She could scarcely expect ever to meet him again, and his image was engraven on her memory. For the first time in her life she had been sensible to the attraction of the other sex, and she could not refrain from tears when his flight was announced. But Margaret was light of heart, and Gui was soon forgotten.

(To be continued.)

For the Illustrated New York Journal.

DARK NIGHTS.

NUMBER I.

Why shrinks the soul

Back on herself, and startles at destruction?

ADDISON.

The lights, glittering from the windows in the various houses on the opposite banks, the stars gleaming above, the moonlight streaming among the foliage of the woods on the island, the foaming of the rapids, and the movement of the deep, dark water, as it curled over the lip of the Fall on its downward course,—each, in their turn, became objects of intense conjecture and spirit-stirring thought.

Alone on that pinnacle, at such an hour, the imagination might well run riot. Images of scenes, some real and long passed by, others probable in their nature, but creations of the busy fancy,thronged through my mind, until it seemed as if I were not a dweller on this earth, but raised to some lofty sphere; moving through the blue ether, I was privileged to mark the current stream of time here, freighted with its varied events and thrilling inci

dents.

THE
HE evening meal was over at the "Clifton."
After a warm and sultry day, a cool breeze
set in, bringing with it a damp, gathered from
How swiftly time had passed, or how long I had
the fleecy ensign of the great "Horse shoe." The remained thus entranced, I know not. One by one,
moon rose in an unclouded sky; her yellow beams the lights had disappeared: occasionally, I could
fell brightly on the landscape round, mellowing and
faintly hear the bark of some watch dog; the moon
blending the shadows, while they rendered clear sailed high in the zenith. A sense of loneliness
and distinct the outline of every object. The lassi- began to steal over me, and reason dictated the pru-
tude from which I had suffered during the day, sub-dence of retracing my steps to a place of shelter
sided under the fresh coolness of that vesper air; from the dampness and chilling night air. I turned
the murmuring echoes of the ceaseless roar; the
to descend, and, in doing so, gave an earnest and
stilling power of the quiet night; the cessation of
peering look over the dark rapids, boiling and bub-
the noisy bustle of the human tide, all conspired to
bling up, as far as vision was practicable.
produce a sense of calm composure. I felt fully the
influence of the holy hour.

Throwing over my shoulders a light, waterproof cape, I sallied forth, more completely to enjoy the beauty of the scene. I descended the steep road which leads to the Ferry, and got into one of those staunch boats, which, when compared with the

movement.

Horror stricken, I stood riveted to the stone. Trembling with the agony of fear, and conscious of my own impotence to save-my gaze became fixed with painful fascination on that doomed man.

Despair at length assailed him! Relinquishing his oar, he stood erect and seemed to look around for some object to which he might yet cling for safety. Subjected to the uncontrolled action of the water, the boat now swayed and turned around. Once it seemed to touch a covered rock, which for a second stopped its progress. Had some directing power now given an impulse to it, he might have been thrown among the jumbled rocks, to battle with the fierce element against their rugged sides, and though torn and mangled, have escaped with life. But the resistless and great suction of the wider channel, drew it swiftly into the last and fatal pass.

Throwing aloft his arms in supplication, he sank upon his knees. The moonb eam lighted up for an instant his pale and haggard face-one shrill and piercing cry, distinctly audible amidst the din of the falling waters, reached my ear, and I became insensible!

*

*

I was awakened from my sleep of stupor by the friendly care of some early visitor, who had come to the Tower with the first dawn of the morning.

"God have mercy on his soul!" was the first conscious aspiration of my lips. I rose and gazed upon those rolling torrents and on that cloud of mist. Again I saw the bright bow shining in its midst, and my heart sickened at the remembrance of that scene of horror! I related it to my "Good Samaritan ; but he, smiling incredulously at my tale, would persuade me all had been but a dream.

