"If there be space we would as lief essay this adventure together."

"Enter, and I will give you the torch," said their crusty guide; "I've known as valiant knights as ye be, mightily afeard o' the dark. I'll wait outside here with your serving man, an' help ya down again."

"And what is it we do when fairly within, should we conclude to enter that evil looking place?"

"Ye will see a cleft in the rock to the right hand. Inquire there, after which lay your ear close and listen."

"And was it for this thou camest hither? I trow not. There is a fair form and a bright eye that is even now uppermost in thy thoughts, if not foremost on thy tongue," said the voice, in a sharp quick whisper, rather louder than before.

"Knowest thou this mysterious visitor!" "The witch of Roseberry Topping hath eyes and ears in every place. Even the very walls have a tongue at her bidding. She whom thou seekest is of the mighty ones of the earth. Her path is hidden!"

"And is this thy skill ?"

"Tempt me not. I could give thee a glimpse of her-but hast thou courage?"

"Ah, witch! How passed that secret hither?" "Be still. It was she thou sawest at the castle.” "How can this be?" said De Wilton, with a tone sufficiently indicating his astonishment at so unexpected a disclosure.

Thy doubts do not belie the truth-suffice it that she is not far hence."

44

But I know her not-for of a surety I am ignorant as heretofore."

De Wilton did not feel quite assured by the manner of their conductor, which was certainly not calculated to allay suspicion, but it was too late Enough, I trow, for this pleasant sight." to retract, and there would probably be more risk "I know it, else thou hadst not sought me. Rein a display of apprehension than in boldly brav-memberest thou the church of St. Ravon, and the ing out the danger. Stooping down, he took the veiled lady at Ghent?" light, and, creeping on his knees, was followed by his friend. They soon found themselves able to walk upright. He raised the torch and saw a small cavern, rugged, and of an irregular shape, as though nature more than art had a share in its construction. The floor was wet, and the whole had a chill and sepulchral look, as though it were the very threshold of the grave. He shuddered as, side by side, they surveyed this mysterious recess. It was not more than three or four yards wide-no roof could be distinguished through the mist and smoke which curled heavily upward, as though a vent or outlet existed in that direction. Slimy exudations trickled down the walls, rank and discolored with lurid patches of discordant hue Looking more closely, they were soon aware of the crevice alluded to, were the questions and responses were delivered. Though possessed of a more than ordinary share of animal courage, De Wilton could have wished the conversation had commenThere will be a rougher skein to unravel ere ced by the unseen. It assuredly required some thou be many days older. Thou broughtest letresolution to put the first question. He again ters to England, but their import was unknown to looked carefully round. As far as the eye could thee-'tis well-the very wind might babble it penetrate there was not an individual besides them- again. If thou have courage, a high destiny selves within. He drew back once-the words awaits thee; if a coward, the hurdle and the block, froze on his lips-a chill and sickening shudder and a traitor's grave;" almost paralysed his faculties. Chiding himself for this pusillanimity, and with more desperation probably than true courage, he sharply inquired, "Are we observed ?"

By whom?"

If thy love to her is sincere, thou wilt know more anon. Did the Cardinal tell thee nothing?" "Ah! again!" De Wilton paused a moment ere he raplied, in a softer whisper than before. "He was full of mystery, but said I should hear of her shortly."

46

Listen! She is of the blood royal, though thou know it not."

"Thy words are riddles, and do lack interpretation even more than they."

64

"My courage was never doubted heretofore." "Thou hast a ring."

"It hath gone from me. Knowest thou that mystic jewel?"

66

'Again this idle questioning? My knowledge is boundless as the winds. The ring is on thine hand."

He raised his hand-sure enough the red and glittering opal was there! Astonished beyond measure, he cried out, "Accursed thing—it bodes no good!"

"Art quarrelling already with thy good fortune? Ingrate that charmed jewel is beyond all price. By it thou mayest be advanced to honors thine

"Ask not-they be idle interrogatories," was eyes would ache even to behold. See thou lose it the answer.

