of the closet. The tone of voice in which this was uttered, struck upon her ear like the knell for her execution; she seemed to be deprived of the power of speaking. He became impatient, and seizing her hand, took from it the blood-stained key. The wretched girl fell upon her knees, the tears rushed into her eyes, and enabled her to speak; but by this time Blue Beard stood over her with his sword unsheathed.

Fatima's sister, as she stood by, almost petrified, gave a dreadful shriek when she saw the instrument of death raised over her defenceless sister. The sound caught the ear of Blue Beard; and for a moment his intention was suspended. Looking upon his wretched victim, "Where," said he, "was your promise, when you were fool enough to enter the closet? and where was the obedience you promised to pay me, when you suffered your curiosity to overcome your duty? But you shall commit no more crimes; therefore receive the fate of broken promises, and disobedient curiosity."

These last words roused the almost inanimate girl; she recollected that she had seen them on the wall of the fatal closet. He was now about to fulfil his sentence; his arm was again uplifted; when she entreated him to spare her for a few minutes, to prepare for this unexpected end. He consented, after much entreaty, to allow her a quarter of an hour. As soon as this indulgence was given her, she begged her sister to ascend the staircase to the top of the castle, and see if any of their friends were to be seen. She did so; but no signs of a human being could be perceived.

At length the short interval which had been allowed her came to an end, and Blue Beard approached to complete his determination. She again implored mercy, and he, knowing that she was in his power, gave her five minutes more. She now renewed her frenzied enquiries to her sister; "Is no one coming?" asked she. After a short time her sister told her that she saw something approaching; which cheered the heart of the unhappy girl. Alas! it was but transient,—it was a flock of sheep.

Blue Beard's patience was now exhausted; and he came to the foot of the tower where Fatima was; when her sister called out, "I see two horsemen coming." "Make signs for them to hasten," shrieked the miserable girl.

Her brutal husband had now caught her by the hair of her head, and in spite of her heart-rending cries for mercy, was about to strike at her with his scymitar, when two men in soldiers' uniform rushed to the spot, and plunged their swords in the breast of the relentless Blue Beard.

The monster had still sufficient life to speak: he raised himself on one arm, and looking on them all, thus spoke: "I am at last justly punished. By the splendor of my riches, I have induced many a beautiful woman to become my wife; but as soon as I discovered the least deviation from truth, or disobedience to my will, she suffered death. I put Fatima's veracity to the test, by obtaining her promise that she would not open the door of the blue closet; and by leaving the key with her, she broke her word, and the key, which has the property of preserving the stains of blood, until it be rubbed with a peculiar oil, afforded the evidence of her guilt. By the same means I knew that she had disobeyed my orders, and broken her own promises. These two faults had incurred my revenge. She has had a narrow escape; yet I hope she will in future never break a promise, disobey those to whom she promises submission, nor give way to the impulse of improper or forbidden curiosity."

He grew faint; and having uttered a few prayers for forgiveness, he fell back, and expired.

During the day, all the friends who had been invited arrived. They were told the occurrences which had happened; and such of them as chose it, saw the horrid proofs of Blue Beard's cruelty.

Fatima shortly afterwards had a day of great rejoicing; she not only gave a magnificent