My attention was arrested by an object in motion, floating on the rolling waters. Onward it came, dancing as it were with glee, at its free and rapid I conceived it to be one of those logs escaped from some raft, one sees so often in the whirlpool. Its direction appeared to be towards the I recrossed the Ferry, and my skilful Charon of until it should be swept from sight in the gulphments of a broken boat had been picked up in the Tower, and I resolved to remain and trace its course the previous night informed me, that some fragbelow. Inanimate as I considered this object to be, eddies on his side the river, and that he was apprethe excitement created by watching its progress, hensive some person had been carried over the Falls. nevertheless, became intense. As I gazed on it, it I confirmed his fears, by assuring him, that I had seemed to assume a more definite shape, and bore a been a living witness of his fate; and frequently

mighty cataract, look so frail and tiny; the whirling waters, eddying round us, seemed to be playing with us like a toy. The dark shadow of the opposite cliff, contrasted with the bright sheening of the spray, was terrible to look at. Here and there, amid the wreathing mist, bright patches of brilliant hues were seen; and, as we neared the landing, the lunar strong resemblance to a boat. Reason was busy to have I been requested to narrate the thrilling catas

bow shone forth entire, bending its luminous arc almost to the surface of the stream-glorious harbinger of faith, of peace, of hope, of love.

Safely landed, I stood gazing at the boat as it returned with its solitary oarsman, swaying and veering about on the currents and eddies, until my eye was fatigued by the flickering reflection from the rippling surface. I could not avoid the thought, how hazardous the life those men lead, when the least forgetfulness, induced by fatigue, would place them in the jeopardy of unavoidable destruction.

Having ascended by the inclined-plane railway, I wandered along the bank until I came to the bridge connecting Goat Island with the main land. There it was that an irresistible desire sprung up to go to the Tower, in the midst of the wild tumult of waters, and from its top contemplate the whole of that magnificence, so awful, so incomprehensible, so indes

cribable!

combat this idea, and I attributed its formation to
the excited state of my imagination.

Onward it came with the rushing stream, anon
lifted up in bold relief against the sky, then hid from
sight for a time behind some swelling billow or pro-
jecting rock. Each second brought it nearer, and,
as it approached, I became the more convinced that
my suspicions were correct. I could no longer be
deceived-its very buoyancy-the absence of that
rolling and turning which characterize the move-
ments of the floating log, rendered my conviction
certain.

I was surprised to observe that, notwithstanding the turbulence of the breakers, it retained the same relation to the surrounding objects, and the direction of its course seemed to be steadily preserved, as far as circumstances would permit, towards the Tower. An apprehensive and dreadful feeling now agitated me. Gracious Father! does it contain a fellow creature?

I leaned on the stone parapet, gazing down on the sheet of foam which, spread over the abyss below At length, as it came with a sweep down a narme, sparkled and shone like a gemmed robe. It was row channel, I could distinguish a form seated at the curious to trace its waving margin, flickering, chang- stern, evidently directing its course with an oar. ing, melting away-now a thin crest of white dew | Brave heart and faithful soul! vain and hopeless drops-now lost to view, mingled with the air, a thy best endeavors. The ruthless torrent is sweeping thee on to thy dreadful fate!

transparent vapor.

trophe of that DARK NIGHT!

THE BUCCANEER'S SONG.

I

BY CHARLES SWAIN.

LOVE the Night, when the gale sweeps high,
And the summer-calms are o'er;
When the ship, like an ocean-steed, leaps by
Where the midland breakers roar !-

I love the Night, and the startling light,
Of the Spirit of the Storm:

And better the blast, and the rocking mast,
Than the sun-set mild and warm!—

No love have I for the starry eve-
No joy on the breezeless main-
But I long to hear the tempest grieve,
And list the thunder-strain !-
Let the gondola glide, o'er the moonlight tide,
And the mandolin wake its song;

I love the bark, when the seas are dark,
And the midnight wild and long!

I turn away from the lover's lay;
'Tis weariness to hear

The lisping note, and the warbling throat,
Of the sighing cavalier!

Oh! the ocean-shout, when the storm is out,
Is a nobler strain to me;

Here would I sleep, where the billows leap,
On the bold, unconquer'd sea!

