sentence. "Well may they fly back to the laws of our Pagan ancestors," continued she, "and seek to render their reasons plausible before the ignorant and the superstitious. But their hearts are harder than those of the unbelieving Danes; and Heaven will avenge itself in due season. I knew that the hour of trial was at hand; but there are others who have to pass an ordeal which they expect not, and those who shall tremble before the face of a woman, who have never blanched amid the storm of battle, or shaken before the pointed spear. They will see Elwerwolf too soon."

"Leave me not, good Elwerwolf!" said Elfrida, arising and wiping the tears from her eyes; "I shall have none to counsel me if thou goest; and my father," added she, with a deep sigh checking her swelling grief, "I fear me he hath fallen among those who have no mercy. Oh! I had fearful dreams all yesternight, such as were wont to haunt my sleep before my mother died."

"There is a hope, which we see not in our despair, my daughter!" replied Elwerwolf, lifting up her eyes towards heaven as she spoke. "And the blessed saints who are above, and the

good spirits that watch over us below, and preside over our fates, often turn aside the dangers which we think are about to burst upon our heads. The morning that comes in, clothed with clouds and thick gloom, often breaks out into the brightest day, and the clear and blue brow of a summer's sky, is, at times, suddenly darkened. We behold the mighty man of today, heralded and trumpeted through the streets; and on the morrow we hear the deathbell, proclaiming that he is no more. The proud hart that leads on the herd in the morning, is oft struck by the shaft of the hunter before even. Long and many have been the years that have passed over my head, and unnumbered the conflicts which these eyes have witnessed; yet, I would not wish to live and see the last handful of brave Saxons expelled from these forests, where they have so long and boldly made a stand against their invaders. They are few, but they yet retain their liberty, and when that is once lost, I would have them die, sooner than see them Norman slaves. Is it too much," added she, raising her voice, "that a Saxon should hold lands within this forest, or a poor woman of the same

race, have a home on the corner of a barren heath. Like the wolf, they have tasted blood, and cannot live unless they gorge upon it daily. They are rich and powerful, yet dissatisfied, while the Saxons are poor, and oppressed with heavy talliage, and heavier grievances. The Normans live in lofty castles stored with plenty, and rendered secure by moats and walls; yet, they begrudge the wild wastes and useless marshes which are scattered over with the reedy huts, and humble hovels of the Saxons. They revel in idleness and luxury, are all knights or nobles; while we eat of the bitter bread, nor look for aught beyond the appeasing of hunger. If the Saxon murmurs, he is beaten or imprisoned; if he resists, he is punished with death; yet, they who are the iron-hearted tax-masters, are but thieves and invaders, without a claim to a foot of that soil, which groans beneath their cruelties. Lead me on, ye Norman slaves!" continued she, walking into the midst of the soldiers, "and prolong the thread of your unenviable existence, by bearing another Saxon to death. They shall have the blood of Elwerwolf, for which they thirst; but, oh! they know not how dearly they will purchase it."

Four of the soldiers were Saxons, and showed no inclination to bestir themselves further in the matter, after having listened to the rambling discourse of Elwerwolf. Even the leader seemed at a loss how to proceed, not daring to return without Margaret and Edwin, whom he had thus unexpectedly found, after having scoured half the forest of Sherwood in search of them.

"We return not without your company, Sir Page," said the leader, "nor would we wish to put your valour to a further test. The lady must also attend us; nor dare we journey without our old companion Royston, though I should not have slept the less soundly to-night, if he had before this shown a pair of clean heels; for that affair of the castle promiseth but little of mercy. But he is keeper of his own life."

"Thou meanest kindly, honest Anlof," answered Royston, "but I have been too long a soldier, to fear death; and whether we take our last sleep over the battlements, are sent to rest on the battle-field, or drowned in crossing a moat, matters but little to one who has grown familiar with the face of death. De Marchmont shall never say that Royston Gower, who

has so often led his chosen spears into the thickest danger, was himself afraid to die. As for the new leader whose fortunes I have chosen to follow, it resteth with him to say, whether I fall here by his side, like a sworn soldier, or share the fate which is reserved for another day."

"I doubt not thy valour, brave Royston," replied Edwin, extending his mailed hand to the sturdy veteran; "nor have I cause to fear confronting either King John or any of his barons. Elwerwolf is determined upon returning with you," added he, addressing De Marchmont's followers, "nor shall I thwart her wishes. For the rest, they abide with me; unless there are those among you who will cross swords with Edwin of Clifton, and dispute the authority of your true lord."

The soldiers gazed in astonishment upon each other, when they heard this announcement; for they were not wholly ignorant of the slender tenure by which De Marchmont held his possessions, and had always been taught to believe that the rightful heir would one day return and claim his own. But they little deemed that the page, whom some of them had known ever since he was the height of a stag-hound, had