on his return from the chase, often discovered in her features the traces of a satisfaction his conscience told him he was not the author of.  His vague suspicions were, after a time, communicated to his sister; but being, as she thought, the young lady’s sole companion, and not able to reproach herself with any enlivening qualities, she could not account for this contented demeanour.  At length she was commanded to conceal herself in his wife’s apartments during his absence, to watch indefatigably, and report whatever she could discover.  The result was a full confirmation of all his suspicions.  He now exerted himself in devising means of vengeance:  he secretly prepared and placed before the fatal window a trap, composed of sharpened steel arrows, and, rising long before day, set off on his usual occupation.  The old lady, carefully shutting the doors after him, returned to her bed till day break; and his wife, awakened at this unusual hour, could not refrain from uttering an ardent wish for the company of her dear Muldumaric.  He was instantly at her side; but had received his death wound, and she found herself sprinkled with his blood.  Overpowered by fear and surprize, she could scarcely hear him say he died for her, and that his prophecy was accomplished.  She fainted in his arms; but he conjured her to preserve her life, and announcing she would have a son, whom she must call Ywonec, and who was destined to be the avenger of both his parents.  He then hastily departed through an open and unguarded window.  His mistress, uttering a piteous scream, threw herself out of the same window, and pursued his flight by the trace of his blood, which the first beams of morning enabled her to distinguish.  At length she arrived at a thick wood, where she was soon surrounded with darkness; but pursued the beaten track, and emerged into a meadow, where, recovering the trace of blood, she pursued it to a large city of unexampled magnificence, which she entered, and proceeded to the palace.  No one was visible in the streets.  In the first apartment she found a knight asleep.  She knew him not, and passed on to the next, where she found a second equally unknown to her.  She entered the third room; and on a bed, which almost dazzled her by the splendour of its ornaments, and which was surrounded by numerous torches blazing in golden candlesticks, she recognised her dear Muldumaric, and sunk almost lifeless with fatigue and terror by his side.  Though very near his last moments, he was still able to comfort and instruct her.  He adjured her to return instantly, while she could escape the notice of his subjects, to whom, as their story was known, she would be particularly obnoxious.  He gave her a ring, in virtue of which he assured her she would in future escape the persecution, and even the jealousy of her husband.  He then put into her hands his sword, with directions that it should never be touched by man till his son was dubbed a knight; when it must be delivered to him