He glanced towards the opposite hill at his back,
whereon the village stood, and there he saw all was

a

And Reaumer retired, covered with shame. Napoleon beckoned Jean to him; he came, and Rollo with him: and the latter, as though understanding the power and authority of the man his master thus obeyed, put his forepaws against his stirrup, and and whimpered imploringly up to him. Jean looked for a moment in the Emperor's face, but his gaze drooped, though without quailing, beneath that of the piercing large grey eyes that were fixed on him. After a short pause, Napoleon asked, "Thine age? Lie down-down, good dog!" for Rollo was getting importunate.

66

Twenty-five years, sire," Jean answered. "Why hast thou disobeyed orders?" "I could not help it, sire." "Couldn't help it! How dost thou mean?" "I was so near my friends, and so longed to see them, that indeed I could not help it, sire."

"Tis a strange excuse. Down! I say good brute!" but at the same moment that he said so, he ungloved his hand, and gave it Rollo to lick; then, after a short pause, added, "And thou sawest thy parents?"

“Yes. sire; and I was returning to the regiment, when

"Ah! is this true, sergeant?" turning to Colon. "Yes, sire, 'tis true," answered he: "we met

"I need not have asked, though," interrupted Napoleon, "the man's face looks true. Thy name?" "Yes, sire no sire; not exactly," stammered again addressing Jean. Colon.

"Jean Gavard, sire. Down, Rollo! I fear he is troublesome to your highness."

A SCENE IN A CONSCRIPT'S LIFE. THE sergeant and the priest advanced: the two confusion and bustle,-officers galloping to and fro, friends embraced and kissed each other: and the men forming hurriedly into a line; he Reaumer retired to a spot where the other soldier hastily gave the word, "As you were;" for along a was standing; and, kneeling on one knee, leant his line of road to the north-east of the hill, he saw face on his hands, still convulsively and unconsci-thick cloud of dust, from which quickly plunged out ously grasping the spade, as if for a support: the a group of horsemen, evidently officers; the foremost other twelve men had formed a double line, about not so tall as most of them, nor so graceful a rider fourteen paces to the front of Jean, who was between as many of them, though he sat firmly too, was rethem and the embankment, his white-clothed figure, cognised by Colon and his men (long before he was thus set in relief by the dark ground beyond, pre- near enough for them to distinguish a single feature senting a clear aim to their muskets. He knelt of his face), by his grey frock-coat, and small flat down on his right knee, resting on the other his left three-cornered cocked-hat. Colon gave the word of arm: he said in a firm voice, "I am ready." The command; the soldiers shouldered their muskets, priest was about to bind a handkerchief about his and prepared to salute; and, in another minute, eyes; but he said, "No-I pray I may be spared Napoleon, at the head of his staff, reined up on the that let me see my death; I am not afraid of it." top of the hill. He had left the march of the grand The priest, after consulting the sergeant's looks, army some leagues behind, and ridden on towards withdrew the handkerchief: Colon retired to the Labarre, in order, with his wonted watchfulness, to place where Reaumer and the other soldier were ; take the detachment by surprise, and see what they and the priest, after having received from his peniwere about. His eagle eye, whose glance saw tent the assurance that he died "in charity with all everything like another's gaze, had at once detected mankind," and having bestowed on him a last bene- the party on the hill, and he had ridden from the diction, and laid on his lips the kiss of Christian road at full speed up the slope to discover what the love, also retired on one side. Colon gave the word object of the meeting was; a glance, too, told him of command-" Prepare :"-the twelve muskets that; and while he was yet returning the salute of were brought forward :-" Present;" they were the men and their sergeant, he said, in a voice pant-him about three-quarters of a league from—” levelled. The sergeant was raising his cane as the ing after his hard gallop, "Hey? what's this?—a last signal, to spare the victim even the short pang of desertion?" hearing the fatal word, "Fire!" when Rollo, with a loud yell, sprang to his master's side. He had been startled from his slumber by the roll of the drum; and, looking up at what was going on, perceiving Jean left kneeling all alone, and all so silent, except Reaumer's faintly-heard sobs, his instinct seemed to tell him his master was in some danger : his whining was unheard, or unheeded; he felt this too, and ceased it, but made a desperate effort to break the rope that held him, which, weakened as it was by his late gnawing and tugging at it when in the outhouse at Charolle, soon gave way, and as above mentioned, he sprang with a yell to his master's side. But Jean's thoughts at that moment were too seriously engaged to heed even Rollo: he only raised his right arm, and gently put the dog aside, his own mild, unflinching gaze still fixed on the soldiers before him. But the dog was not checked by the movement of his master; still whining, and with his ears beseechingly laid back, he struggled hard to get nearer to him. Colon felt for Jean's situation, and made a sign to Reaumer (who, wondering at the pause since the last word of command, had raised his eyes), that he should try to coax the dog off: he did so by whistling and calling, but, of course, quite in vain. It will be at once seen that, though this has taken some time in the telling, all that passed from the time of Rollo's arrival was little more than the transaction of a moment. Still it was a delay; and the men were ready to fire; and Colon, not thinking the incident of sufficient weight to authorise a suspension of the execution, however temporary, muttered, “Great pity-the poor fellow will die too." He turned his face again to his men; and was again about to give the signal, when he was a second time interrupted by hearing loud shots from behind him, ac- "And what business hadst thou to advise a comcompanied by the discharge of a park of cannon. I rade in a breach of duty? Stand back to thy place."

