vanced to lead her to the chapel, but with an involuntary shudder she drew back at his approach. Lord Hubert took her hand-" Come, Flora, let me be your conductor then," he said. "Fear not," he whispered, as he led her on, "put your confidence in me.”

The doors of the chapel opened; long rows of blazing tapers shone along the aisle. Escutcheons and banners hung from the roof, and the brightest flowers of spring were strewed upon the pavement. A light equal to that of day beamed from the altar, and full in the centre of the rays stood Cuthbert, the wizard priest. No change was there in his simple garments, no change in his awful features; but the sight of him, severe and plain as he looked, conveyed new hope and confidence to Flora's bosom; and with a firmer step, and brightened aspect, she advanced to the

altar.

All had entered; the guests were ranged around, and with a bold and haughty brow the

the bridegroom placed himself beside the priest.

Cuthbert opened the book, and gazed round the circle, while a dead silence reigned through the whole.-" Where," said the deep impressive voice of the priest, "where is Edwin, heir of lord Hubert ?"

Flora trembled with agitation, while for a moment there was a pause." I am he,” replied the bridegroom.

The bright stern eye of the anchorite fixed on him as if it would penetrate his soul." Say!" he exclaimed, "shall guilt wed innocence? shall the blood-stained hand clasp that of purity?"

The cheek of the bridegroom turned deadly pale." Away!" cried he, at length recovering himself, "why ask ye questions that are not pertinent? Proceed, old man, proceed!"

"If thou art Edwin, son of lord Hubert," replied the priest, "advance." He took a step forward, while a hollow blast of wind shook the building to its foundation, and the brightest lights around be

came

came dim and almost extinguished." If thy hand is unstained with kindred blood, lay it upon the altar," continued the voice of Cuthbert. He did so, while a gloomy darkness seemed to fill the chapel.-" Now call the vengeance of Heaven upon your head, if you are not guiltless, and what

you seem."

"I call it," he replied, in a resolute voice, "let it come quick!"

The words had scarcely passed his lips, when the blue flash of the lightning blazed around, illuming with its bright and mo mentary flame the chapel and its terrified denizens. It was gone with the instant of its birth, and the lights of the chapel again burnt clear. But where was the bridegroom? stretched lifeless at the foot of the altar. The vengeance he had called had overtaken him, and his guilt had met its reward. But during that lightning's flash another had been added to the group. His arm supported the trembling form of Flora - his hand was clasped in that of

lord

lord Hubert his eye, with conscious innocence, looked upon the electric blaze, but turned with pity upon the punishment of the guilty.

"Edwin!" exclaimed lord Hubert; "indeed my son!"

"Edwin!" whispered Flora, "

Edwin."

my own

But if this was Edwin, whose was yon lightning-blasted corse? It was that of Morton, whose long nourished envy led him to attempt his cousin's murder-who failed and was punished.

They were happy-most happy. Day rolled on day, and year passed by on year. But to Flora and Edwin, time was as a wreath of flowers; and every hour added a blossom to the enjoyment of their life; while Memory that followed, and Hope that went before, held the garland, for ever blooming o'er their heads.

Thus we see, my friends, that though

the

the perfidious Morton raised his hand against the unsuspecting Edwin, and thought to bury retribution in the silence of the grave; though there seemed none to contradict him, when he took the name of his cousin on himself, and claimed the bride and inheritance of another, an allseeing eye beheld his transgressions, and an all-powerful arm turned his crimes on the head of the malefactor.

The rocks around us, the ruins within our sight, were witnesses of his punishment, and of Edwin's happiness; and the wild mountain, the desolated hall, the cultivated valley, and the splendid palace, had they a tongue, to tell the deeds that they have seen, a voice to relate the tale of all that has passed by them, each, no doubt, would testify the justice of the Almighty, as strongly as now, in awful silence, they vouch for his existence.

It was nearly eleven o'clock before lord Burton concluded the tale; and each one

of