- ter: my own name was pronounced in a
low voice from the cliff.
"It was my lord who spoke,—my master—the Count Viviani. He had returned to give me further instructions. I ascended the fearful steep, and listened in silence; but, before he left me, I ventured to ask after the boy, 'Leave him to me,' said the count, in an angry tone. 'He is safe: he shall sleep well to-night.' Saying this, he laughed 'O! can you jest?' I said. 'Aye, that I can. This is the season of jesting,' he answered; 'for, mark my words, Macpherson, we have done a deed shall mar our future merriment, and stifle the heart's laugh for ever. Such deeds as these bleach the hair white before its time, give fearful tremblings to the limbs, and make man turn from the voice of comfort on the bed of death. We have sent a cherub thither,' continued the count, pointing up to heaven, 'to
