Page:Libussa, Duchess of Bohemia; also, The Man Without a Name.djvu/103



the Thuringian frontier, near the little river of Lockwitz, in Voigtland, is situated the castle of Lauenstein, which was formerly a nunnery, but destroyed in the Hussite wars. The spiritual domain, having been returned as derelict property to the secular power, was disposed of by the Count of Orlamünde, the then proprietor, to a certain squire Lauenstein, who either gave his name to the eastle, or took his therefrom. It was, however, soon to be seen, that ecclesiastical property does not thrive in profane hands, and that such a robbery is sooner or later resented.

The bones of the holy nuns, which for centuries past had reposed in peace and quietness in their sombre vaults, could not support with equanimity the desecration of their sanctuary. The musty skeletons began to stir; they clattered