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From this castle, as the eagle from his eyrie, its lawless owner

overlooked his domain, and heard no human sound above him. He

could embrace at a view all the environs, the declivities, the

abyss, the practicable approaches. To the eyes of one viewing it

from above, the winding path which ascended towards the terrible

habitation could be perceived throughout its whole course, and

from the windows and loopholes, the signor could leisurely count

the steps of the person ascending, and examine him with the

closest scrutiny. With the garrison of bravoes which he kept at

the castle he could defy an army, which he would have crushed in

the valley beneath, before an individual could reach the summit.

But none, except such as were friends with the master of the

castle, dared set foot even in the valley.