"His father's, sir," the landlord replied in a low, mysterious tone, pointing over his shoulder to Sir Gilbert, who was still seated by the fire. "The late baronet who was killed in a duel, as you know, by Sir Walter Fitzwalter. I'm quite sure it was he."

"This is strange, indeed, landlord," the Squire observed.

"Very strange!" Roper cried.

"Still stranger you never mentioned it to me before," Nelly cried, rather piqued.

"I didn't like to alarm you, ducky," Jonas rejoined. "A proof of my great consideration for your feelings."

"By all accounts the house seems to swarm with spectres," Juddock exclaimed. "I hope my room is free from them.” "Can't answer for it," Jonas replied.

66

Spirits have a great deal of

malice, and play strange tricks-especially she-spirits. At this moment, a singular noise at the head of the great staircase attracted general attention.

VII.

THE MAIL-CLAD APPARITION.

ALL eyes were turned in the direction of the sound, and to the astonishment and horror of the beholders, they saw a tall, mail-clad apparition issue from the sliding panel. The visor of the helmet was raised, disclosing a countenance pallid as death, and stained with blood. Horrible sight! Nelly screamed, and fell into the arms of her husband, who had enough to do to sustain her, being terribly frightened himself. The rest of the company stared aghast.

There could be no illusion in this case. The spectre was palpable enough to sight and hearing too. Its heavy tread sounded on the boards of the gallery, like blows from a paviour's rammer.

Meanwhile, Peggy and Dick having come forth from the corridor, the screams of the pretty chambermaid were added to those of her mistress. Utterly disregarding them, and heedless of the fright it occasioned to the party below, the spectre began to descend the great oak

staircase.

Slowly! step after step. Thump! thump! thump!

Some centuries had elapsed, since those knightly trappings had been worn. Some centuries had elapsed, since such a figure had stalked down those stairs.

The ghost came on, but no one appeared inclined to address it. No one stirred from his place.

Nelly alone spoke. She had now left off screaming, finding it of no use, and whispered to her husband-"Look, Jonas, look! It's one of the old Fitzwalters. Don't you recollect his picture painted on one of the panels in the Haunted Chamber?"

"Yes, I recollect it," Jonas rejoined, his teeth chattering with fright, and his limbs trembling; "but the ghost's very like Frank Woodbine." “Why so it is, I declare," Nelly said, recovering her courage a little. Still the spectre continued to thump the stairs in its slow descent. Suddenly, Sir Gilbert de Montfichet starting to his feet, drew his sword, and hastened to confront the apparition. The encounter took place at the foot of the staircase. Nothing daunted, the ghost, with its

gauntleted hand, snatched the sword pointed at its breast, from the young baronet's grasp, and shivered it in twain upon the floor. It then took Sir Gilbert by the shoulder, and thrust him forcibly backwards several paces. Exclamations of surprise were uttered by all the spectators, and Jonas would have taken to his heels if he had not been withheld by his wife, who began to have some glimmering of the truth.

But as it had now become quite evident to all, that the supposed ghost, which had occasioned them so much terror, was a creature of flesh and blood like themselves, there was no limit to their expressions of indignation at the unjustifiable trick played upon them. Jonas declared he had seen through it at once, and had only waited to ascertain how far it would be carried before he resented it. Great oaths were discharged by Juddock, like shells from a monster mortar; and even the Squire swore lustily. But the first to aid Sir Gilbert-perhaps, because he chanced to be nearest him-was old Paul Flitwick.

"Tak that, warmint," the ancient huntsman cried, aiming a blow at the ghost's head with the butt-end of his heavy hunting-whip. "Tak that."

Well was it for Frank that a stout casque protected him; or his tale had then been told. The blow sounded like the stroke of a hammer on the anvil; and for a moment it staggered the young man, but recovering himself, he snatched the whip from Paul, and laid it across his shoulders.

"Haud hard, mon-haud yar hond, a say! What the Dule be'st at?" vociferated the old huntsman, yelping like a beaten hound.

"Paying off a little score I owe you for mischief-making, Paul," Frank replied, giving him another cut or so. "Don't you know me, you old fool!"

"Whay, zaunds! af at ben't Fraank Woodbane-the gaam-keeper," Paul cried-"haud hard, Fraank-a tells ee."

"Frank Woodbine !" exclaimed Juddock, in stentorian tones, and with a terrific imprecation. "Is this he? I'll be the death of him."

"Oh! don't let 'em harm him, your honour," Nelly cried with great earnestness to the Squire. "Frank's such a nice young man. I don't know how he got that armour on; but I'm sure it was with no ill intention. I can explain how he happens to be here."

