The Baron will be delighted to see you, and I hope you will not forget that what little I have will be yours when you bring me as your wife the heiress of Cowcumbers Hall.

Your loving Aunt,

"STIFFINA DE MARRYTIN."

The Knight gracefully curled his moustache, stroked his tuft, jauntily placed his left arm a-kimbo, and elevating his right hand in the air. exclaimed," By heavens, that's the idea!

"What do you think of it, Alured?"

Alured was his esquire. Alured said nothing.

"What do you think of it, Alured?" roared out the Knight. Sir Hugo had two bad habits-one, of always getting in a rage, and the other of, when in a rage, swearing lustily. Consequently Bonville Castle was always resounding with words best expressed in print by blanks.

Alured shook his head. He did not at all seem to see the idea of Sir Hugo's marrying. He foresaw in that case an end to his '20 Port, to his ivory ticket at Her Majesty's, and to those delightful whitebait dinners at Ye Hostelrie of ye Travalgare" at Greenwich. So he shook his head once. Before he had time to perform the second mutation, a volley of Sir Hugo's profound blessings met his ears, and he turned to fly. By an unlucky coincidence, he happened to be standing by an open window looking on the castle ditch, and ere he could effect his escape, his master had time to poise himself steadily on his left leg. and with the right administer one such kick as that which it is related St. Nicholas gave to the lady who asked for venison and gravy, but never asked for grace. Alured rose under the influence of that powerful foot, and clearing the window sill, descended with fearful velocity into the ditch, the Knight meanwhile watching his flight, and grimly muttering,--" That fellow's trajectory ought to give a 900 yards' range."

Seeing Alured was not quite killed, he humanely gave orders that he should be fished out; and his temper being somewhat modified by the exercise he had taken, he rang the bell for a cigar and a quart of beer, and sat down to meditate.

He reflected that, after all, marriage was not a bad notion. He was young, only eight and twenty. He wanted money; had no objection to a handsome wife, and, matrimony being one of the few amusements he had not indulged in, he thought he might just as well try that as any thing else. "Besides which," he thought, "if she proves bothersome, I can take her abroad for a trip, and it is very likely she might possibly get a gentle hint to keep quiet from some of the pagans one meets there. I'll do it!" and finishing off his beer at one draught, Sir Hugo shouted for his horse and portmanteau.

An hour after, a gay retinue issued forth from the portcullis of Bonville Castle. At the head of the troop rode the young knight, gorgeously equipped in the muffiniers of the period. His gambadoes bravely looked up along his trunk-hose of Cordovan leather; over all he wore the usual defensive armour of the period-the hauberk, the glittering oriflamme, the braniards and cuissards; whilst on his helmet a la maintenon nodded the three gray goose-quills, which had so often been descried in the van of the fight. Girt to his left side was his good sword, reaching from his left shoulder to his right spur, whilst slung

across his back was suspended his mighty battle axe. In his right hand he bore aloft a weighty lance, and in his girdle shone the handles of two keen edged poniards. A six shooter and a bow and arrows completed his equipment. The rest of his weapons were carried by his second esquire, Alured not having recovered sufficiently to accompany the expedition. Behind the esquires came six men-at-arms, escorting a van loaded with the choicest meats from the Fortnum and Mason of the day. These were followed by a page, bearing in a casket a precious relic, won by Sir Hugo in the fight at St. Jean d'Acre-the right whisker of St. Walkerius, destined to win over to his side the Prior of Fortmell Magna, uncle of his future bride. A strong guard of bowmen and billmen brought up the rear.

Sir Hugo caracolled along merrily, his destrier disdaining to feel the weight of his master thus equipped in light marching order, and evincing by his prancings the joy he experienced at feeling the soft turf beneath his hoofs. After a few miles riding, the road debouched upon the Stour, and for some distance the cavalcade followed the windings of that most muddy river. Suddenly, a female shriek resounded through the air, and Sir Hugo, hastily snatching his mangonel and battering ram from the hands of his esquire, set spurs into his charger, and galloped on. On reaching the next bend of the river, a sight met his eyes which made his knightly bosom glow with indignation. By the road side was a donkey cart, upset, its vegetable contents littering the way; and an elderly female standing besides it was showering down opprobrious epithets on the heads of about a dozen men in a boat, who were engaged in trying to stop the screams of a damsel. Sir Hugo drew his sword, and without a moment's hesitation leaped his gallant charger into the turbid stream. The boat was soon reached, and such was the skill with which he wielded mangonel and battle-axe, that but few minutes elapsed ere all the ruffians lay dead or dying in the bottom of the boat. Sir Hugo's first care was to inspect the bodies. A joyful smile crept over the face of the delighted warrior as he perceived that five headless trunks lay quivering. His right hand had not forgot its cunning! His eyes then strayed towards the damsel he had rescued, who was now kneeling down, and with her face bowed in her hands seemed to be engaged in returning thanks to heaven for her escape.