"Heardest thou these?" again he demanded of Hubert.

"I heard a whisper only. Words, if any, were inaudible."

not."

"Even so. I got it thence. for know, shortsighted mortal, I am not seen save in the body of "Sir John Neville is amissing. Knowest thou another. My spirit is forbidden a tabernacle of its aught touching his departure ?" was the next ques-own. What if it were the cast off, the decaying tion.

relics of the Lady Neville, when I waited for thee

in the courtyard of the castle, and from her finger assailed him. The ring was again dark-he raisthou drewest off the ring ?"

ed his hand, when it flashed faintly as before; De Wilton felt as though the cold and clammy there was not a glimmer visible from which this fingers of the dead were locked within his own. could be the reflection, but it was just possible that That haunted ring clung to him-he felt its pollu- from some source or another it had taken place. ted touch-the faint breath of the charnel-house Encouraged by this kindly omen, he considered a rose to his nostrils-his limbs grew rigid-one hor awhile, his eyes bent on the floor, Was he derible thought possessed him-the unknown, it ceived?-a ray of light moved towards one corner might be, was another of these disembodied fiends, and disappeared. He looked up, and presently a a thing built up out of the spoils-the refuse of hu- brighter beam streamed through a crevice in the manity;-peradventure, the witch herself, in ano- roof, and, almost or ere he was aware, the mysterither shape that his heart yawned for-the loathous unknown stood before him! some dead he had clasped in the giddy dancelooked on with delight, and even with a tenderer interest. False siren! the thought sickened him his brain swam with horror-he felt conscious that his faculties were giving way-a piercing shriek seemed as though it had dissolved the very elements of his existence, and he fell, utterly bereft even of the appearance of life.

He was dumb either with fear or wonder, yet there was the same arch smile, playful, bewitching as before. Surely danger could not lurk under so sweet a form. Then he thought of the dead rotting in the cerements; the foul incarnation she assumed, and which, doubtless, she could change as it suited her purpose. He shrunk back as though her very form exhaled pollution. She held a lamp, and, laying it on the pile of coffins that he now saw, thus addressed him:

“So, sir knight, am I to turn knight-errantress for thy deliverance from spells and incantations?” They that hide can find."

66

"Doubtless; and they that consult witches and bogles at dead o' night may expect some pains for their trouble."

"Peradventure the witch I wot of stands before

me."

Surely thy brains are gone a witch-finding, or, it may be, extirpate with sorcery and ill-feeding." "Who art thou, being of fear and mystery?" "Not so doleful, prithee! I am a poor stray damsel, concerning whom there once went forth a most valorous and puissant knight, to ask counsel from the witch of Roseberry Topping." "And was no wiser for his pains," said De Wilton, encouraged by her address. "Where am I, kind dame?"

"Dost take me for a witch ?"

me."

Verily I do, and no spell but thine has bound

'Gramercy, art thou in love, sir knight?"

When De Wilton opened his eyes it was yet dark. His memory was like the trembling wave, all was broken, indistinct. Images, reflections, so disjointed, so confounded with each other, that the phantasma presented but a mass of incoherent forms, without any clue to gather up and reconstruct their fragments. He felt something horrible had taken place, but could not represent its outline, its appalling image to the mind. The first distinct perception was the consciousness of a close and pent up atmosphere, with a laborious breathing, and a sluggish earthy odor pervading his nostrils. He stretched out his hands-the only object within his reach was the slippery floor, on which he appeared to have lain at full length. Gathering himself up, he stood on his feet, then moving a few steps, he fancied a heap of coffins arrested his progress. Fearful was the first dawn of memory that lighted upon him. Was he immured?-a living inhumation-buried in some unknown vault,-shut out. separated for ever from his kind; with the dead for his companions, in whose likeness he must shortly appear? Had he been left here to perish by a lingering and cruel death? The thought was madness. He dashed his forehead against the walls of his dungeon. In one of these paroxysms his clenched fingers grasped the ring; the whole preceding train of circumstances flashed suddenly upon him. That accursed witch had assuredly been the contriver of the mischief; he bitterly bewailed his folly, his imprudence. He raved,-he expostulated by turns, until his natural firmness, arising from a well-regulated confidence, was restored. By giving up all for lost, every chance of escape would be cut off, and he was determined to explore the length and breadth of his prison-house. It seemed to be a long narrow vault only-without any perceptible outlet. Holding up his hand, a faint but sudden flash from the ring arrested his attention. Was this ring, as the witch darkly intimated, charged with his destiny, like those in Eastern romance? Was one of the genii imprisoned in this fiery dungeon for his special use and protection? No wonder that in the present excited state of his imagination these improbabilities found a "But it cannot be," said he, with some increduliplace, and he clung even to this glimmering of ty, "that the form before me is that of the Lady kope rather than the rayless despair which first Neville."

