"Are there not numerous bands of outlaws in these woods," inquired the lady, readily changing the conversation, after a short silence which had ensued; for she soon perceived that her kinsman had a yielding towards the side of King John.

"I hear that their numbers have increased of late," answered the knight, "owing to De Marchmont's having so rigorously enforced the forest-laws. But they will not, I trow, venture to attack one armed at all points like myself. They are but robbers, and cowardly curs, and the sight of a battle-axe would slacken a score of their bow-strings."

"They must have been bolder men than thou holdest them," said the lady, "who took prisoner Robert de Roos, and put to flight his followers, and after having rifled his mails, made him swear upon the holy cross that he would disafforest all his lands, before they would set him at liberty."

"By my father's bones! they should have hewed me limb from limb, ere I would have sworn such an oath," said the knight. "Better far had it been for him to have suffered death, than to grant such an inroad into privileges

which are daily slipping from our grasp. But assuredly mother church will absolve him from a vow made under such disadvantages."

"I speak it with sorrow," replied the maiden, "but there are those in the church too ready to deal out pardons, for even the worst of crimes. William of Summercoats purchased absolution, for having stabbed his cup-bearer, in a fit of anger, and now men meet him in the Folk-moot, as if he had done no wrong. I tell thee that if gold is thus taken to wipe off sins, (which the saints will assuredly avenge hereafter,) these evils will extend even further than the cruel ravages of the infidel Danes."

"I leave these matters to the priests," said the knight. "But beshrew me, if Robert de Roos, can disafforest those lands which he holds in tenure of the crown. Such a deed would bring him at once before the Court of Eyre."

"There thou art right," answered the maiden; "but if he hath sworn to allow those to escape scathless, who hunt the deer on his own estate, that is no affair to touch either the king or the forest-court. But methinks it were high time to quit this tedious road, and strike at a venture down some of these paths."

"Thou speakest wisely," said her companion: "we can but at the worst take up our shelter for the night in some rude hut, and may, perchance, be fortunate enough to procure a guide to conduct us to the Priory.”

They again pursued their journey in silence, and at a brisker pace than they had hitherto gone; for the rays of the sinking sun fell lower, and here and there a deep shadow had usurped the place of the blue mistiness, and was fast settling upon the forest.

CHAPTER II.

Forest, and hill, and vale, and mountain wild,
Bore the deep foot-marks where the tyraut trod ;
The peasant wept when gazing on his child :-
The little slave played on the daisied sod,
Nor knew the doom reserved for after years.

Knew not, the world was filled with bitter tears,

Drawn forth by cruel lords, who only mocked their fears.
SILAS GEDDING.

OUR travellers had by this time reached a green glade, which spread out on either hand, and sloped with a lovely and pasture-like effect through the forest. Down that part which opened to the left, approached a rustic maiden, driving before her a herd of horned cattle; she was chaunting some old ditty in a voice remarkable for its clearness, and which was given back with even a sweter sound by the sylvan echoes. Her face was browned through constant ex

posure to the weather, and her long dark hair fell in wild, but not ungraceful disorder down her olive neck, while her arms, which were naked above the elbows, had caught the hue of ripe hazel nuts. Her features though not strictly beautiful, had an agreeable appearance, wearing the frankness of good-nature, which was evinced by the dimples in her cheek, the softness of her eyes, and the clear and open forehead, which from its breadth denoted no small intelligence. There was, moreover, an air of contentment over all, which spoke of happiness in her humble station. Her dress was simple, consisting of a long tunic of coarse woollen material, resembling the dress of a Christschool-boy, with the exception of not being open. in front, and having shorter sleeves; she wore rude sandals on her feet, which were secured by leather thongs.

The scene was worthy of the pencil of a Genius! The rays of the setting sun gilding the long forest glade, which was engirded with almost every variety of tree; some of them receiving a portion of the red golden light, while others were thrown into a greater depth of shadow, and contrasted beautifully with the