shing against that of his antagonist, he became at once cool
and composed. Not so Plindorf, he dashed at his more youthful opponent
with a fury that had well nigh brought the combat to a speedy and fatal
issue, and compelled Frederic to exert his utmost skill. The peculiar
danger of his situation, and almost certain death or remediless disgrace
that awaited him, even if victorious, for having struck his superior
officer, were present to the mind of the young officer in gloomy and
terrible colors; but it was too late to retract. The fury of the Baron
threw him off his guard--he received a mortal wound, and fell dead. The
unhappy survivor stood for some seconds gazing upon the inanimate form
before him; and as the features, after being convulsed for a little,
settled into the iron stiffness of everlasting sleep, he uttered a deep
sigh, and unconsciously moved away from the spot. At this moment Bianca,
recovering from the stupor into which the terrible scene had thrown her,
earnestly enjoined him to fly.

"There is no time to be lost," said the agonized girl; "fly at once to
the sea-side--go on board any vessel that is about sailing--in a few
days, I doubt not, this unhappy business will be hushed up."

"And where shall I fly?" said the Count; "where shall I go from
_him_?"--indicating the slain nobleman by a movement of his hand--"do
you know what I have done? I have in one moment sentenced myself to
death; or, what is worse, to disgraceful and infamous privation of all
my honors and rank."

"No, no--there is yet time--go immediately on board the American
man-of-war in the harbor--they dare not search for you there."

With many entreaties and tears, she prevailed upon him to take measures
for his safety; and with a lightened heart saw him, from the windows of
her father's house, reach the water-side uninterrupted; saw him leave
the shore in a little skiff, when the intervention of other objects hid
him from her sight.

The two officers were missed that evening. The dead body of the
ill-fated Baron was soon discovered; for many had seen him going towards
old Morelli's cottage; but no traces of Count Altenberg have ever been
discovered. Morelli and his daughter underwent a rigid examination; the
former could throw no light upon the mysterious disappearance of
Frederic, but Bianca, the pure-minded Bianca, unreservedly related all
the circumstances. The examining officers forwarded an elaborate and
circumstantial report