rehand."

"The first," returned Fernand, "is that you henceforth look upon me as
your brother, and call me such when we are alone together or in the
presence of strangers. The second is that you never seek to remove the
black cloth which covers yon place----"

Agnes glanced toward the object alluded to and shuddered--as if the veil
concealed some new mystery.

"And the third condition is that you revive not on any future occasion
the subject of our present conversation, nor even question me in respect
to those secrets which it may suit me to retain within my own breast."

Agnes promised obedience, and, embracing Wagner, said, "Heaven has been
merciful to me, in my present affliction, in that it has given me _a
brother_!"

"Thou speakest of thine afflictions, Agnes!" exclaimed Wagner; "this is
the night of revelations and mutual confidences--and this night once
passed, we will never again allude to the present topics, unless events
should render their revival necessary. It now remains for thee to
narrate to me all that has befallen thee since the winter of 1516."

Agnes hastened to comply with Fernand's request, and commenced her
history in the following manner:

CHAPTER VIII.

THE HISTORY OF AGNES.

"When you, dear brother--for so I shall henceforth call you--commenced
your strange and wondrous revelations ere now, you painted in vivid
colors the happiness which dwelt in our poor cottage on the borders of
the Black Forest. You saw how deeply your words affected me--I could not
restrain my tears. Let me not, however, dwell upon this subject; but
rather hasten to explain those powerful causes which induced me to quit
that happy home.

"It was about six weeks before my flight that I went into the forest to
gather wood. I was in the midst of my occupation, gayly thrilling a
native song, when the sound of a horse's feet upon the hard soil of the
beaten path suddenly interrupted me. I turned around, seeing a cavalier
of strikingly handsome countenance--though somewhat stern withal, and of
noble mien. He was in reality forty-four years of age--as I afterward
learnt; but he seemed scarcely forty, so light did time sit upon his
brow. His dress was elegant, though of some strange fashion; for it was
Italian costume that he wore. The moment he was close to the spot where
I stood he considered me for a short while, till I felt my cheeks
glowing beneath his ardent gaze. I cast down my eyes; and the next
instant