eive him to our arms may
be the more apparent. If the young fellow were the equal of Adelheid in
other things, as he is in person and character, he would have too much in
his favor.--No, by the faith of Calvin!--him whom thou stylest a
heretic--I think I rejoice that the boy is not noble!"

"Have it as thou wilt," returned the Genoese whose countenance continued
to express distrust and thought, for his own experience had made him wary
on the subject of doubtful or ill-assorted alliances; "let his origin be
what it may, he shall not need gold. I charge myself with seeing that the
lands of Willading shall be fairly balanced: and here comes our hospitable
host to be witness of the pledge."

Roger de Blonay advanced upon the terrace to greet his guests, as the
Signor Grimaldi concluded. The three old men continued their walk for an
hour longer, discussing the fortunes of the young pair, for Melchior de
Willading was as little disposed to make a secret of his intentions with
one of his friends as with the other.

Chapter X.

--But I have not the time to pause
Upon these gewgaws of the heart.

Werner.

Though the word castle is of common use in Europe, as applied to ancient
baronial edifices, the thing itself is very different in style, extent,
and cost, in different countries. Security, united to dignity and the
means of accommodating a train of followers suited to the means of the
noble, being the common object, the position and defences of the place
necessarily varied according to the general aspect of the region in which
it stood. Thus ditches and other broad expanses of water were much
depended on in all low countries, as in Flanders, Holland, parts of
Germany, and much of France; while hills, spurs of mountains, and more
especially the summits of conical rocks, were sought in Switzerland,
Italy, and wherever else these natural means of protection could readily
found. Other circumstances, such as climate wealth, the habits of a
people, and the nature of the feudal rights, also served greatly to modify
the appearance and extent of the building. The ancient hold in Switzerland
was originally little more than a square solid tower, perched upon a rock,
with turrets at its angles. Proof against fire from without, it had
ladders to mount from floor to floor and often contained its beds in the
deep recesses of the windows, or in alcoves wrought in the massive wall.
As greater security or greater means ena