gave him greater confidence 
 in himself, and he hesitated not to pour the 
 flattering tale of love into the ears of the 
 blushing Matilda, on whose heart, though 
 she endeavoured to conceal it, he had made 
 an impression, not easily to be eradicated. 
 Notsvithstanding, however, all her precau- 
 tions, the natural innocence of her dispo- 
 sition prevented her from resorting to 
 those acts of duplicity and coquetry, so 
 
 usual
 
 72 T.IIE P.LACK BANNER. 
 
 usual on such occasions; and Theodore 
 so^on found that her affections were all his 
 own. His conduct upon this occasion 
 served to establish his power more firm than 
 ever: far from taking undue advantage of 
 the discovery he had made, his behaviour 
 was more delicate, more refined, than when 
 siifferinor under those tormentin": ideas 
 which ruffle the mind, and discompose the 
 actions of the doubting lover. 
 
 Situated as Theodore and Matilda were, 
 ^t became a matter of course, that, pressed 
 by frequent importunities, the latter at 
 length confessed that her affections were 
 his alone; at the same time adding — '' That 
 although the trial would be great, and more 
 perhaps than she should be able to sup- 
 port, yet that nothing should ever prevail 
 upon her to accede to his wishes, without 
 their being sanctioned by the Count Von 
 Werdenberg, whom both duty and incli- 
 nation prompted her to consider as her 
 sole parent. Even now/* continued Matil- 
 da, ** I feel a reproach of conscience for 
 
 having 
 
 I
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 75 
 
 having so unguardedly admitted an aifec- 
 tion, which may hereafter prove a misery, 
 instead of a happiness.** 
 
 Theodore, with all the sophistry of love, 
 kindly endeavoured to sooth the fears of 
 his beloved Matilda, by assuring her, that 
 it was evident, from the conduct of the 
 Count towards them, that no material ob- 
 jections would arise on his part ; he also 
 pointed out to her observation many in- 
 stances, trifling in their appearance, singly, 
 but when conjoined, of material force, 
 which plainly indicated that such a con- 
 nexion would be most agreeable to him ; 
 indeed his arguments carried such convic- 
 tion to the mind of Matilda, that her fears 
 gradually subsided, and she gave herself up 
 to the delicious ecstacy of well-grounded 
 hope: but although tranquillity was thus 
 restored to her, still she pressed her lover 
 immediately to make the Count acquainted 
 with their mutual inclination : this was a 
 step equally desired by Theodore, whose 
 sole hesitation in adopting it, was the fear 
 
 VOL. ji. E of
 
 74 THE BLACK BANKER. 
 
 of a repulse. Urged at length by the fre- 
 quent importunities of Matilda, he ven- 
 tured to make known his wishes to the 
 Count Von Werdenberg, who having long 
 anticipated the request, disdained to trifle 
 'with a passion that met with his most cor- 
 dial approbation ; and from that time, Theo- 
 dore yas considered as the destined hus- 
 band of the lovely Matilda. One draw- 
 back only gave some alloy to the happi- 
 ness which reisfned amon^: the inhabitants 
 of the cavern. The Count, although he 
 had given his consent to the union of his 
 young friends, made it an indispensable re- 
 striction, that such an event should not 
 take place until the war in which they were 
 about to engr.ge for the recovery of their 
 rights, usurped by Albert, was concluded; 
 the reasons he gave for this delay were so 
 forcible and conclusive, that even the im- 
 patience of Theodore was obliged to yield 
 to his representations, although he would 
 readily have dispensed with the cautious 
 policy adopted upon so interesting an oc- 
 casion ;
 
 THE BLACK BANNER, 75' 
 
 casion ; while Matilda, conscious that the 
 Count acted from motives the most condu- 
 cive to their future happiness, soothed the 
 more impetuous passions of her lover, by 
 a tender display of that affection, the basis 
 of which was innocence and virtue. 
 
 While the transactions w^e have related 
 were passing in the sequestered retreat of 
 the Count Von Werdenberg, Albert, to 
 whom the departure of Theodore, and the 
 subsequent escape of Sternheim from Cla- 
 gTnfurth, were soon made known by those 
 spies specially appointed to watch the 
 motions of the latter, became enfuriated at 
 the intelligence. So terrifying indeed was 
 his ra^e, that his most confidential atten- 
 dants were fearful of approaching him,, 
 lest he should wreak an indiscriminate 
 vengeance upon them. At length, after 
 repeated summonses, some of them ven- 
 tured to the apartment to which he had 
 retired ; instant orders were given to dis- 
 - perse in every direction, and to bring back 
 the traitor Sternheim, alive or dead. The 
 E 5 arrest
 
 76' THE BIACK BANNER. 
 
 arrest of Theodore was a secondary consi- 
 deration ; the commands^ therefore, he is- 
 sued respecting him were not so peremp- 
 tory, and extended solely to the discovery 
 of the route he had taken, the watching all 
 his motions, and the sending early infor- 
 mation of all his designs. 
 
 The obsequious attendants gladly pre- 
 pared to execute his commands, happy in 
 escaping from the dreaded anger of their 
 master, whose nature seemed totally re- 
 versed. The country now became tra- 
 versed in every direction by the numerous 
 spies employed upon the occasion, some 
 of vvhom had the good fortune to ascertain 
 the route of the fugitives : they according- 
 ly traced them, as before related, to the 
 monastery, from which supposed sacred asy- 
 lum they so narrowly escaped. Their de- 
 parture, however, from thence was soon 
 discovered, and the pursuit recommenced 
 anew with redoubled vigour; nor did the 
 emissaries of Albert lose sight of their 
 wished- for prey, until they arrived at the 
 
 habitations
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 77 
 
 habitations of the fishermen, in whose huts 
 they had taken shelter. Fortunately Theo- 
 dore and Sternheim had left this temporary 
 security, on their expedition to the moun- 
 tains, where chance threw the Count Von 
 Werdenberg in their way, whose retreat 
 afforded them a safe protection ; and al- 
 though their pursuers were convinced that 
 the objects of their search were still in the 
 neighbourhood, or perhaps had concealed 
 themselves among those tremendous preci- 
 pices, that seemed to deny a further pas- 
 sage to the traveller, still they could make 
 no further discovery. Fear prevented them 
 from ascending the mountains which they 
 beheld, as report had spread far and near 
 the terrific appearance of the banditti who 
 inhabited them ; nor v^ere they ignorant, 
 should fortune throw them into their 
 power, of the probable fate that awaited 
 them. 
 
 They now consulted what conduct it 
 
 would be most prudent to pursue, as the 
 
 employment they had undertaken was ren* 
 
 E 3 dered
 
 7s THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 dered nugatory. Sensible, however, of the 
 impatience of Albert, they determined on 
 their return to the city of Clagenfurth, al* 
 though in the greatest terror at their pro- 
 bable reception, in consequence of their 
 ill success. Nor were their fears ground- 
 less; for Albert, grown still more out- 
 rageous than before at the certainty of the 
 escape of his intended victims, would have 
 sacrificed them upon the spot, had not 
 those who were near him dared, at the 
 hazard of their lives, to prevent him. 
 Foiled in (he gratification of revenging his 
 disappointment on the innocent emissaries, 
 he rushed from the apartment in which he 
 had received them, and sought the interior 
 of the palace, where, throwing himself 
 upon a couch, his mind, agitated by a 
 thousand various passions, became a chaos 
 of confusion, until worn out by exertion, 
 he fell into a temporary state of forgetful* 
 ness: it was not, however, that placid re- 
 pose which renovates and invigorates the 
 weary mind; frequent startings sufBciently 
 
 betrayed
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 79 
 
 betrayed his agitation, and his conscience, 
 apparently stricken by a review of his past 
 actions, seemed to '' murder sleep." His 
 distracted fancy painted to him in glaring 
 colours the sad remains of the Prince of 
 Clagenfurth unburied, and treated with 
 every indignity, while his shade, flitting 
 before his view, uttered in doleful, but so- 
 lemn accents — " Vengeance is awake — re- 
 pent or die!" Roused by the fancied de- 
 nunciation of his fate, he rushed from the 
 couch, on which he had thrown himself, 
 and gazed wildly around the spacious apart- 
 ment, as if expecting to behold the mur- 
 dered Prince. All, however, was vacant; 
 but although no substance met his inqui- 
 ring eye, the dreadful sound still seemed 
 to ring in his ears. 
 
 From this state, almost bordering upon 
 madness, he was relieved by the entrance 
 of the Chevalier D'Armfeldt, who having 
 heard from some of the attendants, whose 
 duty it. was to keep guard in the anti-cham- 
 ber, of the circumstances under which their 
 E 4 chief
 
 so THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 chief had retired, hastened into his apart- 
 ment, tmsting that his presence would be 
 grateful to his friend; for although the re- 
 rent conduct of Albert, particularly towards 
 Theodore, together with the discovery he 
 had so unexpectedly made, which he kept 
 'with the most scrupulous secrecy within 
 his own breast, had considerably lessened 
 his attachment to him, still he could not 
 reconcile himself to desert his cause, at a 
 time when his mind appeared so distracted, 
 as to be scarcely capable of acting accord- 
 ing to the common dictates of reason. Ever 
 since the interesting knowledge which he 
 gained during his interview with the Prin- 
 cess Adeline, D'Armfeldt had formed in his 
 own mind the line of conduct he intended 
 should be the guide of his future actions, 
 from which hedetermined, whatever difficul- 
 ties might occur, or dangers threaten, never 
 to deviate. He had well weighed, and enter- 
 tained a just idea of the obligations under 
 which he lay to Albert, who had raised him 
 from obscurity to eminence, from indi- 
 gence
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. $% 
 
 gence to opulence. Fate had, however, 
 dispelled the mist of ignorance, which had 
 so many years concealed the fortunes of his 
 family, and he found that he had duties to 
 fulfil superior even to the claims of friend- 
 ship; duties which, according to the exist- 
 ing circumstances, would in all probability 
 so materially clash with his engagements 
 to Albert, as to force him ultimately not 
 only to relinquish his friendship, but even 
 to become his enemy. 
 
 As soon as the mind of the chief had, by 
 fhe entrance of D'Armfeldt at so critical a 
 moment, recovered fi om the shock it had 
 experienced by the impression which the 
 fancied vision imprinted on it, he entered 
 upon the subject of the late occurrences; 
 but although he appeared to open his in- 
 tentions fully to the Chevalier, yet he cau- 
 tiously concealed his real designs, being 
 convinced that they were such as the stern 
 principles of honour, which he had lately 
 experienced to reign predominant in his 
 breast, would never permit him to counte- 
 X 5. rianie,
 
 82 THE BLACK BANNER, 
 
 Bance. The conversation^ therefore, turned 
 principally upon the warlike preparations 
 which were carried on by the neighbouring 
 Earons, the purport of which, notwithstand- 
 ing his address, he was unable to fathom ; 
 and sensible that he had, by his past con- 
 duct, merited the resentment of many of 
 the most powerful of those who were en- 
 gaged in forming these warlike designs, he 
 determined to forestall their intentions, of 
 whatsoever nature they might be, by send- 
 ing a strong force to the frontiers of the 
 principality, while, at the same time, the 
 ciiy of Clagenfurth was so completely for- 
 tified, as to bid defiance to any sudden at- 
 tack. 
 
 The Chevalier D*Armfeldt was destined 
 to command this force, notwithstanding the 
 suspicions of his loyalty, which frequently 
 intruded on the mind of the chief; but to 
 a view of pursuing his secret intentions un- 
 controuled, he determined to sacrifice every 
 i^ainor consideration ; and the removal of 
 the Chevalier, purposely employed upon a 
 
 mission.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. SS- 
 
 mission^ which being of a trusty and ho- 
 nourable nature, he fancied would prevent 
 him from penetrating into his real motives, 
 gave him full scope to execute his pro- 
 jects. In this instance Albert was success-^ 
 ful, and completely overreached the Cheva^ 
 lier, who, lulled into security by the confi- 
 dence placed in him/by investing him with 
 the power over a body of troops already 
 sincerely attached to him, and by whose 
 assistance, had his principles been less ho- 
 nourable, he might have hurled the usurper 
 from^ the high station he filled, deparfed 
 from Clagenfurth^ amidst the prayers and 
 good wishes of the citizens for his success. 
 These acclamations, however, pierced the 
 heart of Albert more sharp than the dag- 
 ger's point; and he hastily retired from the 
 scene to meditate on his long-projected 
 design, which was to make himself master, 
 either by craft or force, of the person of 
 the Princess Adeline. 
 
 In order to execute this daring project 
 
 with, any prospect of success, it was abso- 
 
 F. 6 lutely
 
 84 THE BLAGK BANNER. 
 
 lutely necessary that his design should be 
 commitfed to the confidence of some per- 
 son, over whose mind and principles he 
 could have the entire controul ; but al- 
 though there were many who Albert well 
 knew would, for the sake of gold, or the 
 prospect of future honours, readily obey 
 any commands he might be induced to is- 
 sue, which tended to bring his plans to 
 perfection, should they even prove of the 
 most sanguinary nature, yet it was not so 
 easy o find a person in whom courage, 
 address, and villany were completely con- 
 centrated ; and for a long time his mind 
 wavered in uncertainty. His good, or, as 
 it may perhaps be more properly denomi- 
 nated, his ill fortune at last fixed upon a 
 man, who had lately made his appearance 
 at Clagenfurth, and who had, through the 
 medium of some of the officers attendant 
 on the court, frequently preferred petitions 
 to Albert for employment in his service. 
 Tbese had hitherto been overlooked and 
 disregarded ; but, circumstanced as he was, 
 4 he
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 85 
 
 he judged that by granting his request, 
 and at the same time holding out the pros- 
 pect of future honours and preferment^ he 
 should be able to render him totally de- 
 pendant on his wishes, and servilely obe- 
 dient to his commands. 
 
 Notwithstanding, however, he had in his 
 own mind finally made his determination, 
 his natural caution, joined to a suspicion 
 of all around him, induced him first to in- 
 quire more minutely into the character he 
 had assumed and maintained since his arri- 
 val at Clagenfurth; but no one either knew 
 his connexions, or from whence he came, 
 as he had constantly kept a strict silence 
 respecting himself. He was generally 
 remarked as a man of a sullen, gloomy dis- 
 position, one who had suffered under the 
 frowns of the world ; though his natu.^al 
 resolution appeared to have enabled him 
 to counteract their effect, and to render 
 him superior to those misfortunes which 
 in the earlier part of his life he had most 
 probably experienced. Such were the 
 
 sentiments
 
 8G THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 sentiments which the inhabitants of Clngen- 
 fiirth entertained of him ; and it was this^ 
 kind of conduct, which by many was con- 
 sidered merely as arising from a laudable 
 pride, that induced some of the officers, 
 who were more immediately in official at- 
 tendance at the court of Albert, to forwa.rd 
 the petitions he requested. 
 
 As Albert found he could obtain na 
 other information respecting this stranger 
 than that which was so vague and uncer- 
 tain, he came to the resolution of examin*- 
 ing him personally, and trust to his own 
 discrimination for the development of his 
 character. He accordingly commanded 
 that the person who had so frequently sent 
 petitions requesting to be admitted into his> 
 service, should attend him at a particular 
 hour the next morning. The officers, who 
 had previously befriended this mysterious 
 personage, were rejoiced at the order, as, 
 little suspecting the real cause, they flat- 
 tered themselves that this attention of Al- 
 bert's was a proof of. the interest they 
 
 themselves
 
 TflE BLACK- BANNER. 8^7 
 
 themselves possessed at court; and accord- 
 ingly they lost no time in making their 
 protegee, as ihey deemed him, acquainted 
 with the success with which their endea- 
 vours had, by perseverance, and the great 
 influence they possessed over the mind of 
 their chief, at last been crowned; at the 
 same time pointing out the very particular 
 honour conferred upon him, in being or- 
 dered to attend at an hour which was ac- 
 customed to be reserved as sacred to the 
 privacy of their sovereign. 
 
 Although the stranger was no dupe ta 
 these artifices of the courtier tribe, yet po- 
 licy taught him not to undeceive them, as 
 to his belief in the power they wished to^ 
 insinuate that they were in possession of;. 
 thanking them, therefore, for the interest 
 'which they took in his future welfare, and 
 repeating promises of eternal gratitude,. 
 as equal in sincerity as those he himself had 
 previously received from them, he pre- 
 pared to attend the chief at the hour ap- 
 pointed. During his walk to the palace 
 
 from 
 
 k
 
 88 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 from the residence he had chosen while at 
 Clagenfurth, and which he had selected as 
 less liable to observation than most other 
 situations in that populous city, he pon- 
 dered in his mind what business it could, 
 possibly be that could induce Albert to 
 grant him, an entire stranger, a private au- 
 dience — an honour, he well knew from his 
 own observation, to which scarce any o^ 
 his subjects, except the Chevalier D*Arm- 
 feldt, were ever admitted. Various were 
 his conjectures; but on a minute scrutiny 
 of them, all were so wild and improbable, 
 that they vanished as soon as formed. He 
 had, however, during his short residence at 
 Clagenfurth, made himself perfectly ac- 
 qnainted with the transactions in which 
 Albert had borne so conspicuous a share; 
 and had also, though with the utmost cau- 
 tion in the inquiry, gained a 'tolerable in- 
 sight into the temper and disposition of that 
 chief, together with the political measures 
 which his recent conquest might induce 
 him to put in practice. He well knew his 
 
 own
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 89 
 
 own adroitness at intrigue; and the hope, 
 before almost extinct, of rendering himself 
 conspicuous in the worlds roused that am- 
 bition with which his soul was by nature 
 impregnated; and he instantly determined 
 that no scrupulous delicacy, either of ho- 
 nour or conscience on his part, should pre- 
 sent his ingratiating himself into the re- 
 gard of his chief, by paying implicit obe- 
 dience to his wishes, whenever he was en- 
 trusted with them. 
 
 In this disposition he arrived at the pa- 
 lace ; and being announced by the proper 
 officer as the Chevalier Martuccio, the 
 name by which he had been known at Cla- 
 genfurth, he was instantly admitted to the 
 presence of Albert, who was waiting his ar* 
 rival with the utmost impatience, so eager 
 and impetuous was he to entrust those 
 measures to a confidant, the sole considera- 
 tion of which tormented a conscience that 
 had not as yet grown quite callous to com- 
 punction. 
 
 The figure of Martuccio struck Albert 
 
 with
 
 90 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 with an agreeable surprise, as he fancied he 
 could easily trace in his countenance those 
 traitSj which would render his services of 
 the greatest \alue to him. After the first 
 introduction, he commanded his attendants 
 to withdraw, giving strict orders that he 
 should not be interrnpted while the Che- 
 valier was with him, on any account what- 
 soever. As soon as these commands were 
 obeyed, he addressed his intended confi- 
 dant with that easy familiarity he so well 
 knew how to assume, making even an apo- 
 logy for having so long neglected the va- 
 rious applications which had been made 
 on his account, and placing his inattention 
 to the confusion which the conquest of 
 Clagenfurth had caused, and which, al- 
 though a considerable time had elapsed 
 since that event had taken place, was as yet 
 not sufficiently regulated ; adding, in an 
 artful manner, that a man of the Cheva- 
 l-ier's disposition, who must, in the exten- 
 sive travels he had undertaken, made men 
 and manners his studv, could not be other- 
 
 wise
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 91 
 
 wise than aware of the multiplied and ar- 
 duous duties attached to the chief of a 
 people at any time, but more especially 
 when they became his subjects by the right 
 of conquest. 
 
 The obsequious Chevalier bowed to this 
 acknowledgment; and, with the utmost 
 humility, thanked the Prince for his great 
 condescension, in thinking him worthy of 
 being admitted into his service, assuring 
 him that he was ready to sacrifice his life, 
 should it be necessary, to accomplish any 
 commands he might hereafter be honoured 
 with. After this first introduction, in 
 which the views of the Prince were par- 
 tially laid open to his new confidant, their 
 conferences became very frequent ; and 
 the courtiers beheld, with no small envy 
 and astonishment, an upstart foreigner in 
 the possession of that confidence and fa- 
 vour of their Prince, which they thought 
 was with greater justice due to themselves 
 only. Various cabals were instantly formed 
 against the new favourite, through whose 
 
 medium
 
 §2 "THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 medium only were those honours to be ob- 
 tained, which, previous to his introduction 
 at court, had been voluntarily bestowed by 
 the hands of the Prince himself. It was in 
 vain, however, that they attempted to 
 weaken the attachment of Albert to his 
 newly-acquired friend, as the complaints 
 which they made against the abuse of the 
 power with which he had been entrusted> 
 were either disregarded, or, as more fre- 
 quently was the case, the daring calumnia- 
 tors paid the forfeit of their imprudence, 
 by losing those employments they had hi« 
 therto enjoyed in peace ; and many thought 
 themselves happy, if by such a sacrifice 
 they could escape the vengeance they had 
 roused by their just, though ill-timed re- 
 presentations. 
 
 The artful Martuccio had made such 
 good use of his time, as to become com- 
 pletely master of Albert*s dearest secrets ; 
 and he perceived, with no little satisfaction, 
 a wide scope wherein he might gratify his 
 insatiable ambition. Bis greatest fear was 
 
 respecting
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 93 
 
 respecting the return of the Chevalier 
 D'Armfeldt, in whom he dreaded he should 
 experience a powerful rival in the bosoni 
 of the Prince; but resolving not to antici- 
 pate an evil which might probably be at a 
 great distance^ he contented himself with 
 placing a trusty spy over his actions, who 
 would give him timely notice of his inten- 
 tions, should he meditate a return to Cla- 
 genfurth. 
 
 The whole city now groaned under the 
 tyranny of Albert, who, conscious of his 
 latent intentions, eithej- banished those of 
 whom he had the smallest dread, or con- 
 fined them in the dreary, though spacious 
 apartments of the Castle ; and scarce a day 
 passed but some unhappy victim of his 
 terrors experienced the fatal truth, " that 
 a tortured conscience finds no rest but in 
 the exercise of its accustomed cruelties.'* 
 
 Notwithstanding every precaution was 
 taken by the usurper to prevent the know- 
 ledge of the transactions within the city of 
 Clagenfurth from reaching the convent of 
 
 St.
 
 94 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 St. Veil, in which the Princess Adeline had 
 taken refuge, yet the abbess found means 
 to procure every material intelligence, un- 
 detected by the numerous spies of the ty- 
 rant. The departure of her brother Theo- 
 dore gave her sincere pleasure, as, during 
 his residence in the city, where he was sub- 
 ject to the caprice of her inveterate enemy, 
 her mind was in perpetual dread, lest his 
 spirit should break out with such violence, 
 as to excite the most sanguinary revenge 
 in the bosom of the conqueror. It: has 
 been already seen that her fears were in 
 great danger of being realized, and that 
 most probably Theodore would have fallen 
 a victim to the anxiety of Albert, had it 
 not been for the generous intervention of 
 the Chevalier D'Armfeldt, which was al- 
 so aided by the terrors of superstition. It 
 was,, however, fortunate for her peace of 
 mind that the subsequent proceedings of 
 Albert ugainst the biave youth were con- 
 cealed from her, until all danger from the 
 pursuit was over; neither might she ever 
 
 have
 
 THE BLACK BAN NEK. 95 
 
 have come to the knowledge of it, had not 
 accident brought a monk from the monas- 
 tery (in which Theodore and Sternheim 
 had taken shelter, and had so narrowly es- 
 caped from the treacherous hospifalitv af- 
 forded them) to the convent of St. Veil^ 
 on some business relative to religion, 
 both the convent and monastery being 
 within the jurisdiction of the same supe- 
 rior. This monk, in the course of conver- 
 sation, after the business he was emploved 
 on was settled, mentioned the occurrence, 
 although he was ignorant of the 'parties 
 concerned, or of the interest any one in 
 the convent of St. Veil had in the narrative. 
 The Princess was, as before observed, uni- 
 versally beloved by all the sisterhood, and 
 those to whom this tale was related, judg- 
 ing, from some circumstances which had 
 previously come to their knowledge, that 
 Theodore and Sternheim were the parties 
 alluded to by the monk, thought it neces^ 
 sary to inform the abbess of it, that she 
 might exercise her discretion as to the pru- 
 dence
 
 96 THE BLACK BANNKR. 
 
 dence of making their royal protegee ac- 
 quainted with the circumstance. This^ af- 
 ter due consideration, the abbess deter- 
 mined to do ; for, as they had escaped the 
 snare laid for them, she thought it better 
 that Adeline should receive an account of 
 the transaction from one ^vho was upon 
 tl^e spot, which would consequently pre- 
 vent any forged or mutilated account from 
 giving her uneasiness in future, particu- 
 larly as she was well aware of the various 
 manoeuvres practised by Albert, and knew 
 not but that he might, by some means or 
 other, turn the report to his own advan- 
 tage. Before, however, she communicated 
 the circumstance to her friend, she judged 
 it best to have a personal conference with 
 the monk, whose character she well knew 
 would stand the test of inquiry, for the 
 piety of his sentiments, and his just, but 
 unostentatious observance of his religious 
 duties. Accordingly she requested his at- 
 tendance in her private apartments, and af- 
 ter obtaining his most solemn promise of 
 
 secrecv.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 57 
 
 secrecy, she acquainted him with the lead- 
 ing features of Adeline's history, and also 
 with the circumstances that had come to 
 her knowledge respecting Theodore, who, 
 by his account, was one of the. persons 
 that had taken refuge in the monastery. 
 During the recital, the monk exhibited the 
 different feelings which his mind experi- 
 enced; and he shuddered at the idea that 
 religion should be made the cloak of such 
 diabolical treachery. He confessed, how- 
 ever, that he felt himself happy in not 
 having known the transaction at the time, 
 as his zeal for the honour of the house 
 might have, by an untimely discovery, 
 proved fatal to those whom he should have 
 thought it his duty to have protected to 
 the utmost of his power. 
 
 The abbess, having obtained such know- 
 ledge as she judged sufficiently satisfac- 
 tory, dismissed the monk with thanks, not 
 before, however, he had offered his cor- 
 dial assistance in the cause of the injured 
 Princess, should his interference be at any 
 
 VII. II. F time
 
 9ft THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 time necessary : and as soon as he had taken 
 his leave, she proceeded to the apartments 
 allotted to her friend. 
 
 After discoursing upon various subjects, 
 she cautiously introduced the name of 
 Theodore, and by degrees unfolded the 
 events which had happened to him subse- 
 quent to his hasty departure from Clagen- 
 furth ; for although she w'as well acquaint- 
 ed with the strength of mind possessed by 
 the Princess, yet still she thought that, as 
 she placed her whole dependence upon the 
 exertions of her brother, his danger would 
 alarm her in too great a degree ; as not- 
 withstanding he had escaped for the pre- 
 sent, yet the perseverance of his inveterate 
 foe might ultimately be successful. 
 