"Not exactly! what then?" asked Napoleon, in a rather peevish tone, his face assuming more than Napoleon smiled-perhaps at the title-and its usual sterness; for hardly anything more pro-answered, "No, no; poor Rollo, he is a fine dog. I voked him than hesitation on the part of those he shall inquire into this affair, Gavard; for the present, I respite thee."

addressed.

"Absence against orders, sire," said Colon.
"Aha! for how long? Is that his dog?"
'Yes, sire only a few hours."

"A few hours! Who gave this order, then?"
"General S-, sire."

"What character does the man bear ?"
"He is a brave man, sire."

"He is a Frenchman," retorted Napoleon,
proudly; "but is he honest, and sober, and gene-
rally obedient?"

"Yes, sire; this is his first fault."
"Hm! how long has he served ?"
"Three years last March, sire."

A louder and higher-toned "Hm!" escaped Na-
poleon; and his attention was at the same moment
attracted by Reaumer, who, with a timid step, had
approached the Emperor; and, kneeling on one
knee, with clasped hands and broken voice, cried,
"Oh! sire, if you-if you would spare his life-he
is innocent of any intention to desert-that I
can-"

66

"Are you his brother?" interrupted the Emperor. 'No, sire," answered Reaumer: his friend-his dear friend."

"And how know you what his intentions were?" "He told them me, sire; he only went last night to see his friends, and would have returned the same night, but that I—I advised him to meet the regiment at Labarre; and I know—"

Jean knelt on his knee, and seized the Emperor's hand to kiss it; but Napoleon said, "Stay, stay; thy dog has been licking it."

But this made no difference to poor Jean, who kissed it eagerly; and when Napoleon drew it away, it was wet with tears. He looked on the back of his hand a moment, and his lips compressed themselves as he did so.

"They are the tears of a brave man, sir," said he, turning to a young officer at his side, on whose features the Emperor's side-glance had caught a nascent smile : Forward!" And at at a full gallop the party left the ground.

66

Jean's feelings at this sudden escape from death, were like those of a man wakened from a frightful dream, before his senses are yet enough gathered together to remember all its circumstances. Jean had little time, however, to gather them on this occasion, for Reaumer's arms were, in a moment, around his neck; and the hands of his comrades those very hands that a minute before were about to deal him death-were now gladly grasping his; and their many congratulations on his escape ended in one loud shout of "Live the Emperor."

IN Dresden the Master of the Ceremonies prohibits any lady from appearing at court a second time in the same dress; and the poor old nobility have to live on bread-and-cheese that they may be enabled to pay their wives' dressmakers.

FACETIE.

A LESSON IN GRAMMAR.-When a mother is lecturing her daughter Mary, it should be understood that the maternal advice is always conveyed in pol(1)ysyllables!

