Maid Marian

at are you, that y

mitigation or

fth N

; and a plume of black feathers fell back negligently above it, with an almost horizontal inclination, that seemed the habitual effect of rapid motion against the wind. Her black eyes sparkled like sunbeams on a river: a clear, deep, liquid radiance, the reflection of ethereal fire,-tempe

aron. "I have been at supper: my la

lda, "you should have g

"I did not go to bed at all: and what are you do

a-hunting,"

warrant you, to meet with the earl, an

I am not going out of

said the baron. "What

," said Matilda. "

ill undertake nothing but where

ar: "I will undertake any t

id the baron: "she shall

me up here in this odious castle, I shall

the pool. If there be a river at hand, she flies to t

send with me any, or as many

s. There is not a rascal among them but loves you

be sorry my father were an honest man." The baron relaxed his muscles into

ou may give God thanks of him. He is

said Matilda. "Have I not heard you

"rail myself out of house and land? If

true man, and a generous man, and a young man,

baron, "when he has neither house nor la

Matilda, "the worthless coat of the c

pulp of the melon. The house and land are the true subs

he meeting boughs weave a green roof in the wood, and the

u look so good-humoured? What! you think I can't look at you, and be in a passion? You think so, do you? We shall see. Have you n

ong me in your report. My visit is one of cour

is this courteous knight, who has not opened his mouth three times since he has been

; "I did not mark you before. I am your debtor

d the baron, taking large

you before yesterday, I would have cut off my right han

uty." She presented to him her hand, which he kissed respectfully, and simultaneously with the contact thirt

ded Matilda, "I mu

the baron; "I s

going," sa

up the drawbridge

wim the moat,

ure the gates,"

from the battleme

u in an upper chamb

apestry," said Matilda,

said the baron, "where you shall

from its eerie; and, father, while I go out freely, I will return willingly: but if

that fo

r its fai

h that is he

er be fo

gle link

harmonious propensities of the fria

k! hark

g doth

s the wild

kes at the pee

is empty, the

nter knows

e friar then s

h follow! the

flames in th

ounds over

in spirit, or

o more till th

the echo shall

w, oh foll

oh follo

s and sparkled in the eyes of Matilda,-would have presented a very amusing combination to Sir Ralph, if one of the three images in the group had not absorbed his total attention with feelings of intense delight very nearly allied to pain. The baron's wrath was somewhat counteracted by the reflection that his daughter's good spirits seemed to show that they would naturally rise triumphant over all disappointments; and he had had sufficient experience of her humour to know that she might sometimes be led, but never could be driven. Then, too, he was always delig

warm with canary, and in his singing vein; and he could not go

now a grey

nce a hale

y dogs was t

spirit did t

ecked of m

s toll with my

y beads I l

of dew on the

, but the friar paused, and

reck of m

toll with my

y beads I l

of dew on the

he four lines together, and rang

reck of m

the f

friar," sa

with my clanging

for you," sa

y beads I l

of dew on the

and the fri

or," said the baron:

iar we

keen I w

lean on gr

e the fleetes

e hundred y

ful time, wit

now these

t bounds wh

rk away! a

himed in

sane? Are you possessed? What do you mean?

rk away! a

d the

the quivering of his lips and the flashing of his eyes, he pulled up all the flash-boards at once, and gave loose to the full torrent of his indignation, by seizing, like furious Ajax, not a messy stone mo

oaken floo

din of pon

s not to offend you. My gaiety never before displeased you. Least of all should it d

was subdued at once. He kissed his daughter, held out his hand to the friar, and said, "Sing on, in God's name, and crack away the flasks till your voice swims i