"Be comforted, fair one," said the Knight, "you are safe. Behold your enemies lie at your feet, and your mother, I presume, is rejoicing over your safety."

The girl looked up at these words, and Sir Hugo felt a queer sensation come upon him about the region of the pericardium. The face he beheld was one of exquisite loveliness. The long golden hair and blue eye proclaimed her Northern origin, whilst perfectly chiselled features rivetted our hero's gaze. The damsel rose, and displaying a symmetry of figure rarely met with, returned her faltering thanks to Sir Hugo in a low sweet tone of voice which thrilled through his breast.

“Pray don't mention it," said the abashed Knight-with ladies Sir Hugo was somewhat shy-" Pon my soul it's nothing. I'm so glad I came in time. But you look faint. Here, Smithe, quick, swim here with my flask. Let me persuade you to try the least taste in life. It has never paid the king a shilling ;" and as he moistened the fair girl's lips with the Elixir of Life, "Kinahan's true LL," he had the satisfaction of once more seeing the colour come to her cheeks, and to hear those rosy lips once more repeat their thanks. With his lance the

Knight punted the boat ashore, and after helping the old lady to set b cart up, and making his escort pick up the upset greens and potatoe proceeded to enquire into the cause of the disaster.

"Arrah then, me jewel," said the elderly female, " and it's yours: that ought to have yer bed made every night by the holy angels. blessed Vargin, but 'tis you gave the vagabones what they desarve Kathleen, me honey, and how are yez now? Shure, what's that smell?" Has your honour got a taste of the crathur left for a poc dissolute widdy with six small gossoons ?"

Sir Hugo handed her his flask, and seeing the utter impossibility extracting any news from her, questioned the daughter as to the caus of the attempted abduction. Her story was briefly related. The Bar de Cornichous-Sir Hugo started, he was Adeliza's brother-struck her beauty, had attempted all means to win her. At last he ha resorted to the help of a band of ruffians, who had seized and carrie her off just before the Knight's arrival. Astonished at her beauty, an the dignified tone in which she spoke, so little compatible with he apparent rank, Sir Hugo asked who she was.

"I am an orphan, noble Sir," she replied with a sigh, "and I believe am the niece of this worthy woman. Her husband was a costermonge in London, and when his earthly career came to a premature end caused by a dissension with some of his countrymen, and involving Coroner's inquest, we retired into this remote neighbourhood, bringing with us sufficient money to purchase a small garden, and the one reli. of her dear departed husband, this faithful Neddy." And the far creature hid her features on the neck of the fond animal, who acknow ledged the caress by a series of joyful hee-haws which woke the echoes of the neighbouring woods.

"Gramercy for thine information, fair maid," replied the Knight. "if thy dwelling place be near, wilt furnish a cup of water to my

men"

"A cup of water! Fair sir, you ask but a trifle. A life's devotice would not repay you. Pray, follow me."

And the lovely Kathleen led the way down one of the green lane which then as well as now, formed the chief part of England's rusti beauty. After a few minutes the party arrived at a cottage pleasant situated near a pond covered with chikweed, and which showed in it attendant dungheap a fond recollection of the owner's native land. Sir Hugo formed his men, halted, and stood at case. He gaze. around him, and three senses were at once assailed. His sight was pleased with the fair Kathleen; his olfactory nerves were disgusted with ' the pond and heap; and his taste was tickled by the news of the approaching waggon, laden with the delicacies of the sea season. He thought of Adeliza de Cowcumbers. He mentally compared her with the peasant girl before him, and, like a great man, he made up his mind.

"Unpack the waggon, and be somethinged to you!" he cried, and his behests were promptly obeyed.

"Now listen! I am going to stay here for a fortnight. You are going away, all but my valet. You will return to fetch me at the expiration of that time. If any of you mention my place of retirement, I'll -"

And the look was sufficient. Neptune's" Quos ego" was a fool to it. The joyful retainers testified their acquiescence of their master's commands by turning three rampollios on their own ground, without

iting for the customary word "Two," and departed in peace, singing melodious chorus the newly imported song of Old John Brown.

The Knight cast himself on the turf, and while his valet (or still ore correctly varlet) was spreading the damask cloth for dinner, nused himself by chatting amiably with his hostess. She was describg to him her horror at finding herself in the power of the ruffians who id forced her away, when the valet pronounced the feast prepared.

"One moment, Sir Knight," said Kathleen, "we have no savoury ishes to offer you; but you shall be treated with the utmost respect e can show you.-Aunt!"

"Is it me you're calling?" answered the old lady.

66

Yes, will you give me the brown morocco case, in the left-hand op drawer of the chest of drawers?

The elderly dame brought out the article required, and Kathleen anded it to Sir Hugo, with the words

"In that case you will find the sole relic left me of have never used them; but it is right that you, my deliverer, should my childish days. ave some token of my gratitude for your gallantry.

