interfered, and a severe struggle took place, but which, as the ruffians were prepared for opposition, soon terminated in their favour. They then bound the men they had subdued, and threw them into the dungeon of the keep, and compelling the women, and their servants, to go up stairs, locked them in an inner room, ́ though with a light, and carried off Adeline in triumph.

This event, though it had frequently occurred to the mind of Henry since his approach to the castle, yet now that it was fully ascertained, occasioned him as much distress as if it had not been for a moment apprehended. As soon, however, as the violence of his emotion had, in some degree, abated, he accused Walleran as the author of the atrocious deed, and proposed an immediate expedition to, and attack upon his castle; then presently recollecting the dreadful scenes he had witnessed at the great gate, he requested an explanation of his sister, but Clara being totally ignorant of the circumstances he alluded to, he lighted a torch, and descended to release his servants from their dungeon, which he effected through the medium of a private passage, the principal

entrance being left too well secured for his efforts to overcome. He found several of them wounded, but so rejoiced at seeing their master again that for some minutes they com· pletely forgot their situation and sufferings. Many, however, were still absent, and he learnt that whilst those who had been confined were still contending with the villains, a party of their fellow servants had gone round to secure the great gate, but of their fate they knew nothing. Henry now requesting those who were able, to follow him, procured some more torches, and issued forth to search the outer ballium. Here weltering in their blood were found slain the two men whom he had seen by the glare of the lightning, and, a little further, his old steward who had expired in his arms. Close by the gate, also, wounded, and on the ground, they discovered the porter and his assistant; these, on receiving some refreshment, and due attention to their injuries, speedily revived, and had soon strength enough to inform Henry, that when the struggle commenced in the great hall, they had flown to the support of their friends, but perceiving it would be vain to continue the contest without better arms, they, with three or four others, separated

to procure them, and to secure the great gate and barbacan, which, in their hurry and alarm, they had left open and unguarded. Hither, however, they had not arrived many moments before the ruffians, having subdued opposition in the hall, approached with the unhappy Adeline, whose prayers and entreaties were in vain addressed to beings who knew no touch of pity. A severe engagement now took place, but the numbers proving very unequal, and themselves and their companions shortly either wounded or slain, the villains with their helpless charge passed on, nor could it be ascertained in what direction they travelled. The porter, however, it seems, had sufficient strength remaining to crawl to the lodge, where seizing the black mantle, the omen of disaster, he had just power to suspend it on the gate, and then dropt exhausted by its side. This he did with a view to alarm any passenger, or pilgrim who might in the morning be journeying that way, and induce him to inquiry, and the offer of assistance.

The thunder had, by this time, passed off; twilight began to dawn, and Henry, notwithstanding the fatigues of the preceding day

determined to push forward immediately to the castle of Walleran, in hopes of taking him by surprise. Accordingly, arming those of his servants who had not been injured in the previous contest, and entrusting the wounded to the care of the women, he clothed himself in mail, and mounting a fresh steed, reached the magnificent halls of Walleran in little more than an hour. Here, however, to his great disappointment, he learnt, that Walleran had not returned from the chace, but that about two hours after noon, a man, who to them was a stranger, and mounted on a horse bathed in foam, had arrived to say, that the Earl would not revisit his castle for some weeks, but refused to give them any information with regard to his present place of residence.

Henry oppressed in body and mind, now slowly returned to Ruydvellin pondering on the plan he should pursue; and on his arrival at the castle, hastened to consult his sister, and the mother of his Adeline.

NUMBER X.

-What is this

So wither'd and so wild in its attire;

That looks not like an inhabitant o' the earth,
And yet is on 't ?.

SHAKSPEARE.

THOUGH no present intelligence could be obtained relative to the abode of Walleran, yet as it was most probable that where he was, there Adeline would be found, Henry determined, with the concurrence of his family, to spare no effort in detecting his residence. After a few hours rest, therefore, he armed himself compleatly, and bidding adieu to his disconsolate friends, to whom, assuming a chearful tone, he promised the speedy restoration of Adeline, he mounted his favorite roan, and issued from the great gate whilst the sun, now verging towards noon, smote full upon his plumed casque.