airs on her lute. One summer forenoon, burdened with terrible forebodings, for she had heard that a dangerous man was seated among her husband’s judges, she leaned over her lute more sadly than ever before. Suddenly the strings trembled mournfully, and the mistress of Hlohov fell to the floor unconscious. A few days later news reached the Castle that at the same moment the master of Hlohov had been executed on the Prague market place, his escutcheon broken and buried under the gallows, his family banner suspended on the pillory; and that at the same time the hangman proclaimed that the Hlohovskys were deprived of their title and of the right of holding their estates. His wealth was transferred to his former friend, who had denounced Hlovovsky as the greatest rebel, and had insisted on his execution.”
A deep sigh escaped the harper’s breast; Andrew did not heed it.
“Everything now belonged to Skalnicky, who was elevated to the honor of Count Felsenburk; his rival’s wife, estates and child