He shuddered when he thought of the witch, whom he still suspected as one and the same with the incomprehensible thing in his presence. Yet even witchery was divested of half its terrors when he looked on this beautiful mystery.

"Tell me, I prithee, unto what wicked place thy arts have conveyed me."

"Under the very foundations of the abbey; and the spot where we now stand is the family vault of the Neville's therein."

Horror again held him dumb. The reluctant confession of Sir John respecting the ring was now explained, to wit, that it had belonged to his wife, and buried with her, but, in some unaccountable manner purloined from her grave. The mystery seemed to get more entangled. Every subsequent occurrence only rendering it more impenetrable.

46

Now I will play the witch," said the dame, "and unriddle thy thoughts; and what if they should be true!" she continued with a strange and portentous look.

"It is not. Once possessing a human shape, its | lapse of time was unnoticed. Many hours had, likeness may be changed at will. Rememberest however, passed, when his reverie was broken in thou the dame so officiously handed to her coach by a gay cavalier, and from whom that ring was taken ?"

Here a malicious laugh suggested that the foul fiend was bodily before his eyes.

And for what purpose am I brought hither?" he inquired.

upon by a sudden light, and a smart tap on the shoulder. Turning round he saw a little shrivelled cadaverous being, whose lengthened jaws, and eyes stretched to their utmost use, sufficiently betrayed his astonishment at this unexpected meeting. He was clad in a leathern jerkin, a belt buckled loosely round the waist contained sundry imple

His legs and feet were cased in calves' hide, with
the hair outermost. Another, and a younger indi-
vidual, was at his back, and both showing unequi-
vocal symptoms of wonder at the interview.
"Dost gang hither, goodman, without either

"That thou mayest hear what the witch left un-ments appertaining to some laborious occupation. told yesternight. Said she not that mystic ring might peradventure lead thee to great honors? Whomsoever I delight in, could I not lift, ay, to the very pinnacle of earthly greatness? I have met thee ere now, and in a foreign land I thought thee fitted for some high enterprise, and I see the vic-spade or pickaxe? Marry, your dead carcass tor's wreath, it may be a crown, upon thy brow. Listen, and be wise."

"I purchase not even a crown by unholy arts and alliances."

"Nor needest thou, impatient, ungrateful as thou art. Thou findest I am mistress both of the past and the future; wilt follow my guidance so far as thou offend not thy conscience and thy faith?"

De Wilton looked steadfastly at the beautiful and extraordinary being before him. His feelings prompted an assent.

Remember," she cried, "the highest honors await thee; nor to this end need thou ally thyself with the powers of evil."

"I promise," said De Wilton.

"Swear," said the unknown; “stay—not so”she smiled" on the word of a true knight!" "My pledge."

She held out her hand for his salute, with a dignity that would have graced royalty itself, but he hesitated.

"Nay, fear not, I am not what I seem. Thou mayest kiss this book without fear of perjury." "He took her beautiful hand, imprinting thereon a kiss, which seemed to thrill through his soul as he felt the soft pressure on his lips.

now adays will travel to its own grave-cheating sexton's o' their dues. How came thou in thy grave, without so much as to say- By your good leave, Master Sexton?""

