raw, and came
to a wall. I followed the wall about twenty feet, and then touched wood;
groping about, I found it was a door. I then made the circuit of the
walls, and discovered that the other side was built with bins for wine,
which were empty, and I then found myself again at the straw upon which
I had been laid. It was in a cellar no longer used--but where? Again I
lay down upon the straw, and, as it may be imagined, my reflections
were anything but pleasing. "Was I in the power of M'Dermott or
Melchior?" I felt convinced that I was; but my head was too painful for
long thought, and after half an hour's reflection, I gave way to a
sullen state of half-dreaming, half-stupor, in which the forms of
M'Dermott, Kathleen, Melchior, and Fleta, passed in succession before
me. How long I remained in this second species of trance I cannot say,
but I was roused by the light of a candle, which flashed in my eyes.
I started up, and beheld Melchior in his gipsy's dress, just as when I
had taken leave of him.

"It is to you, then, that I am indebted for this treatment?" replied I.

"No; not to me," replied Melchior. "I do not command here; but I knew
you when they brought you in insensible, and being employed in the
castle, I have taken upon myself the office of your gaoler, that I
might, if possible, serve you."

I felt, I knew this to be false, but a moment's reflection told me that
it was better at present to temporise.

"Who then does the castle belong to, Melchior?"

"To Sir Henry de Clare."

"And what can be his object in treating me thus?"

"That I can tell you, because I am a party concerned. You remember the
little girl, Fleta, who left the gipsy camp with you--she is now
somewhere under your care?"

"Well, I grant it; but I was answerable only to you about her."

"Very true, but I was answerable to Sir Henry; and when I could only say
that she was well, he was not satisfied, for family reasons now make him
very anxious that she should return to him; and, indeed, it will be for
her advantage, as she will in all probability be his heir, for he has
satisfactorily proved that she is a near relative."

"Grant all that, Melchior; but why did not Sir Henry de Clare write to
me on the subject, and state his wishes, and his right to demand his
relative? And why does he treat me in this way? Another question--how
is it that he has recognised me to be the party who has charge of the
little girl? Answer me those questions