"Oh!" said Isabella, hastily interrupting him; "help me but to find
a trap-door that must be hereabout, and it is the greatest service
you can do me, for I have not a minute to lose."

Saying a these words, she felt about on the pavement, and directed
the stranger to search likewise, for a smooth piece of brass
enclosed in one of the stones.

"That," said she, "is the lock, which opens with a spring, of which
I know the secret. If we can find that, I may escape--if not,
alas! courteous stranger, I fear I shall have involved you in my
misfortunes: Manfred will suspect you for the accomplice of my
flight, and you will fall a victim to his resentment."

"I value not my life," said the stranger, "and it will be some
comfort to lose it in trying to deliver you from his tyranny."

"Generous youth," said Isabella, "how shall I ever requite--"

As she uttered those words, a ray of moonshine, streaming through a
cranny of the ruin above, shone directly on the lock they sought.

"Oh! transport!" said Isabella; "here is the trap-door!" and,
taking out the key, she touched the spring, which, starting aside,
discovered an iron ring. "Lift up the door," said the Princess.

The stranger obeyed, and beneath appeared some stone steps
descending into a vault totally dark.

"We must go down here," said Isabella. "Follow me; dark and dismal