 The Princess, ho^vever, heard the account 
 with tolerable calmness; still the ideas of 
 future dangers had their full force on her 
 mind, and caused a seriousness upon her 
 countenance, too discernible to escape the 
 notice of the abbess, who dreaded that she 
 would again relapse into that love of soli- 
 tude.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 95 
 
 tude, from which she had been with so 
 much difficulty roused. Fortunately her 
 fears were vain, for Adeline, sensible that 
 the more the dangers which surrounded 
 her accumulated, the greater was the ne- 
 cessity which existed that she should fortify 
 her mind against them, and exert her powers " 
 of action to diminish their weight, soon 
 recovered that firmness which the infor- 
 mation of the monk had disturbed, but not 
 destroyed ; and hinted that if it was conso- 
 nant to the rules of the convent, she should 
 be glad to have some conversation with 
 him; more particularly to ascertain who the 
 companion of Theodore was, that had ar- 
 rived so opportunely at the monastery. 
 This, however, was a satisfaction which 
 was out of the power of the abbess at that 
 instant to obtain her; not from any form 
 or rule forbidding the interview,, but be- 
 cause the monk, not conceiving his pre- 
 sence to be any longer necessary, had left 
 the convent instantly, on his return to the 
 monastery. The Princess felt rather clis- 
 F 2 appointed'
 
 100 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 appointed at this information, especially as 
 the abbess could give her no description of 
 the person she so much ^wished to identify ; 
 she was not, however, doomed to any long 
 suspense, as^ while they were busy in con- 
 jectures, the trusty emissary employed by 
 the abbess to obtain the knowledge of the 
 transactions in the city of Clagenfurth re- 
 turned, and at the pressing request of Ade- 
 line, was commanded to be admitted into 
 her apartment. 
 
 The intelligence he brought was of the 
 utmost importance to the attentive audi- 
 tors ; as he minutely described not only 
 the sudden departure of Sternheim, and 
 the absence of the Chevalier D'Armfeldt 
 upon an expedition, of the real intent of 
 which the citizens of Clagenfurth were, 
 he observed, in total ignorance, but also 
 the unexpected appearance of the stranger, 
 his great power, together with the un- 
 bounded confidence placed in him by Al- 
 bert ; adding, at the same time, that the 
 whole principality groaned under an ex- 
 cess
 
 TflE BLACK BANNER. 101 
 
 cess of tyranny ; and that he was confident 
 there wanted only an head to rouse the op- 
 pressed inhabitants to assert their rights, 
 and hurl the usurping tyrant from that 
 height of power with which he seemed in- 
 toxicated. 
 
 Many and various were the questions 
 asked both by the abbess and Adeline, > the 
 answers to which were plain and explicit; 
 and so much was the former pleased with 
 the adroitness her trusty intelligencer dis- 
 played in obtaining knowledge so dif!ici'.lt 
 to procure, "where the conduct of every 
 person was minutely watched, that she 
 gave him a far more superior mark of her 
 bounty than she had been accustomed to; 
 nor w^as x\deline less generous; and the 
 grateful servant left them -whh an heart 
 fully impressed with the generosity of his 
 employers, in whose service he deteqiiined', 
 if necessary, to pay the forfeit of his life. ? 
 
 The unexpected absence of Sternheim 
 
 and the Chevalier D'Armfeldt from Clagen- 
 
 furth; was a circumstance that gave the 
 
 F 3 Princess
 
 102 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 Princess great concern ; for ahhoiigh she 
 knew that the latter was in a great; degree 
 devoted to Albert, yet from his late con- 
 duct, and the mysterious hints he had 
 thrown out, she flattered herself that he 
 would not ultimately prove a serious enemy 
 to her. In respect to Sternheim, his long- 
 tried fidelity had determined her to place 
 the utmost confidence in him; and it was 
 through his means alone that she looked 
 forward to the happiness of once again 
 beholding the chief tie that reconciled her 
 to life, the young Rodolphus. His depar- 
 ture, therefore, from Clagenfurth at this 
 critical period, caused her particular anx- 
 iety, as her maternal fears whispered to 
 her that it concealed some mystery relative 
 to her son — "'' Perhaps,'* said the trembling 
 siotfeer^ addressing the abbess, who had 
 %mn buried in deag^ contemplation since 
 she had hean^ the intelligence brought by 
 her menial, " Albert- has at last, through 
 the numerous emissaries employed, made 
 s«)sne discoveries relative to the retreat . of 
 
 my
 
 THE BLACK BANKER. 103 
 
 iriy dear Rodolphiis, and the generous 
 Sfernheim, casually apprized of it, has 
 hastened to save him from the impending 
 danger: but no, that cannot be; would 
 he not, had such been the case, have eased 
 the heart of an afflicted mother, ere he un- 
 dertook the hazardous journey ? Alas ! he 
 too has deserted me, and left me solely ta 
 the protection of the abbess of St. Veil.*' 
 Such was the strain in which the royal 
 mourner bewailed the loss of those friends 
 from whom she had so lately received con- 
 solation, and whom she now fancied had 
 left her to her fate. 
 
 As the abbess well knew that after the 
 first ebullitions of sorrow had spent their 
 force, the mind of Adeline would resume 
 that firmness which the sudden intelli- 
 gence had for the moment unsettled, she 
 attempted not to interrupt her emotions, 
 only repeating those assurances of her 
 protection, as far as lay in her power, which 
 had been before so often promised ; she 
 was, however, aware of the importance at- 
 F 4 tached
 
 IQi THE BLACK BANKER. 
 
 tached to these circumstances, and dreaded 
 that they might prove the prelude to some 
 disagreeable disasters; for although she 
 had not informed Adeline of every occur- 
 rence that had corne to her knowledge, 
 lest her fears might outstrip her prudence, 
 many minute facts were conveyed to the 
 abbess, which sufficiently manifested that 
 Albert and his newly-acquired confidant 
 were employed in fabricating some plot 
 that militated against the future peace and 
 happiness of the Princess. She had taken, 
 however, every precaution her limited 
 power WK)uld admit of, to render their 
 schemes futile ; although she was sensible 
 that should the conqueror be once per- 
 suaded to scoff at the bonds of religion, 
 which hitherto he had held sacred, the hal- 
 lowed walls of St. Veil w^ould be but a Weak 
 rampart against the principles of licentious- 
 ness. The present conduct of Albert too 
 justified her fears that the time was ap- 
 proaching when such an event would tarke 
 place; for herself she had no dread^ confi- 
 dent
 
 :'HE BLACK BANNEK. 105 
 
 dent that it was the possession of Adeline 
 alone which was the sole object of his 
 wishes. In this state of affairs the abbess 
 long hesitated in what manner to act; but 
 on mature deliberation she determined on 
 making the Princess, acquainted with the 
 real state of jthe case, not only to warn her 
 of the /rnpenciingdanger, but also that they 
 might mutually consult upon the measures 
 requisite to be adopted. Adeline shud- 
 dered at the idea ; her piety firm, but unr 
 ostentatious, could not conceive it possible 
 thataPrince educated in the strict princi- 
 ples of a religion he had so long professed, 
 and who indeed had more than once taken 
 up arms to protect its votaries, would dare, 
 even upon the most urgent occasion, tj 
 violate its sacred edicts. Alas ! conscious 
 of the innocence and. purity of her own 
 principles^ she knew not the rapid pro- 
 gress that vice, assisted by art, makes in the 
 heart of man, particularly of such .whose 
 power reigns, predominant and uncon- 
 trouled. On the present occasion the only 
 F 5 alternative
 
 106 THE BLACK BANNER, 
 
 alternative which presented itself was 
 flight, or a dependance upon the protec- 
 tion which she then enjoyed, that of a re- 
 spect for religion. To attempt the former, 
 while the whole country, even to the envi- 
 rons of the convent itself, was filled with 
 the spies of Albert, would not only be dan- 
 gerous, but most probably futile : besides, 
 to what asylum could she repair, alone and 
 unprotected ? as those upon whose services 
 she could have relied in such an emergen- 
 cy were absent : these were weighty con- 
 siderations, and such as she found it impos- 
 sible to overcome. She determined, there- 
 fore, no longer to torment her mind with 
 uncertain waverings, but placing her con- 
 fidence in that Providence which she had 
 been iaught to rely upon, to remain undis- 
 mayed at the post which her misfortunes 
 had assigned her as a refuge. 
 
 Various were the pretences made by Al- 
 bert, assisted by his minion Martuccio, to 
 obtain a conference with the Princess; the 
 former boldly demanded an audience, but 
 
 his
 
 XHE BLACK BANNER. 107 
 
 his peremptory manner served only to ren- 
 der him more detestable in the eyes of Ade- 
 line, who, far from being intimidated at the 
 threats of the haughty chief, resented the 
 purposed insult by a firm and resolute re- 
 fusal to admit him to her presence. Al- 
 bert, finding that his destined victim was 
 proof against his usurped power, deter- 
 mined, be fore he had recourse to open force^ 
 which he was fully sensible would be at- 
 tended with considerable danger to him- 
 self and his adherents, to descend to artifice. 
 The execution of this design, the outlines 
 of which were first suggested by Martuccio, 
 was committed to him, with a promise of a 
 recompence, should he succeed, that grati- 
 fied even that mercenary minion. As he 
 knew the impatience of Albert, rendered 
 doubly so by the scorn with which his de- 
 mands had been treated, he delayed not an 
 instant in entering upon the necessary mea- 
 sures. In order, however, to cloak his real 
 design, he took every opportunity of ex- 
 pressing his admiration of the character of 
 F G the
 
 103 THE BLACK BANIJER. 
 
 the Princess of Clagenfurth, and openly 
 blamed his chief for permitting a passion, 
 which he could not ever expect to be re- 
 turned, to gain so strong an influence over 
 his mind, as to render him not only forget- 
 ful of the deference due to her exalted 
 rank/ but unjust to himself, and his most 
 faithful dependants. 
 
 Martuccio soon perceived the good ef- 
 fects of this mode of conduct; the people 
 in general began to entertain a better opi- 
 nion of him; and blinded by his apparent 
 generosity of sentiment towards Adeline, 
 they trusted that the influence which he 
 had so confessedly obtained. over the mind 
 of their chief, would be exerted in the pro- 
 lection, not in the oppression of his sub- 
 jects. 
 
 Among the various acquirements posses- 
 sed by Martuccio, the art of counterfeiting 
 the writing of any person, so as not to be 
 distinguished by the most accurate ob- 
 server, was one which he had frequently 
 found of the most essential service to him; 
 
 and
 
 THE BLACK EANNEI?. J 09 
 
 and he determined to have recourse to it 
 upon the present occasion, as the least dan- 
 gerous method, and one, that if the decep- 
 tion should be detected by the scrupulous 
 suspicions of Adeline, would not create so 
 open a disturbance among her adherents as 
 any thing that tended to violence. He had 
 made himself acquainted with all the occur- 
 rences that had taken place at Clagenfurth, 
 f both previous and subsequent to the con- 
 quest of that city by Albert. The escape 
 of Rodolphus, and the disappearance of the 
 Chevalier Seckendorf with his wife, at that 
 critical time, was in his opinion a sufficient 
 evidence that it was through their means 
 that the young Prince was saved, and that 
 they were the companions of hisexile ; but 
 although he had endeavoured, through the 
 communication which he studiously kept 
 up with his numerous emissaries in foreign 
 courts, to discover the place of their con- 
 cealment, still in this instance his usual 
 dexterity and good fortune was of no avail, 
 as an impenetrable security baffled all his 
 
 attempts.
 
 1 10 THE BLACK BANNSK, 
 
 attempts. But although he was disappoint- 
 ed in this particular, still he rested his 
 Avhole dependance upon their names, or at 
 least upon that of the Chevalier. 
 
 Among the various papers which had 
 come into the possession of Martuccio, in 
 consequence of the high situations he held 
 in the court of Albert, were several written 
 communications, relative to state affairs, 
 from the Chevalier Seckendorf to the late 
 Prince; and what he prized as of greater 
 importance to the certain success of his 
 scheme, there was one, which being in a 
 female hand, he judged to be the writing 
 of Madame Seckerdorf, as it was evidently 
 signed by her husband ; and from the im- 
 portance of the paper itself, he supposed 
 that illness might have induced him to have 
 employed his wife as his amcvnuensis. Whe- 
 ther his conjectures were just or not, he 
 determined to trust to chance, and act 
 upon it as a reality. A letter therefore 
 was fabricated in the hand-writing of the 
 Chevalier Seckendorf, to which was added 
 
 a postscript 
 
 I
 
 IHE BLACK BANNER. Ill 
 
 a postscript in that of his wife : the compo- 
 sition, upon which more than ordinary 
 pains was bestowed, was executed with such 
 scrupulous exactness, as even to excite the 
 admiration of the author himself, who felt 
 perfectly assured of success : the only tliffi- 
 culty remaining to be encountered, was the 
 manner in which this important document 
 should be conveyed lo the Princess, and~ in 
 this his usual good fortune favoured him. 
 
 Notwithstanding every precaution which 
 human prudence could adopt, Martuccio 
 had found means to corrupt one of the re- 
 sidents in the convent of St. Veil, who had 
 so ingratiated herself into the confidence 
 of the abbess, that scarce any transaction, 
 even of the greatest moment, passed but 
 what came to her knov/ledge ; and indeed 
 so devoid was she of principle, that where 
 she had reason to mistrust that confidence 
 was withheld, she made no scruple of ob- 
 taining the knowledge of it by the most 
 infamous means. This treacherous friend 
 regularly gave Martuccio an exact account 
 4 of
 
 112 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 of every circumstance in which the Prin- 
 cess Adeline had any concern. The visit 
 of the monk was consequently soon made 
 known to him, as well as the impression, 
 which the situation of the Princess seemed 
 to have made upon his mind. On receiv- 
 ing this intelligence he directed his spies 
 to inquire into his character, and particu- 
 larly whether he v. as of that description 
 of whom there were too manv. who would 
 sacrifice their integrity for gold. It was, 
 however, with no small astonishment that 
 he learnt that his virtue was incorruptible, 
 a fact he would have been much inclined to 
 have doubted, had not his emissaries broucrht 
 so many proofs of the frequent tempta- 
 tions w^hich he had resolutely withstood, 
 that even his scepticism was obliged to give 
 way. 
 
 A little consideration, however, con- 
 vinced him that by cautious and aubtile 
 management, he might make those virtues 
 which he himself held in \!'OiG greatest deri- 
 sion, more serviceable to him than even the 
 
 co-operation
 
 THE EI.ACK EASNER. 113 
 
 co-operation of a profligate or virtuous 
 character would be. He deemed, and with 
 justice, that a letter delivered by a man 
 famed for integrity and unafifected piety, 
 o]ie too in whom the abbess herself placed 
 ; the utmost confidence^ %vould have the 
 wished-for influence upon the mind of 
 Adeline, and effectually lull to sleep any 
 suspicion she might otherwise entertain of 
 the truth of its contents. 
 
 In pursuance of his plan, he first m.ade 
 secret inquiries as to the person of the 
 Chevalier Seckendorf, together with his 
 manner and address, and having obtained 
 the necessary intelligence, his first idea was 
 to instruct one of his dependants in the 
 necessary qualifications to personate him. 
 On more mature consideration, however, 
 he abandoned that scheme, and resolved, 
 ni the undertaking was of great magnitude, 
 to run no risk of detection by having a 
 confederate, but to undertake the whole 
 himself. Albert, to whom he communi- 
 cated his reasons for adopting this plan, 
 
 highly
 
 1 I 4 THE BLACK MKNER. 
 
 highly approved of his resolution^ and gave 
 reiterated assurances of still superior re- 
 wards, upon tha luccess of the expeditiorr. 
 All the more minute parts of the under- 
 taking bein^,^ arranged, Martuccio prepared 
 the final stroke by writing the following 
 letter: — 
 
 '* MOST RESPECTED PRINCESS, 
 
 '' I make no doubt hut that 
 on recognizing a signature you have so 
 many years been unacquainted wjth, your 
 maternal fears wijl instantly be awakened; 
 let nie then at once relieve them, by as- 
 suring yoy that Rodolphus is all a fond 
 mother can wish — encreasing in virtue as 
 in years. It is not, however, solely to ease 
 your anxiety upon this account, or to ex- 
 plain my past conduct respecting the young 
 Prince, that I now address you ; I will only 
 therefore upon this subject add, that his 
 residence bidsdefi,ance to detection from all 
 the emissaries of the tyrant Albert. It is 
 
 yourself^
 
 THE BLACK BANKER. 1 15 
 
 yourself, Madame, \vho is the sole object 
 of my solicitude. Long have 1 watched 
 over you umeeii — ^havt viewed with a scru' 
 tinizing tye the dangers as they have en- 
 creased around you ; and in conjunction 
 with Madame Seckendorf, have spent many 
 a sleepless night in forming plans for your 
 future security. 
 
 *^ Believe, Madame, that faithful servant, 
 who never yet deceived you, and who 
 would most readily sacrifice his life for the 
 welfare of yourself and family, when he as- 
 serts, that the long-dreaded crisis is rapidly 
 approaching, when even the sacred walls of 
 St. Veil will no longer afford an efficient 
 protection to the Princess of Clagenfurth. 
 Already has the usurper removed, under 
 various pretences, to a distan.iqe far from 
 any communication with the metropolis, 
 all those of whose faithful attachment to- 
 the house of Clagenfurth he entertains the 
 most distant suspicion ; and evea his former 
 friend, th^e Chevalier D'Armfeldt, has ex- 
 perienced the same fate, as Albert was too 
 
 well
 
 1 16 twe black banker. 
 
 well convinrecT that no inducement he 
 could offer, nor the recollection of past 
 favours, would ever induce that brave, but 
 mistaken nr^an, to caj^mtenance n: dishonour- 
 able action. 
 
 ^*^ His pre:ent minion is of a very diffe- 
 rent description: by birth an Italian, he 
 pt:)ssesses all the wily subti^ty of that na- 
 tion, with an ambition boundless as the 
 globe itself; neither does' he esteem any 
 means too desperate to arrive at the acm6 
 of his wishes. I thought it necessary thus 
 concisely to develop the charajcters of those 
 by whom Albert is at present surrounded, 
 and whpse opinions he consults upon all mo- 
 mentous occasions, that you may be convin- 
 ced my fears for. your safety are built upon 
 too strong a folmdation to be mistaken. Yet 
 how avoid the impending evil ? Believe 
 me, Madame, I shudder while I make the 
 sole proposition that appears to offer fu- 
 ture securiry ; neither could any thing less 
 than the dreadful precipice upon which you 
 standi induce me to hazard the attempt. 
 
 Should
 
 THE CI.ACK BANNER. 1 17 
 
 IShould you fall into the hands of the ty- 
 rantj the precious pledge would be ren- 
 dered subservient to his ambitious views, 
 and those maternal fears, which he well, 
 know^s the extent of, would be kept in per- 
 petual alarm, by threats respecting the safety 
 of the young Rodolphus. One unguarded 
 moment, (and who is there that can arro- 
 gate to themselves such a constant heroism 
 of conduct, that will bid defiance to every 
 assault, either of power or dissimulation?) 
 one unguarded moment, let me repeal, may 
 bring ruin and inevitable destruction upon 
 the sole remaining prop of the house of 
 Clao:enfurth. Flioht is the onlv resource 
 that promises to protract, if not totally to 
 avoid, the dreaded crisis; nor would your 
 faithful servants venture to suo^orest such an 
 attempt, was it not the means of almost 
 certain safety, and which I doubt not will 
 "weigh considerably in your determination- 
 of folding that son, so long estranged from 
 a mother's endearments, in your arms. 
 '^ In that retreat which has for years 
 
 protected
 
 lis THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 protected his existence, guarded both by 
 nature and art, you may smile at the impo- 
 tent threats of your oppressor, and await 
 with patience the effect of those exertions 
 which the secret friends of the house of 
 Clagenfurth are silently preparing, and 
 which, your safety once ascertained, will 
 burst with thunder upon the tyrant's head. 
 I dare not be more explicit ; neither can I 
 think it necessary, as the Princess cannot 
 want more assurances of the zeal of Madame 
 Seckendorf, or myself, than what she at 
 present possesses. 
 
 '^ A fortunate chance made me acquaint- 
 ed with the monk who is entrusted with 
 this letter. He is a man, I find, high in the 
 estimation of his own community, and also 
 in that of the abbess of St. Veil, to whom I 
 understand he has already borne some mes- 
 sages from his monastery ; he is, however, 
 totally ignorant of the commission with 
 which he is entrusted, orwith the identity of* 
 the person by whom he is employed. Hav- 
 ing met hini by accident, in the course of 
 
 his
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 119 
 
 his observations, he expressed his most sin- 
 cere wishes for the safety v-^f the Princess of 
 Clagenfiirth, which, he remarked, he was 
 fearful was endangered ; and that he would 
 "willingly assist her, as fnr as his limited pow- 
 ers extended. His .;onversation upon the 
 subject, which I purposely contrived to pro- 
 long, convinced me that he was sincere in 
 his attachment ; I therefore, after some pre- 
 paratory caution, which I thoughi neces- 
 sary, told him that I had a letter of the ut- 
 most consequence to the future safety of 
 the Princess, if he could get it conveyed to 
 her without the knowledge of any person, 
 except the abbess. To this he cordially 
 assented ; I must again repeat that he is 
 totally ignorant of all and every part of 
 my scheme, which I shall now fully develop 
 to you ; and the only answer I request by 
 the monk, is simply yes or no, 
 
 " You know that part of the enclosure 
 belonging to the convent which looks to- 
 wards the Julian Alps, a situation the most 
 retired, and which is seldom or ever re- 
 sorted to by travellers, or persons of any 
 
 other
 
 120 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 Other description, as even the banditti 
 who infest the other parts of the neighbour- 
 hood avoid it^ as not answering their pur- 
 pose ; I have carefully reconnoitred the 
 spot, and find the descent, by the means I 
 shall previously adopt, will not be attended 
 with the least difficulty, particularly as you 
 will most probably be accoiTjpanied by 
 some of the lay-sisters, or the abbess her- 
 self. Here I shall have every thing pre- 
 pared ; and a few hours will so far place 
 us in safety, as to be beyond the power of 
 Albert. At that spot Madame Seckendorf 
 will meet us, and I trust that no impedi- 
 ment will then prevent our joining the 
 young Rodolphus, who little expects the 
 happiness his foster-parents have in store 
 for him. On the evening of the third day 
 from your receipt of this, I shall expect 
 you. Be cautious, but resolute, and I 
 prognosticate that success is certain. 
 '* Your faithful servant, 
 
 THE CHEVALIER SECKENDORF." 
 
 Thi
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 12 i 
 
 The following lines were written to re- 
 present the hand of Madame Seckendorf — 
 a plan deemed by the artful contrivers as a 
 masterpiece of policy, one that could not 
 fail to silence any doubts which the Princess 
 might justly entertain in respect to the 
 reality of the first information. 
 
 " MY ADOREJD MISTRESS^ 
 
 " The enterprize which my 
 husband has embarked in, while it fills my 
 anxious bosom with alarm, affords it also a 
 pleasure deemed lost for ever. Oh ! may 
 every good angel guard your steps to that 
 retreat, where security from tyrannic usur- 
 pation awaits you ; nor do I arrogate too 
 much by the assertion, that the dangers 
 you have encountered will be amply re- 
 compensed^ and forgotten in the smiles and 
 caresses of your long-estranged Rodolphus, 
 whose graces ^-but I will not antici- 
 pate. I much wished to have accompanied 
 the Chevalier to the walls of St. Veil, but 
 VOL. II. G he
 
 122 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 he gave me such judicious reasons to the 
 contrary, and pointed out the danger of 
 the enterprize being frustrated by such an 
 attempt so clearly, that, although with 
 great reluctance,! was obliged to acqui- 
 esce. Every moment, however, will seem 
 an age, until I clasp to my breast a mis- 
 tress I have so many years been separated 
 from, and a Princess, who merits not only 
 my adoration, but that of her oppressed 
 subjects." 
 
 Martuccio, having thus completed these 
 minor arrangements to the satisfaction both 
 of himself and his employer, prepared to 
 carry them into effect. The monk, whom 
 Martuccio had sent for, and artfully mould- 
 ed to his purpose, having previously dis- 
 guised himself so as not to be known^ was 
 so totally ignorant of the deception he was 
 innocently made the principal partner of, 
 that he received the fatal packet with every 
 demonstration of satisfaction; happy that 
 
 it
 
 THE BLACK BANKER. 123 
 
 it was in his power to render any service to 
 the Princess, whose misfortunes had found 
 the way to a heart open to the impression 
 of pity for the unfortunate. Anxious for 
 its delivery, he immediately proceeded to 
 the convent, where his arrival was wel- 
 comed by the community at large, and 
 more especially by the abbess herself, and 
 the Princess of Clagenfurth ; indeed the 
 latter was the more rejoiced at his appear- 
 ance, as, from the sudden departure both 
 of Sternheim and of D'Armfeldt from Cla- 
 genfurth, (for, from the tenor of the coit- 
 versation she had held with the latter, she 
 flattered herself that upon any great emer- 
 gency he would not entirely have aban- 
 doned her cause), she was deprived of re- 
 ceiving any intelligence, but such as was 
 jcoramunicated by the cautious friend of 
 the abbess, who, she feared, from a motive 
 of mistaken kindness, concealed from her 
 many facts which she would have wished 
 to have ascertained. 
 
 The monk, from his general character, 
 c 2 she
 
 124 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 she thought would prove a good substitute; 
 we may recollect it was with regret that 
 she heard of his departure on his prior vi- 
 sit to the convent, without her having an 
 interview with him. Determined, how- 
 ever, not to be disappointed in the present 
 instance, she was upon the point of desiring 
 his attendance, when a message was brought 
 to her while conversing with the abbess 
 upon the subject, that the monk requested 
 an audience of them, upon business of im- 
 portance. Surprised at such an event, he 
 w^as ordered to attend in the private apart- 
 ments of the abbess, as less liable to inter- 
 .ruption. In term.s which fully explained 
 the candour and integrity of his heart, he 
 detailed to his auditors the previous cir- 
 cumstances that had taken place, and the 
 reasons which had induced him to become 
 the bearer of the packet, which he deli- 
 vered with great humility into the hands of 
 the Princess ; adding, that as he was totally 
 ignorant 'of its tenor, he would, with their 
 permission^ retire until they had examined 
 
 the
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 125 
 
 the contents, when, if his assistance or ad- 
 vice could in the smallest degree contribute 
 to their satisfaction, both duty ar^d inclina- 
 tion prompted him to tender his most re- 
 spectful services ; the monk bov/ed and re- 
 tired, leaving both the abbess and her royal 
 ftroiegee impressed with a most favourable 
 opinion of his principles and integrity. 
 
 No sooner were they alone than the 
 Princess, who held the fatal packet in her 
 hand, felt herself attacked by such an un- 
 accountable dread, as rendered her unable 
 to break the envelope. The abbess per- 
 ceived her irresolution, and taking it from 
 her^ asked if she should examine the 
 contents? A look of approbation supplied 
 the place of words; and with anxiety 
 depictured upon her countenance, she 
 watched v;ith narrow scrutiny the various 
 changes which the features of her friend 
 underwent, while looking over the unex- 
 pected communication. At length the ab- 
 bess finished the perusal without interrup- 
 G 3 lion ;
 
 126 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 tion; and addressing the Princess, requested 
 her to be composed, as there was nothing 
 in the letter but what left her a free agent, 
 and mistress of her own actions; it was 
 undoubtedly of the utmost importance, 
 and required a mature and well-weighed 
 determination : she then gave the asto- 
 nished Princess the heads of the letter: the 
 length of time, however, which was em- 
 ployed in rhe recapitulation of its con- 
 tents, added to the cursory, but judicious 
 remarks of the abbess^ had produced the 
 good effect of recovering the firmness of 
 mind which had been decomposed by so 
 unexpected an event ; and on its final 
 conclusion, she was enabled to enter upon 
 the investigation of the measures it might 
 be prudent in her to pursue. 
 
