"Measureless phrenzy!" said Constance, grasping his arm, upon whose head shall be the blood that flows?"

"MINE, in the name of HIM who avenges! set on, brave lances! away Lady! why, where is the spirit that even now cried 'sweep him from my path?""

"Gone," she replied, "gone with the selfish terror that awoke it. I have rooted the trembler from my soul-I have called up the De Mowbray within me, and, by the honour of my father's house, his vassals shall hear and shall obey me!"

Hereafter, noble and lovely one! to the last of their blood and breath! but not to-night; -at least not now nor thus-Set on! and look, gentle friends, if it be my lot to go down, heed not-reck not-tarry not for that! stunned to the brain, or stricken to the heart, I shall be cared for; or at the worst, sleep well upon the woodland turf.-There let me lie, and be the winds of heaven my requiem! but ye that keep saddle and stirrup, away with the Lady through the gap in your broken foes! Spare not man or courser in the race; draw not breath or bridle

for thirst or faintness, until the battlements of York be around ye!-Gallant De Aldery, this do I implore of thee! Torfin Paganel! Stout Hildebrand! Men of De Mowbray's banner and household! have heed to it upon your lives! By my eternal soul! there is no grave so deep that it shall keep me from the midnight couch of him who plays the traitor or the coward in this pinch!"

"To the foul fiend with thy threats!" exclaimed Torfin, "whose lance will be stronger or sharper for terror of thy ghost, think'st thou?"

"Oh, Mary-mother!" cried the Minstrel, "What tedious fools are these brave men to a true coward? why, for all this flourish and fanfaranade, never a man of ye yet knows whether the hindrance of a pin point be intended towards him."

"Prove we that, Sir Crowder!" replied the Squire, bursting out of the narrow glade, with of " a moi, mes hommes d'armes !"

a cry

"And to the fray he rode amain,

Followed by all the archer train !"

CHAPTER XII.

"Now, gallants! for your lady's sake,
Upon them with the lance !''

The Lady of the Lake.

ONCE in the open clearing (to use a transatlantic phrase,) and under the broad eye of the moon, their situation was palpable. Retiring some hundred paces on every hand, as if the charming rod of a magician had swept the circle, the vast woods reared a magnificent wall of verdure, like a natural rampart, entirely around the arena of contest, which, both in its extent and smooth level surface, seemed fitting theatre for knightly achievement.

Two outlets were visible in the "bosky bournes," dark, narrow glades, devaricating, one right, one left; but before the mouth of each there was a mounted warrior, cased in steel to the teeth, and armed with lance, mace, and

battle-axe. Betwixt these, a third occupied the half-way station, with the like fulness of equipment, offensive and defensive: while, on either side, other, but less chivalrous looking personages, reined in their impatient coursers; more, however, with the air of spectators than of actors in the approaching drama.

The champion of the left-hand outlet sat like a tower of steel upon his mountainous black charger; grim and ponderous as heart of man could desire. He upon the right had less of the son of Anak in his proportions, but was obviously no petty antagonist: while the middle rider appeared tall, more elegantly spare and trim, and glittering in " fancifully conceited mail," as Master Osric would express it.

Raymond spurred in advance.

..

Stand, ho! who comes ?" exclaimed a voice of thunder.

"Travellers in haste," was the reply, "who be ye that give the challenge?"

"Give up thy charge, Sir Varlet, and we will certify thee touching the whom and the why, at leisure."

"Not to thy lord and master, good clerk of

St. Nicholas, although he come hither and roar for it! Ride on, therefore, if it so please you, or ride apart, one or t'other; and give passing space for the King's lieges."

"Beardless braggart !" growled the Opposer, "Ride thou to the gates of Hell, an' ye list, but the gentle Damoiselle yonder tarries with us."

"Doth she so?" said Raymond, lowering his lance,—“ make way! or by St. Mary, he that refuses shall bide a buffet ! What are not these the free wilds of merry England? wherefore keep ye watch and ward in the woodlands as at the barriers of a fenced city?"

"Because," answered the bulky warrior, grimly relaxing to a sort of pleasantry, "we be woodland knights of King Oberon, and these glades be the barriers of his leaguer. Give up the Dame therefore, thou prating fool, for we will have toll of thee ere thou hast leave to pass !"

"Take it, in the Devil's name!" said Raymond, and, wheeling his charger round, he rode to the opposite extremity of the esplanade, to take ground for the career; a sufficient hint to his colleagues, who were instantly abreast of their young leader, with brazed shields and