I screamed;--but sorry am I to say, less like a heroine than a sea-gull;--and the bravo advanced. On a sudden, the door of the chamber was burst open, and Montmorenci rushed forward, with a brandished sword. At the same moment, Baron Hildebrand sprang from behind the tapestry. 'Turn, villain!' cried Montmorenci; and a desperate battle began. My life was the stake. I hung upon every blow, winced as the steel descended on Montmorenci, and moved as he moved, with agonised mimicry. At length, victory declared in his favour. The bandit lay lifeless, and the baron was disarmed; but escaped out of the chamber. 'Let us fly!' cried my preserver, snatching me to his heart. 'I have bribed a domestic.--A horse is in waiting.--Let us fly!' 'Let us, let us!' said I, disengaging myself. 'Yet hold!' cried he. 'I have saved your life. Save mine, by consenting to an immediate union.' 'Ay, my lord----' 'What?' 'I cannot.' 'Cannot!' 'Come, my lord; do come!' 'On my knees, lady----' 'Seize the villain, and immure him in the deepest dungeon!' exclaimed the baron, rushing into the room with his domestics. Some of them laid hold on Montmorenci, the rest bore off the body of the bandit. The baron and I were left alone. 'My lord,' said I, flinging myself at his feet (for alas, I had now lost all my magnanimity), 'that man is my horror and detestation. But only promise to spare my life for one day more, and indeed, indeed, I will try if I can make up my mind to marry him.' ''Tis well,' said the baron. 'To-night you sleep secure: to-morrow decides your fate.' He spoke, and stalked out of the chamber. This horrid castle--would I had never set foot in it. I will escape if I can, I am resolved. I have already tried the walls, for a sliding pannel or a concealed door; but nothing of the kind can I discover. And yet something of the kind there must be, else how could the baron and bravo have entered my chamber? I protest this facility of intrusion in antique apartments is extremely distressing. For besides its exposing one to be murdered, just think how it exposes one to be peeped at. I declare I dare not even undress, lest some menial should be leering through a secret crevice. Oh, that I were once more in the mud cottage! I am sick of castles. Adieu. LETTER XLII This morning, after a maid had cleaned out the room, Dame Ursulina brought breakfast. 'Graciousnessosity!' cried she, 'here is the whole castle in such a fluster; hammering and clamouring, and paddling at all manner of possets, to make much of the fine company that is coming down to the baron to-day.' 'Heavens!' exclaimed I, 'when will my troubles cease? Doubtless they are a most dissolute set. An amorous Verezzi, an insinuating Cavigni, and an abandoned Orsino; besides some lovely voluptuary, some fascinating desperado, who plays the harp, and poisons by the hour.'