MARRIAGE IN AMERICA.-If a man wishes to get
spliced in the United States, the most eligible of the
States to go to would be Virginia, or Maryland.
A STANDING TEETOTAL TOAST. Toast and

water.

A SIMILE.-Many a watch is like a schoolboy saying his lessons, for either may be considered a repeater.

THE KEY TO KNOWLEDGE.-Giving a maid-servant half-a-crown, to tell you to what church her young ladies go.

A LIGHT OCCUPATION.-That of Candle-maker or Gas-fitter.

Ir is a fallacious hope to look for beer because you perceive there's "something brewing."

AN anxious student wishes to know if a man's head is anything clearer for having a pain (pane)

in it.

Is it reasonable to suppose that when a young lady offers to hem cambric handkerchiefs for a rich bachelor, she means to sew in order that she may reap.

HOW THEY GO Orr.-A newspaper paragraph gives an account of some lucifers being ignited by the sun. This fact causes us no wonder, when we bear in mind the number of matches that are struck off by the mother.

HEMP TO ITS BEST USE.-Those who think that it is better to teach people not to commit a crime than to hang them for committing it, will probably find encouragement in a fact, of which paper-manufacturers have been reminded by the present scarcity of rags, namely, that whatever material can be used for the making of rope, can be used for the making of paper.

A LAWYER OFF HIS FEED.-Though the penny
roll is sold at a penny, it has become "small by
degrees" until it is "beautifully less" than enough
for a moderate man's breakfast. In consequence of
this state of things, an attorney of our acquaint-
ance, who used to treat himself to one of the above-
mentioned articles every morning, has deliberately
struck himself off the roll.

PEOPLE WHO
"HAVEN'T ALWAYS BEEN USED TO
billiard-markers, charwomen, betting-house keepers,
THAT SORT OF THING "-Lodging-House keepers,
check-takers, pew-openers, pianoforte-tuners, com-
mission agents in the wine and coal trade, wet-
nurses, the "walking gentleman" at a large theatre
and the "frightful example" at a temperance lec-
ture.

LITTLE WAR PROBLEMS.-1st. Given :-An Army

WHEN is a storm like a healthy person? When of Occupation. it's a hail (hale) storm.

Required:-To Find, if you can, what it has ocWhy is yeast in bread like electric fluid? Because cupied, and what has been the particular nature of it's light(e)ning.

When is rent like a land tax? When it's ground

rent.

its occupation.

2nd. Given:-An Army of Expedition.
Required:-To Find out, if possible, the amount

Why is a light-complexioned girl like an honest of expedition it has shown, and whether Pickford, or

man?

Because she's very fair.

Why are lawyers like professors of the smallsword? Because they're in the habit of fencing. Why is a discharged bill like a garden implement? Because it's paid (spade.)

CAWS AND EFFECT.-A row in a rookery. Is IT So?-The greatest rake, it is said, makes the best husband—on the principle, we suppose, that the greatest drunkard makes the best temper

ance-lecturer.

DEFINITION, à la TALLEYRAND. - Ingratitude is only a painful feeling of consciousness that there are no more favors to be received from the same person.

HOW TO BE AN EARLY BIRD.-Jump out of bed the moment you hear the knock at the door. The man who hesitates when called is lost. The mind should be made up in a minute, for early rising is one of those subjects that admit of no turning over.

A SIGN OF THE TIMES.-Such is the mercantile spirit, and at the same time the intellectual poverty of the present day, that a number of the gentlemen in the city have put their heads together to see whether they cannot get up amongst them a JOINT STOCK ASSOCIATION OF IDEAS.

any common carrier, would not have expedited mat-
ters much more quickly in infinitely less time.

HUSBAND AND WIFE.

BY GERALD MASSEY.

OH, proudly I stood in the rare sunrise,

As the dawn of your beauty brake;

But I fear'd for the storm as I look'd at the skies,
And trembled for your sweet sake!

And oh, may the evil days come not, I said,
As I yearn'd o'er my tender blossom!
Strong arm of love! shelter the dear one's head:
And I nestled you in my bosom.

May the tears never dim the love-light of her eye,—
May her life be all spring-weather!
Was the prayer of my heart, ere you, love and I,
Were husband and wife together.

