of her Brother's fate. It was now, therefore, with trembling but eager solicitude, he endeavoured to allay the apprehensions and painful retrospection his narrative had occasioned; in this he in some degree succeeded; again the glow of health suffused her cheeks, again the smile of satisfaction shot pleasure to his heart, and he ventured, leading her from the grove, and looking round the vast extent of lawn, to wonder where she dwelt, intimating, at the same time, a wish, that he might be allowed to view that favoured spot.

"Our cottage is beyond that vista," she replied, "there my mother and myself have dwelt ever since the melancholy period which tore from her arms the most affectionate of sons. It has been my duty, you perceive, to decorate and preserve the turf that covers his remains, and if, as it is said, the departed soul may revisit the regions of mortality, I delight to think the spirit of my Edward. glides through these solemn and romantic groves, and is conscious that Matilda still weeps his loss, still cherishes for his memory an unchanged affection.

The sweet resignation and tender enthusiasm which were painted on her countenance as these words died upon her lips, very powerfully affected her companion; an impression which was heightened into painful emotion by her concluding address. "Go, my friend," she continued, "may He, the Disposer of events, protect you through the horrors of the approaching night. I will, at present, wave your further attendance, but be assured that Matilda is deeply anxious for your safety, and will rejoice if to-mor row's sun shall guide you to her humble cottage.

As she said this she turned to retire, and Sir Egbert, overwhelmed by opposing sensations, delightful yet oppressive, could with difficulty articulate "farewel!" He stood motionless, and gazing wildly on her departing figure, and as this became lost amid the foliage of the distant forest, he started abruptly from the scene, and with hurried and unequal steps, with a heart divided between hope and fear, endeavoured to retrace his pathway to the mansion of the Templars,

NUMBER XLVI.

Your vessels, and your spells, provide,
Your charms, and every thing beside:
➡ this night I'll spend

Unto a dismal, fatal end.

Upon the corner of the moon

There hangs a vap❜rous drop profound;
I'll catch it ere it come to ground:
And that, distill'd by magic slights,
Shall raise such artificial sprights,
As, by the strength of their illusion,
Shall draw him on to his confusion.

SHAKSPEARE.

THE bell was sounding the ninth matin hour as Sir Egbert re-entered the avenue of oaks. His hospitable friends approached to meet him, and was surprised to learn, that the event of the morning had anticipated their intentions. Of Matilda, whom they described as an object of equal pity, admiration and esteem, they spoke in terms of

the warmest enthusiasm; they praised her filial piety, her fraternal affection, her beauty, modesty and grace, and remarked, that though many a gallant youth had been solicitous to obtain her affections, not one had hitherto made the smallest impression on her heart.

The emotions which, during this eulogium, agitated the features of Sir Egbert, and the sighs he struggled to repress, did not escape the notice of the Templars; they instantly changed the subject, and proceeded to inform him that the knights deputed by the fraternity had been graciously received by De Weldon, and, as soon as the shades. of evening should advance, he would be admitted into the castle.

A gleam of mingled resentment and joy flashed from the eyes of our Hero as he listened to this intelligence. He courteously thanked the Grand-Master for his attention, declaring that his detestation of the character and conduct of De Weldon, had received no small accession of strength from his interview with Matilda. He had now a double

motive, he observed, for revenge, and he should count the hours with impatience until the moment arrived that might conduct him to the punishment of such atrocious guilt. In the mean time, he continued, I will, with your permission, attend at the chapel this evening, and will there offer up my prayers to Heaven for the success of an undertaking, which, though just in itself, experience has proved most doubtful and dangerous in the issue. A determination. such as this, could not fail of being applauded by his friends, who agreed to accompany him in his devotions, and to escort him from the altar to the grand entrance of the Tower.

After a sultry day the evening approached enveloped in clouds, through which the sun. occasionally poured a stream of rich and mellow light. The hour appointed for attendance at the chapel was now at hand, and Sir Egbert, conducted by the Grand Master, and accompanied by the Knights Templars, after quitting the avenue and crossing some adjacent grounds, entered the hallowed precincts. The appearance of this gothic struc