His huge arms reached below his knees, and the formidable fingers, that spread out from each hand, bore no bad likeness to crabs' claws; while his short powerful legs bowed out on either side, like those oaken pillars which are left as the lonely supporters of some heavy building, and bend stubbornly beneath the weight, which has neither power to break or force them into the earth. Every limb seemed to possess an herculean power; for he was also doublejointed; a sure sign of immense strength.

He had in his hand a crab-tree cudgel, which in form somehow resembled himself, and was called by the domestics of the Priory, "Druth's brother." None of them, however, were desirous of forming too close an acquaintance with so dreaded a weapon, as they had been eye witnesses to the effects it once produced on the head of a furious bull, which, while attempting to rush in at the priory gate, was struck dead by one blow from the powerful cudgel of the dwarf.

There was, however, but little that could be called savage in the countenance of Druth; while, as he stood gazing upon the beautiful form of Edith, an earnest solemnity pervaded

his face, and he seemed to regard her with the same intense interest as a connoisseur dwells upon the production of a Titian, or a Corregio, which he is viewing for the first time.

"What message may I crave, to deliver to these outlaws, fair lady?" enquired the dwarf, in a softer tone than he had hitherto used, and in a manner which seemed the more striking, as coming from so rugged a figure.

"I know not their pleasure," answered Edith, composing her features, which had shown symptoms of alarm; "and it would ill become an unprotected maiden, to admit a band of armed men into her apartment at this hour, without a knowledge of what they require."

"Call not yourself unprotected, lady," replied the dwarf, "while I am near your presence; for few, methinks," he added, uplifting the heavy club with his thumb and finger, "would like to feel the full force of my feather. But be not alarmed, fair creature; it is but the leader, that craveth admission, and he belongeth to those who would sooner aid than injure one so -" he stopped short, for just then his eyes fell upon his own figure, mirrored in a burnished shield that

hung opposite; which also reflected the forms of Edith and her attendants; and without finishing the sentence, he clenched his teeth, and left the apartment.

Edith, whose eyes had watched the motions of the dwarf, and justly guessed the cause which had startled him so suddenly, pitied, in the nobleness of her mind, his deformity, which seemed coupled with a heart and arm so ready to act in her defence; and ordered Blanch to bring him again into her presence.

Marry! I dare not follow the monster," replied Blanch, with a haughty toss of her head, and all the confidence of a vain beauty, and a lady's favourite to boot; "lest he should turn and rend me like a wild boar."

"I fear me, maiden," said Edith, "that under the rugged form of yonder porter lurks more of honour and kindness, than we shall be able to discover under goodlier figures; - but hush! they are returning."

"Ah!" whispered Blanch into the ear of her young mistress, as Will Scarlet, or Will of the Cloister, as he was sometimes called, entered, following the dwarf; "if he brought such a face as that, I need not fear him."

Blanch did but express that which could not fail to strike the eye of Edith; for it is but seldom that either sex are blind to beauty; and if any dissimilitude might be drawn between the forms of the dwarf and outlaw, it was as great as the contrast between Adonis and the boar. The green doublet, broad belt, and buskins of deer's hide, together with the bow in his hand, and broad-sword by his side, added to which, a fine figure, and manly features, lit with that peculiar expression, which is only called up, while gazing upon beauty: with whatever feeling they might be viewed by Edith, did not fail to make a deep impression on poor Blanch, who could not help whispering, By my troth, my lady, I would trust that handsome youth with my life."

"The matters on which I have to speak, fair lady," said Will Scarlet, " deeply concern yourself, and will lose none of their value if confined to only a few ears."

By my fay, the yeoman speaketh soothly," said Blanch, looking at Edith; "'twere better that this little" but her eyes fell upon the kindling caverns of the dwarf's, as if the latter personage had anticipated her remarks; and she

shrank ashamed of her own words, while Durth

thus spoke.

"Maiden! it ill becometh thee, to take upon thyself that which concerneth only the wish and will of thy lady. If it is her desire that I should depart, she shall speedily be obeyed, though, mayhap, my absence may, ere long, be regretted. To thee, maiden, I especially address myself; thou wouldst have alluded to my person, and in so doing, mightest have provoked my wrath; remember that a thousand things may yet mar thy beauty, and not leave thee even strength for a comforter."

Nay, good Druth," be not wroth with the damsel," said Edith, struck with the solemn manner in which the dwarf spake; "I tell thee, sir yeoman, that thou mayest speak thy pleasure boldly, for we have none here but those whom we dare trust with our choicest secrets, if they concern ourselves alone."

"Then be it so,” replied Will Scarlet," thou art doubtless aware, fair lady, that King John hath plighted his oath to Sir Geoffrey de Marchmont, and for services which he has done, promised, as a reward, that thou shalt become the baron's bride."