De Wilton was greatly amused at the oddity of the surmise, replying somewhat jocosely"I am not here of my own free will, and right glad I shall be o' thy good help for my escape."

46

Prithee, ha' done with thy foolery. I have other business," said he, attempting to push this garrulous and shrivelled atomy aside. "Foolery, quotha !—foolery ? Hearest thee. Hal? Look! Aha, that cursed ring again! I think Auld Nick is t' owner on't."

"I took thee prisoner," she said, with a winning smile," until thou didst plight thine allegiance. Pardon me, in that I must now be absent for a season, whilst I leave thee in darkness and soli-head. "How the dule gat he it?"

tude, 'Tis needful for thy safety. There be foes

He held the torch for a more accurate survey.
"I am sure enough," continued he scratching his

We'll tak him before t' questors directly.

on our track, but deliverance is at hand-soon and Knave-rogue-burglariously hast thou entered unexpected the downfal of our enemies!"

here, for which thou must answer to thy betters. She suddenly disappeared behind a projecting Thou comes a-robbing the dead-purloining the angle at the extremity of the vault, and left him jewels which the King has laid hands upon." again to his own thriftless meditations. He some- "Robbing the graves!" cried out the accused. times fancied it was a dream, or that he was mad," Verily it were a bold tongue that gave such and imagination was the artificer, cheering his thought utterance. Go to, fool, and lead me forth dark cell with these extravagant creations. Then, of this. Such silly conceits become not thy grey again, memory forbad this fearful surmise. He hairs."

conceal, purloin, or destroy the goods, chattels, and all sundry-sundry-Hal, I've forgot-how went the proclamation?"

remembered, during his sojourn at Ghent, a form By the rood, Hal, but we must lay on the gyves. like the mysterious one who now held him priso-I tell thee the questors have t' King's commission ner, had thrown herself strangly in his way. He to punish with death or bonds such as do cheat, had met her veiled amongst worshippers and devotees; masked in the giddy revel, amongst the highest and noblest born of the land. At times a few vague and inexplicable words had passed. He could not doubt it was the same being, but her motives, the objects of her pursuit, and even her very nature, were alike inscrutable.

Wearied and dissatisfied with conjectures, the

"Prithee, save thy breath; I will accompany you without further hinderance; but I'll not be bound like a fool to the whipping-post. Up, knave, I follow."

Hal, with great care, and a wary eye crawled

away like a beaten hound, congratulating himself at so signal an escape. They took his parole, and led the way to a corner of the vault. Here a concealed door, now open, showed a narrow flight of steps, down which the breeze blew freshly from above. They were soon clear of the vault, and on crossing the deserted aisles of the chapel, De Wilton was startled at its solitude and desertion. The priest, driven from the altar, the rich vestments, the offerings, all were gone. No lights blazed, nor frankincense curled in graceful eddies round the roof;-darkness and silence brooded over them, save the hollow arches reverberating their tread, and the glimmer of their lamp reflected by some tinselled saint, or gilded martyr.

|

"He is," was the only reply. "However-what was thy business, and how camest thou in the vault, whence we suppose thou dost not deny to have been taken?"

These hireling judges would hear nothing further, and De Wilton, with an ill grace, was forced to submit to another incarceration. Gregory and his assistant would have taken off the ring, and indeed the wearer was nothing loath to be rid of it, but his hand, swelled and tumid with excitement, would not yield to their efforts. However unwil lingly, therefore, the ring was allowed to remain for the present. Being delivered up to the keeping of an attendant, he was deposited forthwith in a place used as a temporary dungeon, strongly bar"This way-this way," cried the sexton, as De red and bolted, near the abbot's kitchen; once more Wilton lingered a moment to gaze on the deserted left to himself, and shut out from light and warmth, grandeur that surrounded him. A door in the cor- to ruminate on the strange mishaps, which trode ner of a pillar opened to a narrow corridor which, on each other's heels so closely. A cold wind after many windings, led them to the refectory, pointed out the window, or rather loophole, where, where, by the light of one solitary lamp, and a through bars of stout iron, the snow, as well as blazing heap of fagots, two personages were appa-moonlight, found a ready admission. By and by, rently in earnest discourse, insomuch that the first as he came to a closer examination of his cell, and entry of the gravedigger and his companions was scarcely noticed. But Gregory, with one of his most insinuating grimaces, thus opened his haran

gue:

May it please your worships"-a pause, during which they looked round, surveying the intruders with a curious and not very conciliatory glance. "Thine errand," said the elder of the two-a very demure, official looking sort of person.

peeping curiously about, he thought he heard a low whistle outside. He listened-it was repeated. Cautiously answering with the same note, something was thrown through the bars. Stooping to examine the nature of the mission, another fell at his feet; some friend had furnished him with a file and a crowbar. He went to work in good earnest, and, by dint of hard labor, contrived to make a vacancy wide enough to admit his per May it please your worships," again he com- son. Creeping cautiously forwards, for the walls menced," we have found a caitiff, who, by the were of enormous thickness, he drew himself, head instigation of the devil, and not having the fear of foremost, out of the window, and looking round, our lord the King and your honors before his eyes, saw a fellow sauntering about, evidently on the hath, with rapine and a grievous onslaught—and watch for his egress. The opening, luckily, was -and-I forgot, Hal,-Oh, hath despoiled our not far from the ground, Laying hold, therefore, lord the King, his treasury, in this religious house, on a projecting buttress, he sprung forth, and fell of which your worships be guardians and adminis-at full length on a convenient cushion of snow, trators."

A smile at the pompous formality by which they were addressed, greeted this garrulous protector, of his sovereign's rights.

"Which is the thief?" inquired his Majesty's! representative.

which the wind had drifted beneath. Immediately his unknown deliverer was at his side. He whispered

"This way-climb the wall, and we are safe." Looking up, De Wilton saw the friendly countenance of Miles Chatburn.

"We are in the abbey garden," he continued. "Haste-horses are waiting on the other side." "By whose contrivance?"

"A friend. It has only just been told us that

Here, good masters," said Gregory and his deputy. Each laying a hand on the prisoner's shoulder, they forthwith, with many additional inventions and exaggerations, began to accuse him. "Hale him to prison," said the elder commissioner, when they had finished. "We will ex-yon rascals had thee i' their clutches, Hush-be amine him on the morrow. Having much to do, the time will not permit our investigation at present."

"Please ye, my gracious lords, but he still keeps the ring, touching which Sir John Neville did make grievous outcry, and your poor servants here had nigh come to great trouble."

silent until we're out of harm's way."

Silently and safely they climbed the wall. Their steeds were in waiting, and they were soon out of immediate danger. All the information that Miles either would or could communicate was, that a fair dame had been the means of his rescue, and that a place of safety was provided. Matters, too, he said, had gone ill at the castle since their departure. Sir John had been denounced. His effects were under forfeiture, and it was lucky that ke

Gentlemen," said De Wilton, "for such I trow ye be, I am incapable of the crime which these scurvy knaves do attest. I am for the present a visitor at the castle of Sir John Neville, who will was absent when the commissioners' warrant arassuredly resent this contumely on his friend."

"We believe Sir John Neville hath not shown great reverence for, nor readiness to obey, the King's behests. Is he not on the list?" inquired the elder functionary from his companion.

rived, else his person had been committed to close custody. Further, Miles declared, he had no information to give.

His exultation at the escape showed his former sense of danger to De Wilton more imminent than

sage unto thee,' said the disguised envoy.' Say on,' I replied, sorely startled at this ad-in silence, and not a word was spoken, either by dress, as the mysterious re-appearance of the ring led me to apprehend some pending and unfore

"If that were all, it is scarce worth the adven-chances, another may not so easily be overcome ture," said De Wilton. But what is become of with all the power and prescience I possess. Hast thou the ring?"