ALEXIEW VON LIEBEN.

FROM THE GERMAN OF BLUMENHAGEN.

THE castle chapel of the Duke of -was disturbed by unhallowed scenes. The sepulchres of princes were open, and the servants conveying trunks of jewels and plate, (useless treasures to the dead), down the marble staircase. On the first step of a side altar of the chapel were placed numerous maps, on which two officers were marking out various military positions. Opposite them, at the narrow entrance of the steeple stairs, stood a red bearded Cosack as centinel, who beheld with the most covetous looks the riches which were being confided to the dead.

The Russian General Alexiew von Lieben had, by order of his grey-headed commander, entered the small capital of the Duchy to oppose the approaching enemy, and was preparing himself to fill with honour the post allotted to him.

The town was situated at the entrance of a narrow valley, and commanded by the strength of its situation

the pass into the interior, which formed a ravine, through which poured a torrent bounded by a solitary road. Before the town, a spacious plain extended itself to the foot of the distant mountains.

The watchfires of the enemy were discoverable at night amongst the higher ridges, but hitherto only a few companies of light cavalry, accompanied by small detachments of infantry, had ventured into the plain, of which the Russians had taken possession.

On this day, however, they assumed a more formidable appearance. They descended in regular battle array, protected by some pieces of artillery, under cover of which a body of cavalry made towards the walls. The Russian commander ascended the steeple to observe the movements of the enemy, and his aid-de-camp awaited his commands in the chapel, ready to communicate them to the troops ranged in order in the square of the town.

The duke entered at this moment with hasty steps, followed by his secretary and confidant, Sir Giulo Vasaldo. The tall and thin form of the prince, his sharp Italian countenance, his dark and somewhat greyish hairs, and above all his deep and burning eye, indicated the violence of his passions, and their predominance through the whole of his career. His favourite was a short and thick figure, on whose inexpressive features dwelt a continual smile, which partially mitigated the treachery discoverable in his small colourless eyes.

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Who opened the castle chapel?" asked the duke,

as he entered. "What folly to commit such treasures to their hiding place before these witnesses. We are desirous of concealing them from our friendly enemies, and place them here at the convenience of our hated friends, ready to load their miserable waggons whenever they please. Who opened this chapel to the strangers ?" "His command-please your highness!" answered the knight, shrugging his shoulders. "That great key

of war. The general has ascended the steeple, and is observing the approach of the enemy."

"Would that a cannon ball would find him there, like a Salisbury before Orleans," said the duke, striving to conceal his passion. "I am no longer sovereign master in my dominions, since he entered my capital at the head of his troop of barbarians. The beardless youth is become duke, and I must descend from my dear bought throne, and see my crown hang on the bloody point of his sword. Vasaldo, I have borne everything→→ the hatred of my uncle, the envy excited by my cousin's happiness, the gnawing worm of jealousy, the cold hell of an unhappy marriage, but all this I bore easier than the proud steps of this general in my own house, who seems to say that he could, if he was so inclined, crush us to atoms, and stamp on our humbled bodies. Vasaldo, the very thought is poisonous, and I will no longer bear it!"

“Fortune is changeable," said the knight. "What

may this day excite our passions may the next contribute

to allay them."

"Those are but hollow comforts in my present situation," interrupted the duke. "These northern troops are not calculated to suit us. Yonder besiegers are much more agreeable to me; and if the falcon must for a time give way to the eagle, he can unite with the vulture, and overcome the proud tyrant of the air. I hate these rough and heartless figures, and my measures are taken."

"Silence! my lord! be silent here," articulated the confidant. "These pillars may have ears, and the very statues of the saints may betray us. These men look as if the head of a prince were as indifferent to them as that of a spy, who this morning served as a target for their well directed bullets; and besides that, he that walks up there is a valorous and shrewd man, who, although he has been but eight days in this town, has, by his affability and strictness, gained the esteem of all the inhabitants; which is greatly increased by his resemblance to your highness's beloved father, Prince Prosper, brother of the late duke. And your highness must agree, that the black-haired young hero forms a wonderful contrast with so many light-headed warriors, and made a great impression even on you."

"It was the presentiment of my approaching fall, and of my broken crown," answered hoarsely Duke Giacomo "It is this very influence on my people that strikes me

to the heart, and leads my hand to the hilt of my sword, whenever I behold the figure of the hated mortal."

"Artifice alone can overcome the crocodile. Our dress weapons shiver like glass on their massive swords. Therefore I humbly advise your highness to be silent, and to conduct every thing with the utmost secresy. Let the vial which incloses the deadly poison be well polished and glossy."

"But why do you recall this to my mind,” asked the duke, in a suppressed tone, 66 now that the recompense of my hasty deeds seems to vanish. But still you are right. No-I will not have resigned the tranquillity of my conscience for nothing: I will give free scope to all my desires, and my armed hand shall not retreat when power and absolute sway are within my grasp. To deliver this man into the hands of my enemy; to confine my wife, (the eternal fountain, of tears of my life-the unfruitful fig-tree in my way), in a convent; and to raise the blooming Giovanna to my throne and heart, are the most important points. One bold midnight shall bring forth all this, and become the dark but rich mother of a new world of security and enjoyment. Hasten to prepare all the machines of my will in my cabinet. Before the sun sinks let the mine be constructed of which I spoke yesterday."

Vasaldo contracted his forehead, and was on the point of answering, when the centinel in the town saluted loudly, and Count Alexiew descended into the