 Adeline was fully sensible of what s^reat 
 importance to her future happiness her 
 present decision might prove; the various 
 devices which the usurper had already em- 
 ployed to decoy her into his power, arose 
 
 to
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 127 
 
 to her recollection^ and fear painted to her 
 imagination that the present lure was only 
 a repetition of his former insidious attempts. 
 She requested to see the letter which the 
 abbess had still retained. The characters 
 appeared familiar; and her apprehension 
 of treachery gradually gave way to a more 
 pleasing sensation. While wavering in this 
 uncertainty, she suddenly recollected that 
 some letters of the Chevalier Seckendorf 
 to the late Prince of Clagenfurth were in 
 her possession. Conceiving that these 
 might elucidate the identity of the present 
 writing, she mentioned the circumstance to 
 the abbess, who strongly recommended the 
 comparing them together, before she came 
 to a final decision. The Princess accord- 
 ingly retired to her apartments, in order to 
 procure the letters, which she had preserved 
 with the greatest care, not only because 
 they contained a correspondence of an in- 
 teresting nature between the Chevalier and 
 her adored husband, but also as they were 
 the sole memorial of him, preserved from 
 c 4 the
 
 128 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 the havock and devastation which had sa 
 cruelly overturned her happiness. 
 
 During her absence, the abbess, whose 
 thoughts had been fully employed while 
 Adeline was busily scrutinizing the letters, 
 commanded the monk to attend her, in or- 
 der, if possible, to obtain fuller information 
 from him. To the various questions which 
 she put to him, his answers were plain and 
 concise, and it was evident that the asser- 
 tion which he at first made of his ignorance 
 respecting the contents of the packet he 
 was the bearer of, was perfectly correct. 
 His account of the first interview with the 
 stranger who engaged him in the business, 
 corresponded exactly v/ith the description 
 in the letter, and to this he volM<ntarily 
 added an outline of his person, as Veil as 
 he could pourtray it, as he was confessedly 
 disguised, for the purpose, the stranger 
 observed, of escaping the watchful eyes of 
 the satellites belonging to Albert. 
 
 Vvhile the monk and the abbess were 
 thus in conversation, |he Princess returned. 
 
 bearing
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 129 
 
 bearing several papers in her hand. The 
 monk would again have retired, had not 
 Adeline herself, having received the appro- 
 bation of the abbess, desired him to remain, 
 as she trusted he might be of considerable 
 service to her, whether she ultimately de- 
 cided for or against the scheme proposed. 
 With every expression of humility and 
 gratitude, the modest father thanked his 
 royal mistress for the high confidence she 
 placed in him, and most solemnly called 
 upon his holy master to witness the sacred 
 vow of attachment and fidelity to her cause, 
 which, kneeling at her feet, he devoutly 
 offered. Most sensibly affected at the feel- 
 ing manner in which the monk offered his 
 services, the Princess raised him from the 
 humble posture v.Inch he had assTimed, and 
 assured him, if fortune permitted,, of her 
 eternal protection. 
 
 As the monk was now admitted to her 
 confidence, the Princess gave him the pac- 
 ket which he had brought to peri.se ; and 
 before she asked his opinion of the con- 
 G 5 tents^
 
 130 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 tents, requested him to compare the hand- 
 writing with those papers which she held 
 in her hand. AftCi the most minute ex- 
 amination, the opinion was unanimous, 
 and thus far villany reigned triumphant. 
 This momentous point being settled, and 
 no doubt of the authenticity of the papers 
 remaining, the propriety and feasibility of 
 the attempt became the subject of con- 
 sideration. Of the extremity of those dan- 
 gers by which she was surrounded, the 
 Princess was not so well acquainted as the 
 abl^ess, who, being unable to point out any 
 mode of escape from them, kindly forbore 
 to alarm her unnecessarily, notwithstanding 
 for some time past she had been informed 
 of the determination of Albert to obtain 
 possession of her person by force, if every 
 other m.ethod proved abortive; but al- 
 though she was well aware of this intention, 
 and foresaw the probable ruin and destruc- 
 tion of the holy sisterhood, should she re- 
 sist the peremptory mandate of the usur- 
 per to deliver the unfortunate Princess in- 
 to
 
 TITE BLACK BANNER. 131 
 
 to his hands, yet she nobly resolved ta 
 perish, rather than betray her sovereign, 
 who h?d claimed her protection. 
 
 A long conversation ensued, chiefly be- 
 tween the abbess and the monk, in which 
 every argument upon both sides was freely 
 canvassed, although the former most care^ 
 fully avoided the smallest hint of any detri- 
 ment that might possibly accrue to herself 
 from the continued residence of the Prin- 
 cess at the convent. Adeline listened ta 
 their remarks with the most serious at- 
 tention ; and perceiving that the risk of 
 remaining in her present situation, or of 
 acceding to the proposals of the supposed 
 Chevalier, was nearly equal, concluded their 
 suspense, by determining to make the at- 
 tempt — '' Can I," exclaimed the fair hero- 
 ine, while a beam of inexpressible softness 
 gave a peculiar kind of animation to the 
 natural lustre of her eyes, " can I for one 
 single instant hesitate in, my choice, even, 
 were the dangers attending it more terrific 
 than they are? No, my Rodolphus, the 
 G 6 sale
 
 IS"! Tnu BIACK BANNER. 
 
 sole idea of onre more enfolding thee in 
 these widow ed arms, of watching over those 
 opening <;races, which like the blushing 
 rosebud are just expanding to view, drives 
 from my breast all feminine feai*s, and in- 
 i^j)ires me ^vith a resolution that bids defi- 
 awce to sinister presages; even now, my 
 friends, my whole soul seems inspired witli 
 new vigour, and the feelings of a mother 
 reign triumphant; let us then delay no 
 longer, but make immediate prepr.rations 
 for the attempt, before the spies of the tv- 
 rant etlcctuallv prevent ns. This holv 
 man shall be my guide and protector, un- 
 til the arms of Madame Seckendorf receive 
 nie in safety, and place me beyond the 
 power of the cruel Albert." 
 
 While the Princess thus gave wav to the 
 effuiiions of her heart, the abbess oazed 
 ivith surprise upon the sudden animation 
 inspiie.l by maternal afHection : ntid al- 
 though she secretly dreaded the rc?u!t, yet 
 so great was the awe impressed ipon her 
 by the enthusiastic hopes expresses by the 
 
 Princess,
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 133 
 
 Princess, that she appeared to yield to her 
 wisKes, as if impelled to it by a superior 
 agency. Neither was the monk less affect- 
 ed, while in fervent accents he repeated h'S 
 vows of fidelity, and his rcadino.s to accom- 
 pany her wheresoever she demanded his at- 
 tendance. 
 
 As the strictest secrecy was absolutely 
 necessary, none of the sisterhood, not even 
 Mariana, the accustomed confidant of the 
 abbess, was made acquainted wiJh the in- 
 tended departure of the Princess; and as 
 little preparation was necessary, the parties 
 more immediatelv interested in the under- 
 taking were fully adequate to the task. 
 As she was so soon to be accompanied by 
 Madame Seckendorf, n female attendant 
 was readily dispensed with ; indeed, such 
 an addition might have hazarded the success 
 of the expedition, as the more numerous 
 the cavalcnde was, the more liable would 
 theirplansbesubjectto detection. Notwith- 
 standing,however,alltheprecaution that was 
 taken, the suspicion that some event; more 
 
 than
 
 134 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 than ordinary^, v^ras upon the eve of taking 
 place, was entertained by many of the sis- 
 terhood ; the frequent interviews of the 
 inonkj both with the abbess and the Princess, 
 although held under the pretence of reli- 
 gious duties^ were a subject of various con- 
 jecture; yet so vague were these^ and many 
 of them so improbable and wide from the 
 truth, that their multiplicity served rather 
 to perplex than to elucidate the cause, un- 
 til at length, even those most devoted to 
 the interests, and in the pay of the usurper,, 
 (for such there were, even ^vithin those 
 walls dedicated solely for the purposes of 
 religion, and falsely deemed free from the 
 vices of the world) were fearful of disclo- 
 sing their sentiments upon the subject to 
 their employer, lest^ being deceived them- 
 selves, their information should prove 
 groundless — a circumstance which expe- 
 rience had taught them, would irritate the 
 jealous tyrant almost to madness. These 
 considerations were so far of service to the 
 Princess,. as to enable her to pursue her in- 
 tended
 
 THE BLACK BANNEK. 135 
 
 tended plan without interruption ; and 
 every preliminary being speedily adjusted, 
 they awaited with impatience the moment 
 of action. 
 
 As the hour approached, the Princess, 
 although her resolution was in no degree 
 shaken, could not survey those scenes she 
 had been so longi^ccustoi-ned to, and which 
 had proved the harbour of her safety, when 
 her dearest ties were cruelly and irrevoca- 
 biy severed from her, without feeling the 
 most poignant regret at the necessity she 
 was under of leaving them, probably for 
 ever. Every spot seemed to have become 
 more dear to her; and she burst into tears 
 when leaving the cell so long appropriated 
 for her use. Neither was the abbess less: 
 affected ; and even at the instant of the 
 final embrace^ she would have felt herself 
 sincerely happy to have detained her, how- 
 ever hazardous the consequences might 
 have been to herself. 
 
 During this affecting scene, the pious 
 monk, conversant in the natural feelings of 
 
 the
 
 136 THE BLACK BANNEK. 
 
 the human heart, made no vain attempts 
 of premature consolation ; he had iong 
 made nature his study, and was sensible 
 that to oppose ihe first ebullitions of any 
 passion, by whatever cause excited, whether 
 of joy, sorrow, or anger, served as an in- 
 crease, rather than a diminution of it ; si- 
 lently therefore he witnessed those effusions. 
 of friendship which were reciprocally ex- 
 pressed, v.hile proceeding to the appointed 
 spot of rendezvous. As they approached 
 it, however, within a small distance, the 
 holy father reminded them of the necessity 
 of curbing- the violence of their emotion, 
 lest they should be detected by any of the 
 emissaries of Albert, who were well known 
 to be perpetually upon the watch; this con- 
 sideration, added to the pious observations of 
 their companion, checked the sorrow of the 
 two friends; and the Trincess, exerting all 
 the energy of her soul, gave the appointed 
 signal, which was instantly repeated from 
 the outside of the wall. 
 
 No sooner was it ascertained that the 
 
 expected
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. I J/ 
 
 expected Chevalier was waiting there in 
 readiness, than Adeline, bursting from the 
 arms of the abbess, rapidly ascended the 
 breach, which h^d bean secretly made for 
 the purpose; and aceompnnlcd by the 
 monk, waving a last adieu, in an instant 
 was lost to' the viesv of her disconsolate 
 friend, who, while returning in silent sor- 
 row to the convent, in vain endeavoured 
 to divest her mind of the fears she could 
 not avoid entertv^ining for the safety of he^ 
 beloved Princess. To ease the anxiety of 
 her mind, she had recourse to the duties of 
 religion; and in a few hours she found her 
 spirits, which had been creatly agitated by 
 the preceding scenes, in a great measure 
 composed and resigned. 
 
 The morning discovered to the commu- 
 nity the flight of the Princess. The mys- 
 tery was now fully explained; and those 
 whose interest it would have been to have 
 disclosed the secret, severely execrated their 
 felly in not divining the real subject of the 
 late transactions. Their traitorous hearts 
 
 now
 
 13S THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 now freniMed wilh the fear of what might 
 be the consequence of their inertness, little 
 suspecting that their employer was himself 
 privy to the plot. We shall leave them, 
 however, to the terrors which their traitor- 
 ous intentions most justly deserved, while 
 we again turn the attention of our readers 
 to our fair heroine. 
 
 The supposed Chevalier received the 
 trembling Adeline in his arms, as she hastily 
 descended the ruinous walls; and it was 
 not until they had reached the firm ground 
 that he noticed her companion; he started, 
 and seemed much disturbed as he cast his 
 eyes upon the monk, who with assiduous 
 care was offering his attentions to the 
 Princess. Some words, in a low undistin- 
 guishable voice, escaped him, when Adeline, 
 who readily conceived the thoughts which 
 occupied his mind, explained to him in a 
 whisper the reasons which had urged her 
 to accept oi^ the pious father's company, 
 until her arrival at the spot where she was 
 given to understand that Madame Secken- 
 
 dorf
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 139 
 
 dorf was in waiting for her. Her attendant 
 seemed for a few minutes buried deep in 
 thought; and the suspicions of Adeline 
 were on the point of being revived, when 
 they were dispelled by the mild and friendly 
 tone of the pretended Chevalier, who con- 
 fessed that the appearance of a third per- 
 son had at first deranged him, as a thousand 
 ideas, prejudicial to the success of their 
 undert-'.king, rushed upon his mind, and 
 he feared that they were betrayed. But 
 when he observed that this dreaded intruder 
 was no other than the person whom he 
 himself had partially entrusted, and whose 
 general character v.'as a sufficient assurance 
 of his fidelity to the cause in which he 
 supposed himself to be engaged, his fears 
 evaporated as rapidly as they had been 
 formed; and he complimented the Princess 
 upon the prudence and foresight of the 
 arrangement. 
 
 Confidence being thus restored, they 
 contrived to make room for the holy father 
 in the vehicle which had been brought for 
 
 the
 
 140 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 the accommodation of Adeline. The Che- 
 valier when seated, in answer to a question 
 asked by the Princess, requested her to re- 
 fraiin at present from wishipg for any in- 
 formation, observing, that until they were 
 entirely free from the power and from the 
 dominit ns of x\r:)ert, it would even be pru- 
 dent to maintain a total silence^ more par- 
 ticularly as the darkness of the night pre- 
 cluded them from observing whether any 
 persons were upon the watch for them. 
 This observation^ natural in itself^ was rea- 
 dily acceded to, both by the monk and the 
 Princess, who not only admitted the pro- 
 priety of it, but thanked their wi!y compa- 
 nion for the attention he paid to their 
 safety. Their future progress was therefore 
 passed in studied silence. 
 
 Upon the commencement of their jour- 
 ney, the night was calm and serene, al- 
 though dark; scarcely could the tract along 
 which they were travelling, with a speed 
 far inferior to their wishes, be discerned; 
 and had not occasional breaks in the forest 
 
 sometimes
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 141 
 
 sometimes admitted a small portion of 
 light, they would have found some difficulty 
 in tracing the proper direction, even by 
 those marks which were erected in it for 
 the express purpose of preventing the ig- 
 norant traveller from deviating from the 
 tract, and thereby entangling himself in 
 the intricacies of the surrounding wilds, 
 where perils of every description awaited 
 his unfortunate error. But although this 
 silence, politic in itself, as it prevented un- 
 necessary questions, which might possibly 
 have puzzled even the well-informed Mar- 
 tuccio to have answered without raising 
 some suspicion of his identity, was of use 
 so far, yet by leaving the thoughts of his 
 cornpanions free to range through ib.Q wild 
 and extensive labyrinth of fancy and con- 
 jecture, it roused their reflecting minds 
 from that passive obedience they had as- 
 sumed, when the prospect of future happi- 
 ness first expanded to their view, and all 
 minor considerations of prudence and cau- 
 tion sunk before the dazzling, but illusive 
 
 splendour
 
 142 TflE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 splendour of joy-inspiring fclicify. Fre- 
 quently had Adeline, when she fancied 
 herself unobserved, caught the looks of the 
 supposed Chevalier, and as well as the slen- 
 der light would permit her observation, she 
 thought that his features wore an expres- 
 sion little consonant with the adventure 
 he was engaged in. A shuddering sensa- 
 tion seized her whole frame at the idea, 
 and had not a flow of tears given a wel- 
 come relief to her oppressed heart, she 
 would have been totally unable to have 
 disguised the severity of her feelings. 
 Martuccio perceived the conflict that raged 
 within her bosom ; but as the time had not 
 yet arrived when the ultimate discovery of 
 the plot might with safety to its success be 
 developed, he broke the silence which he 
 had himself so strenuously recommended^ 
 and by assuming the most delicate respect, 
 siicceeded in obliterating all surmises which 
 had arisen to his prejudice. 
 
 The liberty of conversation being re- 
 stored, although prudence bade them con- 
 6 fine
 
 THE I5LACK: BANNER. 145" 
 
 fine it to sifojecfs far reinote from, and to- 
 tall v unconnected with their own adven- 
 tiires, and which, if overheard, would tend 
 rather to mislead the intruders, than afford 
 them information, their journey became 
 more pleasant. The monk, who had tra- 
 velled over manv foreign countries, and 
 whose zeal had incited him to visit, not only 
 the places most celebrated in his own coun- 
 try, but also those most esteemed abroad, 
 had treasured up a laroe store of informa- 
 tion. Nor was he deficient in those anec- 
 dotes which, when related, serve less for 
 instruction than amusement. His auditors 
 appeared to listen to him with pleasure; 
 and thus engaged^ they had nearly extrica- 
 ted them'selves from the gloomy forest,, 
 through which the fii*st part of their jour- 
 ney extended, when the chirping of its 
 winged inhabitants proclaimed the ap- 
 proach of day. They had now travelled 
 nearly six hours, and as it would be impos- 
 sible for them to reach the place of their 
 destination, where Adeline supposed that 
 
 Madame
 
 144 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 Madame Seckendorf was anxiously await- 
 insr their arrival, until the third morninjr, 
 her conductor proposed that they should 
 rest, and take some refreshment before they 
 emerged into the open country, as less 
 liable to observation. This was most rea- 
 dily agreed to by the Princess, who, fa- 
 tigued both by the personal and mental 
 exertion which she had underoone during 
 the preceding day, felt herself inclined to 
 court the refreshing indulgence of sleep. 
 Notwithstanding this would in some mea- 
 sure delay their expedition, yet Martuccio, 
 who, although he pretended the contrary, 
 well knew that there was no danger in be- 
 ing pursued, and was willing to keep up 
 appearances, readily consented ; and by 
 the assistance of the monk, who entered 
 with eager avidity into any scheme which 
 tended to the ease and accommodation of 
 X\'\Q Princess, he soon converted the vehi- 
 cle in which they travelled into a tempo- 
 rary place of repose ; and this, although 
 destitute of splendid elegance, was, in her 
 
 situation^
 
 THfi BLACK BANNER. 145 
 
 situation, a real luxury. Here, sheltered by 
 the umbrageous covering of a majestic oak, 
 the fair traveller resigned herself to the 
 care of a superintending Providence; and 
 a few minutes only passed ere she was con- 
 signed to a temporary oblivion of all her 
 cares. 
 
 While the Princess was thus enjoying the 
 refreshment so requisite to recruit her 
 wearied spirits, and to give them new life 
 ^and vigour to enable her to support herself 
 through any further difficulties which she 
 might encounter, her companions seated 
 themselves at a respectful distance^ but in 
 a situation from whence they could per- 
 ceive every approach to the place of their 
 retirement. In order to beguile the time, 
 and prevent their neglect of duty towards 
 f their charge, by giving way to the tram- 
 mels of sleep, tJiey entered into a friendly 
 conversation. Martuccio well knew that 
 the monk held in the monastery to which 
 [he more peculiarly belonged, a place of 
 great responsibility, from the nature of 
 
 VOL. II. II which
 
 146 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 which he conjectured that he was well ac- 
 quainted with a knowledge of past events; 
 and accordingly he artfully introduced the 
 conquest of Clagenfurlh by Albert, and the 
 subsequent transactions, which he expatiated 
 upon with great freedom ^nd fluency of 
 language. There was, however, a peculi- 
 arity in his manner that struck his auditor as 
 being very singular; and he once or twice 
 departed from his assumed character so far, 
 as to excite some expressions of surprise; 
 but no sooner did Martuccio perceive the 
 effect of his incautious conduct, than with 
 the most insinuating address^ he contrived 
 to render the observations upon the topic 
 on which they were conversing, and which 
 had nearly betrayed his assumed charatter, 
 to militate so powerfully against the usur- 
 per, that the greatest sceptic could not 
 fail of believing him the staunch friend of 
 the injured Princess. He began, however, 
 to feel the continued deception irksome to 
 him; part of his original plan had been, 
 broken in upon by the unexpected intru- 
 sion
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 147 
 
 sion of the monk^ as it had been his inten- 
 tion to have made a secret of his designs no 
 longer than a few hours after he had ob- 
 tained possession of his victim. It now, 
 however, became absolutely necessary to 
 dismiss his troublesome companion, before 
 Adeline could entertain any idea of the 
 truth ; for although he was well aware that 
 the despotic power of Albert would be 
 exerted to screen him from any punish- 
 ment, let the violence and atrocity of the 
 measures he might find it necessary to pur- 
 sue be ever so flagrant, yet the dread of 
 the vengeance of the church, should he 
 insult any member of it wantonly, rose 
 paramount even to the suggestions of am- 
 bition. 
 
 During a pause in the conversation, his 
 iiiind was meditating respecting the method 
 best calculated to obtain his ends; and his 
 fertile invention soon struck upon a plan, 
 which he felt confident could not fail of 
 complete success, as he purposed to play 
 the same game as before^ and to make the 
 H '2 virtues
 
 14S THE BLACK BANNTR. 
 
 virtues of his unsuspicious associate the 
 means ofbringing his scheme to perfection; 
 and this he determined to put in practice 
 during the approaching day. One of those 
 circumstances, however, which not un fre- 
 quently occur, although totally unforeseen, 
 hastened the denouement, and rendered the 
 hypocrisy, hitherto so difficult to be con- 
 cealed, useless. The Princess, who, fatigued 
 both in body and mind, had readily yielded 
 to the impression naturally occasioned by 
 such powerful and unaccustomed exertions, 
 aw^oke from a calm and undisturbed sleep, 
 refreshed and composed. Eager to be un- 
 der the protection of Madame Seckendorf, 
 she pressed her companions to recommence 
 their journey. As they had hitherto tra- 
 velled in darkness, the figure of the pre- 
 tended Chevalier had never been noticed 
 by her; his face indeed he had totally dis- 
 guised, for which he alledged the same 
 reason that he had previously mentioned 
 to the monk, a fear of being recognized 
 by any of the emissaries of Albert. He 
 
 now^
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 149 
 
 now, however, on the recommencement of 
 the journey, when daylight appeared, took 
 some additional precautions — a circum- 
 stance noticed by the Princess; and as 
 every occurrence, even the most trifling, 
 renewed those suspicions which, although 
 lulled to^rest, she could never entirely di- 
 vest herself of, this gave her an alarm ; she 
 was accordingly upon the point of making 
 some remark upon it, when prudence re- 
 minded her, that even should her fears be 
 well founded, still to betray them in her 
 present situation would perhaps only serve 
 to hasten her destruction, as she was sensi- 
 ble she was too much in his power to es- 
 cape, arid that the assistance which the holy 
 father might wish to afford her, would be 
 of no avail against a far superior force. 
 
 Although the behaviour of the supposed 
 Chevalier continued to be regulated by 
 the same external appearance of respect 
 and kindness, yet the idea once revived, 
 could not be entirely appeased ; and she 
 determined, if possible, to throw herself 
 H 3 upon
 
 150 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 upon the mercy of the first travellers that 
 Fortune might throw in her way^ and claim 
 their protection. Agitated by these senti- 
 ments, she recommenced the journey ; the 
 way led over a wide extended heath, whose 
 barren aspect gave a gloom to Nature it- 
 self. At the extremity of it, though far 
 distant, appeared the Julian Alps, whose 
 summits apparently lost in the clouds seem- 
 ed to forbid the approach of the daring 
 and adventurous travellers. " It is among 
 yon mountains," said her treacherous 
 guide, " that the Princess of Clagenfurth 
 will once more enjoy the happiness of life; 
 at their base the protectress of your beloved 
 Rodolphus awaits, counting the moments 
 that will bring his respected mother to share 
 with her both the care and the satisfaction 
 of his future education. Oh ! with what joy 
 shall I resign you to the arms of those 
 whose love will so amply recompense you 
 for past sorrows ! while your grateful ser- 
 vants, viewing with unutterable satisfaction 
 the good fortune which they have been 
 
 enabled
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 151 
 
 enabled to attain for you, will find in the 
 contemplation of your joys their own re- 
 muneration/* 
 
 It was with speeches similar to these that 
 Martuccio endeavoured to beguile his cre- 
 dulous victim, whose manners he had most 
 scrutinizingly, but cautiously, observed; 
 and he fancied, that notwithstanding her 
 apparent ease, a mistrust of his sincerity 
 had found a passage to her heart ; so diffi- 
 cult is it to conceal our feelings from those 
 ■who are materially interested in detecting 
 their course. 
 