"Explain it then to me?" whispered Jonas. "Oh! you wicked hussy!" Meanwhile, some half-dozen immense strides brought the giant within reach of the young gamekeeper, who, mistaking his purpose, ordered him

to stand off.

"You are a large man and a strong, and are armed with a warrant I make no doubt," Frank cried; "but I advise you not to lay hands upon me, or you may get the worst of it, Mr. Bumbailiff."

"Bumbailiff! I a base bumbailiff !" roared the giant, transported with fury. "'Sdeath! fellow, I am an officer."

"So I conclude," Frank said; an officer of the meanest kind, employed by Mr. Roper to arrest me."

"I am employed by his Majesty King George the Second, sirrah; and I will carve you in minced-meat for your impertinence," the giant roared, making a pass at him with his lengthy blade, which did him no injury whatever, being turned aside by the steel breastplate. Frank seemed invulnerable.

Not so Captain Juddock. The lash of the heavy hunting-whip was again called vigorously into action, and seemed to find out the tenderest parts of his person. Stamping and roaring like a mad bull under the severity of the application, he at last fairly took to his heels, and fled, howling with rage and pain.

Frank was left by himself; master of the field; and flourishing the conquering hunting-whip.

The Squire, and indeed, everybody else, except Sir Gilbert, laughed at the boastful giant's discomfiture. As to Jonas, his fat sides shook with merriment; and tears of exquisite delight rushed to his eyes. "I can forgive Frank anything for this good service," he thought.

"How comes Frank Woodbine to be here at this time of night, and tricked out in that knightly gear?" the steward inquired.

"I locked him up in the cellar, please you, Mr. Roper," Nelly said. "And why did you so lock him up, mistress?"

"Ay, answer that, mistress," Jonas whispered.

"To keep him out of the way of your bailiffs, Mr. Roper," Nelly replied. "But he managed to get out somehow; for when I went to look for him, the bird was flown.'

"How I contrived it, would puzzle me to explain," Frank cried, overhearing what was said; "but I found my way with a deal of difficulty, and in a very roundabout manner, to a closet where I discovered this old suit of armour; so I clapped it on as you see, and came forth, thinking I should be able to escape, undetected."

"But you're bleeding!-You've hurt yourself?" Nelly exclaimed. "Not much," Frank replied, taking off the helmet.

"Here, Peggy!-a napkin and a basin of water-quick!" Nelly said to the chambermaid, who with Carroty Dick had now ventured to come down stairs. "And bring that box of unguent from the cupboard.”

"Have a moment's patience with the young man, sir," Mr. Roper said to the Squire, "and keep Sir Gilbert and his friend quiet, if possible,” pointing to the young baronet and Juddock; both of whom were evidently breathing vengeance against Frank.

"Gad's life, Roper, you're a strange fellow," cried the Squire" you pretend to know nothing, and you are in everybody's secrets.

I war

rant me you know more about that young man than you choose to admit."

"Well, sir, perhaps I do," the steward rejoined, with a smile.

"I was quite sure of it," the Squire said. "Zounds! now his face is cleansed from blood, the youth is very handsome."

While Frank, occupied with the napkin and ewer which Peggy had brought him, was effacing from his features so far as he could the marks of the accident, Sir Gilbert and Juddock seemed not ill-disposed to draw fresh blood from him, and it required all the Squire's authority, backed by that of the Vicar, to restrain them from their attack upon him. Very assiduous was Nelly, meanwhile, in her attentions to the young man ; making him sit down; carefully removing his clotted hair, and bathing his brow. She had just applied a wonderful specific which was sure to heal the wound, when the outer door was opened, giving admittance to Rose Woodbine, and Dragon. As she entered, Rose hastily and anxiously May-VOL. XCVIII. NO. CCCLXXXIX.

C

inquired of Jonas if anything had been seen of her husband. The landlord replied by pointing to the young man.

At first, Rose scarcely recognised him in his strange disguise; but then with a cry of mingled delight and uneasiness, she rushed towards him and threw her arms round his neck. Dragon was considerably puzzled too; and examined his master's greaves before he could be quite satisfied it was he; after which, he expressed his delight by barking loudly and leaping upon him.

"I cannot take you to my heart as I desire, Rose," the young man said, with a smile. "I do not know how in times of chivalry, knights, when fully equipped for fight, contrived to embrace the ladies of their love; but I should be afraid of injuring you, sweetheart, if I clasped you in my arms now."