But the sun will shine, and the rains will fall,
On the loftiest, lowliest spot!

And there's mourning and merriment mingled for all
That inherit the human lot,

So we've suffer'd and sorrow'd and grown more strong,
Heart-to-heart, side-by-side we have striven,
With the love that makes summer-tide all the year long,
And the heart that is its own heaven!
We clung the more close as the storm swept by,
And kept the nest warm in cold weather:
And seldom we've falter'd since you, love, and I,
Have been husband and wife together!
Like the sweet wild flowers of the wilderness,
You have dwelt life-to-life with Nature!
And caught the wild beauty and grace of her ways,
And grown to her heavenlier stature !
In golden calm, and in quickening strife,
Hath your womanly worth unfolden:
And sunshine and show'r hath enrich'd your life,
And ripen'd its harvest golden.
There is good in the grimmest cloud o' the sky,
There are blessings in wintry weather:
Even grief hath its glory, since you, love, and I,
Have been husband and wife together.

Oh, life is not perfect with love's first kiss;
Who would win the blessing must wrestle;
And the deeper the sorrow, the dearer the bliss,
That in its rich core may nestle!

Our angels oft greet us in tearful guise,
And our saviour come in sorrow:

While the murkiest midnight that frowns from the skies,
Is at heart a radiant sorrow!

We laugh and we cry, we sing and we sigh,
And life will have wintry weather!

So we'll hope, and love on, since you, love, and I,
Are husband and wife together,

LIVES OF THE

A PRIZE INFANT SHOW.-Among other American "notions" that nave lately prevailed, is the novel idea of getting up shows of fat children. Massachusetts has already had an exhibition of the kind, at which there was a very large collection of adipose infancy. Prizes have also been given to the parents QUEENS OF ENGLAND. who could show the fattest child, and a system of oil-cake feeding has been adopted to produce large oleaginous masses of fatty deposits in the shape of offspring. We cannot say that we approve of this new plan of cramming the young, for we cannot bear to see anybody's children made too much of.

BY J. F. SMITH, ESQ.,
Author of "Stanfield Hall," "Minnie Grey," etc.
ELIZABETH, QUEEN REGNANT OF ENGLAND.

(Continued.)

CHAPTER XXX.

Fiends! foil'd at my own game! Sport Lucifer-
He struck me.
COLMAN THE YOUNGER

THINGS WE SHOULD LIKE TO KNOW.-Is prepared
barley likely to be taken by surprise?
If an argument is carried on " on the one hand," ON the night following the visit of the tapster to

what is carried off with the other?
Woodstock, Basset and his company, which
When a tailor makes up his mind, what does he had been gradually augmented till it amounted to
do with the remnants?
about fifty men, left the hostel of The Fair Rosa-
What sort of lucifers does a man use to make mond for the royal borough. The avaricious host
light of his troubles?
rubbed his greasy palms-for the ruffian leader of
that beggared description?
What composition has been yielded by the scene the hireling band had gratified his soul in that which
was dearest to it-gold! He was one of those
What is the rate per pound at which a man can earthworms whose dreams were of the pale yellow
carry out his own views?
idol-it was the god enshrined in the polluted sanc-
Whether the person who stood upon ceremony tuary of his heart-he knew and served no other.
has found any falling off lately!
Reuben and his pretty cousia saw the departure
If the invalid who was given over has been of their guests with mingled terror and satisfaction
handed back again?
--terror at the prospect of their succeeding in the

treasonable design against the life of Elizabeth, and quarters. The moon is rising-you cannot miss the father, who loved her as dearly as his coarse and satisfaction at the feeling that the house was rid of way." them.

"I think there be poachers about, hunting the queen's deer," observed the landlord, as he stood on the threshold of the hostel. His nephew only smiled -he knew the game the supposed poachers were tracking.

