This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1829 edition. Excerpt: ...Some precau-tion was needful, for murder or robbery was undoubtedly designed, the Count opened the rickety door of the place in which the baggage had been deposited, and found that it had no other outlet. This bleak and ruinous cell as it was, served as the lodging of the Countess L, while he himself kept watch without. Midnight had passed--he had long listened to the dull pattering of the rain, and the noise of the wind, as it hurried on its destructive errand. The expectation of com-ing evil, calls up an intense presentment to the mind, all that it has before suffered. He sat in gloomy meditation, brooding over past misfortunes, and if fairer remembrances arose, they were like the faces of friends, seen among the fearful pageants of a feverish dream, speedily losing their character and becoming hostile. The disquietude past had driven away all thought of the present, when a thrilling shriek which rose above the howling of the tempest, kept him for a short space as if spell bound; the young nobleman collected his courage, and rushed with desperate energy into the next room. The body of the Countess lay partly over the side of the bed, still struggling in grim convulsions, in the blood, which fell audibly into a large plash on the floor. A ruffian holding a dark lanthorn was employed in rifiing the baggage, gazing around him occasionally with a stern anxiety, as if dreading to be sur-I prised. Count R------rushed forward, and struck furiously with his sa '. bre at the head of' the assassin, who uttered adeep groan and staggered I back, but speedily recovering himself, sprung from the window and escaped. The Count turned to the bed, all was coldness and silence; death had claimed its victim. " " _ The next morning, the...