but he could not see it amongst
his furniture, or get any information out of him as to what had become
of it. He expressed the utmost surprise at hearing it had been stolen, a
surprise which Cosmo saw at once to be counterfeited; while, at the same
time, he fancied that the old wretch was not at all anxious to have it
mistaken for genuine. Full of distress, which he concealed as well as he
could, he made many searches, but with no avail. Of course he could
ask no questions; but he kept his ears awake for any remotest hint that
might set him in a direction of search. He never went out without a
short heavy hammer of steel about him, that he might shatter the mirror
the moment he was made happy by the sight of his lost treasure, if ever
that blessed moment should arrive. Whether he should see the lady again,
was now a thought altogether secondary, and postponed to the achievement
of her freedom. He wandered here and there, like an anxious ghost, pale
and haggard; gnawed ever at the heart, by the thought of what she might
be suffering--all from his fault.

One night, he mingled with a crowd that filled the rooms of one of
the most distinguished mansions in the city; for he accepted every
invitation, that he might lose no chance, however poor, of obtaining
some information that might expedite his discovery. Here he wandered
about, listening to every stray word that he could catch, in the hope of
a revelation. As he approached some ladies who were talking quietly in a
corner, one said to another:

"Have you heard of the strange illness of the Princess von Hohenweiss?"

"Yes; she has been ill for more than a year now. It is very sad for so
fine a creature to have such a terrible malady. She was better for
some weeks lately, but within the last few days the same attacks have
returned, apparently accompanied with more suffering than ever. It is
altogether an inexplicable story."

"Is there a story connected with her illness?"

"I have only heard imperfect reports of it; but it is said that she gave
offence some eighteen months ago to an old woman who had held an
office of trust in the family, and who, after some incoherent threats,
disappeared. This peculiar affection followed soon after. But the
strangest part of the story is its association with the loss of an
antique mirror, which stood in her dressing-room, and of which she
constantly made use."

Here the speaker's voice sank to a whisper; and Cosmo, although his ver