who heard it too, was struck with horror, and asked eagerly the
same question; but Manfred ordered him to be hurried into the
court, and kept there for execution, till he had informed himself
of the cause of Bianca's shrieks. When he learned the meaning, he
treated it as a womanish panic, and ordering Matilda to be carried
to her apartment, he rushed into the court, and calling for one of
his guards, bade Theodore kneel down, and prepare to receive the
fatal blow.

The undaunted youth received the bitter sentence with a resignation
that touched every heart but Manfred's. He wished earnestly to
know the meaning of the words he had heard relating to the
Princess; but fearing to exasperate the tyrant more against her, he
desisted. The only boon he deigned to ask was, that he might be
permitted to have a confessor, and make his peace with heaven.
Manfred, who hoped by the confessor's means to come at the youth's
history, readily granted his request; and being convinced that
Father Jerome was now in his interest, he ordered him to be called
and shrive the prisoner. The holy man, who had little foreseen the
catastrophe that his imprudence occasioned, fell on his knees to
the Prince, and adjured him in the most solemn manner not to shed
innocent blood. He accused himself in the bitterest terms for his
indiscretion, endeavoured to disculpate the youth, and left no
method untried to soften the tyrant's rage. Manfred, more incensed
than appeased by Jerome's intercession, whose retraction now made
him suspect he had been imposed upon by both, commanded the Friar
to do his duty, telling him he would not allow the prisoner many
minutes for confession.

"Nor do I ask many, my Lord," said the unhappy young man. "My