Page:The Keepsake for 1838.djvu/227

 They were obliged, however, to confess that during their sleep, many strange events might have occurred; and thus was the dispute finally adjusted, and thus terminated my companions’ share in this wanton exploit.

A considerable time elapsed after the family had assembled at breakfast, before Adelaide made her appearance; and when she did enter, I thought her unusually pale. I asked whether she had passed a restless night?

“On the contrary,” she smilingly replied, “I slept so singularly soundly, that I heard nothing of the violent storm.”

“Has there really been a storm?” demanded I.

“Well, certainly,” rejoined the Baron laughing, “no one can doubt the intrepidity of a person, who, in expectation of a mysterious adventure, could sleep through such a storm as that which occurred last night. I should have thought that the mere rattling of stones in your vicinity must have wakened you. The storm almost knocked down the old tower. I assure you, I was in much anxiety on your account; and was once even on my way to your room.”

I thought of the light which I had seen during the night in an opposite window, and I related how welcome this social gleam had been to me. The Baron appeared astonished, and assured me that the wing of the castle in which I had beheld the light was utterly uninhabited. I did not attempt to establish my assertion; but fearing to betray my secret, declared the possibility of the light having been a mere reflection.

During this conversation, more reports were brought of the damage occasioned by the storm. An aged steward of the name of Hartmann insisted urgently on the necessity of repairing the old tower, which had chiefly suffered. The Baron consented with a smile; and the old man cheerfully hurried away to give the necessary orders.

“The roof of the castle might threaten to fall,” said Ben-