able), and requested him to proceed with his narrative which I knew I should find, at least so I said, more interesting than all the ghost stories in the world. The following is, as nearly as I can recollect, the substance of what he told me.

My regiment was stationed at Trent, from 1806, when the Tyrol was ceded to Bavaria by the treaty of Presburg, till 1809, the commencement of the present war. This period, of three years, I number among the most remarkable in my life. The early part of it, however, was spent in the lassitude, both of mind and body, which garrison-troops are so liable to fall into when they find themselves suddenly in a place destitute of the unmeaning nothings, which fill up the life of a soldier during peace, under the name of amusement. There were no balls, no dinners, no promenades; the inhabitants were either less civilised in their recreations than we of Bavaria, or even then their fit of sullenness had commenced, before they could point out a pretext for discontent.

We were in fact shunned-sent to Coventry, as the English say; and it is not to be supposed, that we received with any affectation of mildness the tacit insult. Some disorders took place not strictly in consonance with civil etiquette. The inhabitants no longer remained silent; and instead of keeping aloof as here

tofore, they closed upon us with somewhat too much familiarity: in short a series of mutual aggressions took place, which kept the town in a perpetual ferment.

One day, in the midst of this anarchy, being somewhat heated with wine after dinner, it was proposed by two or three young officers, to present ourselves uninvited at an evening party, which we understood was to be given at a house in the neighbourhood of the town. In a perfectly sober moment I should have thought the frolic too boyish: however, out we sallied, to the number of four, and took the way to the scene of action, laughing boisterously at the idea of a Tyrolese soirée. Sending in our cards, we followed upon the heels of the astonished servant, and speedily found ourselves in a room filled with apparently genteel company of both

sexes.

The conversation stopped; all eyes were turned upon the intruders; and after a moment's pause, the master of the house bowing politely, asked us to sit down. This was a very unexpected reception. We had come prepared to find informality repelled by rudeness, and after a little badinage with the "country girls," to get back to our quarters sword in hand. We indeed looked a little foolish, and had it not been for the good sense and readiness of one of my comrades-a young Frenchman-we should perhaps have slunk away as suddenly as we had entered. He apologised with great frankness, bewailing the dullness of a garri

son life, and imploring the ladies to mediate between us and the prejudices of their countrymen; and in a very short time we found ourselves as much at home as if we had come by invitation.

There was one of the ladies to whom I more particularly attached myself. She was very young, but possessed a splendour of beauty which constituted her the star of the evening, and entitled her to the exclusive homage of the senior officers. Dorathen herself did not seem to be displeased with her conquest, but on the contrary paid me every attention that was consistent with delicacy and good breeding; and indeed the whole party by degrees began to exhibit unequivocal symptoms of good humour and cordiality, with the exception of one man. This individual, whose name was Rusen, possessed not a line of the German physiognomy, but was evidently a decided Italian, although residing here in the confluence of the blood of the two races. His features were handsome, but his complexion singularly dark, and his eyes of a fierce and sinister expression; which contrasted strongly with the ingenuous blue orbs of Dorathen. The latter was evidently not only his mistress but his affianced bride; and there appeared to exist between them the kind of mysterious confidence which is usually observed among lovers.

By degrees, as my sudden acquaintance with Dorathen seemed to approach towards familiarity, Rusen became first uneasy, then indignant, then cold and dis

tant. His mistress, who treated his frowns with almost contempt, became alarmed at his desertion, and put in practice a thousand familiar wiles to lure him back to her chair. Was not this like love? And yet I could read something in her eyes that told a different tale. There seemed to be nothing tender in her uneasiness; and once or twice I detected in her stolen glance an expression of fear rather than timidity.

This

The hour of parting came, and I requested permission to escort Dorathen home, understanding that she resided at some distance on the Botzen road. was declined on the plea of a similar engagement with Rusen. The latter, however, although within earshot, would not hear. He did not stir from his place; the company had almost all left the house; and Dorathen, at last, with heightening colour, put her arm within mine, and calling her servant, we went out together.

The night was dark, and the way solitary. The servant walked before us with a lantern. Dorathen answered incoherently to my remarks; her thoughts seemed absent and perplexed. At last, suddenly interrupting me

"Sir," said she, "you are a stranger in this part of the country, and as a Bavarian, the inhabitants imagine that they owe you no good will. 'For my part, I am at home; and am known both to the townsmen and peasantry; I am under the protection, too, of a trusty servant. Return to your barracks, I entreat you

return speedily, and not too openly-and forget that I was ever so weak as to accept of a politeness which may cost you but too much!" She was agitated. She pressed my arm as she spoke, and her words came low and muffled, as if she dreaded that some one should overhear her. For my part, I was touched and interested. The intoxication of wine had passed away, and I felt that of love rising upon my heart and my brain. I attributed the fears to inexperience, and the natural timidity of a woman; and continued, in spite of her entreaties, to enjoy my happiness.

On reaching her father's house, all was dark. The family had retired to bed, and she tapped lightly on a window. The window opened; and after whispering for a minute with some one within, a coarse cloak and a peasant's hat were handed to her.

"I entreated you to return," said she, "while yet no disguise would have been necessary. You owe it to me now, were it only for the sake of my own peace of mind, to do me the small favour of throwing this cloak upon your shoulders, and concealing your military cap with this broad-brimmed hat."

"What is it you apprehend?" demanded I, in some surprise" the Tyrolese and Bavarians are now one nation; we are not in war; the clowns capable of forming opinion, laugh aloud at their late Austrian constitution; and even the peasants will soon get reconciled to a government which demands nothing more than order and submission to lawful authority."