 While the party thus proceeded, now 
 become mutually suspicious of each other, 
 the morning, which had hitherto been calm 
 and serene^ promised a sad reverse ; the 
 winds began to sound in hollow cadence 
 through the forest, which they had so lately 
 quitted, while the clouds, rising from the 
 south in dark tremendous columns, indi- 
 cated an approaching tempest. They were 
 advanced a considerable distance on the 
 heath ; no friendly cottage gratified their 
 H 4 inquiring
 
 152 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 inquiring eyes, which might afford a tem- 
 porary shelter from the approaching hur- 
 ricane. They stopped in order to hold a 
 consultation as to the measures it would be 
 most prudent to pursue, whether to return 
 to the forest they had quitted, or persevere 
 in their endeavours to reach the extremity 
 of the heath. While they were thus doubt- 
 ful, Martuccio, who thought the moment 
 was arrived when he could shake off his 
 companion without suspicion, appeared 
 suddenly to recollect that a monastery was 
 situated to the left of the forest, and pro- 
 posed that they should regain the shelter of 
 the latter, while the monk, whose function 
 would obtain him a ready admittance, 
 should make the best of his way to it, and 
 prepare the superior for their appearance. 
 He observed, that such a measure would 
 cause but a trifling delay, as the place he 
 mentioned was but a small deviation from 
 the road to the rendezvous at which Ma- 
 dame Seckendorf had been appointed to 
 meet them, who, although she would doubt- 
 less
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 153 
 
 less be uneasy at the procrastination of 
 their hazardous journey, would naturally 
 account for it by the uncertainty of the 
 stoppages they might meet with. The 
 monk, totally unsuspicious of the integrity 
 of his companion, verified his assertion, and 
 spoke highly of the virtues and excellencies 
 of the superior, whom he professed himself 
 to be well acquainted with, and was happy 
 he should renew it, by recommending so 
 august a personage to his attention. Mar- 
 tuccio scowled at him from under his cloak, 
 with a look of the most inveterate malice, 
 although unperceived by the holy father. 
 His behaviour, however, did not escape the 
 observation of the Princess, whose fears 
 having been once alarmed, could not so 
 easily be soothed to rest; and although she 
 for a moment felt happy, that by acqui- 
 escing in the proposal, she might possibly 
 obtain the assistance of the superior through 
 the representation of the friendly monk, 
 yet a sentiment undefinable even to her- 
 self prompted her to object to it, observ- 
 II 5 in^
 
 154 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 ing in a mild, yet firm manner, that as they 
 had agreed the monastery was not at a very 
 great distance, it would be most prudent and 
 comfortable for her to proceed thither im- 
 mediately, even should the weather prove 
 more tempestuous than it promised to be; 
 as should it be as violent as they seemed to 
 apprehend, the slender protection which 
 the umbrageous foliage of the adjacent fo- 
 rest could afford during the absence of the 
 monk, would be of no material avail against 
 its fury ; and she was well assured she ran 
 more risks of her life by taking that advice, 
 than by hastening forward at ail hazards. 
 While making these observations, her looks 
 wore an impression which convinced Mar- 
 tuccio he was suspected. The storm began 
 to encrease; loud howled the discordant 
 blast, while the tremulous flash of the vivid 
 lightning darted its threatening points all 
 around them : yet amid this concussion of 
 nature, every trait of disappointment and 
 revenge characterized the gloomy physi- 
 ognomy of the baflled enterprizer. He was 
 
 now
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 155 
 
 now sensible that nothing less than absolute 
 force would avail; but although he despised 
 the weak assistance which the monk could 
 render, and indeed he had determined to 
 sacrifice him on the spot, if rendered des- 
 perate, yet he was at a loss, without taking 
 the latter remedy immediately, in what 
 manner to escape with the Princess, who 
 would naturally make every exertion her 
 forlorn situation would admit of, as soon as 
 the mask was totally withdrawn. It seemed 
 indeed as if Providence itself had taken the 
 unfortunate Adeline into its protection, by 
 multiplying the difficulties which sur- 
 rounded him ; for while his thoughts ra- 
 pidly crossed each other in dreadful uncer- 
 tainty which way to fix, a flash of lightning, 
 more potent than the preceding, struck the 
 vehicle, under whose slender covering the 
 Princess had taken shelter, and the poor 
 solitary animal, by whose exertions they 
 had hitherto travelled so far, became a life- 
 less corpse. This untoward and unex- 
 pected event startled even the arch-plotter 
 II 6 himself;
 
 156 THE ELACK BANNER. 
 
 himself; and for a few moments he stood 
 stupified with surprise, heedless of the 
 thunder, which rolling over his head in vol- 
 leys, echoed with tremendous effect among 
 the distant mountains, or of that lightning, 
 the direful consequences of which lay be- 
 fore him. A violent scream recalled both 
 his and the monk's attention, (the latter 
 indeed had been absorbed in prayer), and 
 they beheld the wretched Adeline, who had 
 thrown herself from the carriage, stretched 
 lifeless upon the ground. His first impulse 
 was to replace, by the assistance of the 
 monk, his insensible victim in the carriage, 
 as she would at least be partially sheltered 
 from those falling torrents, which had al- 
 most completely drenched her apparel. 
 Here his exertions ended; and his guilty- 
 conscience, partially awakened by the scene 
 before him, seemed to oppress him with a 
 weight that baffled his resolution. Wildly 
 be stared around him, as if to catch the 
 glimpse of some passing traveller, from 
 whom he could demand assistance; and most 
 
 readily
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 157 
 
 readily would he at that moment have for- 
 gone the completion of his viilany, could 
 he have seen the Princess in a place of 
 safety. Such is the state of those who em- 
 bark in wickedness; while prospeYity shines 
 upon their nefarious transactions, the cur- 
 rent of their blood runs cool and unem- 
 barrassed, and the success which they meet 
 with lulls their conscience to sleep; but 
 on a reverse of fortune, pusillanimity, the 
 most abject, succeeds to triumphant exulta- 
 tion; and the wretch, who but the instant 
 before held the world at deiiance, and des- 
 pised the assistance of the most powerful, 
 will hail with rapture the care and the 
 soolhings of a poor, but virtuous mendi- 
 cant. The truth of this observation was 
 amply elucidated by the present feelings 
 of Martuccio. The treachery he had been 
 guilty of towards a virtuous and unoffend- 
 ing female struck him with redoubled force, 
 as he contemplated the deathlike aspect of 
 the unfortunate Princess; he looked round 
 with a gloomy despair; and m the parox- 
 ysm
 
 158 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 ysm of his distress, mentally resolved, should 
 Providence restore her to her senses, to 
 confess his imposition,, and deserve her 
 forgiveness, by placing her in a situation 
 where the utmost power of Albert could 
 neither molest or injure her. Alas! too 
 transient was this return of virtue; a deep 
 sigh arrested his attention ; it came from 
 the bosom of his victim ; at that instant she 
 opened her languid eyes, and fixed them 
 momentarily upon the monk ; bst per- 
 ceiving the gaze of his companion intently 
 scrutinizing her countenance, she closed 
 them immediately, and appeared to relapse 
 into a state of insensibility. The situation 
 of Martuecio now became more desperate, 
 though the mitigation of the tempest was 
 some alleviation, and the dispersion of the 
 distant clouds announced the approaching 
 serenity of the late troubled atmosphere. 
 
 During the violence of his feelings, the 
 disguise which he had assumed, and which 
 he had hitherto preserved with the most 
 scrupulous attention, was no longer 
 
 thought
 
 THE BLACK AnNER. 159 
 
 thought upon ; and had the Princess been 
 able to have distinguished, the imposition 
 would have been instantly detected : of 
 this, however, she was destined to be ig- 
 norant some little time longer. There is 
 no doubt but that the monk had his suspi- 
 cions ; yet perfectly sensible that by avow- 
 ing them he might endanger his own safe- 
 ty, without benefiting the Princess in the 
 smallest degree, he abstained from dis- 
 closing them ; at the same time, he deter- 
 mined that no pretence, however plausible, 
 should make him desert her. It became 
 necessary that something should instantly 
 be determined upon ; the Princess was evi- 
 dently alive, but if assistance was not im- 
 mediately procured, she must necessarily 
 sink under the perils of her situation. At 
 length they agreed to carry her between 
 them to the monastery before mentioned ; 
 but scarcely had they come to this resolu- 
 tion, when Martuccio, casting his eyes over 
 the wide extended heath, perceived the 
 approach of two persons; the distance 
 
 they
 
 160 THE Bf*\CK BANNER. 
 
 they were as yet at, prevented him frorrf 
 discerning whether they were travellers, or 
 the ordinary peasantry of the country. 
 The procuring assistance from them was the 
 impulse of the moment; but as his virtuous 
 resolutions were nearly all dissipated, his 
 recollection whispered to him the purport 
 for which he was there, and the probabi- 
 lity that these people might make inquiries 
 which would puzzle him to answer. They 
 might also be some of the banditti who 
 were known to inhabit the mountains, and 
 frequently descended into the plains be- 
 neath, either to procure information or 
 plunder. It was also evident that the in- 
 truders had observed them, and that devia- 
 ting from the direct road, they were rapidly 
 advancing towards them. Marluccio now 
 felt that no further time was to be lost to 
 prevent detection. He accordingly urged 
 the monk to take up the lifeless burden, 
 and to proceed as fast as possible ; to this^ 
 however, the pious father, who had not 
 only observed the approaching assistance, 
 
 but
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 161 
 
 but also the perturbation of his companion, 
 which further confirmed his suspicion that 
 all was not right, ventured to object, sta- 
 ting, that as help was near at hand, the 
 procrastination would be more beneficial 
 than otherwise. The storm, so ill con- 
 cealed, now bui-st forth from the bosom of 
 the hypocrite, and in language the most 
 peremptory and insulting, he commanded 
 him to obey. A mild, yet firm refusal was 
 returned to his passionate expressions; and 
 he was proceeding to enforce his reasons by 
 such arguments as sense and religion die* 
 tated, when looking round, Martuccio per- 
 ceived that the strangers were advancing 
 rapidly, and that one moment only was be- 
 tween him and destruction : yet he could 
 not resolve to abandon Adeline, for whose 
 sake he had already ran such hazards; one 
 desperate effort might still make him mas- 
 ter of her fate. At that instant vice tri- 
 umphed; and the unsuspicious father, who 
 was watching with eager anxiety the rapid 
 -footsteps of those from whom he hoped to 
 
 procure
 
 162 THE BLACK BANKER. 
 
 procure assistance, received a blow from 
 the dagger of his companion^ which laid 
 him senseless by the still inanimate Prin- 
 cess. Hastily snatching up the latter in 
 his nervous arms, which seemed to have 
 l^ained an Herculean force upon the occa- 
 sion, the murderer fled with all expedition 
 towards the forest which they had last quit- 
 ted, as he made no doubt that could he 
 once enter it, he should be secure from all 
 researches that could be made after him. 
 Fate ordained he should be successful; and 
 so rapidly had he retreated, that he could 
 perceive the intruders had but just arrived 
 where he had left the monk weltering in 
 his blood, as he entered the borders of an 
 immense umbrageous tract, the intricacies 
 of which he was better acquainted with 
 than he had hitherto confessed even to Al- 
 bert himself. 
 
 The hearts of the strangers, when they 
 reached the spot where the monk lay wel- 
 tering in his blood, and to all appearance 
 lifeless, were affected by more than com- 
 mon
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 163 
 
 mon sensations ; they had at a distance 
 perceived an unusual disturbance; but were 
 far from imagining such a scene of atro- 
 city as lay before them, which, should they 
 ever be able to investigate, they were per- 
 suaded would disclose crimes of a deeper 
 dye : their first concern was to examine 
 the body ; accordingly raising it in their 
 arms, they perceived with the utmost satis- 
 faction that life was not quite extinct. One 
 of them, who was well skilled in surgery, and 
 the nature of wounds, soon found that the 
 dagger had missed the vital parts ; yet so 
 great had been the effusion of blood, that 
 life still appeared as on a balance. Some 
 applications, however, which they fortu- 
 nately had with them, joined to a cordial 
 of peculiar efficacy, effected a recovery of 
 sense, sooner than they had reason to ex- 
 pect. The holy father opened his languid 
 eyes^ and casting them upon his present 
 companions, perceived that he was indebt- 
 ed for his deliverance from death to their 
 compassionate assistance. He attempted 
 
 to
 
 164 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 to thank them by worJs ; but although' 
 . extreme weakness prevented this exertion, 
 his looks most amply conveyed his mean- 
 ing. The strangers saw his inability to 
 converse, and although they were eager to 
 obtain information by what accident he had 
 been brought into so perilous a condition, 
 as also who the persons were that had so 
 hastily and abruptly left him, yet they res- 
 trained their curicsity, lest they should en- 
 danger his convalescence by too great an 
 exertion. It became, however, necessary, 
 at all events, to convey the invalid to some 
 place where he miij;ht procure rest, and 
 remain undisturbed. The monasterv be- 
 fore mentioned was well known to one of 
 the travellers, and they determined upon 
 endeavouring to reach it: to walk so far 
 was impossible. Desperate situations sug- 
 gest measures which, calmly considerecf,, 
 would be deemed the height of folly to at- 
 tempt. The carriage in which Adeline 
 bad been conveyed away stood beside 
 them ; this, by mere dint of strength, they 
 
 converted
 
 THE DLACK BANNER. 165 
 
 converted into a sledge, disbiirthening it 
 of all its most unweildy parts, leaving only 
 the wheels, and a plank sufficient for the 
 wounded monk to lay upon. The delay 
 which this operation necessarily occa- 
 sioned, was fortunately rather of service to 
 the invalid than otherwise; the blood had 
 been staunched, and the cord,ial which had 
 been given to him had considerably re- 
 vived his sinking frame, and enabled him to 
 bear the uncomfortableness of his convey- 
 ance much better than he might have done, 
 tiad he been prematurely hurried. With 
 great toil and perseverance, the friendly 
 strangers at length accomplished their be- 
 nevolent intentions; and although much 
 exhausted, the monk arrived in safety at 
 the wished-for asylum. Astonishment sat 
 upon the countenances of its pious inhabi- 
 tants at such an unusual appearance ; and 
 the abbot, a man of superior sanctity, and 
 whose whole form instantly struck the be- 
 holder with a religious awe and reverence, 
 looked with an inquiring eye upon the 
 
 intruders.
 
 166 , THE ELACIC BANNER. 
 
 intruders. The one who seemed to take 
 the lead of his companion in conversation 
 understood his meaning, and requesting a 
 fev/ moments in private, spoke to him in a 
 tone so low as not to be overheard by the 
 inferior brothers. The countenance of the 
 superior, where sternness appeared to 
 reign predominant, immediately relaxed : 
 and commanding the physician of the mo- 
 nastery to pay every attention to the 
 wounded monk, he invited the strangers to 
 a repast in the refectory. Here leaving this 
 benevolent society in the exercise of tlie 
 noblest duties of humanity and hospitality, 
 and also the fate of the Princess Adeline 
 in -a state of uncertainty, v/e must recall 
 the attention of our readers to that period 
 when Berthold, attended by Slernheim, left 
 the retreat of the Count Von Werdenberg, 
 to investigate the mysterious departure of 
 Matilda from the protecting care of the 
 Abbess of St. Pierre. 
 
 The two friends proceeded for some 
 
 time in a straight direction for thexonvent 
 
 6 of
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 167 
 
 of St. Pierre ; but after travelling- several 
 miles, Berthold proposed turning to the 
 left, observing that it would not materially 
 lengthen their journey, and they should 
 be assured of better accommodations. As 
 Sternheim was convinced that his compa- 
 nion was much better acquainted with every 
 road than he could possibly be, every di- 
 rection as to their procedure was readily 
 conceded to him. They were well armed; 
 and Sternheim suspected, what indeed was 
 really the case, that during the delay which 
 Berthold had told the Count Von Werden- 
 berg was necessary before he could under- 
 take the journey, the former had, by the as- 
 sistance of the latter, and his faithful ser- 
 vant Hassan, with whom he had observed 
 him to be in frequent converse, given in- 
 telligence t© those under his command, 
 which was connected with their present 
 expedition ; and although, upon any other 
 oecasion, he might have suspected the inte- 
 grity of a character such as he apparently 
 had committed himself to, yet the esteem 
 in which that character was so undeniably 
 
 held
 
 168 THE P.LACK BANNER. 
 
 held by the Count Von Werdenberg, ba- 
 nished every symptom of mistrust. 
 
 Indeed, from the fijst interview with 
 Berthold, Sternheim conceived that he had 
 some prior knowledge of him ; but the 
 idea was so vague, and the suspicion which 
 he entertained so void of probability, that 
 he almost dismissed the thought as soon as 
 formed. At times he even doubted that 
 he was the commander of the men who 
 were denominated banditti ; who then 
 were those over whom he possessed so ab- 
 solute a power? The question puzzled 
 him; but as neither Berthold himself, or 
 the Count Von Werdenberg, thought it 
 prudent to be more explicit, he resolved 
 to be satisfied with the reflection that he 
 was esteemed by both, who doubtless 
 had most satisfactory reasons for their re- 
 serve. 
 
 The conversation during their travelling 
 naturally turned upon the business they 
 were proceeding to investigate; and al- 
 though they could not devise the means 
 by which he had obtained the knowledge 
 
 of
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 169 
 
 of Matilda's retirement; yet they doubted 
 not but that Albert was the perpetrator of 
 the outrage — '' However/' said Berthold^ 
 '' I shall probably be better informed before 
 
 "'^vfe reach the convent." 
 
 '' By what means/' cried- Sternheim, in 
 some astonishme.vt^ '' since no one is ac-. 
 quainted with our proceedings?" 
 
 Berthold smiled — " My friend/* said he, 
 I am sorry that circumstances, and the 
 express desire of the Count Von Werden- 
 berg, oblige me to make you only half a 
 confidant. I well knew your character be- 
 fore we met at the hermitage — knew it to 
 
 ^ be faithful to your late Prince, and no less 
 so to his survivors." Here Berthold ap- 
 peared much affected, a circumstance 
 which dicl not escape the attentive observa- 
 tion of his auditor, and awakened those 
 suspicions which he had before entertained; 
 he, l^oweyer, remained silent ; and Ber- 
 thold speedily recovering himself, added — 
 '' Without the consent of the Count, as I 
 before observed, I cannot at present be 
 VOL. II. I more
 
 170 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 more explicit; suffice it to observe^ that 
 niy will, over those brave men who execute 
 my orders, is absolute. But to our present 
 purpose: — my scouts are now out in every 
 direction; nor is there a Prince in the 
 whole empire in whose dominions I have 
 not agents ready either to act upon the 
 spot, or to send intelligence to me. At 
 this moment, several of the most acute and 
 most confidential are spies upon Albert, 
 whose intentions I have long known; and I 
 much fear that the fate of the Princess 
 Adeline is near at hand. Be not alarmed," 
 continued Berthold, perceiving Sternheim 
 much agitated, '' I trust I shall be success- 
 ful in rescuing her from the dangers by 
 which she is surrounded, as I have already 
 dispatched some of my scouts to the Che- 
 valier D'Armfeldt, whose affection for an 
 unworthy master is deservedly upon the 
 wane; and the intelligence he will receive 
 from me, will, I doubt not, force him to 
 break those bonds of friendship asunder, 
 nearly worn out by repeated insults, art- 
 fully
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. I?! 
 
 fully disguised under the semblance of ho* 
 nourable employment. The hearts of the 
 soldiers are already his, and they only 
 await his commands to revenge their in- 
 sulted country." 
 
 Sternheim listened to this unexpected 
 intelligence with visible impatience — 
 '^ Why/' exclaimed he, " did you not in- 
 form the Count Von Werdenbcrg and the 
 gallant Theodore of a matter of such im- 
 portance to their interests ? Would not the 
 arm of the latter be endowed with ten- 
 fold prowess^ when avenging the cause of a 
 beloved sister^ and the murdered parent of 
 his destined bride ? or would not the coun- 
 sels of the Count Von Werdenberg, whose 
 name alone strikes terror to his foes, he 
 of a still more essential service ?'* 
 
 Sternheim was proceeding in a rapid 
 manner, when Berthold taking him by the 
 hand, which he pressed with the tenderest 
 friendship, observed — '' You may now 
 perceive, my dear Sternheim, by yourself, 
 how the mind of man is almost instanta- 
 1 ^ neously
 
 172 THE BLACK BANNER, 
 
 neously subject to first ideas, which are too 
 frequently acted upon, without judging 
 whether the conclusions to be drawn from 
 them are just or otherwise, and we too 
 often act from the impulse of the moment, 
 while the judgment sleeps. Honoured, as 
 I have been for years, by the friendship of 
 the Count Von Werdenberg, I should ill 
 deserve the entire confidence he reposes 
 in me, was I not to consult him in every 
 iTiinutia relative to so momentous a con- 
 cern. Let this assurance reinstate me in 
 your good opinion, that every e\ent of our 
 lives are mutually known to each other. 
 It was his express wish that Theodore should 
 be kept in ignorance that such a scheme 
 was in agitation, as he dreaded lest the im- 
 petuosity of youth, whit h his late recep- 
 tion at the court of Cla^enfurth has not 
 tended to mitigate, should overwhelm his 
 prudence, and make a premature disclosure 
 of our plans, before they are ready to be 
 put into practice. A fear also, lest you 
 might unintentionally drop some hint of 
 
 it. 
 
 I
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 173 
 
 if, while in daily converse with him, was 
 the objection the Count had to its being 
 imparted to you ; but I was requested to 
 make the earliest communication of it, 
 when entered upon our journey ; and long 
 before our return to the secluded retreat, 
 I trust different scenes will occupy our at- 
 tention, and that the legal heir to the prin- 
 cipality of Clagenfurth will no longer 
 live concealed, but be brought buck in 
 triumph to his admiring subjects/' 
 
 Berthold ceased ; and Sternheim, who 
 was more than ever astonished at what had 
 been disclosed to him, determined to re- 
 strain his curiosity, until such time as a 
 proper opportunity offered, and it was 
 agreeable to the former to elucidate what 
 appeared extraordinary, by the relation of 
 his history. The respect they at first sight 
 entertained for each other seemed hourly 
 to encrease ; great minds, however diffe- 
 rent their stations of life, easily assimilate, 
 and a few slight blemishes are overpow- 
 ered by the resplendency of real virtues; 
 1 3 nav.
 
 17 i THE BLACK EAN^'EK, 
 
 nay, sometimes these very blemishes serve 
 to give additional force to the character in 
 which they are observed. Such was the 
 light in which Sternheim considered his 
 companion. 
 
 According to the direction of Berthold, 
 they had, as before observed^ deviated from 
 the usual tract, and on the first night, fear- 
 less of danger, they became the tenants of 
 a shady grove. The moon shone bright, 
 nor was a sound heard, except the notes of 
 the plaintive nightingale, whose melodious 
 strains lulled their wearied minds to rest. 
 Awaking at the first blush of day, they re- 
 novated their spirits, by partaking of the 
 refreshment which they had prudently 
 brought with them, as Berthold was aware 
 that they should not be able to procure 
 jiny until the second noon, by which time 
 he trusted to reach a place of rendezvous, 
 well known and frequently visited by him. 
 Having finished their frugal, but invigo- 
 rating- repast, they pursued their course in 
 the same direction, without meeting with 
 
 anv
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 175 
 
 any occurrence to attract their attention, 
 until they arrived upon the wild heath 
 over which the traitor Martuccio was con- 
 veying the Princess Adeline. Immedi- 
 ately upon their entrance on it, they dis- 
 cerned the group at a distance, but natu- 
 rallv concluding that they were travellers, 
 quietly pui*suing their journey, they took 
 no particular notice of them. The road, 
 however, that Berthold and his companion 
 were travelling, would necessarily oblige 
 them to pass each other at no great dis- 
 tance ; the rain, as before observed, began 
 to fall in torrents; and as they could easily 
 perceive that the party, whoever they were, 
 were in distress, their natural humanity in- 
 stantly prompted them to hasten to their 
 assistance. The consequence of this bene- 
 volent intention needs not be repeated. 
 Possessed of unbounded resources in his 
 own mind, even upon the most hazardous 
 occasions, Berthold, we have seen, ob- 
 tained an asylum for the wounded monk ; 
 and having consigned the invalid to such 
 I 4 care
 
 176 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 care as he was satisfied would be tendered 
 with the utmost sincerity, he began to be 
 impatient to develop the past scenes. lie 
 knew that his presence was wanted else- 
 where ; but still he could not reconcile it 
 to himself to leave the monastery, until he 
 had procured an interview with the inva- 
 lid ; this, however, the attending physician 
 told him was impossible to be effected im- 
 mediately; for, he observed, that although 
 the dagger had missed a vital part, yet it 
 had penetrated so near to one of the prin- 
 cipal vessels, as to endanger its bursting, by 
 any over exertion during his imbecile state. 
 This intelligence much perplexed him; he 
 wished to depart, but seemed restrained by 
 a superior agency. An accidental circum- 
 stance at length determined him: having 
 inquired, as was his usual custom of a 
 morning, whether the invalid had enjoyed 
 a* favourable night, the monk, whose duty 
 it was to attend him, informed him that 
 his sleep seemed to have been more undis- 
 turbed; but that two or three times he had 
 
 repeated.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 177 
 
 repeated, in so low a voice as scarcely to 
 be heard, "Alas ! unhappi/, deceived Adeline t" 
 Berthold started ; while Sternheim, who 
 happened at that instant to be with him, 
 could hardly support himself; a faint sick- 
 ness seized his manly heart, and he sunk 
 almost insensible upon the couch beside 
 him. The monk, though surprised that 
 the words which he had repeated should 
 have produced such an effect, upon a man 
 whose aspect appeared to denote a firm- 
 ness, rather than an imbecility of mind, 
 speedily administered a cordial, which^soon 
 produced the intended effect; and Stern- 
 heim, ashamed of the weakness he had been 
 betrayed into, and at the same time dread- 
 ing the scrutinizing observation of the 
 monk, whose eyes had been fixed upon 
 him with a meaning he could not fathom, 
 apologized for the trouble he had occa- 
 sioned, attributing it to a return of a disor- 
 der, which he was subject to whenever his 
 mind or body had been engaged in services 
 more laborious than usual. Whether hh 
 I 5 auditor
 
 178 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 auditor gave credit to his excuse, could 
 not be perceived. Mutual civilities passed ; 
 and the monk left the two friends to in- 
 dulge their own observations. 
 
 Berthold, who had kept a strict silence, 
 was the first to break it — '' Something/' 
 said he, *' more than ordinary has taken 
 place ; Albert, I fear, alarmed by the ap- 
 pearance of Theodore at his court, and at 
 the firm courageous conduct he displayed 
 while there, has forestalled even his own 
 designs, and precipitated himself into a 
 gulph, which, although it may create pre- 
 sent uneasiness, will, I trust, eventually over- 
 whelm him with destruction. By some 
 unaccountable means, I doubt not but that 
 he has obtained possession of the Princess; 
 it is only a link of the same chain by which 
 he was in hopes of ensnaring Matilda, who 
 would doubtless have shared the same fate, 
 had not fortune brought me to her rescue. 
 Alas ! who is there to protect the unfortu- 
 nate Adeline? But regret is useless; we 
 
 must act, and that instantly And now I 
 
 b recollect.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 179 
 
 recollect, there appeared to be two more 
 persons in company with the monk: Hea- 
 vens! should it have been Adeline, in the 
 power of one of the minions of Albert! 
 my very blood chills at the idea ; could 
 the monk whom we relieved be a partaker 
 in the deception ? If so, great indeed must 
 be his penance, to wash away the atrocity 
 of his crimes. I cannot, however, suffer 
 such a suggestion to dwell upon my mind; 
 his countenance, although disfigured by 
 the pangs of death, still retained a noble- 
 ness of character, that would spurn at a 
 disgraceful action. I am determined, how- 
 ever, to be satisfied, and that instantly ; 
 minor considerations must give way to 
 those of consequence, which involve the 
 lives not of an individual only, but of a 
 whole nation." 
 
 Sternheim listened with the greatest at- 
 tention ; but taking advantage of a pause, 
 he suggested whether it would not be pro- 
 per to consult the abbot upon the occa- 
 sion ; as, if he was inclined to befriend 
 1 6 their
 
 180 THE BLACK BANNEB. 
 
 their cause, he might be of the most essen- 
 tial service to it, particularly in the emer- 
 gencies of the present moment. 
 
 Berthold hesitated a few minutes; upon 
 reflection, he allowed that the advice was 
 of great weight ; and that present success 
 would far counterbalance any fancied in- 
 jury which their cause might receive from 
 intrusting him--" Besides," continued he, 
 I have every reason to believe, when he 
 knows who I am, that all scruples, if he 
 had any, would instantly vanish, and him- 
 self, together with his whole community, 
 "Would be at our entire devotion. But no 
 time is to be lost; I will instantly com-* 
 mence the experiment; in the meantime, 
 your employment must be to get every- 
 thing ready, that, if necessary, we may 
 leave the monastery at a moment's warn- 
 ing/* With mutual expressions of esteem 
 for each other, they then separated, each ti> 
 their different avocations. 
 
 Although the mind of Sternheim was 
 racked with torturing suspense respecting 
 
 the
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. ISl 
 
 the exclamation uttered by the invalid, stiH 
 it found leisure to admire the great power 
 which his brave companion appeared to 
 possess over individuals of ail ranks, and 
 arguing on the present by the past, his 
 hopes revived, and he flattered himself that 
 he should again experience the heartfelt 
 felicity of seeing the family of his late be- 
 loved master firmly reinstated in their just 
 possessions. 
 
