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390 now cite you to appear and decide our difference in honorable combat: enough that I so far condescend.’

“The challenge was as quickly received; every thing was prepared; I met him with perfect ease and confidence; for I was the unrivalled master of our ring, and stripped to our shirts, with single rapiers, we set to. Almost at the first pass, I was overpowered by the irresistible vigor of my rival’s arm: I could not even stand my guard; but was instantly struck senseless and bleeding to the ground; a part of his weapon sticking in my breast.

“Many weeks afterwards, on my first return of consciousness, my first inquiries were respecting Agnes, and the tale of her abduction then saluted my ears. I could learn nothing of the time and place, while my ideas on the subject were so mingled with the occurrences of that dreadful night, that I could only feel remorse for the mad disposition which I had indulged, and confess myself unworthy of the happiness which once appeared in store for me.

“Yet alas, good sir, my cup was not yet full. There was a favorite subject, I don’t much like to mention, which I once pursued for the sake of poetical embellishment—the research after strange old charms, and other magical influences; and this, my despair respecting the fate of Agnes, now led me to employ, for the purpose of discovering whither the beloved girl had disappeared. Ah, my worthy master;