Greatly relieved, but still unsatisfied, the high-born damsel sprang to
her feet.

"It is the blood of Hers!" she cried, exultingly.

The maniac's face assumed a look of savage triumph.

"Then will I keep this blood-stained instrument as a precious jewel.
Farewell, Bertha; you shall hear from me soon."

She passed rapidly through the narrow aperture by which she had
entered, leaving Bertha in blank amazement, utterly unable to comprehend
what had passed.

Emerging from the dark ravine, the Lady Margaret rode straight toward
the old castle of Stramen, whose gray towers retained their sombre
majesty, which the merry sun could not entirely dispel. It was not long
before she passed the drawbridge, sped through the massive gate, and
reined in her palfrey upon the ample terrace; when, having thrown her
bridle to an attendant, she proceeded at once to her chamber, and
summoned Linda, the old domestic, to her side.

"You are skilled in such matters, Linda," she said, producing the knife,
before the faithful neif had finished her salutation; "is there poison
on this blade?"

Linda took the knife, and having examined it attentively, returned it to
her mistress; after which she left the room, making a signal that she
would soon return. After the lapse of a few minutes, she reappeared with
a vessel of boiling water, which she placed upon a marble slab. Then