 Berthold, as he went, in order to obtain 
 an audience of the abbot, met him coming 
 out of the apartment into which the 
 wounded monk had been removed, as more 
 commodious Both seemed anxious to 
 address each other, and the former could 
 not avoid observing, that the countenance 
 of the abbot bore strong marks of indigna-^ 
 tion. As if by mutual consent, they re- 
 paired to the suite of rooms peculiarly 
 appropriated to the superior, which were 
 sacred from interruption, not one of the 
 brotherhood daring to intrude, except 
 upon the most urgent and special business, 
 
 and
 
 182 THE BLACK BANNEH. 
 
 and even then, not without an appropriate 
 signal : when seated, each seemed at a loss 
 how to begin the conversation ; and for 
 some time a total silence reigned, until the 
 abbot first breaking it, requested to know 
 whether, when he met him at the door of 
 the invalid, he was going to pay a visit 
 there, or if he had intended to have ho- 
 noured himself with a visit? Berthold 
 confessed that the latter was his primary- 
 object, as his visit to the wounded monk 
 would depend upon the advice which he 
 might receive from him, upon a subject 
 most interesting to all parties concerned. < 
 *' It seems," cried the abbot, hastily inter- 
 rupting Berthold, and crossing himself with 
 great devotion, "as if a superior agency 
 was about to discover crimes of the deep- 
 est dye. I have just left the invalid ; some 
 expressions, which I had been informed 
 had escaped him, either in his sleep, or ra- 
 ther I should suppose upon a partial return 
 of sense, alarmed me, and I esteemed it 
 my duty to investigate, if possible, the 
 
 meaning
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 183 
 
 meaning of them, more especially as from 
 the unconnected manner in which they 
 were related to me, they seemed to pro- 
 ceed from the stings of a guilty conscience.'* 
 
 *' Heavens ! " exclaimed Berthold, " could 
 villany be concealed under so sacred an ap- 
 pearance?*' 
 
 *' Your exclamation does you honour,*' 
 returned the abbot ; *' and I am happy to 
 inform you that my suspicions were unjust; 
 and that the holy father, whose character I 
 have long been acquainted with, but of 
 whose person I was ignorant, has been the 
 victim of those virtues which have raised 
 him in the estimation of his own commu- 
 nity, and of the world at large ** 
 
 " Pardon me for interrupting you,*' 
 cried Berthold ; " but my mind is on the 
 rack. Is the Princess of Clagenfurth con- 
 cerned in your relation?** 
 
 *' She is,*' replied the abbot, with a si^. 
 
 The eyes of Berthold shot fire ,* his whole 
 frame seemed agitated with feelings almost 
 too powerful to undergo ; and he uttered 
 
 the
 
 184 TH E B L A C K BAN N ER. 
 
 the most terrible threats of vengeance upon 
 her persecutors. 
 
 The abbot, who perceived the effect 
 which his intelligence had caused, suffered 
 the first eflTusions of rage to exhaust itself, 
 without endeavouring to sooth them, un- 
 til perceiving him become rather more 
 calm, he, in temperate, though firm lan- 
 guage, reminded him before whom he- 
 was uttering threats, so contrary to the mild 
 precepts of that religion which they all, 
 he hoped, professed. 
 
 Berthold confessed his impropriety, and 
 readily made a suitable apology, which was 
 as readily admitted. The abbot then pro- 
 ceeded to relate the circumstances of the 
 
 •f 
 
 deception practised upon the Princess of 
 Cbgenfurth, and the result, as detailed to 
 him by the monk, to which Berthold list- 
 ened with peculiar attention. At the con- 
 clusion, the latter asked whether the monk 
 knew who it was that personated the Che- 
 valier Seckendorf.? To this question the 
 abbot returned a negative; neither could 
 
 he
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. IS5 
 
 he give any further information upon the 
 subject, as by the violence of the blow, the 
 monk immediately became insensible, and 
 v/as totally ignorant as to the direction in 
 which the Princess was forced off/ although 
 he conjectured it must be into the adjacent 
 forest, its intricacies affording the most se- 
 cure shelter. After hearing all these cir- 
 cumstances, and as the abbot informed him 
 that the monk was much exhausted by the 
 exertions which he had made in giving this 
 information, Berthold waved the paying 
 him a visit in his apartments. 
 
 During the foregoing conversation, the 
 abbot had frequently looked at Berthold 
 with peculiar attention, as if he seemed to 
 recall some long-lost friend to his recollec- 
 tion ; but the idea was so vague and incon- 
 clusive, as to resemble those illusive phan- 
 toms which float upon the imagination, 
 while under the impulse of half- formed 
 dreams, more than reality. This scrutiny 
 did not, however, escape the notice of the 
 latter, who, advancing towards the vener- 
 able
 
 186 THE BLACK BANKER. 
 
 able superior, and affectionately taking his 
 hand, said, with a smile — *' Do you then 
 recosjnize me as a friend?" He was pro- 
 ceeding; but perceiving the abbot exces- 
 sively agitated, and fearful that he might, 
 in the first ebullitions of surprise, disclose 
 more than was as yet prudent to be made 
 known, he added, '' U you still continue 
 to hold me dear, let not a word escape, 
 even that you have previously known me. 
 My reasons are such as I flatter myself you 
 will acquiesce in, when I inform you that 
 Henry Count Von Werdenberg, who ho- 
 nours me with his friendship, enjoins this 
 secrecy." 
 
 The abbot, who had not recovered his 
 first astonishment, was still more surprised 
 when he heard the name of Henry Count 
 Von Werdenberg, as he, together with the 
 rest of the world, the emperor excepted, 
 who had religiously kept the trust reposed 
 in him, had long consigned that hero to the 
 grave. To hear, therefore, of his being 
 alive, and at no great distance from him, 
 
 was
 
 THE BLACK BANNER, 187 
 
 was an event full as wonderful as the ap- 
 pearance of the person who was then ad- 
 dressing him. To his request, however, he 
 gave a ready and friendly acquiescence, 
 although he could not resist from inquiring 
 where he had concealed himself so long? 
 
 Berthold, with a smile, replied — " You 
 will perhaps recall that friendship I have 
 long known the value of, when I inform 
 you that both yourself and your whole so- 
 ciety are indebted to my exertions." 
 
 '^ How!" cried the abbot, in amaze, 
 *' am I to withdraw my friendship for hav- 
 ing received kindness from you, though I 
 own myself ignorant of the obligation?" 
 
 " Do you recollect," said Berthold, 
 '' some few years ago, that a body of sol- 
 diers belonging to a neighbouring poten- 
 tate, who scrupled not to enrich himself by 
 any means, however atrocious, suddenly 
 invaded your peaceful dwellings, and were 
 upon the point of getting possession, not 
 only of your treasures, but of your per- 
 sons also, when an armed force unexpect- 
 edly
 
 188 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 ediy rushed upon them, and not only saved 
 both the lives and property of the society, 
 but revenged the daring sacrilege by a to- 
 tal slausfhter?" 
 
 o 
 
 '' Too well," cried the abbot, ''do I re- 
 member that terrible day: we had given 
 up ourselves for lost, as I was well ac- 
 quainted with the Prince's personal enmity 
 towards mvself ; and am convinced that it 
 %vas principally that circumstance which 
 made him set every thing sacred at defi- 
 ance. No, that event can never be for- 
 gotten, as a solemn jubilee has ever since 
 been constantly held upon the anniversary 
 of our deliverance, to render thanks to the 
 Supreme Being for sending us such un- 
 hoped-for succour in the time of need; 
 indeed, the act itself seemed the interposi- 
 tion of Heaven. Conceive, however, my 
 astonishment, when upon inquiry, I found 
 that our preservers were a band of banditti 
 from the mountains, who were supposed to 
 have been returning from some expedition 
 of their own. Their conduct, however, 
 
 proved
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 189 
 
 proved them in that instance to be men of 
 real honour, for not all my persuasions 
 could make them receive any recompence 
 for the service which they had afforded us. 
 For their leader, for such I supposed him 
 to be, by the implicit obedience paid to 
 him, I confess I felt an affection, the nature 
 of which I could scarcely define. It was 
 in vain, however, I sought to thank hin), 
 as he constantly avoided me. Pleased 
 with his generous conduct, I made it my 
 business to inquire more particularly con- 
 cerning him, but io no purpose; all the 
 intelligence I could gain was, that since he 
 had assumed the command of this troop, 
 they had become the protectors, instead of 
 the terror and plunderers of the country ; 
 and I think that man, whoever he is, who 
 has civilized a set of barbarians, and made 
 them serviceable to society, deserves a 
 greater reward, than thfe one who, sitting at 
 the helm of power, sees aggression flourish, 
 %vhen he possesses the most ample means 
 of preventing it. You smile ! gracious 
 
 Powers!
 
 !90 THE BLACK BANNKK. 
 
 Powers! is it possible? Yes, that look 
 confirms it ; and have I the happiness of 
 embracing a long-lost friend in the person 
 of our generous preserver?" exclaimed the 
 abbot, who forgetting, in the impulse of the 
 moment, the dignity of his high station, 
 threw himself into the arms of Berthold. 
 '' TJiis is the climax of astonishment; how 
 will our whole community adore the man, 
 so long the admiration of all !*' 
 
 *' My friend/' interrupted Berthold, '' re- 
 member that for the present this discovery 
 must remain inviolably sacred in your own 
 'breast, nor must I be known to any one, 
 but by itiy assumed name of Berthold ; any 
 further disclosure would most probably 
 elTectually prevent my taking the necessary 
 steps for the rescue of Adeline, and the 
 punishment of the usurper Albert; for 
 well I know that it is under his sanction the 
 violence has been committed. Besides, 
 matters of still higher moment render fur- 
 ther concealment necessary ; for not even 
 ray companion knows me for any other 
 
 person
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 191 
 
 person than Berthold, the reputed ca[)tain 
 of the banditti^ a title I glory in. Some 
 other time you shall hear the circumstances 
 which placed me in the situation ; and I will 
 venture to assert, that notwithstanding 
 prejudice itself should attempt to blame, 
 that the enlightened Abbot of Grieffen- 
 bergwill not enly applaud, but freely give 
 his absolution.** 
 
 " At least," cried the abbot, with a smile, 
 *' his friendship will strongly incline to the 
 merciful side, and prejudice the opposing 
 arguments of severity sufficiently in your- 
 favour, io secure an acquittal in his heart. 
 But come, it is necessary you should pro- 
 ceed to action ; and as I fear the removal 
 of the monk from this monastery will be 
 attended with much inconvenience to him, 
 he shall be perfectly welcome to remain 
 here as long as he chuses, and I will imme- 
 diately send to his own superior, and ac- 
 count for his absence." 
 
 Berthold appeared thoughtful at this pro- 
 position; an idea floated In his imagination 
 
 that
 
 192 Tr?E BLACK BANKER. 
 
 that he had heard something relative to 
 that superior, which denoted him the sub- 
 servient friend of Albert; but what the 
 subject wasj he could not immediately call 
 to his recollection. He requesfed, how- 
 ever, the abbot to defer his intention, un- 
 til he hc.d consulted his companion Stern- 
 heim ; at the same time he made suitable 
 acknowledgments for his kindness, whichj 
 he observed, he would, with his permission, 
 so far profit by, as to accept of the services 
 of two of the inferior brotherhood, in 
 whom confidence could be placed, in order 
 to send information of the events which 
 had happened to the Count Von Werden- 
 berg ; and also to convey some directions 
 to the nearest rendezvous of his own peo- 
 ple, which was at no great distance; as by 
 the orders which he had conveyed to them 
 previous to his accompanying Sternheim> 
 he knew they were awaiting his further in- 
 structions. 
 
 The abbot readily r.cqu'erced in h's de- 
 sires, as he w^as convinced his plans, thojo^h 
 ^. widely
 
 ■1HE BLACK BANNKR, 105 
 
 widely extended., were so judiciously 
 formed, and so correctly acted upon* as 
 seldom to fail in the execution. They se- 
 parated, therefore, for the present, the one 
 to give-i.^otructions to those who were to 
 be honoured with the trust, the other to 
 consult with his associate what further 
 measures it would be necessary to pursue. 
 
 Eerthold found Sternheim anxiously 
 awaicing the event of his conversation with 
 the superior ; nor did the latter wonder, 
 after what had already passed, at the sub- 
 missive and friendly conduct of the abbot. 
 The question relative to the superior of 
 the monastery in wjiich the wounded monk 
 commonly resided, Sternheim answered by 
 relating the transactions which took place 
 theye, when Theodore and himself first 
 sought its shelter. This was a decisive ne- 
 .gative to the proposition of sending any 
 intelh'gence to that quarter. 
 
 It now became the subject of their 
 thoughts what steps they should first take, 
 whether to remain passive, until the return 
 
 VOL. II. K of
 
 Vj'i TnE -BLACK BANX'ET?. 
 
 of the respective messengers, or whether 
 they should immediately begin ("heir search 
 after the Princess Adeline ; for every doubt 
 jof her identity was removed by the intelli- 
 gence obtained from th^ monk. It must 
 Ije observed that they had, upon the first 
 discovery, discarded the idea of pursuing 
 their original intention of visiting the con- 
 vent of St. Pierre ; for being perfectly 
 convinced that both acts of atrocity pro- 
 ceeded from the same source, and as the 
 one had been most fortunately defeated,! 
 and the object of it in perfect security, 
 they deemed it best to confine their exer- 
 tions to the cause of the Princess ; and 
 after freely canvassing the subject, and set- 
 ting it in every point of view, they came 
 to the resolution of remaining at the mo- 
 nastery, until they had obtained the intel- 
 ligence which they had employed their 
 messengers to procure. 
 
 The situation of the Princess Adeline 
 was most critical ; but Berthold wisely 
 judged, that if the villain who was em- 
 ployed
 
 THE BLACK BANNRR. 195 
 
 piovcci found a pursuit discontinued, he 
 would most probably be contented vvitk 
 executing his original design, without fur- 
 ther violence or injury; whereas, on the 
 contrary, disappointment, and the cer- 
 tainty of his own life beinij the sacrifice of 
 his conduct, might induce a heart callous 
 to every feeling of humanity effectually 
 to prevent the success of his pursuers, by- 
 resorting to the most desperate means; and 
 the life of his innocent victim might pos- 
 sibly prove the ultimate resource of his re- 
 venge, upon the detection of his imposi- 
 tion. Influenced by these ideas, Berthold 
 and Sternheim remained in the monastery; 
 znd the abbot, to whom they had confided 
 their reasons for their apparent inactivity 
 under the existing circumstances, added 
 his cordial approbation of their plan^ and 
 n;rain repeated his offers of every assistance 
 it was in his power to grant. 
 
 Many of the incidents relative to Ber- 
 thold surprised the venerable superior; 
 ';ut confiding in his former ivell-knowu 
 K 2 sense
 
 196 "THE BLACK BANNT:R. 
 
 sense of honour, added (o tb.at of the Cottnt 
 Yort Werdenberg, he felt convinced thtit^ 
 even should some actions bo proved not 
 perfectly correct, according to rigid seve- 
 rity, yet that the impulse of the most ur- 
 gent necessity, which rose superior to the 
 nicer points of propriety, alone occasioned 
 a partial deviation from ii: ; thus, he gene- 
 rously considered it, not as the act of the 
 heart, which still remained untainted, but 
 of some sudden and incontroulable im- 
 pulse, too powerful for the imperfect frame 
 of man to endure. 
 
 While the friends of the Princess of 
 ■Clagenfurth were thus consulting, not only 
 upon the means of rescuing her from her 
 present duress, but also of taking a signal 
 revenge for the insult which the difTercnt 
 branches of her family received in the 
 forced detention of her person, she was suf- 
 fering under every torture of mind that 
 human nature could endure. When she 
 had recovered her sensibility, which was 
 mot until MartUGcio had conveyed her 
 
 deep
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 197. 
 
 deep into the labyrinth of the forest, she- 
 looked around with unfeigned astonish- 
 ment : some faint recollection of the past 
 crossed her imagination ; but so bewildered 
 were her ideas, that it seemed but as the 
 vision of the brain. Happening to catch 
 tH^ eye of her companion, who, having" 
 laid her upon a bank, free from tlie under- 
 wood and brambles, was most anxiously, 
 awaiting her returning sense, in order to 
 proceed upon his intended plan, for hav- 
 ing, as he conceived, escaped the threatened 
 danger of detection, he had no intention of. 
 relinquishing it, she shuddered with horror - 
 at the expression visible in it; and although 
 her spirit revolted at the idea of entering, 
 into any conversation with her betrayer, 
 yet finding her mental powers beginning 
 to regain that strength of which the unex- 
 pected act of Martuccio towards the monk 
 had only caused a temporary relaxation, 
 but not entirely subdued, she asked him by 
 kvhat right he had dared to violate the asy- 
 lum which she had chosen, and by a stra-- 
 K 3 tagein
 
 19S THE BLAC?: BANNER. 
 
 }a2;cm as mean as crncl, had deprived Ikt 
 of the consolation of those few friends 
 v/hich her unhappy fate had left her? 
 
 Martiiccio was struck dnmb at the cool, 
 yet dignified manner in which she addressed 
 him ; he had expected a torrent of re- 
 ])roaches, and those violent ebullitions of 
 fury^ which are so frequently, yet uselessly, 
 vented from the overburthened heart; yet 
 here, all was, in outward appearance, calm 
 and unruffled, so much so, as to baffle even 
 his wonted" effrontery ; and he hesitated to 
 return an answer. The Princess perceived 
 his indeeision, and hoping, by lenient, yet 
 resolute measures, to gain time, if not ul- 
 ti-mateJy to effect her escape, she prevented 
 a reply, by adding — " I perceive you are 
 but the tool of some superior power, who 
 has long persecuted me, and even at this 
 iostant, perhaps flatters himself that the 
 unhappy Adeline is in his power, and that 
 his subservient instrument h^s effected his 
 nefarious commission; but,*^' continued the 
 Princess, looking at Martuccio with an eye 
 
 under
 
 TTTE BLACK BANNER. 199" 
 
 mider the beams of which his cornvtenance 
 fell, and at the same time lifting r.p her 
 hands to Heaven, '' let the usurper consi- 
 der that there is an all-ruling Power that 
 overlooks his most secret actions ; and 
 that, although for purposes unknown to 
 us, it permits -^ice to reign triuTnphant for 
 a time, yet it will never desert those wha 
 pursue the paths of virtue ; and Adeline 
 de Mountfort feels herself as safe in the 
 wilds of the forest, as if surrounded by the 
 satellites of power." 
 
 There is something indescribable in vir- 
 tue, the influence of which, even the most 
 abandoned cannot at all ti in es resist ; and 
 although it may not deter the cansummate- 
 villain from ultimately pursuing his nefa- 
 rious designs, yet it acts as a temporary- 
 check upon the immediate propensity. 
 
 The Princess perceived the effect her ap-^ 
 peal had produced, and willing, if possible, 
 to induce her betrayer to reconduct her to 
 the convent, from which he had so artfully- 
 decoyed her, she made use of every argu- 
 K 4 ment
 
 1*00 TftE BLACK BANNEir. 
 
 ment in her power to obtain her purpose. 
 The protection of her own family from the 
 dVead of Albert's resentment, their un- 
 bounded generosity, together with every 
 temptation that appeared likely to per- 
 suade, were promised, in language calcu- 
 lated to overcome the most rigorous and' 
 determined. 
 
 Martuccio listened in sullen silence, and 
 seemed as if vreighing in his own mind the 
 proposals of the Princess. Hope for an 
 instant revived, until the former, breaking 
 from the taciturnity which he had so in- 
 flexibly retained, annihilated the flattering 
 prospect, by observing, that indebted as 
 he was to Albert, the reigning Prince of 
 Clagenfurth, his inclination, his allegiance, 
 and every tie of friendship, obliged him to 
 favour his cause. The charge of deception 
 he readily avowed; he even acknowledged 
 it to be his own plan, and justified it upon 
 the grounds that the passion of the Prince 
 was uncontroulable, and that he was deter- 
 mined to sei^e by force the Princess of 
 
 Clagenfurth,
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. %0 l 
 
 Clagenfurth, since all entreaties either to 
 admit himself, or emissaries, were rigidly 
 denied to him — '' Confident of this resolu- 
 tion,"^ continued Martuccio, " which was- 
 even ready to be put in practice, and sen- 
 sible that in the execution of it, much 
 unnecessary violence would be used, nei- 
 ther indeed could the fatal consequences 
 be foreseen, which might attend it, I pre- 
 vailed upon him to listen to a scheme, 
 which accident alone suggested; but which, 
 if successful, would answer every purpose, 
 and prevent any of those dreadful circum- 
 stances so much to be feared. The result 
 you know. The late accident (Adeline 
 turned away with horror) was the act of a 
 moment, not of deliberation; and I trust 
 that the strangers, whoever they were, will 
 arrive time enough to give succour to the 
 uji fortunate monk. Let me, however, as- 
 sure you, that although in the power of 
 Albert, you have nothing to dread, as I have 
 express orders, when arrived at theplace of 
 your present destination, to pay every af- 
 K 5 ' tcntic*!
 
 20:^ THfi BLACK BANNER. 
 
 tention due to the Princess of Clagenfiirth. 
 It cerrainly was not my wish to have made 
 this discovery, until our arrival at the ren- 
 dezvous, where the retinue appointed to 
 attend you are in waiting; let me then en- 
 treat you to suflfer me to conduct you to 
 some place where you may obtain the ne- 
 cessary refreshment." 
 
 The Princess listened with calmness to 
 the recital of Martuccio ; it informed her 
 of little more than she already suspected ; 
 she considered, however, that in her present 
 state, resistance would avail nothing, but 
 might tend to render her more unable to 
 bear up against her misfortunes, and per- 
 haps deprive her of the opportunity of 
 counteracting his schemes. Besides, she 
 began to find her spirits sink ; but this, or 
 the certain prospect of death itself, would 
 have been of little moment, had not the 
 recurrence of her thoughts to her long- 
 lost Rodolphus stimulated her to preserve 
 that life for him, which she would with 
 pleasure have laid down for his sake. 
 
 5 The
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 20^ 
 
 The force with which she had been drag- 
 ged through the resisting briars, had de- 
 prived her of great part of her apparel ; and 
 to return to the carriage was a proposal, 
 which she was well aware would not be 
 consented to by her companion; adjust- 
 ing, therefore, the disorder of her dress, as- 
 well as circumstances would permit, she si- 
 lently suffered herself to be conducted in- 
 to a path, which appeared opposite to the 
 direction in which they were before tra- 
 velling. Having at length reached a spot^ 
 where four ways met> Martuccio hesitated a, 
 few moments^ looking around him, as if to^ 
 descry the proper avenue by which he- 
 could emancipate himself from the forest. 
 Adeline watched his looks, and fancied that 
 she perceived an irresolution in his man- 
 ner. She was once moreupon the point of 
 addressing him, when catching hold of her 
 arm, with an assurance he had never before 
 used, and which for the moment alarmed: 
 her, he desired her to hasten forward as ra- 
 pidly as possible, when they should soon 
 K 6 arrive
 
 204 THE BLACK BAKNEE. 
 
 arrive at a cottage^, where refreshment might 
 be procured. A lingering hope, that she 
 might find protection in the benevolence 
 of its inhabitants, induced the Princess to 
 comply, without visible reluctance ; and 
 after travelling some time further, fre- 
 quently changing their course, as if to pre- 
 vent a recognition of it, the promised shel- 
 ter appeared in view. Adeline hailed the 
 grateful appearance, as she found herself 
 almost overcome by the ai^itation both of 
 mind and body. Before, hovvever, they 
 entered the cottage, her companion taking 
 their future hostess, who appeared at the 
 lirst summons, aside, whispered to her in 
 private ; a low obeisance bespoke a ready 
 acquiescence. These preliminaries being 
 adjusted, they entered the humble dwel- 
 ling; the appearance of the inside corres- 
 ponded with the aspect from without ; but 
 although poverty was conspicuous, yet an 
 air of such simple neatness pervaded the 
 whole, as astonished the Princess, who ex- 
 pected to have beheld one of those desolate 
 
 ruins.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER*, 205 
 
 ruins, so frequently the residence of the 
 indigent peasantry. A meal, coarse, yet 
 served up with cleanliness, invited even the 
 most fastidious stomach ; and Adeline, who 
 felt herself nearly exhausted, readily par- 
 took of the tempting repast. This being 
 concluded, she, without seemingly paying 
 any attention to Martuccio, asked the cot- 
 tager, who waited upon her at an humble 
 distance, as if conscious of her superior 
 rank, if she could retire to any apartment 
 where she might take some rest? A signi- 
 ficant glance was exchanged between her 
 companion and the mistress of the cottage, 
 ^vhich was not unobserved by the Princess; 
 all remarks, however, v;ere rendered need- 
 less, by her being informed by her hostess, 
 that the only apartment in which she could 
 rest undisturbed should be prepared for 
 her as soon as possible — '* For unused," 
 said she, " to the company of strangers, 
 her husband, whose arrival she every in- 
 stant expected, and herself, occupied the 
 only one at present fitted up; though shse 
 
 assured
 
 206 THE BI ACK BANNER. 
 
 assured her that in a few minutes she could 
 make the other, which %vas the only one 
 they possessed besides, very comfortable.** 
 The talkative hostess was proceed in^^, un- 
 mindful of the fatigue of the Princess> 
 which was very visible, to expatiate upon 
 the various articles of accommodation, 
 when a stern and peremptory command 
 from Martuccio to hasten them, sent her 
 muttering from the apartment. In a much 
 shorter time than could be supposed, every 
 thing was in readiness; and the Princess, 
 although with an heart ill at ease, and sen- 
 sible of her unprotected state, (for she had 
 little hopes of receiving any assistance from 
 the inhabitant of the cottage, who seemed 
 entirely in the interest of her conductor) 
 retired, trusting in that Providence which 
 she had constantly believed would guard 
 her from every evil. 
 
 It has been before observed, that Mar- 
 tuccio was much better acquainted with the 
 intricacies of the forest than he had chosen 
 to discover; and he now found the recog- 
 nition
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 207 
 
 nition to be of peculiar importance. At 
 first he was rather doubtful by what quar- 
 ter he should emerge from it; but his 
 usual good fortune conducting him to the 
 spot where the four ways met^ instantly 
 brought the whole scene to his recollection, 
 although it was some years since he had 
 wandered through its purlieus. He re- 
 membered the cottage to which he con- 
 ducted Adeline, as it had frequently been 
 used by him upon different occasions; and 
 although he was ignorant w-ho its present 
 inhabitants were, yet he made httle doubt 
 but that they were similar in their princi- 
 ples to those whom he recollected to have 
 been the tenants. But even should he be 
 disappointed in this expectation, he was 
 prepared to overcome all difficulties: they 
 were still in the dominions of Albert, and 
 his name, he doubted not, would be an am- 
 ple passport. This, however, he. reserved 
 as a dernier resource ; and as he was well 
 apprised of the mercenary disposition cf 
 the peasantry in general, he determined to 
 
 attach
 
 208 THE BLACK BANNER^ 
 
 attach the cottagers to his cause by the most 
 liberal promises^ and fancied that if he 
 could once gain the female, her husband 
 would readily acquiesce in the terms. As 
 soon, therefore, as it was ascertained that 
 the Princess was asleep, for notwithstand- 
 ing all her fears, exhausted nature claimed 
 her rights, Martuccio explained, as far as 
 he deemed necessary, the enterprize he was 
 engaged in, and the necessity he had been 
 under of claiming the hospitality of the 
 cottage. Few words were necessary ; pro- 
 mises, well adapted for the occasion, were 
 profusely made, and as greedily accepted ; 
 and a short conversation apparently bound 
 the female in the chains of servile obedi- 
 ence to all his commands.. 
 
