proached, and my arm fell powerless by my side. I shall know no peace till he dies, and this night, I trust, my kind and good friend, will seal his fate, and complete my happiness. The second will then be first, and your fortune is made. Twilight has passed these two hours; he tarries on the way, or he has gone home by another path, avoiding the Witches' Pass.-Curse on my fortune, I believe, I am always to be thwarted."

6

"Sir Knight," said the figure in half armour,' " you are too impetuous and impatient: -he always returns by the bridge from his excursions to the chase in the forest. I watched him pass over this morning with his son, whose youthful limbs, no doubt, are wearied by the sport, which most probably is the cause of the delay in their return."

6

"His son, then, is with him," said the figure in the cloak, musing,' "would that both could be disposed of together, for my purpose would be but half accomplished if the urchin be left behind. Will you -see, see, they come :-they are now wind

ing round the crag's point:-they are now upon the bridge."

"I looked towards the bridge. The moon, at the instant, though unclouded, cast a faint and sickly light upon it, and I saw advancing two figures as shadowy as the others-one of maturity, and the other youthful, but both were of a most gentle and noble mien.

"The elder figure appeared dressed in loose buff boots, which reached the calves of the legs; light silk pantaloons, tight up to the knee, with bows of white sattin on each outer side, and full and loose upwards from the knee, where they were inlet with pieces of pink silk, and gold lace; a coat of Lincoln green, fastened to the waist by a gold band and buckle; a fine white linen ruffle round the neck; a black hat with a plume of white feathers, the crown of the hat was bound round by a cord, from which depended two long tassels of gold,-on the head; beneath the hat, ringlets of auburn hair, fell down to the shoulders shading a countenance of manly beauty; a bow and quiver loosely hung over

the left shoulder; in the right hand was a hunting spear mounted in gold; and suspended by his side was a hunting horn, the exact counterpart of that found by my father at the bottom of the chasm. The youthful figure appeared dressed suitably to his years, and his dress was also of Lincoln green. Scarce nine springs of the stream of time appeared to have marked their growing influence upon the brow of the youth, where nobility and beauty had set their inspiring and ever estimable characters. Though their dress and appointments were so apparent, still they seemed, as the other two figures on the brink, like light shadowy bodies upon the dark air, through which distant objects could be seen, but, as imperfectly, as through a grey mist of the valley, on the rise or decline of an autumnal sun.

"The torrent's roar was now only heard at silent intervals, and all was profoundly hushed during the conversation that passed between them; every word of which made a lasting impression upon my memory."

"Well, Fabian, we have reached the Pass at last," said the elder figure in Lincoln "" and we shall now soon arrive home."

green,'

"Oh! Sir, 1 am so tired," said the youthful figure, in a plaintive voice, the melody of which now sounds upon my ear.'

6

“There—there is your victim, and see that your arrow takes a sure direction," said the figure in the cloak, who, with its companion, was still standing near the hamlet.'

6

"Not one inch from the bow shall it fly, Sir Knight," said the figure in half armour,' "till I have in hand the reward you promised me!"

"Knave!"exclaimed the figure in the cloak, in an under tone,' "here then is a purse of fifty pieces; fifty more awaits a strong arm, and a sure aim."

"I thought I heard distinctly the jingling of pieces of money."

666

Softly, or we shall be overheard," conti

nued the figure in the cloak.'

"The noise of the falling waters," said the figure in half armour,' "effectually drowns the

sound of our voices, which, therefore, cannot reach the bridge."

"Why not?" replied the figure in the cloak,' "why should they not hear us, as well as we hear them?-Listen-they are now speaking."

"What a lovely night, my dear father," 'said the youthful figure in Lincoln green,'"let us stay awhile and contemplate the beautiful scene which presents itself from this spot."

""Your dear mother, the gentle Rosamond, will be alarmed at our absence," answered the elder figure,'" she expected us home before nightfall; and it is already the second watch of the night. Besides, I also begin to feel fatigued; we have been out since noon, and our sport has been rough, wearisome and unsuccessful. Come! let us away, my son, and at a more convenient time we will revisit thebridge."

"Nay, dear Sir," cried the youthful figure, looking up beseechingly in the face of his sire,' "we will tarry here but a little while. You instructed me to view a moon and starlight scene with feelings of admiration and

F