bent his thoughts on the panting victim, on which his fancy had already alighted.

But his mind was ill at ease, and at one moment his imagination threw him into the lists, and he set his teeth together, while dealing imaginary blows on the casque of Gloomglendell. Anon, he was again in the hall of justice, and heard the deep voice of the knight thunder forth his accusation. Then his thoughts reverted to Edwin, and the musical voice of his daughter again rang upon his ears. Druth and Elwerwolf, Chester, Hereward, and the outlaw, followed each other in succession, like faces moving by in a dream; the crowded images of horror and hope, that people the interminable caverns of waking thought; and are even seen by the fancy in the dull embers of the fire.

At length he reached the rude hut, in which Royston Gower was then captive; and exchanging a nod of recognition with the sentinels, entered the low doorway.

A dim and single torch shed its umbered light over the desolate apartment, and gave a bronzy tinge to the thoughtful features of the old soldier, who was seated on a rude oaken block; to which he was also fastened by fetters. He sprang up, on the appearance of De Marchmont, so suddenly, that his chains rattled again, and drew in his long stride by a quick jerk; like some mastiff rushing from his kennel, and drawn back by that very force which impelled him forward.

For a moment or two they stood gazing on each other in silence, for not a sound was heard, saving the measured footsteps of the sentries without.

"It grieveth me," said the baron, at length breaking the silence, "to see one in these vile gyves, who has so often shared my secret counsels, and so boldly led my bravest lances into the thickest fight."

"It grieveth thee not," answered Royston

Gower, "we have been acquainted of old; spare thy affected pity, and compel me not to disdain thee. Thou hast come to see me before I die. What wouldst thou with me? be speedy, for I wot well, that those who fall into thy power have but short time for shrift, and I would not waste my last moments idly."

"Thou art not yet so near the gates of death," said De Marchmont, "that thou hast need to think of a confessor; I could but ill spare thy life, while so many enemies yet move in my path."

"Then thou wouldst keep me, as Miles of the Moor did his terrier," said Royston, with a sneer; "which, when it had killed all the rats that infested his granary, he hung up, for reasons good-he had no longer need of it! I buy not on thy terms !"

"Thou wert not wont to be backward," continued De Marchmont, "when I was hard bestead, or had an enemy that I would be rid of."

"I have done many an evil deed for thee," replied Royston, in his most solemn manner;

some of which have sat heavily upon my conscience this night. It was through your persuasions that I quarrelled with the bearer of Montpenel's banner; and, albeit I slew him in fair fight, yet had he done me no injury; and I would that his blood was clear of mine hands."

"An' thou lettest these things disturb thee," said the baron, " then art thou indeed changed; sought he not to take the lead with his lances, at the battle of Anjou? Nay, I will bear the weight of his death, since it was occasioned by defending mine own banner, an' it sitteth so heavily upon thee. Trowest thou that if Marmaduke de Montpenel had dared to dispute the pre-eminence with England, I would not have challenged himself, as thou didst his esquire? Aye! marry, would I, and every rebel leader of Poictou."

"But thou canst not so easily reconcile me

to the death of Leonard the tanner," said Royston, "when, at thy bidding, I smote him under the fifth rib.”

"Was not his dagger lifted at mine own throat?" said De Marchmont, "thinkest thou that the meanest follower, who ever bore crossbow in my ranks, would not have done the same deed? Aye! without even his leader's bidding. Psha! if thou wilt accuse thyself of aught, methinks thy disobeying my last commands, may furnish thee with matter of reproach."

By the holy martyr of Canterbury!" exclaimed Royston, "I would give my helmet full of gold pieces, an' they were in my possession, if I could as readily reconcile my conscience to a forgiveness of all my deeds, as I can for disobeying thee in that matter: nay, I have ventured a notch on my tally for that very act, as a set-off for one of my old sins."

"But why didst thou not refuse to execute