 The situation of the monk had not been 
 forgotten by Martuccio, and it became an. 
 object of material concern to him, to know 
 whether he had expired, or been carried off 
 by the strangers. This intelligence he 
 conceived might be obtained through the 
 medium of the husband^ who was momea- 
 
 tarily .
 
 TliE BLACK BANNED, 209 
 
 tarily' expected to return home; however, 
 before he committed his secret to his care, 
 he deemed it necessary to reconnoitre his 
 approach, in order to jnclge whether he 
 appeared of a description proper to be 
 truste'd lipoh" such an occasion; for not- 
 withstanding he thought himself certain of" 
 the female's interest, yet as he could not 
 procure a direct answer relative to the oc- 
 cupation of her husband, his natural cau- 
 tion prompted him to be circumspect. To 
 accomplitih his purpose, without givincr- 
 suspicion of any design, he walked to and' 
 fro before the cottage, making various ob- 
 servations upon its situation, and several' 
 other comments which he conceived might 
 take off the attention of iiis hostess (who 
 repeatedly asked him if he would not re- 
 pose himself) from his principal object. 
 Every minute seemed an hour, as Adeline 
 might awake, and by her presence frustrate 
 his design. His expectation was at length 
 repaid, as at the end of a long narrow ave- 
 nue which led to the cottage, appeared a 
 
 stout
 
 210 TriE BLACK^ BANKER. 
 
 Stout healthy-looking man, clad in the or- 
 dinary costume of the country. As soon 
 as he arrived, Mavtuccio apologized for 
 having intruded upon the cottage, in order 
 to obtain refreshment for a distressed fe- 
 male, who was sinkiri.g, under fatigue. A 
 cordial welcome banished every unfavour- 
 able suspicion from the mind of Martuccio, 
 who, however, was at a loss how to- enter 
 upon the subject relative to the monk. 
 
 The return of the peasant introduced a 
 fresh supply of their home-brewed beve- 
 rage; and during the conversation whicb 
 ensued, the latter mentioned his surprise 
 at having seen, upon the adjacent commoi^ 
 part of a broken carriage, together with a 
 dead horse, and that near it were the re- 
 mains of a large quantity of blood, al- 
 though there was no appearance by which 
 he could judge how it came there. Mar'- 
 tuccio, after a moment's thought, inquired 
 whether he supposed it might not proceed 
 from some outrage committed by the ban- 
 ditti, who, he understood, did not solely 
 
 confine
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 211 
 
 confii>e themselves to the mountains, but 
 frequently descended into the valley? A 
 hectic flush seemed to pass over the coun- 
 tenance of the cottager at this suggestion ; 
 but a glance from his wife instantly restored 
 his usual serenity. Martuccio perceived 
 the sudden transition, but prudently took 
 no notice of it; and as no immediate an- 
 swer was returned, and he had obtained the 
 knowledge he wanted, without discovering 
 his interest in it, he adroitly turned the 
 conversation upon various subjects, quite 
 foreign to the existing circumstances. 
 
 It had been Martuccio's intention to have 
 engaged the assistance of the husband ; but 
 ntiturally suspicious, he abandoned his de- 
 sign : he became restless, and eager to de- 
 part; and more than once desired his 
 hostess to see whether the lady was not suf- 
 ficiently refreshed to resume her journey. 
 The answers he received appeared illusive, 
 and solely calculated for delay ; he per- 
 ceived also some intelliL^ent glances pass 
 between the husband and wife, which 
 
 alarmed
 
 212 TliE BLACr BANNER. 
 
 alrirmed him ; and he most severely blamect 
 his precipitancy in having ventured to re- 
 main there, without a more earefiil inves- 
 tigation of the inhabitants. He knew he 
 vas well -armed, and depended upon the all- 
 powerful name of Albert for a ready obe- 
 dience to all his commands; but i\lthough 
 this might give him some power^ yet he had 
 too frequently experienced the daring in* 
 dependency of the residents in that forest, 
 to have his mind perfectly at ease. Nor 
 did the conduct of Sebastian, so was the 
 cottager named, serve to alleviate his in* 
 creasing anxiety. The questions he asked, 
 although they were not couched in direct 
 terms, evidently tended to discover in 
 what enterprize he was engaged. Martuc- 
 cio for a long time attempted to parry this 
 inquisitiveness ; but at- last some expres- 
 sions, which conscious guilt attributed to. 
 himself, roused his dormant passions, and 
 he haughtily commanded his host to cease, 
 his impertinent curiosity. 
 
 Sebastian received the axithoritative die*- 
 
 tate
 
 THE BT-.\GX BANKER. ^IS 
 
 tate with every symptom of humility; and 
 cordiality was in appearance once more 
 restored. A fresh supply of the generous 
 beverage was ordered; when it was brought, 
 taking .the flowing can into his hands^ and 
 turning ^o his wife, he said — '• Come, Ma- 
 rian, hero's success to your brother, my 
 comrade Bernardo ; I expect his arrival 
 every instant." 
 
 A sudden exclamation from Martuccio 
 prevei>ted the unfinished draught. The 
 eyes of Sebastian and Marian were imme- 
 diately fixed upon him; every nerve trem- 
 bled with agitation and restrained passion; 
 and so great was his confusion at intelli- 
 gence so unexpected, and which threatenc I 
 to overturn all his Ivigh-vvrought. plans, that 
 he rose suddenly from the table, and re- 
 gardless of the observations which might 
 be made upon the peculiarity of his con- 
 duct, he rushed out of the house. 
 
 Marian seemed surprised at the behaviour 
 of her guest ; and was beginning to ex- 
 press her astonishment to Sebastian^, when 
 
 the
 
 214 THE Et,ACK BANNIiR. 
 
 the latter, vvithonl noticing the past, made 
 inquiries respecting the female. Marian 
 hesitated, as if fearful of the consequences, 
 should she, after her promises to Martuccio, 
 betray the confidence which she supposed 
 he had placed in her. Upon a repetition, 
 however, of the demand, in a tone which 
 she dared not disobey, she mentioned the 
 circumstances of his arrival, and the extra- 
 vagant promises which he had made her, 
 should his female companion, upon her 
 aw^aking, shew any repugnance to continue 
 her journey. 
 
 Sebastian seemed buried in reflection ; 
 but hearing the sound of approaching foot- 
 steps, which he concluded was his guest 
 returning, he turned to his wife, and with 
 a look, which she could easily interpret, 
 said, hastily — '' Remember your duty. '' Uc 
 had scarcely uttered these words, when the 
 door of the cottage opening, Martuccio 
 entered, and commanded Marian to rouse 
 his companion, as circumstances compelled 
 him to recommence their journey immedi- 
 ately ;
 
 THE EI.ACK BANKET?. 215 
 
 ately ; so entirely was his mind occupied, 
 that he seemed to have forgotten that Se- 
 bastian was present, until turning suddenly 
 round, he discovered him seated quietly in 
 one corner of the fire-place. Had a basi- 
 lisk appeared, it could not have produced 
 a more sudden effect. He had thrown off 
 the long cloak which he wore, and which 
 answered the double purpose of protecting 
 him from the inclemency of the weather, 
 and also of concealing, upon necessaiy 
 occasions^ his usual dress, which was the 
 general costnme of those who were called 
 the hunters of the Alps. Their vest was 
 dark green ; and by their side hung a scy- 
 mitar, confessedly more for use than shew, 
 while a broad belt, in which were stuck two 
 brace of pistols, completed their equip- 
 ment. 
 
 The terror of Martuccio, upon the dis- 
 covery of this formidable appearance^ was 
 loo real to be mistaken ; and before he 
 could sufficiently recollect himself to form 
 ^ome plan of action upon such an emer- 
 gency,
 
 gl6 THE BLACK BANNEB. 
 
 gency, a shrill whistle from without com- 
 pleted his alarm. Neither Sebastian, how- 
 ever, or his wife, who had delayed execu- 
 ting his peremptory command, took any 
 notice of his confusion ; and the former, 
 upon hearing the well-known signal, care- 
 lessly observed— " If is Bernardo returned; 
 let him in, Marian ; he must be in want of 
 some refreshment.'* A prompt obedience 
 shewed the j)leasure with ^vhich Marian 
 executed the order, and in a few moments 
 Bernardo entered. After mutual congra- 
 tulations, Sebastian introduced his guest to 
 Bernardo, as a stranger, who, having the 
 charge of a female, had been obliged 
 through fatigue to take some rest at his 
 cctta.ge. His manner gave some ease to 
 the trembling hvpocrite, and his hopes of 
 pursuing his journey unmolested revived. 
 These, however, were momentary, as Ber- 
 nardo, after returning the salutation, by 
 throwing aside a similar cloak to that worn 
 by Sebastian, discovered himself equipped 
 the same as the latter. 
 
 Transfixed
 
 XilE BLACK BANNER/ 217 
 
 Transfixed with terror, Martuccio me- 
 chanically sat down in the vacant seat al- 
 lotted to him. He remained, however, to- 
 tally silent, fearful of repeating those coip- 
 mands which he had given on his re-en-i- 
 trance, in so peremptory a manner. 
 
 In the meantime, Adeline had enjoyed 
 -a calm uninterrupted repose ; and she 
 awoke, not only refreshed in body, but 
 with her spirits much revived by a dream, 
 which she fancied prognosticated an happy 
 end to her misfortunes. 
 
 It is well known, that in the earlier agej?, 
 dreams were almost universally considered 
 as the harbingers of good or evil; and 
 such was the implicit faith put in them, that 
 when their meaning was veiled in an ob- 
 scurity too dense for common capacities 
 to develop their meaning, recourse was 
 immediately liad to those beings who were 
 supposed to act under a superior agency, 
 and consequently possessed the power of 
 penetrating into, and explaining, the great- 
 est mysteries, as well as foretelling future 
 
 VOL. n. L events.
 
 218 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 events. Neither are there in this moreen- 
 lightened age wanting men, who cannot 
 dispossess themselves of a similar belief of 
 those fantastic visions of the brain, although 
 they may not be quite so superstitious as 
 to have recourse to similar measures for 
 their interpretation. 
 
 Unconscious of any addition to the in- 
 habitants of the cottage, the Princess des- 
 cended from her apartment. Upon open- 
 ing the door she started; the impulse, how- 
 ever, was momentary, and she advanced to 
 a seat which was offered, with a dignity that 
 awed the beholders. Being informed by 
 Marian that it was her husband and bro- 
 ther who were present, she gracefully 
 thanked the former for the kind atten- 
 tion which she had received ; and without 
 noticing her travelling companion, pre- 
 pared to partake of the simple refreshment 
 of milk and eggs, which had been provided 
 for her. Yet notwithstanding this apparent 
 calmness, her mind was harassed by a con- 
 trariety of emotions. On her first en- 
 trance.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 219 
 
 trance^ the habiliments of Bernardo and 
 Sebastian had most forcibly attracted her 
 notice; and she shuddered with apprehen- 
 sion, lest she should have fallen into more 
 savage hands even tban those of her base 
 betrayer. She had frequently heard of 
 the banditti, who were reported to infest 
 the neighbouring mountains; and every 
 circumstance seemed to point out Bernar- 
 do and Sebastian as belonging to that 
 dreaded society. Yet their behaviour ap- 
 peared divested of that savage fierceness 
 which her imagination had painted to it- 
 self, as the characteristics of men of that 
 description : she had also observed, that 
 they frequently took an opportunity of 
 looking at her, when they conceived they 
 should be the least observed ; still their 
 looks seemed more of compassion than 
 otherwise; and she almost resolved to dis* 
 cover her rank, and throwing herself upon 
 their generosity, claim their protection ; 
 but the dread, lest the knowledge might 
 rather tempt them to detain her, arose par 
 L 2 amount
 
 220 TiPE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 amount to her first resolution^ and deterred 
 her from putting her intention into execu- 
 tion. She was confident that they were 
 not either accomplices of Martuccio^ or in 
 his interest^ as he evidently appeared pe- 
 culiarly uneasy ; indeed, he was sensible of 
 the precarious situation into which he had 
 so incautiously thrown himself, as he en- 
 tertained the sane suspicions as the Princess, 
 and was too well acquainted with the cus- 
 toms of their society, not to be apprehen- 
 sive of the most terrible consequences in 
 falling into their power. The defeat of 
 his plan respecting the Princess became a 
 secondary consideration ; his own liberty, 
 perhaps his life, was at stake. For some 
 time he was irresolute in what manner to 
 act, until roused to exertion, by observing 
 Bernardo and Sebastian in close cgnversa- 
 tion, the tenor of which he could not dis- 
 cover, he abruptly inquired of the Princess 
 if she was ready to recommence her jour- 
 ney ? Although prepared to expect such 
 a question, the demand seemed to electrify 
 
 the
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 221 
 
 the whole party. A moment's considera- 
 tion, however, decided the conduct of 
 Adeline ; and she silently arose to make 
 preparations for her departure. Bernardo 
 and Sebastian looked at each other, not un- 
 observed by Martuccio, who narrowly 
 watched every movement. Decision was 
 necessary ; thanking, therefore, the inha- 
 bitants of the cottage for their kind accom- 
 modation, he seized the hand of the Prin- 
 cess, and hastily emerged into the forest. 
 
 As soon as he had lost sight of the cot- 
 tage, he struck into an obscure path, not 
 doubting but by that means he should 
 elude any pursuit, should their late com- 
 panions attempt to overtake them; for 
 judging of othei-s by himself, hecansidered 
 bimself far from being safe from their 
 power. Each continued silent, though 
 from different causes. The Princess deeply 
 reflected upon her situation, and more than 
 once regretted the irresolution which pre- 
 vented her from thro win ii herself upon th 
 
 ip( 
 
 le 
 
 mercy of the cottagers, rather than have 
 L 3 submitted
 
 £52 THE BLACK BAKNEB, 
 
 submitted to a voluntary accompafnymenl 
 of her insidious betrayer ; while Martuccio 
 even wondered at his good fortune, in hav- 
 ing, as he flattered himself, escaped from a 
 danger so imminent, without any abandon- 
 ment of his original design ; a few hours, 
 Jhe was confident, would bring him to the 
 place of rendezvous, where the minions of 
 Albert were in waiting to conduct the un- 
 fortunate Princess to a castle belonging to 
 him, situated in the interior of the moun- 
 tains, and deemed inaccessible. His suc- 
 cess was at length complete ; and Adeline, 
 finding herself in no immediate danger, 
 calmly resigned herself to her fate, not 
 doubting but that her disappearance would 
 rouse the vigilance of all the adherents to 
 the house ofMountfort. 
 
 D\iring these transactions, Albert was 
 awaiting in the utmost anxiety intelligence 
 from Martuccio ; he had been informed, by 
 means of his numerous spies, of his success 
 in removing the Princess from the protec- 
 tion of the abbess of St. Veilj yet no account 
 
 had
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 2€3 
 
 tiad arrived of any further proceedings. 
 Her disappearance had occasioned various 
 conjectures; many supposed that she had 
 really escaped, and had sought the protec- 
 tion of some of her numerous family ; while 
 others, who knew the interest that Albert 
 took concerning her, conjectured the truth, 
 \vhich the long and unusual absence of the 
 new favourite tended to confirm. A mes- 
 senger dispatched from the rendezvous by 
 Martuccioj banished the uncertainty of Al- 
 bert, who not doubting but that the allegi- 
 ance of the principality of Clagenfurth 
 was firmly rooted, secretly prepared to quit 
 that city, in order to repair to the Castle 
 of Mittewald, where he trusted, that either 
 by complacency or terror, he should ob- 
 tain complete possession of the person of 
 Adeline. 
 
 The evening subsequent to the arrival 
 of the welcome messenger was destined 
 for his departure; seated in the retirement 
 of his palace, he sat ruminating on his ex- 
 pected happiness, when a sudden and un- 
 h 4i expected
 
 ^^4 T«K BLACK BANNER, 
 
 expected incident not only put to fli^^ht 
 every pleasure which his luxurious imagi- 
 nation had formed, but threatened also to 
 destroy his very existence. 
 
 Early in the forenoon previous to his 
 intended departure, a courier, breathless 
 >vith haste, and pale with terror, rushed in- 
 to the apartment, where, wrapt in deep me- 
 ditation^ Albert lay extended upon a couch. 
 An intrusion so daring and unusual caused 
 him to start from his reclining posture; 
 and he hastily demanded the occasion of 
 such presumption. Already sufSciently 
 terrifijed, the trembling messenger could 
 with difficulty inform him, that the Che- 
 valier p'Armfeldt was marching with the 
 utmost expedition towards the city of Cla- 
 genfurth, distributing manifestoes through- 
 out the country as he passed, alledging that 
 Albert, whom he denominated an usurper 
 had basely sought to obtain possession of 
 the relatives of the deceased Prince, in or- 
 der that he might annihilate a race, which 
 he pursued with unrelenting vengeance ; 
 
 he
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 92^ 
 
 he added, that the peasants flocked to him 
 in crowds, uttering the most dreadful threats 
 of retaliation for the murder of their lat^ 
 sovereign ; and that a few hours would 
 bring them within sight of the city, as he 
 had, with the utmostdiffieulty, outrode tile- 
 foremost detachments* 
 
 Albert, though by nature brave, turned 
 pale at this intelligence ; in an instant he- 
 comprehended the extent of his danger;: 
 yet his presence of niind did not forsake 
 him; he immediately ordered the messen- 
 ger to summon his attendants, whom he 
 dispatched to colJect such of his friends to^ 
 the palace, whom he deemed true to his. 
 interests ; while ia the meantime, he him-^ 
 self fiew ta different pa^ts of the city, in 
 order to examine its ramparts, and to put 
 every place into a proper state to repel; 
 the threatened attack. 
 
 The intelligence qvuickTy circulated'; all^ 
 was bustle and confusion, and the terrified 
 inhabitants dreaded lest t4iey should expe- 
 rience a repetition of the same scenes 
 L 5: whicb
 
 226 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 which had before created so great a devas- 
 tation. But although Albert was thus ac- 
 tive, his mind was ill at ease ; it is true, he 
 soon found himself surrounded by a nume- 
 rous body of troops, sufficient, had he been 
 certain of their fidelity, to have bade defi- 
 ance to any assault; but his conscience 
 whispered to him, that he had ill deserved 
 their confidence; and he had every reason 
 to fear, that upon the appearance of their 
 fellow-citizens before the walls, they would 
 join, rather than oppose them. Part, how- 
 ever, of his army was composed of those 
 troops with whom he had achieved the 
 conquest of the principality ; and as these 
 ivere chiefly his hereditary vassals, he felt a 
 dependance of their performing their duty ; 
 these he stationed at the most vulnerable 
 parts of the city, selecting from them a 
 pertain number of the most approved to 
 ^ttend upon his own person. Having thus 
 performed all the duties of an experienced 
 general, he awaited the hour of attack. To 
 the superficial observance of his officers, 
 
 his
 
 THE BLACK BANNER, 227 
 
 his demeanour appeared firm and courage- 
 pus: rewards proportionate to their ser- 
 vices were lavishly promised to such as con- 
 tinued faithful to his interests, while threats 
 of the most signal vengeance were de- 
 nounced against those whom he branded 
 with the appellation of rebellious subjects. 
 His more immediate dependants^ and those 
 who, as before observed, had originally as- 
 sisted him in the conquest of the principa- 
 lity, repeated their vows of fidelity ; and 
 with reiterated shouts of " I^ong live the 
 heroic Albert/' demanded to be led against 
 the enemv, whom they denominated trai- 
 tors to their Prince and country. But 
 Albert, notwithstanding he admired the 
 ardour of his soldiers, restrained, but with 
 some difficulty, their enthusiastic courage. 
 He was sensible of the abilities of his op- 
 ponent ; for although his pride would not 
 permit him openly to avow it, yet his con- 
 science told him, that to the well-arranged 
 system of bis former friend, the Chevalier 
 D'Armfeldt, he had been indebted for the 
 L 6 principal
 
 52§ ThE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 principal victories which he had obtained; 
 and particularly that which gave him pos- 
 session of the principality of Clagenfurth. 
 His surprise at the desertion of the Cheva- 
 lier was extreme ; for although he was con- 
 vinced that he would not openly counte- 
 nance a dishonourable action, yet he ne- 
 ver deemed it within the range of possibi- 
 lity, that he would become so inveterate 
 an enemy as to seek his destruction. 
 
 The absence of Martuccio was now much 
 regretted by him, as he was in want of a 
 man whose penetrating genius was so pecu- 
 liarly calculated for developing his adver- 
 saries designs. Gladly would he have re- 
 called him from the service in which he 
 was engaged ; but that was impossible, as 
 the distance was too great ; besides, it was 
 become hazardous for any one to leave the 
 city, so rapid had been the advance of the 
 Chevalier D'Armfeldt, who, by his energy, 
 was in hopes of taking Albert unprepared 
 for any resistance. The vigilance of the 
 httCTj bowever, defeated his design ; still 
 
 the
 
 THE BLACIt BA>JNEJf, 22& 
 
 the Chevalier found means to hoTd a cor- 
 respondence with those within the walls 
 who, he was well apprized, had always, 
 though in secret, lamented the fate of their 
 former Prince. By these means he con- 
 trived the circulation of his manifestoes,^ 
 even within the cit}^ which were eagerly 
 read by the populace, in bold defiance of 
 the severity of the punishments which were 
 denounced, and indeed daily put in force,^ 
 both against the circulators, and those in; 
 whose possession they were found. This 
 conduit served only to increase the hatred 
 which no inconsiderable portion of the in- 
 habitants entertained against the Prince; 
 and it not only roused to action the real 
 friends of their former sovereign, but like- 
 wise determined the wavering. It was in 
 vain that the officers most in the confi- 
 dence of Albert pointed out the impolicy 
 of the daily executions which took place : 
 their advice was spurned with indigna- 
 tion, and they were haughtily commanded 
 to attend to their duty. The decisive hour 
 6 at
 
 f 30 THE BLACK BANNER; 
 
 at length arrived ; the Chevalier D'Arm- 
 feldt, well aware of the situation of the in- 
 terior, made a most furious assault, and was 
 received with an intrepidity that bafHed all 
 his attempts. Far from being discouraged 
 by a first failure, he repeatedly renewed his 
 efforts with redoubled vigour; but Albert, 
 who found himself better seconded than he 
 had reason to expect, through the means 
 of his hereditary troops, who were so judi- 
 ciously disposed as to keep the malcon- 
 tents in awe, and effectually prevent them 
 from giving the assistance which they had 
 secretly promised to their fellow-citizens, 
 displayed a more than ordinary courage: 
 his activity was incredible ; he appeared to 
 be present every where, as whenever he 
 perceived any of his troops oppressed, and 
 inclined to give way, he flew to their assist- 
 ance, and never failed of affording them 
 the requisite relief. Even his enemies, ad-^ 
 mired his intrepidity, and lamented that it 
 was not displayed in a more just cause. 
 Night put an end to the attack, and the 
 
 Chevalier,
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 231 
 
 Chevalier, though defeated, retired in good 
 order, determined upon making a final ef- 
 fort the next morning. Both parties were 
 employed, during this short cessation, in 
 arranging the necessary dispositions ; little 
 time was allowed for rest. The victorious 
 Albert employed himself in visiting those 
 parts of the fortifications which had re- 
 ceived injury, and in ordering new de- 
 fences to be formed. His vigilance was 
 equal to his intrepidity ; and he looked 
 forward with the utmost confidence to the 
 final issue of the morrow's encounter. He 
 had in his own mind formed a plan as da- 
 ring as judicious, which, if success crowned 
 his endeavours, and of that he could scarce 
 entertain a doubt, would irretrievably over- 
 throw the prospects of the insurgents. In 
 order to execute his plan with the greater 
 certainty, he made some necessary changes 
 in the prior arrangement and disposition 
 of his troops. Instead of attending perso- 
 nally to the defence of the fortifications, he 
 committed them to the care of his bravest 
 
 officers^
 
 S5'"2 THE ELACK BANNER. 
 
 officers, of whose fidelity and regard he was^ 
 well assured ; while he himself/ with a se- 
 lect body of men, chosen from the whole 
 army, kept in readiness to make a sally, or 
 seize upon any advantage, which either the- 
 neglect of his opponent, ar the successful 
 opposition of his own army, might afford, 
 him. 
 
 His adversary was no less diligent ; he- 
 found his troops, although not victorious, sa 
 far from being dispirited, that they burned, 
 with Lmj>atience to retrieve the disgrace 
 which tl^ey had suffered the preceding day;, 
 so strong indeed was their ardour, that they 
 eould scarce be restrained from making a 
 fresh assault during the night; and it re- 
 quired not only the greatest exertion of ^11: 
 their ofiScers,. but also the whole ascendance 
 whkh the Chevalier had obtained over 
 their affections^ to prevent so. rash and pre- 
 carious a measure. 
 
 A ciFcumstance as unexpected as extra- 
 ordinary, contributed to raise their spirits 
 still higher. Soon after midnight, secret 
 
 intelligence
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 235 
 
 intelligence was brought to the Chevalier 
 D'Armfeldt, that, during the ensuing day, 
 he would, when lea«t expected^ receive a 
 considerable reinforcement. This messa*;© 
 much surprised him, particularly as confi- 
 ding in the assistance which he expected to 
 find within the walls of the city, from the 
 friends of its late sovereign, he had deemed 
 the army under his command sufficiently 
 powerful to attain his object, without en- 
 gaging any neighbouring state or even the 
 family of the former Prince, to join him 
 with their troops. The courier who brought 
 the information, either could not, or was 
 commanded not to disclose either the 
 strength of the reinforcement, or by whom 
 it was to be conducted. Little doubt, 
 however, could be entertained of his vera- 
 city, as he added, that he was ordered to 
 remain as an hostage for the truth of his 
 assertion. 
 
