, and overwhelm him, the thought of something
terrible which had happened to him, leaving traces of the most intense
horror and terror on his face. When this happened he would lapse into
silence, leave the company, and stroll about up and down, alone. In the
field, he used to ride all round the outposts at night, from one to
another, restlessly, only yielding to sleep when completely exhausted;
and as, in addition to this, he would often expose himself to the
extremest danger, without any special necessity, and seemed to seek, in
battle, death, which fled from him--for in the toughest hand-to-hand
engagement never a bullet touched him; no sword-cut came near him--it
seemed evident that his life had been marred by some irreparable
bereavement, or perhaps some rash deed.

"We stormed, and captured, a fortified castle on the French territory,
and remained quartered there for a day or two, to give the men some
rest. The rooms where Bogislav was quartered were but a few steps from
mine. In the night I was awakened by a gentle knocking at my door. I
asked who was there. My name was called out: I recognised Bogislav's
voice, and went to let him in. There he stood in his night-dress, with
a branched candlestick in his hand, pale as death, with his face
distorted, trembling in every limb, unable to utter a word.

"'For heaven's sake! what has happened?--what is the matter, dearest
Bogislav?' I cried. I took him to the arm-chair; made him swallow a
glass or two of the full-bodied wine which was on the table; held his
hand fast in mine, and spoke what comforting words I could, in my
ignorance of the cause of his strange condition.

"He recovered himself by degrees, heaved a deep sigh, and then began,
in a hollow voice: 'No! no! I shall go mad, unless death takes me; God
knows I throw myself with eager longing into his arms. To you, my
faithful Moritz, I will confide my fearful secret. I told you once that
I was in Naples a good many years ago. There I met the daughter of one
of the most distinguished families, and fell deeply in love with her.
She returned my affection, and, as her parents gave their approval, I
saw the fulfilment of my brightest hopes at hand. The wedding-day was
fixed, when there appeared on the scene a Sicilian Count, who came
between us with a most eager suit to my beloved and betrothed. I took
him to task; he insulted me; we met, and I sent my sword through his
body. I hastened to my love; I found her bathe