Page:Tales of the Dead.djvu/49

 very few days after, the count died in a state of total derangement.

“It is singular enough, that the termination of his life should coincide with the destruction of the ruined tower, and there no longer exists any male branch of that family. The deeds relative to the succession, ratified and sealed by the emperor Otho, are still amongst the archives of his house. Their contents have as yet only been transmitted verbally from father to son, as an hereditary secret, which will now, however, be made known. It is also true, that the affianced bride of the count was killed by the portrait’s falling on her.”

“I yesterday heard that fatal history recited by the lady with flaxen hair,” replied Ferdinand.

“It is very possible that young person is the countess Emily,” replied the pastor; “for she was the bosom-friend of the unfortunate bride.”

“Does not then the countess Emily live at the castle of Wartbourg?” asked Ferdinand.

“Since her brother’s death,” answered the clergyman, “she has lived with a relation of her mother’s at the château of Libinfelt, a short distance from hence. For as they yet know not with certainty to whom the castle of Wartbourg will belong, she prudently lives retired.”

Ferdinand had learnt sufficient to make him abandon the projected journey to the capital. He Rh