 Ere the harbinger of the morn had an- 
 nounGed its approach, both parties were in 
 preparation for the awful Cv'ent. At the 
 
 welU
 
 1'5I THE BLACK feAKKfiH. 
 
 well-known signal they flew to their arms. 
 The valour displayed on both sides was 
 equal, and while death thinned the oppo- 
 sing combatants with indiscriminate relent- 
 iiessj victory was for a long time held in 
 equnl balance. At length, Albert, who, as 
 before mentioned, had reserved himself in 
 order to seize the first advantage, conceived 
 that the critical opportunity presented it- 
 self^ which he had been awaiting wath the 
 utmost impatience. The Chevalier D'Arm- 
 feldt had partially succeeded in an attack 
 which he made with the choicest of his 
 troops, who, conceiving themselves already 
 victorious, rushed incautiously forward, 
 disordering their ranks, and leaving them- 
 selves exposed to any sudden attack. It 
 was in vain that the Chevalier, who well 
 knew the abilities of Albert, and his pecu- 
 liar genius in profiting by any oversight 
 or mi^:take of his adversary, endeavoured, 
 together with his officers, to prevent this 
 irregularity; flushed with success, his troops 
 remained deaf either to orders or en^ 
 
 treaties.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER*- 25^ 
 
 treaties. It is true indeed, their valour 
 would have been successful, had it not 
 been for the unexpected and daring ma- 
 noeuvre of Albert, whom they fancied 
 would scarcely venture to hazard a sally 
 from the city, from which, if he was un- 
 successful, he must be inevitably cut offl 
 But that Prince, confident in his accustomed 
 good fortune, and depending upon his own 
 example, and the courage of those whom 
 he had selected for the occasion, spurned 
 at all trivial impediments. His attentive 
 and comprehensive mind perceived in an 
 instant the irregularity of his adversaries, 
 which he attributed to the right cause, a 
 secure confidence of victory. He instantly 
 flew to one of the gates of the city, and 
 commanding it to be opened, sallied forth, 
 and with a fury irresistible, fell upon the 
 rear of the conquering troops. The tide 
 of success was immediately turned, and the 
 Chevalier D'Armfeldt, who, notwithstanding 
 the rashness of his army, deemed the day 
 his own, saw himself in a moment not only 
 
 deprived
 
 ^30 THK BLACK fiANNt«. 
 
 deprived of his hard-bouglu advaivtasre, 
 but in danger of a total defeat. In vain he 
 attempted to rnlly hia brokm forces ; all 
 was terror, confusion, and despair. At 
 that critical instant, a loud shout arrested the 
 attention of the contending parties. The 
 troops of the Chevalier, who naturally con- 
 jectured that it proceeded from the pro- 
 mised reinforcement, which they had ut- 
 terly despaired of, recovered their alarm 
 and rallied ; while those under the com- 
 mand of Albert were in their turn surprised. 
 The scene was instantly changed; the 
 newly- arrived troops, breaking through 
 all impediments, charged with such impe- 
 fuosity, as to penetrate to the centre of Al- 
 bert's squadrons, throwing them into the 
 utmost confusion. Numbers became vic- 
 tims to this sudden and unexpected attack, 
 and his choicest warriors, unable to resist 
 the torrent, gave the last proof of their at- 
 tachment and fidelity, by dying sword in 
 hand. The situation of the Prince was now 
 beconae desperate ; most of his brave com- 
 panions.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. z3^ 
 
 panions bad fallen around him ; cut off 
 from his retreat into the city of Clagen- 
 furth, and nearly surrounded by the enemy, 
 who had recovered their panic, a glorious 
 death seemed his sole resource ; for as he 
 could expect no mercy from his .conquer- 
 ors, should he be taken prisoner, he deemed 
 it more suitable to his former glory to die 
 in the field of battle ; resolved on this, he 
 prepared to rush into the midst of the con- 
 quering squadrons, and either cut his way 
 through them, or perish in the attempt. 
 Furiously he rushed forward, accompanied 
 by a few, whom the ravages of war had hi- 
 therto spared, and who resolved to share the 
 fate of their commander, when by chance, 
 casting his eyes to the right, they glanced 
 upon an object which seemed to paralyze 
 every power of exertion. Suddenly he 
 stopped, as if deprived of motion ; cold 
 drops of sweat bedewed his visage, while 
 his trembling limbs could scarce sustain his 
 tottering frame. Amazement seized those 
 few brave companions who had adhered to 
 
 him^
 
 23S THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 him, especially as they could perceive no 
 visible cause that was likely to produce 
 such an effect. In vain, however, they at- 
 tempted to arouse him ; inattentive to the 
 danger of certain destruction, which was 
 approacliing towards him with rapid strides, 
 he continued to gaze at the object which 
 had first arrested his progress, frequently 
 uttering frantic, but inexplicable exclama- 
 tions of terror. The sword which had 
 lately gleamed so tremendous in his hands, 
 and had led the way to victory, quitted his 
 grasp, and was recovered only by the at- 
 tention of one of his officers. No time, 
 however, was to be lost, and his friends 
 finding it still in vain to attempt rousing 
 him to exertion, and perceiving the near 
 approach of the enemy, seized the reins 
 of his horsey and with the utmost difficulty 
 and danger, both to themselves and the 
 Prince, at length conveyed him in safety 
 from the field of battle. 
 
 In the meantime, the Chevalier D'Arni- 
 feldt, seeing the effisct occasioned by the 
 
 promised 
 
 I
 
 THE black: banner. S39 
 
 promised reinforcement, neglected no op- 
 portunity of improving his success; still 
 he remained ignorant of the quality of 
 those friends who had arrived at so critical 
 a moment as to turn the fate of the day. 
 [le had remarked the air and intrepidity of 
 two in particular, who appeared to have 
 the principal command ; but as their bea- 
 vers were closed, he could not distinguish 
 their features. Their armour also, as well 
 as that of the whole body, was peculiar ; 
 nor could he recollect, by the banners 
 which they bore, to what prince or state 
 they belonged. It was evident, however, 
 that one of the leaders, who appeared to be 
 the youngest, and who confessedly paid a 
 great deference to his companion, seemed 
 principally to seek a personal revenge 
 upon Albert, as he was eager to encounter 
 him, frequently calling upon his name, and 
 challenging him to single combat. For- 
 tune, however, prevented their meeting ; 
 and as the troops of the latter had either 
 yielded or quitted the field of battle, the 
 
 unknown
 
 240 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 unknown heroes^ at the earnest entreaties, 
 of the Chevalier D'Armfeklt, after giving 
 orders to their troops to repair to the accus- 
 toiTicd place of rendezvous, entered the city 
 of Clagenfurth in triumph, where they soon 
 made themselves known to the generous 
 chief. 
 
 The flight and escape of Albert was soon 
 known, not only to the army of the Che- 
 valier, but also to the troops in the city, 
 who, perceiving that they should be un- 
 able to defend its walls much longer with 
 any prospect of success, and being in mo- 
 mentary dread of an insurrection of the in- 
 habitants, gladly accepted the proposals of 
 D*Armfeldt, who immediately entered the 
 gates of Clagenfurth wnth his victorious 
 armv, amid the loud and enthusiastic con- 
 gratulations of the long oppressed citizens, 
 whoj knowing the honourable nature of 
 their present conqueror, looked forward 
 with a pleasing anticipation of enjoying 
 that freedom which they had been so long 
 deprived of. 
 
 We
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 2ll 
 
 We shall now for the present leave both 
 the. fugitive Prince, and also his conqueror; 
 the latter engaged in restoring the original 
 Jaws, and organizing the various depart- 
 ments of the principality, while the former, 
 almost unconscious of past events, was con- 
 veyed by his brave companions into a place 
 of safety, and revert to the transactions 
 which took place, both at the residence of 
 the Count Von Werdenberg, and also at 
 the monastery, where we left Sternhcim 
 and Berthold, awaiting the return of the 
 messengers whom they had dispatched 
 from thence. 
 
 Previous to their departure from the se- 
 questered retreat of the Count Von Wer- 
 denberg, it had been settled, that the lat- 
 ter, whose intention it had been to pay a 
 visit to Vienna, in order to claim the pro- 
 tection and countenance of the Emperor 
 Tor his young protegees, should remain, 
 together with Theodore and Matilda, at the 
 hermitage, until the event of the visit to 
 the convent of St. Pierre was made known 
 
 VOL. II. M to
 
 242 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 to them, either by the return of the parties 
 themselves, or by a messenger, dispatched 
 by them for that especial purpose. By this 
 means the Count, who interested himself 
 most warmly in the future welfare both of 
 the injured Princess of Clagenfurth, and 
 also of the newly-discovered daughter of 
 the deceased Prince, expected he should 
 obtain such unquestionable proof of the 
 perfidious conduct of Albert, as would en- 
 able him not only to denounce him as a 
 traitor to the established laws of knight- 
 hood and honour, but as a tyrant, who set 
 no bounds to the means by which he might 
 fortify his usurpation, and glut his revenge 
 against the family of the late lamented 
 Prince of Clagenfurth. Upon the well- 
 known magnanimity of the Emperor, he 
 relied for countenance and support: that 
 sovereign had obtained, with the unani- 
 mous consent of his admiring subjects, the 
 most glorious of all titles, '' Hie Father of 
 his People,** To the injured he gave re- 
 dress, to the needy support. Boldly^ 
 
 therefore.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 243 
 
 therefore, did the Count assure himself of 
 engaging the interest of such an exalted 
 character, for the widow and the orphan. 
 It was consequently with no small impa- 
 tience that he awaited the wished-for intel- 
 ligence, which became more desirous, as he 
 was sensible of the dangerous situation in 
 which Matilda was placed. It is true, that 
 in the honour of Theodore, he placed the 
 most implicit confidence; nor was heless as- 
 sured of the native innocence and virtue of 
 his lovely charge; still his thoughts would, 
 though unwillingly, sometimes revert to 
 the imbecility of human nature, wiiich fre- 
 quently placing too great a confidence in 
 the purity of its intentions, fell a martyr to 
 that very security on which its defence was 
 placed. Day after day, however, passed 
 without any message from the travellers ; 
 and the time when even their return might 
 be expected, approached. As it drew 
 nearer, the satisfaction of the Count was 
 most visible, while, on the contrary, The- 
 odore, though he endeavoured to conceal 
 M 2 his
 
 ^44 THE BLACK BANNKn. 
 
 his thoughts^ rather dreaded than wished 
 for its arrival. He had so long habituated 
 himself to the company of his beloved Ma- 
 tilda, and had been so accustomed to that 
 sweet converse which a mutual and sincere 
 affection rendered peculiarly engaging, 
 that he looked forward to a separation with 
 fear and dismay. Although convinced of 
 her affection, he regarded the purposed 
 journey to Vienna as the bane of his hap- 
 piness. He was well aware of the calls of 
 honour which would be made upon him; 
 and though the hero still existed, yet, when 
 the idea of separation from the idol of his 
 regard crossed his imagination, the lover 
 triumphed. The Count was not unobser- 
 vant of his conduct, and easily penetrated 
 throuo:h the thin veil that concealed the 
 sentiments of his heart; for unused to dis- 
 simulation, Theodore, notwithstanding all 
 his caution, could not express himself so 
 guardedly,during the various conversations 
 that naturally ensued respecting the con- 
 duct which it would probably be necessary 
 
 to
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 245 
 
 to adopt in the situation of their affairs, as 
 not to betray the conflict between the hero 
 and the lover ; notwithstanding the Count 
 had attained this knowledge, he prudently 
 avoided taking notice of the discovery^ ha- 
 ving frequently experienced that opposi- 
 tion to any passion in which the heart is 
 interested, serves rather to increase than di- 
 minish it. Besides, although he lamented 
 that he had not consented to Theodore's 
 proposal of accompanying Stern heim, by 
 which he had himself contributed to their 
 growing affection, yet he felt convinced, 
 that when the honour of his family de- 
 manded his exertion, his naturai courage, 
 now enervated by inactivity, would shine 
 forth with renovated lustre, and even ac- 
 quire a greater energy, when the object of 
 his affection was destined as the reward of 
 valour. Of Matilda's conduct, the Count 
 entertained no doubt; she had already dis- 
 played such a firmness of character, yet 
 blended with a natural mildness, of disposi- 
 tion, as promised fair to be a protection 
 X 3 against
 
 ^46 THE BLACK BAN NEK. 
 
 against the unavoidable uncertainties and 
 disappointments of life; and he was cer- 
 tain that her affection for Theodore, though 
 as fervid and sincere as ever glowed within 
 the female bosom, would excite him to 
 pnrsue, rather than withdraw him from du- 
 ties which his high rank in the world, and 
 the power he would hereafter possess, ex- 
 acted of him. 
 
 At length, when the fear lest some un- 
 foreseen accident had befallen their friends, 
 had nearly superseded the hopes of their 
 returrj^ the appointed signal was heard. 
 Joy and satisfaction instantly took place of 
 every other sensation, and was visible in 
 every countenance. Hassan hurried to the 
 secret entrance, no less impatient than his 
 master, to obtain intelligence from the ab- 
 sent friends. He had some hopes that they 
 themselves were returned, and experienced 
 a severe disappointment, v;hen, on opening 
 the gate, he encountered a person in the 
 habit of one of the lay-brothers of a monas- 
 tery, who introduced himself by saying that 
 
 he
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 247 
 
 he was the bearer of important intelligence 
 from the Abbot of Schonberg to Henry 
 Count Von Werdenberg; and requesting 
 that he might have an immediate audience^ 
 as his speedy return was a matter of the ut- 
 most importance. Hassan, satisfied that the 
 messenger bore dispatches relative to Ber- 
 thold and Sternheim, not only by his ha- 
 ving given the private signal, but also by 
 his mentioning the name of his master, 
 which he knew had never been disclosed to 
 any but the Emperor, and the absent 
 friends,wasanxious to hear of their welfare; 
 he therefore inquired concerning them ; 
 the answer, however, he received greatly 
 surprised him, as he was informed that' the 
 dispatches, to be delivered to the Count, 
 were given to him by his superior, and that 
 he knew little about those concerninir 
 whom he inquired, except that two stran- 
 gers, of whose names he was ignorant, had 
 some time before arrived at the monastery, 
 bearing with them a wounded monk, who 
 still remained there in an invalid state : 
 M 4 that
 
 ^iS THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 that if these were the people he meant^ 
 which he had reason to suppose they were, 
 as he believed the dispatches had been sent 
 at their request, they were^ at the time of 
 his leavin!^' the monastery, in good health, 
 but seemed very anxious to resume their 
 joiirney. There was something in this 
 answer which appeared mysterious to Has- 
 san, as he could not account by what means 
 they had been induced to deviate from 
 the direct road to St. Pierre, so far as to 
 reach the monastery of Schonberg ; but not 
 doubting but that the dispatches sent to the 
 Count would elucidate the business, he has- 
 tened to introduce the welcome messenger. 
 The information sent by Berthold occa- 
 sioned the greatest grief both to the Count 
 and Theodore ; it contained the narrative 
 of the wounded monk respecting the Prin- 
 cess Adeline, together with his own mo- 
 tives for having deferred the original 
 intention of proceeding to St. Pierre, 
 which, from the unforeseen events that had 
 occurred; appeared to him useless, and an 
 
 unnecessary
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 249 
 
 unnecessary loss of time. This fresh insult 
 to the house of De Mountfort roused all 
 the dormant passions of the enamoured 
 Theodore, and it required all the prudence 
 and experience of the Count Von Werden- 
 berg to restrain his fury within bounds; 
 and it was most probable that had not a 
 prospect of taking a severe retaliation upon 
 the aggressor presented itself, that not 
 even the entreaties of friendship, assisted 
 even by the superior power of love, would 
 have prevented him from undertaking 
 some desperate measures. 
 
 Whilst Theodore thus breathed nothing 
 but revdge, the amiable Matilda wept over 
 the misfortunes of her unknown relative, 
 for whom she felt a greater interest, as there, 
 was no doubt but that both of them were 
 the objects of Albert's pursuit; and al- 
 though she endeavoured to temper the im- 
 petuous ardour of her lover, yet she was far 
 from wishing to deprive him of the honour 
 of revenging the injury offered to his sister 
 and herself, 
 
 M 5 ApIaOj
 
 250 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 A plan, sketched out by Berthold^ and 
 referred for the approbation of the Count, 
 was enclosed in the dispatches sent to the 
 hermitage ; so judiciously was it arranged, 
 that success appeared certain, and of course 
 it readilv received the concurrence of that 
 celebrated warrior^ who himself determined 
 to take a principal part in the execution 
 of it; and as no time was to be lost, the 
 messenger was, after a hasty refreshment, 
 sent back to the monastery with the intelli- 
 gence of his intentions. As soon as the 
 courier was departed, the Count explained 
 to Theodore the arrangement made by 
 Berthold, informing him also of the resolu- 
 tion he had taken, and observing, that to 
 his youthful arm he should leave the glory, 
 while his own experience regulated the 
 propriety of action. 
 
 As the result of these arrangements, how- 
 ever, was destined to produce the most 
 important consequences, we shall enter 
 into a more minute detail of them. 
 
 We have already given a partial account 
 6 of
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. *51 
 
 of Berthold, who was generally esteemed 
 as the captain of a set of hardy and brave 
 inen^, who inhabited the impenetrable re- 
 cesses of the Julian Alps, and were com- 
 monly called banditti, although their ac- 
 tions ill deserved that tide. No one in the 
 country knew who Berthold was, or at what 
 time he joined the society ; he was, how- 
 ever, greatly respected by the whole neigh- 
 bourhood, and more particularly by the 
 Count Von Werdenberg, to whom, at the 
 first accidental interview, he freely dis- 
 closed himself, and was ever after in the 
 strictest habits of friendship with him. As, 
 however, we may, in the course of these 
 volumes, have occasion to relate his history 
 more at large, we shall, for the present, 
 content ourselves with this short sketch, 
 which we deemed necessary, previous to 
 the dcvelopement of the operations sug- 
 gested by him. 
 
 It may be recollected, that before Ber- 
 thold and Sternheim commenced their ex- 
 pedition to the convent of St. Pierre, the 
 M 6 former
 
 252 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 former requested the delay of a ^e\v days 
 previous to their departure from the her- 
 mitage : by the means of his numerous 
 spies, he had, before his. arrival at the 
 Count's, received private accounts of every 
 thing that passed at the court of Clagen- 
 furth, and indeed he was himself in posses- 
 sion of intelligence, believed to have been 
 known only to two confidential friends of 
 the late Prince. Against Albert he had a 
 peculiar hatred, and only awaited a proper 
 opportunity of satiating his vengeance 
 upon him. The outrage committed upon 
 the person of Matilda, he was confident, 
 for reasons which he chose for the present 
 to confine within his own breast, would 
 rouse the spirit of the Chevalier D'Arm* 
 feldt, not, only to shake off the allegiance 
 he had hitherto paid to Albert, but also to 
 become his determined enemy. For this 
 reason he took care to send one of th'e 
 scouts provided for him by the Count, with 
 the intelligence of that Prince's attempt to 
 obtain possession of her person, and of his 
 
 own
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 953 
 
 own fortunate rescue of her, together with 
 his having placed her under protection the 
 most honourable, and sufficiently powerful 
 to guard her from all future insult. At the 
 same time he dispatched other couriers to 
 all those under his command, with orders 
 for them to assemble at a particular ren- 
 dezvous, at a certain time; and as he well 
 knew that he should punctually be obeyed, 
 he would be ready to take advantage of any 
 favourable opportunity. This he doubted 
 not would soon arise, as he was convinced 
 that D'Armfeldt would immediately, upon 
 receiving the intelligence sent to him^ 
 commence the siesfe of Clao:enfurth. 
 
 The plan therefore that he submitted for 
 the approbation of the Count, was, that he 
 should Head his own troops, which, when 
 collected, consisted of three hundred men, 
 "well armed and appointed, and lead them 
 as near to the city of Clagenfurth as 
 possible, without being discovered, by 
 which means, he trusted that so unex- 
 pected an appearance, at some critical mo- 
 ment.
 
 254f THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 ment, would strike such terror into the 
 enemy as to overwhelm them with des- 
 truction. 
 
 That Berthold possessed an intimate 
 knowledge of the Chevalier D'Armfeldt^ is 
 evident from the result ; for no sooner 
 had the latter received the communication 
 sent him, than, confident of the sincere re- 
 gard which both his officers and troops en- 
 tertained for him, he immediately sum- 
 moned the principal of them to a council, 
 when he addressed them in the following 
 discourse : — 
 
 " Friends and fellow-soldiers, while I 
 congratulate you upon the success which 
 has crowned your valour with the wreath 
 of victory, and obliged the natural ene- 
 mies of your country to tremble before 
 you, and to submit to such terms as 
 to ensure it from any future disturb- 
 ance;, I am imperiously compelled to with- 
 draw the veil which has hitherto con- 
 cealed the atrocious designs of that Prince 
 under whose tyrannic power the princi- 
 pality
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 255 
 
 pality of Clagenfurth has so long groan- 
 ed. So long as Albert remained steady- 
 to the principles of honour^ the friend- 
 ship which subsisted between us claim- 
 ed from me, and received every support 
 in my power to bestow. Those whom I 
 now address well know, that, deaf to the 
 numerous solicitations with which I was 
 perpetually assailed, I refused to forsake a 
 man whose errors appeared to me solely 
 the effect of ambition. The death of the 
 late Prince was the chance of war. The 
 indignity offered to his remains met not 
 only with my open disapprobation, but my 
 private remonstrances ; and from that era 
 I may date that almost imperceptible devia- 
 tion from the cordiality which had so long 
 subsisted between us. This last act, while 
 it degraded the hero, alienated the affec- 
 tions even of those most attached to the 
 conqueror. Still, had his inhuman revenge 
 been satiated by this atrocious deed, time 
 might have weakened the first impression, 
 and subsequent acts of kindness and affec- 
 tion
 
 25G THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 tion would, in all probability, have oblite- 
 rated the terror of the trembling citizens, 
 and obtained their confidence and applause. 
 Ye all remember the general indignation 
 excited upon that occasion ; yet, so severe 
 were the chains by which the country was 
 enthralled, that each individual was con- 
 strained to stifle their resentment, or 
 breathe their murmurs in silence and se- 
 crecy. It is with honest pride and joy I 
 perceive that such restraint no longer ex- 
 ists ; nor doubt I but that your long con- 
 cealed fury will rage with redoubled force, 
 when you are informed th^t the tyrant, 
 unglutted with the vengeance which he 
 has already executed upon the devoted 
 family of your late beloved sovereign, 
 not only dares to insult his relic with his 
 proffered love, but having also, by means 
 the most atrocious, obtained the know- 
 ledge of a circumstance hitherto unknown 
 to the world in general, namely, that a 
 daughter of the late Prince, by a former 
 wife, who, for private reasons^ was never 
 
 publicly
 
 THE BLACK BANNEK* S57 
 
 publicly acknowledged by him, was in 
 existence, he endeavoured to obtain pos- 
 session of her person. The artifice he 
 made use of succeeded ; and the u^isuspi- 
 cious victim was consigned to the emissa- 
 ries employed upon the occasion. For- 
 tune, however, proved the friend of inno- 
 cence ; some conversation between her at- 
 tendants betrayed the design for which she 
 was removed from the convent, where she 
 had been placed from her infancy, under 
 the protection of its venerable abbess: 
 alarmed at the discovery, yet scarce know- 
 ing how to take advantage of it, she at 
 length resolved to claim the assistance of 
 the first traveller she might accidentally 
 meet. Again fate was propitious; Ber- 
 thold, the brave, the generous, captain of 
 the mountain-troops, met, and rescued her 
 from the base minions of the tyrant ; and 
 to ease her mind from all apprehensions of 
 future insult, placed her under protection 
 the most honourable. How much longer, 
 my brave soldiers^ are these insults to be 
 
 endured ?
 
 2.58 THE BLACK BANNEI?. 
 
 endured ? Shall our wives, our children, be 
 torn from us with impunity ? Shall- — -'* 
 
 A loud and unanimous cry of '' Down 
 with the tyrant Albert/' obliged D'Armfel Jt 
 to pause. When silence was again restored, 
 he continued, " I see your generous indig- 
 nation ; but let it not be thought that4 
 seek the overthrow of Albert to aggran- 
 dize myrelf; no, a nobler purpose ani- 
 mates my bosom ; the young Prince Ro- 
 dolphus still lives, secreted, and unknown 
 to all, but those who snatched him from 
 destruction ; it is for him, for Adeline, and 
 for Matilda, the newly-discovered daughter 
 of your late sovereign, that I claim your 
 support. The ties of honour demand my 
 exertions for the first; those of Nature 
 and affection for the last, I perceive the 
 surprise," added the Chevalier, " this ac- 
 knowledgment has occasioned; time will 
 not admit of further explanation than that 
 the mother of Matilda ii'as the sister of 
 D'Armfcldtr 
 
 Astonishment, for a few instants, kept the 
 
 assembly
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. ' 25D 
 
 assembly silent; at length the whole army, 
 vying with each other in expressions of 
 aflection towards their beloved com- 
 mander, unanimously demanded to be im- 
 mediately led against the tyrant, whom they 
 threatened with the most dreadful effects 
 of their vengeance. 
 
 The result has already been related ; but 
 as some explanation of the circumstances 
 which occasioned the sudden and unac- 
 countable terror of Albert may be neces- 
 sary, we must accompany Theodore and 
 the Count Von Werdenberg from the re- 
 treat of the latter to the place appointed 
 by Berthold for the meeting of his fol- 
 lowers. 
 
 The two heroes, leaving Matilda at the 
 hermitage, under the protection of the 
 faithful Hassan, and such other of the at- 
 tendants who had been selected from the 
 neighbouring peasantry, for their zeal and 
 attachment to the Count Von Werdenberg, 
 proceeded to join the troops. Their road 
 lay through the forest which Theodore had 
 
 before
 
 ^€0 TUB ELACK BANNER, 
 
 before traverse.!, at the time when he es- 
 caped from the custody of the banditti ; it 
 was not quite two days march from the se- 
 questered habitation of the Count to its 
 entrance ; but although the atmosphere was 
 peculiarly favourable to them^ as Nature 
 seemed to have assumed her most fascina- 
 ting aspect^ yet the travellers perceived 
 that, notwithstanding all their exertions, 
 they should not be able to gain its farthest 
 extremity before the approach of night. 
 Unwilling to pass the hours of darkness in 
 so gloomy a situation, they determined to 
 halt at some little distance from its en- 
 trance. A few oaks, that seemed by their 
 size to vie with the date of creation itself, 
 appeared to promise them asufBcient shel- 
 ter ; scarce had they arrived at their in- 
 tended place of rest, than the last tinge of 
 day faded to the eye, and a total darkness 
 would have ensued, had not the friendly 
 moon bestowed her modest rays upon the 
 surrounding scene. Prudence, however, 
 forbade the encouragement of sleep, as 
 
 they
 
 THI^ BLACK BANNER. ♦ ?6 1 
 
 they knew not what dangers they might 
 encounter. It was we]l known that the 
 emissaries of Albert were dispersed in va- 
 rious directions^ and it was evident^ by the 
 circumstance of Matilda's rescue, that they 
 had penetrated to within'a small distance of 
 the Count's retreat. In open day, neither 
 the Count or Theodore dreaded either 
 equal or superior numbers ; but they justly 
 deemed it madness to run the risk of put- 
 ting themselves in the power of an enemy, 
 whose malice would be amply gratified by 
 the acquisition of a prize so valuable. 
 
 Theodore expressed so much satisfaction 
 at this arrangement, as occasioned the 
 Count to rally him upon the subject, jo- 
 cosely observing, that he seemed more 
 fearful of encountering the gloom of a fo- 
 rest, than he would an host of enemies. 
 " My Lord," replied Theodore, in the same 
 tone, '' had you experienced an adventure 
 similar to that which befel me at the time 
 I was journeying through it after my escape 
 from the caverns of the banditti^ I believe 
 
 vou
 
 262 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 you would give the preference to the light 
 of the sun, rather than to that of its sister 
 planet, although indeed it was scarcely past 
 mid-day when the occurrence I alluded to 
 happened." 
 
 On this remark, the Count, to whom 
 Theodore had never communicated the par- 
 ticulars of his escape, suggested that he 
 should be happy to hear the narrative of his 
 proceedings, from the time of his leaving 
 the cavern, where he had been so long de- 
 tained, until his departure from Clagen- 
 furth, after his interview with Albert ; for 
 that, although he was acquainted with the 
 general result, yet, as he judged from the 
 observation just made, that many interest- 
 ing facts were unknown to him, the relation 
 would beguile the tedious hours of night, 
 and effectually prevent their giving way to 
 the allurements of repose. With this re^ 
 quest, Theodore readily complied, by re- 
 peating the particulars already given in his 
 first interview with Albert; he also men- 
 tioned the circumstance of the original pro- 
 phecy
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 963 
 
 phecy respecting that Prince, and his sub- 
 sequent extraordinary behaviour, which 
 Sternheim, who had privately obtained the 
 intelligence, had related to him in confi- 
 dence ; nor did he consider the retailing of 
 it to the Count as any breach of honour, 
 having been accustomed, ever since his first 
 introduction, to esteem him as a father; be- 
 sides, he well knew the high honour of his 
 auditor, and that, if the occurrence was im- 
 proper to be divulged, it was as secure in 
 his breast as in his own. 
 
