summit of the tower, never permitted his head to appear above the parapet. He, now, determined to make his approaches with redoubled vigilance; for he felt that danger lurked within the apparently deserted precinct. Stealing cautiously down stairs, he observed fresh traces of Vanostrode, in the centre apartment. Passages from his poems were written upon the walls; and, in an obscure corner, he found a military glove. It bore his friend's initials, and was stained with blood. The floor was covered with tapestry of so dark a colour, that it could not betray the crimson dye, which had been most probably poured out upon it; but the stairs were marked in several places, as if the wood had been scraped, for the purpose of obliterating spots that would not wash off. Passing down still lower, to the ground floor, upon strict examination, he perceived that an aperture had been made in the wall, sufficiently large for a man to pass through into Alexa's garden. The breach was carefully concealed, by a panel placed against it on the inside; and Leopold knew that it must be effectually shadowed, by the clustering evergreens which encircled the wall of the outer pleasure grounds. Hitherto, Rosenwold's visits to the observatory had been limited to day-light; but, now, he determined to repair thither in the evening's close-to surprise Alexa-and gain, from her own lips, the confirmation, or the removal of his suspicions, ere he proceeded further in the scrutiny which he deter mined to institute respecting his friend's death. Unexpectedly called away, upon military business, he was detained from his quarters till past twelve o'clock. He thought the hour too late for any chance of finding the lady up; but, notwithstanding the peril which environed him, he could not refrain from visiting the place, so fatal to the unfortunate Vanostrode. Listening, to ascertain that no one else was abroad, he proceeded, with a cautious step, through the yew walk. All was silent as the grave: -not a leaf stirred, nor was there a single nightbird on the wing. He passed the aperture,-emerging from a dreary waste of tall flags and tangled weeds, into Alexa's fair and stately garden. Every thing, there also, was calm and still; and a light, from the window of a distant summer-house, assured him that she whom he sought had not retired to rest. He approached the spot,-a shriek smote his ear!— another and another!-He rushed forward, burst open the door, and arrived in time to rescue his beloved Alexa from the grasp of a ruffian. Leopold seized the villain by the throat;-the garments which he disgraced proved him to be a member of the church,—it was the prior of the adjoining convent. Threatened with immediate death, he made a full disclosure of his crimes. Alexa had, long, believed herself to be under the influence of some malignant star. A horrid destiny attended all those who sought her affection. She had been mysteriously warned not to receive the addresses of a second lover, lest he should be cut off, like the first. The crafty monk hoped, by this means, to work upon the mind of a timid woman, and deter her from seeking the protection of a husband. He it was who pronounced her nuptial benediction; and it was by his contrivance that the glass of poisoned water reached the bridegroom's lips. The prior's endeavour to penetrate into the devoted lady's garden was prevented, by Vanostrode's persevering gallantry. He had found out the way to the observatory, and almost lived in it. The jealous monk feared that Alexa viewed the handsome hussar with a favourable eye, and he resolved to remove him out of the way. Lying in wait, in the centre apartment, he stabbed him as he passed down stairs. The stroke was mortal,-Vanostrode placed his hand on the wound, threw off his glove, but expired ere he could draw his sword; and the monk, wrapping his victim in his own vestments, carried the body into the barracks,—where, after stripping it of the garments which would have betrayed him, he laid it in the bed, artfully contriving to make it appear that the murdered man had fallen by his own hands. It was some time, however, ere the assassin dared renew his design upon Alexa. Rosenwold's extreme watchfulness had preserved him from suspicion; and the monk, believing that he alone was acquainted with the secret entrance into the lady's garden, made the bold attempt, so happily prevented by Leopold's opportune appearance. The monk suffered the penalty of his crimes; and the young soldier received the hand of the lovely creature to whom he had been so deeply, and so ardently attached. EMMA R. THE LOVE OF GOD. TWO SONNETS. BY THE REV. H. H. MILMAN, Professor of Poetry, in the University of Oxford. 1. LOVE Thee!-oh, Thou, the world's eternal Sire! Whose palace is the vast infinity, Time, space, height, depth, oh God! are full of Thee, And sun-eyed seraphs tremble and admire. Love Thee!-but Thou art girt with vengeful fire, And mountains quake, and banded nations flee, And terror shakes the wide unfathomed sea, |