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absurd and improbable； as the catastrophe itself was unprecedented。 In the midst of their senseless guesses； a young peasant； whom rumour had drawn thither from a neighbouring village； observed that the miraculous helmet was exactly like that on the figure in black marble of Alfonso the Good； one of their former princes； in the church of St。 Nicholas。
〃Villain！ What sayest thou？〃 cried Manfred； starting from his trance in a tempest of rage； and seizing the young man by the collar； 〃how darest thou utter such treason？ Thy life shall pay for it。〃
The spectators； who as little comprehended the cause of the Prince's fury as all the rest they had seen； were at a loss to unravel this new circumstance。 The young peasant himself was still more astonished； not conceiving how he had offended the Prince。 Yet recollecting himself； with a mixture of grace and humility； he disengaged himself from Manfred's grip； and then with an obeisance； which discovered more jealousy of innocence than dismay； he asked； with respect； of what he was guilty？ Manfred； more enraged at the vigour； however decently exerted； with which the young man had shaken off his hold； than appeased by his submission； ordered his attendants to seize him； and； if he had not been withheld by his friends whom he had invited to the nuptials； would have poignarded the peasant in their arms。
During this altercation； some of the vulgar spectators had run to the great church； which stood near the castle； and came back open…mouthed； declaring that the helmet was missing from Alfonso's statue。 Manfred； at this news； grew perfectly frantic； and； as if he sought a subject on which to vent the tempest within him； he rushed again on the young peasant； crying …
〃Villain！ Monster！ Sorcerer！ 'tis thou hast done this！ 'tis thou hast slain my son！〃
The mob； who wanted some object within the scope of their capacities； on whom they might discharge their bewildered reasoning； caught the words from the mouth of their lord； and re…echoed …
〃Ay； ay； 'tis he； 'tis he： he has stolen the helmet from good Alfonso's tomb； and dashed out the brains of our young Prince with it；〃 never reflecting how enormous the disproportion was between the marble helmet that had been in the church； and that of steel before their eyes； nor how impossible it was for a youth seemingly not twenty； to wield a piece of armour of so prodigious a weight
The folly of these ejaculations brought Manfred to himself： yet whether provoked at the peasant having observed the resemblance between the two helmets； and thereby led to the farther discovery of the absence of that in the church； or wishing to bury any such rumour under so impertinent a supposition； he gravely pronounced that the young man was certainly a necromancer； and that till the Church could take cognisance of the affair； he would have the Magician； whom they had thus detected； kept prisoner under the helmet itself； which he ordered his attendants to raise； and place the young man under it； declaring he should be kept there without food； with which his own infernal art might furnish him。
It was in vain for the youth to represent against this preposterous sentence： in vain did Manfred's friends endeavour to divert him from this savage and ill…grounded resolution。 The generality were charmed with their lord's decision； which； to their apprehensions； carried great appearance of justice； as the Magician was to be punished by the very instrument with which he had offended： nor were they struck with the least compunction at the probability of the youth being starved； for they firmly believed that； by his diabolic skill； he could easily supply himself with nutriment。
Manfred thus saw his commands even cheerfully obeyed； and appointing a guard with strict orders to prevent any food being conveyed to the prisoner； he dismissed his friends and attendants； and retired to his own chamber； after locking the gates of the castle； in which he suffered none but his domestics to remain。
In the meantime； the care and zeal of the young Ladies had brought the Princess Hippolita to herself； who amidst the transports of her own sorrow frequently demanded news of her lord； would have dismissed her attendants to watch over him； and at last enjoined Matilda to leave her； and visit and comfort her father。 Matilda； who wanted no affectionate duty to Manfred； though she trembled at his austerity； obeyed the orders of Hippolita； whom she tenderly recommended to Isabella； and inquiring of the domestics for her father； was informed that he was retired to his chamber； and had commanded that nobody should have admittance to him。 Concluding that he was immersed in sorrow for the death of her brother； and fearing to renew his tears by the sight of his sole remaining child； she hesitated whether she should break in upon his affliction； yet solicitude for him； backed by the commands of her mother； encouraged her to venture disobeying the orders he had given； a fault she had never been guilty of before。
The gentle timidity of her nature made her pause for some minutes at his door。 She heard him traverse his chamber backwards； and forwards with disordered steps； a mood which increased her apprehensions。 She was； however； just going to beg admittance； when Manfred suddenly opened the door； and as it was now twilight； concurring with the disorder of his mind； he did not distinguish the person； but asked angrily； who it was？ Matilda replied； trembling …
〃My dearest father； it is I； your daughter。〃
Manfred； stepping back hastily； cried； 〃Begone！ I do not want a daughter；〃 and flinging back abruptly； clapped the door against the terrified Matilda。
She was too well acquainted with her father's impetuosity to venture a second intrusion。 When she had a little recovered the shock of so bitter a reception； she wiped away her tears to prevent the additional stab that the knowledge of it would give to Hippolita； who questioned her in the most anxious terms on the health of Manfred； and how he bore his loss。 Matilda assured her he was well； and supported his misfortune with manly fortitude。
〃But will he not let me see him？〃 said Hippolita mournfully； 〃will he not permit me to blend my tears with his； and shed a mother's sorrows in the bosom of her Lord？ Or do you deceive me； Matilda？ I know how Manfred doted on his son： is not the stroke too heavy for him？ has he not sunk under it？ You do not answer me … alas！ I dread the worst！ … Raise me； my maidens； I will； I will see my Lord。 Bear me to him instantly： he is dearer to me even than my children。〃
Matilda made signs to Isabella to prevent Hippolita's rising； and both those lovely young women were using their gentle violence to stop and calm the Princess； when a servant； on the part of Manfred； arrived and told Isabella that his Lord demanded to speak with her。
〃With me！〃 cried Isabella。
〃Go；〃 said Hippolita； relieved by a message from her Lord： 〃Manfred cannot support the sight of his own family。 He thinks you less disordered than we are； and dreads the shock of my grief。 Console him； dear Isabella； an