 During the narrative, the Count was vari- 
 ously affected; yet the darkness of the night, 
 feebly illumined by the pallid rays of the 
 moon, sufficiently screened him from the 
 observation of Theodore, who, at the con- 
 clusion, observing that the former appeared 
 deepin meditation, kept a respectful silence. 
 
 The mind of the Count Von Werden- 
 berg was as little tinctured with supersti- 
 tion as that of most men of his age; indeed, 
 his natural good sense, aided by a more li- 
 beral education than usually fell to the lot 
 
 of
 
 264 THE BLACK BAKNER, 
 
 of mankind in general, proved a barrier of 
 strength sufficient to repel the implicit 
 coniidence of belief in those supernatural 
 Agents, who abounded throughout the 
 whole continent. The variety o^ scenes 
 likewise in which he had been engaged, 
 where he had frequently experienced the 
 fallacy of these predestinations, confirmed 
 that judgment respecting them, which his 
 own reason had previously approved. But 
 although these were the real sentiments of 
 the Count, yet he was aware that the gene- 
 ral oj)inion, and more particularly among 
 the lower ranks, militated against them ; 
 he deemed it therefore true policy, not- 
 withstanding his own incredulity, to take 
 every advantage that might be derived 
 from the weakness of others, especially 
 when in a state of hostility. 
 
 At length, the Count breaking the silence 
 which he had maintained for some time af- 
 ter the conclusion of Theodore's narrative, 
 observed, that the circumstances he had 
 mentioned might, if judiciously acted upon, 
 
 be
 
 THE BLACK EANNElt. 265 
 
 be productive of great advantages in the 
 approaching contest, though he should de- 
 fer drawing any conclusions from them 
 until they joined Berthold. 
 
 The remainder of the night passed away 
 in the discussion of various subjects analo- 
 gous to their present expedition ; and the 
 heart of Theodore expanded with the glo- 
 rious prospect of being the destined avenger 
 of injured innocence; while his companion, 
 deeply skilled in the knowledge of the hu- 
 man heart, judiciously fanned the flame, 
 ■without suffering it to burst the bounds pre- 
 scribed by the cautious maxims of prudence. 
 
 The balsamic vapours of night were still 
 in conflict with the rising heat of the rosy 
 morning, when the two warriors set forward 
 to meet the brave companions allotted for 
 the intended enterprize. They soon ar- 
 rived at the skirts of the well-known forest; 
 and notwithstanding all his prior resolution, 
 the Count could not help confessing to 
 Theodore, that he felt an unaccountable 
 awe impressed upon his m.ind, dissimilar 
 
 ' VOL. II. N to
 
 26G THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 to any he had ever before experienced ; 
 ^'indeed," con^tiniied he, "I almost wish 
 your prophetic sibyl may not honour you 
 with a second invitation/' Theodore made 
 no answer, but seemed anxiously exploring-^ 
 every opening the almost impervious un- 
 derwood afforded, in order to guard against 
 surprise. 
 
 Several hours had passed, when, arriving 
 at a spot more free from impediment than 
 any which they had hitherto met with, 
 they agreed to rest, and take some refresh- 
 ment : by the few observations they were 
 enabled to make, they conjectured that 
 they were nearly in the centre of the fo- 
 rest ; but as Theodore had formerly en- 
 tered it in a different direction, he could 
 not ascertain whether he was near the spot 
 where he had before been accosted by his 
 supernatural visitant. Scarcely had they 
 began their frugal repast, when the sun, 
 which had hitherto shone with unusual 
 splendour, as if satisfied with having eon- 
 ducted them through the various intricacies 
 
 of
 
 THE BLACIt BANNER. ^6f 
 
 of the forest to that destined spot, suddenly 
 became immersed in a dark impenetrable 
 cloud;, while the sable foliage, by which 
 they were surrounded, producing at inter- 
 vals a moaning sound, contributed to the 
 horrors of the overspreading gloom. The- 
 odore cast an expressive look upon the 
 Count, and in a voice scarce raised above 
 a whisper, observed, that the present ap- 
 pearances coincided with those he recol- 
 lected to have preceded the approach of 
 the raysteriaus female. 
 
 The Count, who had been struck with 
 the sudden alteration, maintained a calm 
 but expressive silence ; he seemed prepa- 
 ring to arm himself with fortitude to en- 
 counter a scen^, hitherto condemned by 
 his reason and belief; and also, with a de- 
 termination to detect, if possible, any im-* 
 position that might be attempted to be prac- 
 tised, either upon himself or his companion. 
 In a few minutes the sound of approaching 
 .footsteps were heard ; and the warriors, 
 ignorant of the intention of the intruders, 
 N 9 hastily
 
 268 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 hastily snatched up their arms, which lay 
 beside them, and prepared, if necessary, 
 for resistance. Their alarm of hostile in- 
 tentions, however, was not of long conti- 
 tiuance ; as Theodore, casting his eyes 
 upon the right, observed his former friend 
 approaching toward them, with a slow and 
 measured step. He immediately pointed 
 her out to the Count, who, although in 
 some degree prepared for such an inter- 
 view, could not avoid starting when she 
 first attracted his notice ; neither was The- 
 odore less surprised, as her appearance was 
 far different than when she before had ac- 
 costed him; andforafewmomentshedoubt- 
 ed whether he was not mistaken. On his 
 prior interview, her gait seemed weakened 
 by age, and her body bent by in-firmities, 
 while the stick, with which she moderated 
 her steps, appeared the most necessary ap- 
 pendage; but now, her form was erect, 
 her tread firm and even; and although the 
 furrows of age were visible in her counte- 
 nance, still her aspect was commanding, 
 
 her
 
 THE BLACK BANKER. 269 
 
 her eye fierce and penetrating, as if capable 
 of discovering secrets deposited within the 
 inmost recesses of the heart. A broad 
 zone, on which many hieroglyphic charac- 
 ters were depicted, confined her lotosely- 
 flowing garments around her waist, while a 
 purple band gave some restraint to those 
 tresses which, though white by age, de- 
 scended in ringlets upon her shoulders, the 
 sport of those undulating breezes that ca- 
 sually penetrated through the interstices 
 of the surrounding foliage; added to this, 
 an ebon wand, of more than ordinary length 
 and thickness^ upon the top of which ap- 
 peared a banner of black silk, closely rolled 
 up, graced her right hand, and supplied 
 the place, for form only, of the humble 
 and discarded crook : as she advanced^ each 
 felt an awe, which he found it impossible 
 to shake oflf or overcome, and which pre- 
 vented them from giving utterance to their 
 thoughts. Without noticing, however, 
 their visible confusion, the antient crone 
 approached the circle where they had been 
 N 3 sitting.
 
 STQ TlHfE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 sitting, and looking upon both with an air, 
 ^vhich, though stern^ was far from being in- 
 dicative of displeasure, exclaimed, in a tone 
 which enforced obedience, *' Follow me.*" 
 For a moment the Count hesitated, yet in- 
 stantly feeling ashamed of his indecision^ 
 waved his hand as a signal of acquiescence. 
 Their mysterious visitor seemed pleased at 
 their ready compliance, and as compla- 
 cently as her features would admit, gave a 
 smile r>f approbation. Having proceeded 
 a little way, Theodore recognized the path 
 which he had formerly trod upon a similar 
 occasion, and he made an observation to 
 the Count to that purpose. The latter, 
 however, placed his finger upon his lips, 
 indicating a wish to remain silent. In fact, 
 at that instant, the mind of the Count was a 
 ehaos of confusion ; he felt himself a prin- 
 cipal actor in a scene, the authenticity of 
 which he had ever more than doubted ; 
 yet now, for the first time, his faith was 
 Sta2:<Tered : he was convinced there could 
 be no collusion. Theodore had disclosed 
 
 his
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 27 1 
 
 his Story to him, but a few hours before, 
 and in consequence, had given rise to an 
 expectation of their experiencing some si- 
 milar adventure, and this idea was now, in 
 ^11 probability, on the point of being ful- 
 filled. Such were the thoughts that floated 
 in rapid circulation over the mind of the 
 Count; and he had scarcely adopted the 
 determination of being guided in his fu- 
 ture conduct by existing circumstances, 
 when they arrived at the entrance of their 
 conductor's abode. 
 
 As some description has already been 
 given of it, we shall at once introduce our 
 travellers into the interior; and if the 
 Count was surprised at the objects which he 
 had observed upon his approach thither, 
 that surprise was heightened to astonish- 
 ment, when he surveyed the uncouth fur- 
 niture which decorated the apartment into 
 which they were conducted ; nor did the 
 figure of its mistress less engage his atten- 
 tion ; it was in vain that he wished to view 
 ker witli disgust; there was a commanding 
 N 4 appearance.
 
 2/ "S THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 appearance, which, notwithstanding all his 
 prejudice, involuntarily attracted his atten- 
 tion, and forced him to regard her with awe 
 and respect. 
 
 As yet the silence had not been broken ; 
 their hostess pointing to two chairs, which 
 Vvere placed near a three-legged table, of 
 an uncouth form, seemed to indicate her 
 wish for their being seated, a hint that was 
 immediately complied with ; and although 
 she had found them regaling themselves in 
 the forest, yet she placed before them some 
 viands of a superior quality, together with 
 a cordial well calculated to raise the spirits 
 of the depressed. Little hesitation was 
 made by either to partake of the cheer be- 
 fore them, as they had, when interrupted, 
 by no means completed their meal; and the 
 Count following the example of Theodore, 
 who had formerly experienced the efficacy 
 of the liquid which the stone bottle before 
 them contained, and which he readily con- 
 jectured was of a similar quality, found his 
 spirits not only considerably composed 
 
 by
 
 THE BLACK BA^NERr 273 
 
 by the cordial beverage, but also invi- 
 gorated. 
 
 During the time in which they were en- 
 gaged in partaking of the pleasures of the 
 table, their mysterious hostess had fre- 
 quently left them undisturbed ; they, how- 
 ever, took no further advantage of her ab- 
 sence, than examining with a more minute 
 attention the eccentric furniture by which 
 they were surrounded. At length, percei- 
 ving her guests had concluded their repastj 
 the hoary sibyl, after removing the remains, 
 the choice particles of which fell to the 
 share of her constant attendant, the black 
 cat, already mentioned, took her seat at the 
 head of the table, where an elbow-chair of 
 most curious workmanship had been placed 
 for her reception. It was composed of 
 yew ; the front legs were formed to repre- 
 sent serpents, and were joined to the arms 
 in such a manner, as that the two extremi- 
 ties should form their heads, from which 
 flames of fire were supposed to issue. Va-. 
 rious plants and implements, used in incan-^ 
 N 5 tations.
 
 274 THE BtACK BANNER. 
 
 tations, were embossed upon different 
 parts, particularly upon the back, upon the 
 top of which, exactly in the centre, stood 
 the figureof a raven, as large as life, painted 
 black, and with wings extended from one 
 side to the other, to each of which it was 
 fastened by a chain of gold ; but the cir- 
 cumstance which chiefly rivetted the atten- 
 tion was, that through the body of this fi- 
 gure appeared an arrow, while the head of 
 the bird, inclining towards its breast, indi- 
 cated its dying state. On her left sat the 
 favourite already mentioned, which fre- 
 quently purring, seemed to demand the at- 
 tention of its mistress. 
 
 For the superior form in which they were 
 Xiow received, to that which he had expe- 
 rienced upon a former occasion, Theodore 
 judged they were indebted to the quality 
 of the Count Von Werdenberg, till reflect- 
 ing a moment, he discarded the hasty-con- 
 ceived idea, it being,, he deemed, impossi- 
 ble, even for her art, great as it might be^ 
 to obtain the knowledge of a person, long 
 § - supposed
 
 THE IJLACK BANNEE". SZS' 
 
 supposed the inhabitant of another world. 
 Bewildered in conjecture^, however^ of what 
 might prove the issue of this adventure, the 
 two warriors gazed in silence ; for so awe- 
 struck were their tongues, that they dared 
 not venture the inquiry for what purpose 
 they were detained from prosecuting their 
 journey, but awaited in anxious expecta- 
 tion of being addressed by the personage 
 in whose presence they were. Their con- 
 ductress perceived their perplexity, and has- 
 tened to relieve it. '' Henry Count Von 
 Werdenberg/' began this mysterious being. 
 At this appellation both Theodore and 
 the Count started with evident surprise, 
 the latter particularly felt the force of be- 
 ing recognized by one so totally a stranger; 
 the circumstance, however, made a deep 
 impression upon his mind, and more rea- 
 dily prepared it foi* a belief in her super- 
 natural agency. '' Count Von Werdenberg/*^ 
 repeated the sibyl,. " the time long predes- 
 tined is rapidly approaching, when the 
 sorrows by which the houses of Von; Wer- 
 N ^ denberg
 
 S76 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 denberg and De Mountfort have been long 
 oppressed, shall vanish as the mist before 
 the rising sunbeams, and give place to joy 
 and happiness. Many, however, are yet 
 the hardships to be borne, and the perils to 
 be undergone. Fear not, however, the 
 machinations of the wicked, but patiently 
 tread the paths of honour and virtue. 
 These, though covered with thorns and 
 brambles, will ultimately conduct you to 
 the temple of real enjoyment. To you. 
 Count, I more particularly address myself; 
 and let not the incredulity you have so 
 long professed respecting the superior 
 knowledge allowed to favoured mortals, 
 prejudice your opinion so much as to pre- 
 vent your taking advantage of such means 
 >vhich Fortune places, through my hands^ 
 in your power, as the primary steps to at- 
 tain the promised felicity. Dare only to 
 trust assertion — the completion will ensure 
 belief. Still I perceive a smile of derision 
 oo your features; and I might be tempted 
 lo withdraw my assistance and protec- 
 tion.
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 277 
 
 tion, did not superior motives urge me 
 forward." 
 
 ''I confess/* replied the Count, ventu- 
 ring, for the first time, to interrupt her, 
 " that hitherto I have been an infidel in 
 respect to the powers possessed by those 
 of your description ; but let me here ac- 
 knowledge, that although my reason is not 
 entirely convinced, yet I have experienced 
 circumstances of so extraordinary and in-"! 
 comprehensible a nature, within these few 
 hours, as materially to shake my opinion ; 
 and I can safely promise, if not implicitly 
 to believe, at least implicitly to follow your 
 advice and directions/' 
 
 " Enough," rejoined the sibyl ; " we 
 cannot expect opinions formed in our ear- 
 lier years, and growing with our growth, 
 to be changed so very hastily. You, Theo- 
 dore, have already been pronounced the 
 avenger of injured innocence. The time 
 is now arrived ; the oppressed Adeline, the 
 orphan Matilda, demand you as the minister 
 of vengeance ; but while this glorious task 
 
 ■ ' is
 
 ?7S TUB BLACK BANNElTr 
 
 is assigned to your youthful valour, ft he^ 
 longs to the Count Von Werdenberg tO' 
 temperate, by bis superior judgment, that 
 ardour so natural to youth, and which, ifnot 
 properly modukled^ may degrade itself to 
 brutal ferocity. Reflect upon the charac- 
 ter of the once highly-favoured Albert ;. 
 how noble, how heroic it shone, until 
 blasted by one fatal passion, he fell from the 
 dazzling height, and from the hero became 
 the tyrant. Let the scene you formerly 
 witnessed in this cottage be ever present 
 to your mind; so shall your Just revenge 
 be tempered with mercy to the fallen/* 
 
 The exhortation of this mystic being" 
 sunk deep into the minds both of Theodore 
 and the Count ; the more they heard, the 
 more their wonder increased. It was evi- 
 dent that she was minutely acquainted with 
 the most secret transactions both of the fa- 
 milies of Werdenberg and De Mountfort, 
 and seemed to feel a peculiar interest in 
 their welfare ; sensiHe of this, the CoBnt 
 felt an eager desire of knowing son^ething 
 
 more
 
 THE BLACK BANKER. ^79 
 
 more concerning her, and was almost 
 tempted to ask her by what means she had 
 become acquainted with facts so correctly 
 as she appeared to be ; but a dread of in- 
 curring her displeasure, at the moment 
 when she had offered her assistance, pre- 
 vented bim. A question, however, ha- 
 zarded by Theodore, brought about the 
 wished-for explanation. The name of 
 Matilda electrified the heart of the young 
 hero, who abruptly demanded if she knew 
 that lovely maid ? A look, which pene- 
 trated to the recesses of his heart, told him 
 that he had betrayed the secret enclosed 
 within it ; no answer, however, was re- 
 turned to his demand, but, addressing them? 
 both, the sibyl observed, that as their in- 
 tended expedition would be rather bene* 
 fited than injured by the delay, she would 
 shew the high confidence which she placed 
 in them, by disclosing some particulars of 
 her past life, which would probably not 
 only induce them to give greater credit to 
 her actions, but, at the same time, prove 
 
 the
 
 9S0 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 the interest which she took in every thing 
 that concerned the two houses^ whose prin- 
 cipals she was then addressing. The Count 
 and Theodore bowed a willing assent to 
 this proposal, each extremely anxions to 
 hear the history of a person who had be- 
 come so interesting to them ; she accord- 
 ingly began her narrative in the following 
 manner : — 
 
 '' In order to give a correct account of 
 myself, I must revert to a very early period 
 of my existence, or perhaps it may be 
 more proper to precede that period by a 
 few years. My father was a native of the 
 Tyrol; his name I shall pass over in silence ; 
 or if, in the course of my tale, I should 
 have occasion to designate him, shall con- 
 ceal it under that of Theobald. He was, 
 although in a very distant line, of the pu- 
 rest order of nobility, which had been kept 
 up with such scrupulous exactness, as not to 
 have experienced the disgrace of one blot 
 for many generations. Alas ! it was des- 
 tined to receive the first stain from him. 
 
 I must
 
 'THE BLACK BANNER. £81 
 
 I must premise^ that although noble, he 
 was poor; and some excesses which he 
 had been guilty of, reaching the ears of the 
 Prince in whose service he was engaged, 
 he was dismissed with ignominy. His 
 sword was his sole dependance ; deprived 
 of that, he was an isolated being, without 
 a friend, or the means of procuring bread. 
 Nature had, however, formed him of mate-, 
 rials that forbade despair; and he flattered 
 himself, that although he had forfeited the 
 protection of one Prince, yet that there 
 were many who would employ him, as he 
 did not conceive that his disgrace was made 
 known further than the limits of that em- 
 pire whose soldier he had been : with a 
 light heart, therefore, and as light a purse, 
 he left his native country, determined to 
 travel as far as possible from the scene of 
 his misfortunes, before he entered into any 
 service : he w^as sensible that his person 
 and address would recommend him ; his 
 education had been superior to most young 
 men of his age ; and in one particular sci- 
 
 ence^
 
 §82 THE BLACK BANKER, 
 
 ence, in which he took an uncommon de-* 
 light, he excelled in an eminent degree ; 
 this was astrology. Rich in these few ac- 
 complishments^ he doubted not but that he 
 should be able to fabricate a story suffici- 
 ently plausible to account for having left his 
 own country, and seeking employment else- 
 where. Having, however^ passed through 
 various principalities in Germany, and 
 other European sovereignties, without 
 meeting with that encowragement which he 
 had expected, he determined to proceed into 
 Asia. The Court of Persia was the place 
 upon which he fixed to try his fortune^ 
 where, after encountering innumerable dif- 
 ficulties, he at length arrived in safety. 
 As he judged, his commanding figure and; 
 address soon attracted the notice of one of 
 the generals in the Persian service, who, 
 happy in the; opportunity of procuring ark 
 European officer, soon gave him a com- 
 mand. As that erppire was then engaged 
 in a war with Turkey, he immediately 
 took the field, and in a casual encounter 
 
 with
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 2 S3 
 
 ^vith a superior party of the enemy, was 
 wounded and left for dead. No sooner 
 was the field of battle cleared from the com- 
 batants, than the neighbouring peasantry, 
 who make plunder their sole aim, sallied 
 forth to see what harvest they could make 
 from the destruction of their fellow-crea- 
 tures. It is needless for me to describe 
 such scenes to the warriors I am now ad- 
 dressing, whose hearts I well know coa- 
 demn, though they cannot prevent the sa- 
 vage practice. Fortunately for my father^ 
 he was perceived by a female, whose heart 
 was not entirely destitute of humanity; 
 she had been attracted by the glittering 
 ornaments which he wore, which, by anti- 
 cipation, she already deemed her own ; 
 when, hastily beginning to undress him, 
 she perceived that he still breathed. Every 
 idea of plunder was instantly annihilated, 
 and she became anxious only to procure 
 him assistance. Fortune favoured her be- 
 nevolent wishes, as she discovered one of 
 her companions at no great distance, whose 
 
 help
 
 584 THE BLACK BANNER. 
 
 help she requested. She knew, that within 
 a quarter of a mile lived one of the disci- 
 ples of the great Zoroaster, whose skill in 
 all the various branches of the medicinal 
 art was the theme of the surrounding vil- 
 lages ; neither was his benevolence less ce- 
 lebrated : to this hospitable retreat she de- 
 termined to convey the wounded sufferer, 
 which, after much difficulty, she accom- 
 plished, and was received by the venerable 
 hermit, for so he might be called, with that 
 kindness and affability which were his well- 
 known characteristics. My father*s wounds, 
 although deep, v;ere not mortal, and by 
 the care and skill of his generous physi- 
 cian, he was soon enabled to converse with 
 ease and freedom. Perhaps the attention 
 of a third person contributed in some mea- 
 sure to his cure ; this was a niece of his 
 host, who had been brought up by him, 
 and had been early initiated into those 
 mysterious sciences known only to the pu- 
 pils of their great master Zoroaster. I 
 have before mentioned that my father was 
 
 an
 
 THE BLACK BANNER. 285 
 
 an enthusiast in astrology ; you may there- 
 fore readily conceive his happiness, when 
 he found himself at the fountain-head of 
 knowledge, and heard the principles of the 
 science he so much loved commented upon 
 and explained, in a manner infinitely more 
 conclusive than he had any idea of. Nor 
 did the science decrease in his estimation, 
 by being daily elucidated by the arguments 
 of a lovely female, in all the bloom of 
 youth and beauty. In fine, my father loved, 
 and. after some preliminary explanations, 
 %vas made happy by an union with his 
 adored Almira. For a few moments, the 
 dignity of birth, and the hitherto unsullied 
 line of the family tie, made him shrink from 
 the inequality ; but when he considered 
 that he was already deemed an alien to that 
 family, and was for ever incapacitated from 
 returning to his native country, he unre- 
 luctantly determined to sacrifice all other 
 considerations to the enjoyment of the so- 
 ciety of a sage whom he esteemed, and 
 of a virtuous female, for whom he enter- 
 tained
 
 286 1K!E BLACK BANNER. 
 
 tained a sincere affection, which was as sin- 
 cerely returned. Previous to the celebra- 
 tion of the marriage, it had been deter- 
 mined that my father should give up his 
 commission, and be initiated into that sa- 
 cred society, of which the hermit was a 
 conspicuous member. This was the height 
 of his ambition, and he looked forward 
 with eager expectation to the hour when, 
 at their annual grand meeting, he should be 
 introduced to those celebrated sages of the 
 East, and be received as one of their society. 
 This event accordingly took place soon 
 after my birth, a circumstance which occa- 
 sioned great rejoicings. 
 
 " Although the difficulties were great 
 before he was thought sufficiently enlight- 
 ened in their mysterious sciences, so as to 
 be admitted to the arcana, yet, b; perse- 
 verance, and. his complete knowledge of 
 astronomy, he surmounted them with a 
 rapidity that astonished his brethren. In 
 respect to myself, as soon as the first dawn 
 jof reason began toappear> the utmost care
 
 THE BLACK BANKER. 287 
 
 %\as taken to direct iny mind to those 
 sciences I was the daily witness of; you 
 cannot therefore be surprised, that under 
 such tuition, and with a genius that in the 
 earlier stage promised to be of the most 
 comprehensive nature, I should imbibe with 
 avidity the very essence of those sciences 
 which were the sole study of my precep- 
 tors. Indeed, before I had attained the age 
 of fourteen, the whole process of those 
 rites in which the Egyptians had become so 
 celebrated, and which had been handed 
 down to the Persian magi in all their purity 
 of form, were as familiar to me as the more 
 common occurrences of life ; and 1 was 
 frequently employed upon the most solemn 
 occasions, in the performance of those va- 
 rious incantations, which, by the ordinances 
 of the society, were repeated at particular 
 seasons. Years passed away unmarked by 
 any material circumstance ; nor was the 
 happiness of the family broken in upon^ 
 until the decease of my grandfather paved 
 the way for future sorrows ; this event was 
 
 shortly
 
 $88 THE BLACK BAKNER. 
 
 shortly after followed by the death of both 
 my parents ; and in the course of five short 
 years, I found myself deserted and alone. 
 My constant employment at that time was 
 to officiate as the priestess in the principal 
 temple, where the religion of Zoroaster 
 was maintained in all its pomp and splen- 
 dour. This relieved my mind from that 
 ennui which might otherwise have proved 
 the bane of my existence, and at length 
 have incapacitated me from necessary ex- 
 ertion. But although this mode of life 
 was almost habitual to me, and indeed con- 
 genial to my feelings, as it gave me the 
 opportunity of practising the mysterious 
 science I had made myself mistress of in 
 so eminent a degree, yet I sometimes 
 found a restlessness in my disposition, 
 which at first I could scarcely account for, 
 but which increased almost imperceptibly, 
 to so great a height as to render me almost 
 dissatisfied with my situation. I must ob- 
 serve, that when seated with his family 
 around him, my father would frequently 
 
 describe
 
 THE BLACK BANKER. 289 
 
 describe the manners and customs of the 
 Europeans; and my grandfather^ who was 
 curious to gain some knowledge of nations 
 so distant, some of whose names he had 
 never heard of, generally made it the to- 
 pic of his discourse. It is true, I listened 
 with avidity to the description, but without 
 the smallest wish or idea of ever taking . 
 advantage of the knowledge I gained. The 
 history of his own family was also related ; 
 yet, though the description of their anvi- 
 quity, their power, and their riches, was 
 grand, still it occasioned no desire in my 
 mind to partake or be a witness of it, feel- 
 ing myself more happy and contented 
 within my small domestic circle, than in a 
 crowd of pretended friends, or overbear- 
 ing and haughty relatives. My sentiments, 
 however, seemed to have undergone a total 
 revolution : and I eagerlv lono-ed to visit 
 those countries I had heard described by the 
 partial representation of a parent. A dis- 
 turbance which took place just at the time 
 when my mind was agitated, and fluctua- 
 voL. u. Q ' ting
 
 290 THE BLACK BANNEB. 
 
 ting in opinion, concerning my future 
 prospects, determined me; and as you. 
 Count Henry, was in some measure the 
 cause of it, and indeed peculiarly interested 
 in it, I shall relate it more particularly." 
 
 BND OF VOL. II» 
 
 Lane, Darling, and Co. LeadenhalUStreet.
 
 n 
 
 
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 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA