tears should chase each other down your cheeks? Have you experienced the loss you speak of recently ?"

"No, no," replied Halbert; "years-years which have seemed like ages-minutes like years-have passed since that bitter hour. How have I wished I had died then-'twas a vain and selfish wish-and had I, never should I have known the charm of my beloved child Violet's sweet society."

struggle, yet he could seek an opportunity of burying it in his heart, and then, what could prevent Violet from being his, or who would there be to call him to account after he had her in his power? In the midst of these speculations, he was aroused by Halbert saying

"I waited to see if thou had'st any more ques. tions to ask, but find by thy silence thou hast not. I will not trouble thee now by asking why thou hast put them to me, because they can be answered at thy leisure; so, if thou art strong enough to walk, we will on to my dwelling, and there thou shalt remain until thou art well. Every attention shall be paid thee; my dear Violet shall wait upon thee, and I deem it almost worth being ill to have so sweet a nurse. Come, let us on; we have some distance to walk, and thy weakness will lengthen the time we ought to take."

"I do not know the means by which she was entrusted to thy care, nor do I seek to know," exclaimed Martin, when Halbert had ceased speaking; "but suppose her claimed by those who placed her in thy keeping, what then?"

"When I am assured that she is claimed by those who have the right to claim her, then will I render her up; but not separate from her."

"What if she were taken from thee by violence ?" suggested Martin.

"I would call back my youthful spirit, my strength and activity, once again. I would rather a hundredfold be as thou wert placed when I released thee, than be him who should do her or me that monstrous wrong. I am quiet by nature; in no way disposed to punish to the death those who do me ill, but were such an evil to fall on me, let him who does it beware. I would never leave him while I had breath. His fate should be one to make the strongest mind shrink { from, and one I would procure him whatever my own might be."

Martin was astonished at the energy with which Halbert delivered his sentiments, and judged from it that he spoke not unadvisedly. He knew that he had incurred already the fate to which Halbert alluded, and he felt also that if he persevered and succeeded in getting Violet into his power, he should always have something to fear: he should have the phantom of a fearful death at some unexpected time always before him; as it was, if Grif's men, through his absence, had not carried off Violet, and the youth who had bound him denounced him to Halbert as the one who had purposed it though he failed, he was debarred all chance of obtaining her but by open violence, and that he feared. If the devils had carried her off, this same youth would, no doubt, still be by to tell who had paid them to do so, and nothing would then keep Halbert from hunting him down but his death-ay, death! In every way he was an obstacle in his path; for even now he was determined Violet should be his. He feared him, and because he feared, hated him. Perfect security could be purchased by his death; the idea each moment strengthened-they were alone; no one near to interrupt or see him commit the deed; he resolved to murder him. He had no weapon, for Wat Tyler had taken lis from him; but Halbert had, and it was easy to obtain it from one so unsuspecting as him. Although, from the weakness which his confinement to the tree, and subsequent sworn, had produced, he was unable to cope with him in a

.

"No," he said. "I thank thee for the offer, but I will not so trouble thee. I confess I am weak, and if thou wilt lend me thy sheathed sword I will use it as a support."

Nay, Martin," returned Halbert, "I am stronger than thou thinkest; fear not to lean on me, I can well bear thee."

"No," persisted Martin. "It is useless to waste words, nothing shall induce me. I will not borrow thy staff, for thou thyself dost use it; thy sword will do well-let me have it."

"No, no!" exclaimed Halbert. "If thou wilt not take my arm, have my staff, you will find it more useful than the sword."

"I think not," uttered Martin, with a ghastly smile. "Let me have my way. I prefer the swordit will answer my purpose best."

"As thou wilt," ejaculated Halbert, divesting himself of his sword, and handing it to Martin. "There, take it, and know you lean on a weapon that was never used for a dishonest purpose; one for whose use its owner never had to blush."

Martin received it, and bent his head low to conceal the workings of his features.

Halbert led the way to Brenchley, followed by Martin, who waited only a favourable situation to put in practice his execrable design. Ever and anon his intended victim turned his head to see what progress he was making; and several times when he had the sword half drawn, Halbert looked round to cheer him on; the sword was instantly returned to its scabbard, and used as a support: this occurred frequently. At last he began to fancy that Halbert suspected him, for ever as he was about to put his design in practice did he turn his head and stare at him, as if he penetrated his purpose, and was resolved not to give him a chance of executing it. It was but the suspicion that waited on guilt. Halbert had no idea that such villany was intended him; but he turned his head to see that Martin was not overtaxing his strength, and to be at his side the moment he required more support than the sword yielded him. Little did the good man imagine such black ingratitude was to repay his philanthropy, and never turned him round to Martin but to cheer him, and tell him how well they were getting on, and how soon they should be at Brenchley.

Now that Martin had resolved to slay him, he heeded not, and cared not what Halbert said; his mind was all absorbed with the idea of murdering his preserver, and bearing away Violet. Perhaps the "devils" had succeeded in carrying her off, and were

awaiting his presence at Tonbridge. If such were the case-and it was easy to be ascertained-he had but to give one blow, one sure blow, and his work was complete, his design perfectly successful. A host of reasons thronged to support his intention, to prove its necessity and its good. Each step he advanced strengthened his resolve, and kept away all feelings of remorse at the shameful act he was about to perpetrate.

They entered a narrow copse; the thickly overhanging boughs of the entwined trees made the place unnaturally dark. It was of some length,

the body when it fell, and there was none to see him commit the crime-yes, there was ONE-he felt there was ONE, and the thought made his flesh creep on his

Drawn by W. H. Thwaites.]

and grew darker as they neared the middle. Martin looked around him, it was the very place for a foul deed; there was plenty of tall palmy gorse to cover

No. 4.

[Engraved by J. Wall.

bones, as it went scorching through his brain. He should be alone, too, with the body; the warm blood dabbling his hands, perhaps with tenacity of stain he

[AUTHOR'S OWN EDITION.

could never remove; and who could say whether there would not be unearthly things with glaring eyes staring glowingly on him, but frightfully silent, watching every movement he made with a dreadful absence of sound. He shuddered as he thought of these things, and peered into the darkest places almost with the expectation of having his fears realised. There was nothing, however, to support his superstitious imaginings, and with the thoughts of Violet, his murderous intentions returned. They had reached the darkest spot-now was the very time; if he delayed a moment he should suffer the best opportunity to escape him. He drew the sword hastily from the scabbard; it flashed in the darkness; he saw it glitter; he feared Halbert would turn and see him; he sprung upon him; thrust the sword through the mantle of his victim, just as he was turning to speak to him. He felt the hilt strike against his body, then he drew it swiftly out, and on a strange impulse, flung it far from him. Halbert staggered a moment, but did not fall; a ray of light bursting through an opening in the trees lighted upon his face; it looked bright and clear, the only thing visible in the darkness. Martin saw the face turn to him, it was ashy pale, the light lending a white to that which was already a ghastly whiteness; the eyes picked him out although he stood in the dark, and they were in a bright lightGod, such a light! They glared on him an icy glare, that curdled and froze every drop of blood in his veins. They were like flames, drawing their existence from snow. Cold, and blue, and glassy, and yet live flames they fixed on him and moved not- they looked into his eyes, nor swerved the thousandth part of an inch. Why would not his own eyelids close and shut them out? Or why did not the body fall, and bear those dreadful eyes with it? He saw the lips move-the lips which looked like lines of blood on the white face; and he heard a voice, hollow and cold, exclain

"Murderer! sleeping or waking, henceforth, I will be ever present to thee?

PON this eventful evening, as the sun was fast sinking, and the day drawing near to a close, a horseman took his way through the Weald, in the direction of Tonbridge. He seemed in no hurry to proceed, for his steed, which was highblooded, merely pranced, instead of either trotting or galloping. He was quite youthful, and seemed in high spirits: he patted his courser's neck, and chatted gaily to him as he curvetted and caracoled.

"So ho, my bonny Tricksy," he said quite loudly;

when I waited on Dame Philippa. Heigho, that was a rare time, and yet was I not contented, although there were such pretty faces and bright eyes in scores; ah! it was a rare time, kissing and drinking. Marry! a page is sorely tempted-sorely tempted; how stood I all through it, I know not. It was well I went to the wars; I half suspect I should else, ere this, have been a woman myself-what think'st thou Tricksy, should I have made a tolerable lady? Steady, so ho! hast thou a mind to fling me for the presumption of that thought? Oh, by'r Lady, I fear me thou dost right to kick up thy heels; I am too fond of fighting ever to have been a lady, and yet how I love the sex! Ah, how I personify them in one sweet form-in one lovely maiden, and how I adore her! Beshrew me, I love the land that produced her. I love aught that is connected with her, and worship her; if before this I had hated womankind, I would love them now for her dear sake. It is strange that I, who have so often looked on fair faces-aye, fair even to loveliness-and have received their smiles and pleasant glances, should, when absent, have remembered them only with a feeling approaching indifference; and now, here is a maiden who sought not my eyes as others have

torn if she returns not-if harm or wrong comes to her, there will be sad hearts in Brenchley." "Where ?" thundered the youth, with a shout which startled the horse and made the stranger re

"In Brenchley," he repeated, on the question being impetuously demanded.

He stopped, for he was at a loss for a simile to tell even himself how much he loved her. Suddenly his horse shied, and nearly threw him. He reined him up quickly, and hastily looking to see the cause, he saw Violet's unknown friend, the stranger, who had followed the "devils" when they bore her away. "How now!" he cried sternly, as soon as his eyes lighted upon him; "art thou one of the vagabond marauders who prowl in this wood for the sake of robbery and murder? Thou hast come suddenly upon me-what is thy purpose? Thou'rt no phantom, though thou art ugly enough to be one-but I do not believe steadfastly in their existence, although Father Paul tells me there are such things-and if you are not a phantom, you are too grim-looking to be aught but a robber. Speak, man, what art thou? If you want plunder, I have only my sword worth having; and I much fear, if you attempt to take that, it will cut thy fingers."

ཨ

ness.

"Violet Evesham!" exclaimed the stranger.

"Holy Mary! is it her? Where is she? where are the villains? Lead me to the spot at once-delay not a moment!" he ejaculated energetically.

"Will you attempt her rescue?" said the stranger. "Will I?" echoed the youth, in a tone of contempt. "Why do you ask that question ?" "Because I wish you to attempt it alone-have you the courage single-handed to attack four?" "Ay! in such a cause, four hundred instead of four."

"It is right well; I will lead you to the spot where she sits hopeless and almost broken-hearted. I have watched over her that no harm should happen to her, and think not, youth, I shrink from attempting her rescue. Had there been no aid near I would have tried it as thou art about to do, alone, rather than she should have been borne away."

"Lead me to her!" impatiently exclaimed the youth, his fingers grasping his sword-hilt vigorously as he spoke.

"You must dismount," said the stranger.

"For what purpose?" asked the youth, eyeing him suspiciously.

"I need it for a purpose far nobler than thou dost imagine," returned the stranger. "I need its use, and by thee that use must be made."

"You are considerate," dryly returned the youth. "I do not happen to be in want of employment just at present, therefore must beg to decline the cutthroat purpose for which you would engage me!"

"If you are what you seem, you will do my bidding heart and hand," exclaimed the stranger: and if not, thou'rt a worthless poltroon, beneath contempt." "What!" cried the youth angrily, grasping his sword, and urging his horse close to the spot where stood the stranger; who, however, moved not; "What mean you, fellow ?" he added, haughtily.

"Listen!" replied the stranger. I overheard you say you would rather fight for the maiden you loved, than for all the glory that was or ever will be obtained." "Well, and if I did say so, what then ?" "Would you, if she were in danger?" "Would I? thou speakest strangely; said I not, I would? and if she were, Saint Mary! would I not ?" "For her sake you would do much ?" Anything which tarnished not my honour; and she would never need aught to do that."

"Then in her name I call upon you to aid me. Near to this spot, a maiden as lovely in person and mind, and loved as much by all who know her as thine can be, lies in jeopardy. She has been carried off by four of the band who inhabit this wood, at the instance of one who has already paid dearly for his villany." "Why was she carried off?" inquired the youth. "To be the victim of a scoundrel! but bitterly for him is the scheme frustrated. She is the idol, and deservedly so, of the village from which she has been

"Are you one of the band?” enquired the youth. "No! I thank the Holy Mother, I am no such villain,” replied the stranger. "I would not even have them see me. I owe them a deep debt for injuries they have done me, and if my existence be known unto them, I shall, perhaps, lose my chance of revenge. I have waited long for it; I have worked hard for it; and if my life be spared, I will have it. But this is nought to thee; yet when thou may'st think of me hereafter, I would not have thee class me with these villains. I am fulfilling a stern and solemn duty; one to which I have devoted all my energies-nay, my life, and have sworn to accomplish. When thou knowest that duty is to exterminate this murderous band-that I will do it alone-thou wilt acquit me of fearing to rescue single handed the gentle Violet. Now, no more of myself. But of thy task; if thou dost succeed in rescuing her, make for Brenchley with all speed; the villagers are up in arms in her behalf, and will be half-way to meet thee, unless they have been beaten back by Grit's band, who were drawn up to oppose them. But if my judgment of the youth who leads them is correct, such an event has not occurred; such an one as he would cut a path for himself and followers if the opposers were thrice their number."

"Ha! who is this youth?" inquired the young horseman, with an air of interest.

"A young villager, a playmate of Violet's when a child, and if I understand rightly, a lover now-ay, and a devoted one too, if enthusiasm in her cause be a criterion of his affection for her."

"Indeed! I should like to see him," exclaimed the