What was the astonishment of the Prince when, instead of Isabella,
the light of the torches discovered to him the young peasant whom
he thought confined under the fatal helmet!

"Traitor!" said Manfred; "how camest thou here? I thought thee in
durance above in the court."

"I am no traitor," replied the young man boldly, "nor am I
answerable for your thoughts."

"Presumptuous villain!" cried Manfred; "dost thou provoke my wrath?
Tell me, how hast thou escaped from above? Thou hast corrupted thy
guards, and their lives shall answer it."

"My poverty," said the peasant calmly, "will disculpate them:
though the ministers of a tyrant's wrath, to thee they are
faithful, and but too willing to execute the orders which you
unjustly imposed upon them."

"Art thou so hardy as to dare my vengeance?" said the Prince; "but
tortures shall force the truth from thee. Tell me; I will know thy
accomplices."

"There was my accomplice!" said the youth, smiling, and pointing to
the roof.

Manfred ordered the torches to be held up, and perceived that one
of the cheeks of the enchanted casque had forced its way through
the pavement of the court, as his servants had let it fall over the