No sooner was the officer of Sir Henry Beddingfield-for such the stranger was-assured that the party he had been sent to watch had quitted the house, than he raised a bugle, which he wore suspended, hunter fashion, from his side, to his lips, and gave one prolonged note. The terrified host The observation of the speaker had been caused would have closed the door, but the soldier, with a by the appearance of several lights, resembling the resolute air, pushed it aside, and, laying his rough Will-o'-the-Wisp, which appeared in rapid succes-grasp upon his shoulders, said: sion in different parts of the forest, or royal chace, which extended in a parallel line with the high road, far beyond the old inn.

selfish nature would permit him to love anything except himself and his money bags, was not to be diverted from his resolution.

"Cheer up, lad!" whispered the officer, who knew the part which Reuben had taken in the affair of Basset. "You have a good friend in Sir Henry Beddingfield; he may find the means to shake your uncle's resolution yet!"

After minutely searching the house, and securing the valise which Basset had left in charge of the "In the queen's name I arrest you for high trea- | host, Captain Grant-for such was the name of the

son!"

"High treason!" echoed the host, in a voice of "Come, bustle, bustle !" continued the old man ; terror. "This must be some mistake! Her ma"it is time to close the house!" jesty has not in the whole shire of Oxford-nay, for "Do you not expect your guests to return ?" in- the matter of that, in all England—a more loyal subquired Reuben. ject than myself!"

"What is that to thee, malapert!" answered his uncle, angrily; "a tapster should be content to draw wine and liquor for his master's guests, and neither ask questions nor pry into their goings and comings!"

"That remains to be seen," replied his captor, sternly. "Harboring traitors is as bad as the treason itself."

Whilst the prisoner was meditating the possibility of escape for he knew by bitter experience that, "But I do not intend to remain a tapster all my whatever his chance of proving his innocence, the life!" observed the young man.

His relative retorted by assuring him that unless he improved his wits and mended his manners, he would never rise to be the host of any well regulated

hostel.

The liberal sum which the fellow had just received

from the conspirators had made him more than usually bitter aginst his nephew, whose pretensions to the love of Mabel had been a frequent theme of contention between his wife and himself: the dame, although scarcely less fond of money than her partner, was a mother-and we rarely find a mother's heart capable of entertaining hatred towards the man who honorably loves her child.

expense of the process would be ruinous-the signal
which the stranger had given was responded to by a
party of twelve horsemen, who, issuing from the
wood, surrounded the group, who were still debat-
ing the point at issue, in front of the porch.

With a deep-drawn sigh, the father of the pretty

Mabel saw at once that evasion was useless-so he
resigned himself, with a sullen air, to his captors.

"Look well to the house, sirrah!" he said, ad

dressing his nephew, "and see that there be neither
waste nor riot, till my return!"

officer-started with his prisoners. The host of the Fair Rosamond was the only one whose escape was at all guarded against : he rode between two soldiers, who kept close to his side, with their hands upon the matchlocks of their petronels.

When Basset and his band of hired assassins approached the royal borough of Woodstock, they divided into five separate parties, in order to avoid exciting attention, should any of the citizens or soldiers of the palace guard happen to be on foot at such an hour. The place of rendezvous which he indicated, was a gate opening into the chaco and reserved gardens, about half a mile from the outside of the town, where they were to meet an agent of the Chancellor Gardiner-whom, with a view to the murder of Elizabeth, the unprincipled churchman had appointed to the office of keeper. This fellow, whose name was Doubleday, had long acted as a spy

for the prelate. More than once Sir Henry Beddingfield had been puzzled to understand the channel through which the Chancellor had been apprised of the minutest details of all that passed in the palace. Once in possession of the intentions of the It was intimated to him that Reuben and his wife head of the Catholic movement, he was not long in and daughter were equally prisoners, and must ac-guessing at his instrument. company the soldiers to Woodstock. The terrified girl clung to her father and lover alternately. In We are told that woman was the last to leave her grief and agitation, she could not help exclaim

Paradise-Adam crossed the threshold first. No wonder that some trace of Eden lingers in her nature yet; although, like the vein of gold in the quartz, we must sometimes crush the rock before we find it. All do not wear their good qualities upon the surface.

Just as they were on the point of closing the hostel, a traveller, whose accoutrements denoted that he was in the royal service, rode up to the porch, and, throwing the rein to Reuben, intimated his intention of taking up his quarters at the Fair Rosamond for the night.

