while the first pledge called up the colour into Edwin's cheek, the latter caused a tear to gather in the eyes of Margaret, as if she felt for the first time, that she participated in her father's unpopularity, and had neither the will nor the power to repel the charge. Even Royston looked confounded, and would fain have removed the maiden from the noise of their merriment, had he not wished to preserve her secret. Druth sat in silence, devouring the food that was offered him with an avidity which left no doubt of his long fasting. While Robin Hood attended upon the two lovers, and attempted to rally their spirits, by his constant sallies of rough wit.

CHAPTER IV.

I do remember an apothecary

And hereabouts he dwells,-whom late I noted
In tattered weeds, with overwhelming brows,
Culling of simples; meagre were his looks:
Sharp misery had worn him to the bones:
And in his needy shop a tortoise hung,
An alligator stuffed, and other skins
Of ill-shaped fishes.

SHAKSPEARE.

THE brave Earl of Eltham, accompanied by the stranger knight, who had so suddenly followed him into the thicket, were still riding to and fro with furious speed, in the hope of discovering Edith. Sometimes they raised their voices and called aloud her name, until every dell and dingle rang again with the sound; then they listened attentively for a reply, but the bellowing of the stags, the barking of the fox, and the

raven's croak, were the only answers that broke the forest's silence. At length their steeds became weary, and it was with great difficulty that they kept them upon their feet amid the jagged roots of the trees, and the dense copsewood, through which they passed in darkness, saving, where here and there, the moon-light streamed in through occasional vistas.

They at length reached the end of a long winding path, which they had traversed some time on foot, as the overhanging boughs drooped so low, as to prevent their sitting upright in the saddle; moreover, the condition of their horses required them to be led, after such long and continued fatigue. Now, however, they had gained a smooth and expansive opening carpeted with delicious green, in the centre of which stood a lodge, or rude hut, of considerable dimensions. A stream of the purest water flashed forth brightly in the calm moonlight, and flowed with a low pleasing sound through the centre of the glade: also skirting in its course a small plot of garden ground, which was well filled with such herbs and flowers, as were then most celebrated for their virtues in medicine, or admired for their beauty.

To this water-course each knight led his steed, and having allowed them to drink their fill, threw up the reins, well knowing that they would not quit so luxuriant a pasture.

Having thus satisfied themselves regarding the comfort, and safety of their chargers, they next turned their attention to their own wants, and as the hut was the only visible habitation at hand, they approached it in the hopes of obtaining some refreshment.

Great was the astonishment of the knights, when they arrived at the front of the rude wooden mansion, (on which the full moon-light streamed without interruption), at discovering a skull and cross-bones, placed over the doorway.

Their wonder also increased the more upon further examination, when they saw stags' horns, the skins of snakes, dried toads, newts, mice, and many other varietie of birds, beasts, and reptiles, interspersed with earthen vessels, and bunches of dried herbs nailed to, or suspended from the sides of the hut. Nor had their curiosity abated one jot, when they heard a shrill voice exclaim from within, "Galenius! add also two grains of the infallible salts of

Saturn, with three drops of the vitriol of Venus; they must be taken before the moon is low, or the divine drugs will lose much of their medicinal efficacy. I would that the antimony had been calcined by the rays of the blessed sun, the father and spring of light; but what saith Esculapius, when we cannot reach the magical and celestial fire? if the patient needeth it, it must be administered without.' Yet I would that I had the blessed light; but it shall be done on the morrow."

As the knights were more in the mood for discussing a supper, than the efficacy of the "salts of Saturn," the earl struck the door with the hilt of his sword.

"Thou mayest pass on, good archer," replied the same voice, as if in answer to the summons; "the patient already sleepeth soundly, and his fever is much abated,-he will take the infallible draught anon, and I would have thee call again about the hour of sunrise."

"We are no archers, good friend," said the earl, "but two strangers, who, wearied with the day's chase, and other matters which have left us thus late in the forest, crave some refreshment and a little rest, as our steeds are