"This drum, which at first does not seem at all peculiar, and which, I am inclined to think, is an apocryphal monument, now enjoys the greatest celebrity. It is certain that the sonorous portion of this instrument is the human skin, as you may observe by the appearance of the marks of the nipples. This trophy, which was taken from Prague, by his majesty, at the termination of the late glorious war, is, they say, the skin of John Ziska, of the Cup, the famous chief of the great rebellion of the Hussites in the fifteenth century. It is said that he bequeathed this relic to his brothers in arms, promising that victory would be where it was. The Bohemians say, the sound of this terrible drum put their enemies to flight, that it evoked the shadows of their dead chiefs to fight for the holy cause, and a thousand other prodigies. Notwithstanding, however, the illumination of the brilliant age of reason in which we live, condemns all such superstitions to contempt. M. d'Enfant, preacher to her majesty the queen mother, and author of an admirable history of the Hussites, affirms that John Ziska was buried with his skin, and consequently—It seems to me, signora, that you grow pale. Do you feel indisposed, or does the sight of this strange object offend you? This Ziska was a great criminal, and a ferocious rebel."
"Possibly, sir," said Porporina. "I have lived in Bohemia, and have heard he was a very great man. His memory is yet as much revered as was Louis XIV. in France. He is looked on as the savior of his country."
"Alas! that country was badly saved," said M. Stoss, with a smile, "and were I even now to beat on the sonorous breast of its liberator, I could not evoke even his spirit, shamefully captive in the palace of the conqueror of his sons." As he spoke thus pedantically, the admirable Herr Stoss tapped the drum with his lingers, and the instrument produced a harsh, sinister sound, like that of those instruments when they are beaten in the dead march. The wise keeper was suddenly interrupted in this profane amusement by a piercing cry of Porporina, who cast herself in his arms, and placed her face on his shoulder, like a child terrified at some strange object.
The grave Herr Stoss looked around to discover the cause of this sudden terror, and saw at the door of the room a person for whom he entertained no sentiment but disdain. He would have waved his hand for the person to withdraw, but it had passed away before Porporina, who held on to him, allowed him liberty of motion.
"Indeed, signora," said he, leading her to a chair, in which she sank, trembling and overpowered, "I cannot understand what is the matter with you. I have seen nothing which should cause such emotion as you seem to feel."
"You have seen nothing? You have seen no one?" said Porporina, with a voice overpowered with excitement. "There, at that door, did you not see a man pause and look at me with terrible expression?"
"I saw distinctly enough a man who often wanders in the castle, and who would willingly assume the frightful air you speak of. I own, however, that he alarms me but very slightly, for I am not one of his dupes."
"You saw him? Ah, sir! then he was really there! I did not dream! My God! what may that mean!"
"That by virtue of the special protection of our amiable and august princess, who rather laughs at his folly than believes in it, he has come into the castle, and gone to the apartments of her royal highness."
"But who is he? What is his name?"