In that age military men were not the most desirable guests that a taverner could receive: true, they called freely for the best wine the house could afford, | but they frequently forgot to pay their score; and, as the father of the pretty Mabel used to observe, "it was ill quarrelling with men who rode in steel, and bore the queen's commission." Eyeing the new comer with a dissatisfied air, the host informed him that he could not afford him accommodation.

The gate alluded to was an old gothic pile, partially screened by a small grove which separated it from the high road. There is little doubt that it formed a portion of the original buildings so reck"Reuben-Reuben! it was an ill day that took lessly destroyed by Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough. thee to Woodstock !"

ing:

The eyes of the inkeeper flashed fire.

"So, rascal!" he said "after having saved thee from the beggar's dish and wallet-reared and fed thee-this is thy gratitude! thou hast betrayed me! Not that," he added, correcting himself, "there has been anything to betray: if I have erred, it has been unwittingly."

"Uncle !"

"Uncle me no uncles!" continued the old man, passionately; "thou art ambitious, too, and hast lifted thine eyes to thy cousin Mabel! I will tell thee,” he added, scornfully, “when she shall be thy wife!"

“When?” demanded the officer, who commanded the party of the guard, and who appeared not a little amused with the scene.

"When I am standing under the gibbet, with the rope around my neck, and word from him will save me!" answered the host of the Fair Rosamond; "and not till then! that is, if Mabel marries with my consent; and if she does not, living or dead, my bitterest curse will cling to her!"

The poor girl vainly tried to stop the words which seemed to raise an insuperable bar between herself and the young tapster, by her caresses: but her

Doubleday had promised to be at his post and conduct the emmissaries of his employer to the longdisused banquetting-hall directly under the lodgings of the royal captive; a staircase which led to the music-gallery, communicated also with the apartments of the princess.

One by one the different bands arrived at the place of meeting. As they emerged like shadows from the little wood, they resembled more a troop of shadows than living men.

Their leader counted them over.

sent.

All were pre

Not a ruffian had failed to reach the place. After waiting some time, the clock of the distant church was heard to strike the hour of one. Before

the vibration of the iron bell had died upon the air, a low whistle was heard, to which Basset replied by a similar signal.

A postern was carefully opened, and a man, whom Basset concluded to be Doubleday, appeared.

He and the leader of the expedition exchanged a few hurried words, in an under-tone.

"Where are your horses?" demanded the former. "Picketed in the wood," was the reply. "Follow me, then everything is prepared!" It was arranged that half their number were to remain concealed within the grounds, whilst the rest

the vista of the long-contemplated future rose on her she listened anxiously for every sound. imagination. than an hour, a loud shout, in which the voice of her stern old guardian was distinctly heard, broke from the hall beneath. It was instantly followed by the clashing of steel.

"It is infernally dark !" whispered the ruffian to the supposed Doubleday; "the shutters of the banMentally commending herself to God, she pro-quet hall are closed." nounced the word, "Enter." Her gentleman usher and Frank Jerningham entered the room. At the sight of the young officer, her courage revived. She felt assured that if treason were on foot, he had not descended to become its instrument.

“Now, Jerningham," she said, as the young man bent the knee before her, "what means this visit? It is a strange hour, methinks, even for the kinsman of my gaoler to enter the chamber of the sister of his sovereign!"

"Pardon me, gracious madam!" exclaimed the young man; but there are duties which admit not of idle etiquette. I have already requested that your women may be called."

"Hath an order arrived for my departure?" inquired the princess, anxiously.

The gentleman informed her that no such order had been received from court; that his presence was merely a precaution taken by Sir Henry Beddingfield, who had directed him to occupy the apartment of her grace with a party of picked men, on whose fidelity and courage he could rely: and that, having explained the cause of his intrusion, he would retire.

"Stay, sir!" said the royal prisoner. "Such precautions are not taken without a motive. An attempt has been, or is about to be made upon our person, and your kinsman ——___?``

"Is honor's self!" interrupted Jerningham; "trust to him, your grace, as you would to an an