Certes, in the days to which Frank referred, it would have been difficult to find, search where you would, among press of knights, a goodlier person, or comelier features than fell to the young man's share. His was one of those noble faces the mould of which seems to be lost, since we never meet with its like in these days; picturesque, beautiful, manly, chivalrous in expression. Frank bore him in his steely apparel as if constantly accustomed to it, and not as if he had donned it for the first time. His deportment seemed to have undergone a complete change, and there was a stateliness in his manner, and a certain haughtiness of carriage-altogether unusual-that impressed every beholder with surprise. Not that there was any haughtiness-but, on the contrary, deepest love, -in the look he fixed on Rose, as with fond arms twined around his neck, and earnest eyes turned upwards she gazed admiringly and tenderly upon his face. And if he appeared like proud knight of old, was she not worthy to match with him? Was she not fair and graceful as he was hardy and well-favoured? Was she not worthy of his devotion? Ay, marry, was she. Lovelier dame than she never nerved arm at tilt or tourney. Brighter eyes than hers never stirred knightly bosom. Sweeter lips than hers never rewarded knightly prowess. And Frank thought so, and felt so too, as he bent his stately neck to impress a kiss upon them. A comely pair indeed! Kindly as comely! Loving as kindly! "Well, I declare it's quite a picture!" Nelly exclaimed, unable to refuse her meed of admiration at the sight. "I never saw anything prettier. And the dog, too-how well he comes into it!"

Dragon, in fact, formed no bad addition to the group.

But Nelly had other causes of admiration presently. Finding her husband was hurt-a circumstance she had not remarked in the first joy of their meeting-Rose displayed the greatest anxiety, till it was relieved by the light manner in which he treated the accident, coupled with assurances, on his part, that Nelly had quite cured him with the balsam she had applied; on which his wife could not thank the hostess sufficiently. "No jealousy, I perceive," thought Nelly. "I couldn't have thanked her."

Then again, when Rose inquired how he came by the armour in which he was clad-telling him at the same time how well it became him?-and wondered what had detained him so late?-she was quite content when informed that all would be explained by-and-by. Nay,

she was more than content, for was he not safe and happy? that being all she desired to know. Neither did she heed his expressions of regret at the uneasiness his unavoidable absence had occasioned her. Sufficient, it was unavoidable. Could better understanding subsist between two people? Nelly thought not. Still she could not help commenting to herself on such singular conduct.

"She has no more curiosity than jealousy," Nelly thought. "Now, if I had a handsome husband and he were to stay out late I should go distracted, and would make him account for every minute of his absence. And if Jonas were to get into a suit of armour-though I don't think there's any to fit him-I'd never let him rest till I knew why he put it on. But Rose takes everything quietly. How differently people are constituted, to be sure!"

Not knowing what had happened, Rose thought it better to acquaint her husband in a whisper that the debt to the steward had been settled, and that she had the bond at home. Frank saw she had some further explanations to give, but he forbore to make inquiries now.

"You have greatly relieved my mind, Rose," he said "and there can now be no obstacle to my immediate return home. But as I can scarcely go forth in this garb, you, love, shall perform the part of a faithful squire, and help your loyal knight to take off his harness-that, I believe, is the proper term."

And as both Nelly and Rose helped to disarm him, the task was quickly performed, and the young gamekeeper was left in his customary

attire.

"Now you're like yourself, Frank," Rose cried, embracing him.

"I know who he was like when he had the armour on," Nelly said. Somebody he might be very proud to resemble."

Frank looked hard at her, but made no remark.

Rose's unexpected appearance had produced different effects upon different persons among the company. On seeing her, Sir Gilbert ordered Captain Juddock to follow him, and ran hastily up the great staircase; so she was not aware of his presence, though he and the giant continued to watch what was passing from the gallery.

But no one was so much interested as the Squire, and his countenance expressed the variety of emotions that agitated his breast on sight of Rose. Astonishment, delight, affection-were all painted upon it by turns,—and he had some difficulty in restraining himself. Indeed, he would have rushed towards her, if he had not been withheld by the steward.

"I must speak to her, Roper-I must," he cried.

"Not to-night, sir-not to-night, I beseech you," the steward rejoined. "I will engage to bring her and her husband-or Rose, at all events-to Monkbury Place to-morrow. Much better defer the interview till then. Something has to be done in the interim-with Dr. Plotyou understand.”

"No I don't understand it, at all," the Squire cried, very impatiently, "but I know that you torment worse than the devil. However, be it as you will. On the understanding that you will bring her to Monkbury to-morrow, I am content to wait till then. But I shan't sleep a wink tonight for thinking of her. God bless her pretty face! how like she is to