nce
of your royal highness, I have disguised myself under this mask, which
alone made it possible. But I swear to you, princess, no one knows of
this attempt, no one can ever know it--I alone am guilty. Pardon, then,
princess--pardon for this bold act. I was forced to this step--forced to
clasp your knees--to implore you in your greatness and magnanimity, to
stand by me! I was impelled irresistibly, for I had sworn a fearful oath
to do this thing."

"To whom have you sworn?" said the princess, sternly. "Who are you? what
do you ask of me?"

"I am Count Ranuzi, Austrian captain and prisoner of war. I implore you,
noble princess, to have mercy upon a poor, helpless prisoner, consumed
with grief and despair. God and the world have forsaken him, but he has
one protecting angel in whom he trusts, to whom he prays--and her name
is Amelia! He is bound in chains like a wild beast--a hard stone is his
couch, and a vault beneath is his grave--he is living and buried--his
heart lives and heaves and calls to you, princess, for rescue."

The Princess Amelia shrank back trembling and groaning on the sofa; her
eyes were wide open, and staring in the distance. After a long pause,
she said, slowly: "Call his name."

"Frederick von Trenck!"

Amelia shuddered, and uttered a low cry. "Trenck!" repeated she, softly;
"oh, what sad melody lies in that word! It is like the death-cry of my
youth. I think the very air must weep when this name vibrates upon it.
Trenck, Trenck! How beautiful, how lovely that sounds; it is a sweet,
harmonious song; it sings to me softly of the only happiness of my life.
Ah, how long, how long since this song was silenced! All within me is
desolate! On every side my heart is torn--on every side! Oh, so drear,
so fearful! All! all!" Lost in her own thoughts, these words had been
slowly uttered. She had forgotten that she was not alone with her
remembrances, which like a cloud had gathered round about her and shut
off the outward world.

Ranuzi did not dare to recall her thoughts--he still knelt at her feet.

Suddenly her whole frame trembled, and she sprang up. "My God! I dream,
while he calls me! I am idly musing, and Trenck has need of me. Speak,
sir, speak! What do you know of him? Have you seen him? Did he send you
to me?"

"He sent me, your highness, but I have not seen him. Have the grace to
listen to me. Ah, your highness, in what I now say I lay the safety of a
dear and valued friend, yes, his life,