“Repugnance! no, I’ll warrant her,” said Bianca: “he is as comely a youth as ever trod on Christian ground. We are all in love with him; there is not a soul in the castle but would be rejoiced to have him for our prince--I mean, when it shall please Heaven to call your highness to itself.” “Indeed,” said Manfred, “has it gone so far? oh, this cursed friar! but I must not lose time:--go, Bianca, attend Isabella; but I charge thee, not a word of what has passed. Find out how she is affected towards Theodore: bring me good news, and that ring has a companion. Wait at the foot of the winding staircase: I am going to visit the marquis, and will talk further with thee at my return.” Manfred, after some general conversation, desired Frederic to dismiss the two knights his companions, having to talk with him on urgent affairs. As soon as they were alone, he began, in artful guise, to sound the marquis on the subject of Matilda; and finding him disposed to his wish, he let drop hints on the difficulties that would attend the celebration of their marriage, unless--At that instant Bianca burst into the room with a wildness in her look and gestures that spoke the utmost terror. “Oh, my lord, my lord!” cried she; “we are all undone! it is come again! it is come again!” “What is come again?” cried Manfred, amazed. “Oh, the hand! the giant! the hand!--support me! I am terrified out of my senses,” cried Bianca; “I will not sleep in the castle to-night. Where shall I go? my things may come after me to-morrow--would I had been content to wed Francesco!--this comes of ambition.” “What has terrified thee thus, young woman?” said the marquis. “Thou art safe here; be not alarmed.” “Oh, your greatness is wonderfully good,” said Bianca, “but I dare not--no, pray let me go. I had rather leave everything behind me, than stay another hour under this roof.” “Go to, thou hast lost thy senses,” said Manfred. “Interrupt us not; we were communing on important matters. My lord, this wench is subject to fits. Come with me, Bianca.” “Oh, the saints, no,” said Bianca; “for certain it comes to warn your highness: why should it appear to me else? I say my prayers morning and evening. Oh, if your highness had believed Diego! ’Tis the same hand that he saw the foot to in the gallery chamber. Father Jerome has often told us the prophecy would be out one of these days. ‘Bianca,’ said he, ‘mark my words----’” “Thou ravest,” said Manfred in a rage! “begone, and keep these fooleries to frighten thy companions.” “What, my lord!” cried Bianca, “do you think I have seen nothing? Go to the foot of the great stairs yourself--as I live I saw it.” “Saw what? Tell us, fair maid, what thou hast seen,” said Frederic. “Can your highness listen,” said Manfred, “to the delirium of a silly wench, who has heard stories of apparitions until she believes them?”