They were at the entrance of a spacious hall; and, through the stain'd and lofty casements, the faint light enabled Philip to discover the cause of his servant's fear-which was nothing more than a marble statue, whereon he had laid his hand, and with many of which the place was adorn'd.

This being explain'd to the terrified Hawbuck, they cross'd the hall, and ascended a stair-case, which terminated in a long gallery. Through the crevice of a door they beheld a light; and Travers made known his intention of entering the apartment, ordering his attendant to stand upon his guard, in case of any necessity. To which Humphry replied: "Don't. thee think of going in, sir. Who knows what thee may'st pay for peeping?"

This salutary advice was lost on Philip; who, gently opening the door, beheld a room hung with black; and, at the further end, a lady, in the same dark habiliments, kneeling before a crucifix.

"A woman!" said he involuntarily.

"If it be a devil, I don't care," cried

Humphry, encouraged by the last exclamation: "let him come on, and try me."

The noise caused the lady to turn round; and the pale and ghastly features of our hero, his forehead and hair clotted with blood, first met her sight.

She utter'd a cry of terror, and exclaim'd: « Ha! what art thou ? Blessed Virgin! befriend me! Nay, come not near me! Good Heaven! can it be or has imagination conjured up this form? It comes upon me ! -- still nearer ! - Oh! speak, spirit of the departed Fitz-Munster! speak, least my poor brain should madden !"

"Lady, you are deceived," quoth Travers; I am without the ability, or inclination, to do you harm- I am an alien from my native country -a wretch who, flying from persecution, has nearly lost his life."

"By what means did you find your way to this chamber?" said the lady, fixing her eyes upon him: “ or how, indeed, did you gain admittance to the castle?”

« The devil show'd us the way, an'like your ladyship," said Humphry; and would

have proceeded in his usual loquacious style, had not his master silenced him with some asperity. The latter, then, recounted the ill-treatment they had sustain'd, the mysterious means by which they had been led thither; and concluded, by begging she would not impute their presence to any improper motive.

The lady, her eyes still riveted on those of Travers, was about to reply, when a loud shout from below prevented her; which was succeeded by the abrupt entrance of a servant, who told her a band of ruffians had forced their way into the castle, and were plundering every part of it - swearing they would, ultimately, set fire to it.

This intelligence caused the lady to cast an eye of suspicion on our travellers,

"Fear not, madam," said Philip, who read her meaning; "we are no members of banditti; and, rather than I would, even tacitly, connive at an outrage on a woman, I would lose every drop of blood in her defence."

The tumult became louder, and a voice exclaim'd-" Where is my mother?"

Instantly the door was thrown open, and a female rush'd in, follow'd by a man of ruffian-like appearance- and whom Travers recognised for one of the band by whom he had been wounded. The former cried Save me, mother!" and sunk upon the floor-while the lady herself rejoin'd, "Oh! my dear child!" and fainted in Philip's arms.

Perceiving the ruffian's intent was to practise some brutality upon the prostrate female, he bestrode her; and, with his fainting burthen, firmly withstood his attacks. Presently, three others of the robbers join'd the conflict; but the example of our hero had such an effect upon Humphry and the servants, that they fought like lions, and drove the intruders from the scene of action-not, however, until the gallant Travers was again wounded, and had measured his length upon the floor, incapable of sense or motion.

CHAPTER V.

Haste thee, nymph, and bring with thee
Jest and youthful jollity,

Quips and cranks, and wanton wiles,
Nods and becks, and wreathed smiles,
Such as hang on Hebe's cheek,
And love to live in dimple sleek:
Sport, that wrinkled care derides,

And Laughter holding both his sides.

To die!-to sleep;

L'ALLEGRO.

No more; and, by a sleep, to say we end

The heart-ache, and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to; 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd!—

HAMLET.

WHILE Philip was dissipating his little property, in London, the father of Rachael (old Walter Hardyman) met with severe losses. The murrain-the seasons-and, lastly, the hand of villainy, conspired to lay him low.