opened a secret door, which the baron had believed was known only to himself, and proceeding through several narrow and winding passages came at length to a small gate, that opened beyond the walls of the castle. Meanwhile, the baron followed in silence and amazement, on perceiving that these secret passages were so well known to a stranger, and felt inclined to return from an adventure that appeared to partake of treachery as well as danger. Then, considering that he was armed, and observing the courteous and noble air of his conductor, his courage returned, he blushed that it had failed him for a moment, and he resolved to trace the mystery to its source.

He now found himself on the heathy platform, before the great gates of his castle, where, on looking up, he perceived lights glimmering in the different casements of the guests, who were retiring to sleep; and, while he shivered in the blast, and looked on the dark and desolate scene around him, he thought of the comforts of his warm chamber, rendered cheerful by the blaze of wood, and felt, for a moment, the full contrast of his present situation.

The wind was strong, and the baron watched his lamp with anxiety, expecting every moment to see it extinguished; but though the flame wavered, it did not expire, and he still followed the stranger, who often sighed as he went, but did not speak.

When they reached the borders of the forest, the knight turned and raised his head, as if he

meant to address the baron, but then closing his lips in silence, he walked on.

As they entered beneath the dark and spreading boughs, the baron, affected by the solemnity of the scene, hesitated whether to proceed, and demanded how much farther they were to go. The knight replied only by a gesture, and the baron, with hesitating steps and a suspicious eye, followed through an obscure and intricate path, till, having proceeded a considerable way, he again demanded whither they were going, and refused to proceed unless he was informed.

As he said this, he looked at his own sword and at the knight alternately, who shook his head, and whose dejected countenance disarmed the baron, for a moment, of suspicion.

A little farther is the place whither I would lead you, said the stranger; no evil shall befall you-I have sworn it on the honour of a knight.

The baron, reassured, again followed in silence, and they soon arrived at a deep recess of the forest, where the dark and lofty chestnuts entirely excluded the sky, and which was so overgrown with underwood, that they proceeded with difficulty. The knight sighed deeply as he passed, and sometimes paused; and having, at length, reached a spot, where the trees crowded into a knot, he turned, and, with a terrific look, pointing to the ground, the baron saw there the body of a man, stretched at its length, and weltering in blood; a ghastly wound was on the forehead, and death appeared already to have contracted the features.

The baron, on perceiving the spectacle, started

in horror, looked at the knight for explanation, and was then going to raise the body, and examine if there were yet any remains of life; but the stranger, waving his hand, fixed upon him a look so earnest and mournful, as not only much surprised him, but made him desist.

But what were the baron's emotions, when, on holding the lamp near the features of the corpse, he discovered the exact resemblance of the stranger his conductor, to whom he now looked up in astonishment and inquiry! as he gazed, he per-. ceived the countenance of the knight change and begin to fade, till his whole form gradually vanished from his astonished sense! While the baron stood, fixed to the spot, a voice was heard to utter these words :

The body of Sir Bevys of Lancaster, a noble knight of England, lies before you. He was this night waylaid and murdered, as he journeyed from the holy city towards his native land. Respect the honour of knighthood and the law of humanity; inter the body in Christian ground, and cause his murderers to be punished. As ye observe or neglect this, shall peace and happiness, or war and misery, light upon you and your house for ever!

The baron, when he recovered from the awe and astonishment in which this adventure had thrown him, returned to his castle, whither he caused the body of Sir Bevys to be removed; and, on the following day, it was interred, with the honours of knighthood, in the chapel of the castle, attended by all the noble knights and ladies who graced the court of Baron de Brunne.

MRS. RADCLIFFE.

THE DEAN OF BADAJOZ.

THE dean of the cathedral of Badajoz was more
learned than all the doctors of Salamanca, Coim-
bra, and Alcala, united; he understood all lan-
guages, living and dead, and was perfect master
of every science divine and human; except that,
unfortunately, he had no knowledge of magic,
and was inconsolable when he reflected on his
ignorance in that sublime art. He was told that
a very able magician, named Don Torribio, re-
sided in the suburbs of Toledo. Immediately
he saddled his mule, departed for Toledo, and
alighted at the door of no very superb dwelling,
the residence of that great man. "Most reve-
rend magician," said he, addressing himself to
the sage,
"I am the dean of Badajoz. The
learned men of Spain will allow me to be their
superior; but I am come to request from you a
much greater honour, that of becoming your
pupil. Deign to initiate me in the mysteries of
your art, and doubt not but you shall receive a
grateful acknowledgment, suitable to the benefit
conferred, and your own extraordinary merit."

Don Torribio was not very polite, though he valued himself on being intimately acquainted with the best company in hell. He told the dean he was welcome to seek elsewhere for a master; for that, for his part, he was weary of an occupation which produced nothing but compliments and promises, and that he should but dishonour the occult sciences by prostituting them to the ungrateful. "To the ungrateful!" exclaimed the dean," has then the great Don Torribio met

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with persons who have proved ungrateful? And can he so far mistake me as to rank me with such monsters?" He then repeated all the maxims and apothegms which he had read on the subject of gratitude, and every refined sentiment his memory could furnish. In short, he talked so well, that the conjuror, after having considered a moment, confessed he could refuse nothing to a man of such abilities, and so ready at pertinent quotations" Jacintha," said he, calling to his old woman, lay down two partridges to the fire. I hope my friend the dean will do me the honour of supping with me to-night." At the same time he takes him by the hand and leads him into the cabinet; there he touched his forehead, uttering three mysterious words, "Ortobolan, Pistafrier, Onagriouf." Then, without further preparation, he began to explain, with all possible perspicuity, the introductory elements of his profound science. His new disciple listened with an attention that scarce permitted him to breathe; when, on a sudden, Jacintha entered, followed by a little old man in monstrous boots, and covered with mud up to the neck, who desired to speak with the dean on very important business. This was the postilion of his uncle, the Bishop of Badajoz, who had been sent express after him, and who had galloped without ceasing quite to Toledo, before he could overtake him. He came to bring him information that, some hours after his departure, his grace had been attacked by so violent an apoplexy that the most terrible conse quences were to be apprehended. The dean heartily cursed (inwardly that is, and so as to