Sir Hugo opened the case. Reposing in their bed of green velvet ay a golden knife, fork, and spoon, elaborately worked in Arabesques, which have become known under the name of the "fiddle pattern." The night looked, and as he gazed on the crest his eyes opened, his mouth. pened, his nostrils widened; he was slightly astonished.

"Most peerless of women," he said, as soon as his astonishment allowed him to make use of his jaws. "Whence this crest? How came on this spoon this "That is my crest, Sir Knight," was the haughty answer; then, in goose gules, rampant on an or field? a more subdued tone, "Alas! I know not whence I derive it; these implements and this locket are all I possess to trace my origin."

She detached an exquisitely chased gold locket from her swan-like neck, and placed it open in the knight's hands. features which followed his first look showed plainly that whatever The elongation of sense was contained in his head was rapidly deserting him to be replaced by helpless wonder.

"Why!" he cried, "why, d-n it all. That's my aunt, Lady Cowcumbers. I've got one like it, photographed by Mayall-and, by Jove, this is Mayall's too. Who, who the deuce are you?"

An ashy paleness came over her lovely features.

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"I believe," she said faltering, "I believe that locket contains the miniature of my mother."

"Then you're my cousin! Oh, rapture!" exclaimed the knight. My long lost and now best beloved-by the way what the deuce is your name, and how about the costermonger?" and Sir Hugo looked a library full of suspicions.

To use a vulgar expression, noble sir, it was all flam! I am obliged to keep up the character, as, though I knew I was noble born, yet the secret of my birth has been kept from me."

"You believe that is your mother's picture?"

"I know it is from that old beldame in there."

"Tiddle liety, tiddle tiddle tiddle diety!" sung the knight as he danced gaily round his amazed cousin. "I see my way clearly. I

knock de Cornichous on the head; marry my pretty cousin-by the what is your name?"

way

"I don't know; I am called Kathleen."

VOL. I.-No. 12

2 X

"Well, that will do. I marry my pretty cousin Kathleen. *i heiress of Cowcumbers Hall; my aunt hands me over all her tin pack off all the vile crew of Jews who have pestered me lately; I la a virtuous life, keep the county hounds, and become a J.P. Hip, h hip hooray! Why the devil don't you cheer sir?" and the knig seized his varlet by the throat.

"I-I will, sir, when you leave off choking me,"-gasped the happy wight.

"Stay! a thought has struck me. Go after my escort-tell the to return at once. Double! I give you one minute to reach the turning of the lane;" and the knight unslung his crossbow.

A ball sent for six by a hard hitting cricketer-an express on th Great Western--the disappearance of a Five Pound note once change may be fast; I doubt whether any of these could compare with th speed displayed by the frightened Bertram as he sped on his way.

With a smile of satisfaction the Knight, who loved to see his order obeyed, turned to his newly found cousin and asked her for her history They sat down together, and while Sir Hugo was cursing the who of his train for forgetting the corkscrew, and taking off the neck of bottle of beer by a stroke of his sword, Kathleen commenced he story.

"I don't know where I was born, nor have I the dimmest idea e the time. The old woman who calls herself my aunt is the only thing I have ever known in the shape of a relation. Her husband used t beat her, and she used to beat me. Having no one to transmit the beating to I got sulky, till one morning the costermonger came hom with his head split open. He died the same day; and his wife, t sooth her sorrow, took up the broomstick. Having no uncle to fear. I turned the tables on her, and she has never repeated the experiment I received this miniature some two years ago, and shortly afterwards came to settle down here."

"Cousin Kathleen, will you oblige me by fetching the old "—her the knight gulped down a word, "the old woman."

Gracefully the sweet girl tripped to the cottage and returned leading the dame who from the trembling of her limbs seemed to be awan something unpleasant was about to occur.

99 66

"Now you vile old creature," roared out Sir Hugo, and the frightened woman dropped on her knees," My train will be back in a few minutes. if by that time you have not made a full confession of what you know touching this young lady, by my halidome I will hang you to that tree.” "Oh Kathleen asthore! will ye pray for me darlint?" shrieked the old woman, 66 sure it's a mighty sacret.'

"Reveal at once, or," and again the knight's implied threat had its effect.

Wringing her hands and bemoaning her hard luck the woman related a tale which riveted the attention of her listeners. Stripped of all the imagery which her Irish temperament added to it, it ran as follows:Molly Moloney was her name and she was born in County Tipperary, and she came over to England to betther her condition and she tuk to sarvice, and she wint to Mrs. Cowcumbers afore she became Lady Cowcumbers and was with her when her twins-sob, sob-came-sob, sobinto the world. Here she became partly incoherent and only recovered by an inward application of L L. It was some time before she could be induced to proceed. At the time of Mrs. Cowcumber's