infernal agents who are reported to molest and bewilder travellers.
He had long burned with impatience to approve his valour. Drawing
his sabre, he marched sedately onwards, still directing his steps
as the imperfect rustling sound before him led the way. The armour
he wore was a like indication to the person who avoided him.
Theodore, now convinced that he was not mistaken, redoubled his
pace, and evidently gained on the person that fled, whose haste
increasing, Theodore came up just as a woman fell breathless before
him. He hasted to raise her, but her terror was so great that he
apprehended she would faint in his arms. He used every gentle word
to dispel her alarms, and assured her that far from injuring, he
would defend her at the peril of his life. The Lady recovering her
spirits from his courteous demeanour, and gazing on her protector,
said -

"Sure, I have heard that voice before!"

"Not to my knowledge," replied Theodore; "unless, as I conjecture,
thou art the Lady Isabella."

"Merciful heaven!" cried she. "Thou art not sent in quest of me,
art thou?" And saying those words, she threw herself at his feet,
and besought him not to deliver her up to Manfred.

"To Manfred!" cried Theodore--"no, Lady; I have once already
delivered thee from his tyranny, and it shall fare hard with me
now, but I will place thee out of the reach of his daring."

"Is it possible," said she, "that thou shouldst be the generous
unknown whom I met last night in the vault of the castle? Sure