peasant, and had broken through into the vault, leaving a gap,
through which the peasant had pressed himself some minutes before
he was found by Isabella.

"Was that the way by which thou didst descend?" said Manfred.

"It was," said the youth.

"But what noise was that," said Manfred, "which I heard as I
entered the cloister?"

"A door clapped," said the peasant; "I heard it as well as you."

"What door?" said Manfred hastily.

"I am not acquainted with your castle," said the peasant; "this is
the first time I ever entered it, and this vault the only part of
it within which I ever was."

"But I tell thee," said Manfred (wishing to find out if the youth
had discovered the trap-door), "it was this way I heard the noise.
My servants heard it too."

"My Lord," interrupted one of them officiously, "to be sure it was
the trap-door, and he was going to make his escape."

"Peace, blockhead!" said the Prince angrily; "if he was going to
escape, how should he come on this side? I will know from his own
mouth what noise it was I heard. Tell me truly; thy life depends
on thy veracity."