Rookwood

f the second's head, the third he disemboweled: as for the fourth, he pardoned her, and simply turned

its rising to its meridian; and so it seemed would be its setting. This foul reproach attached to all the race; none escaped it. Traditional rumors were handed down from father to son, throughout the county, and, like all other rumors, had taken to themselves wings, and flown abroad; their crimes became a by-word. How was it they escaped punishment? How came they to evade the hand of justice? Proof was ever wanting; justice was ever baffled. They were a stern and stiff-necked people, of indomitable pride and resolution, with, for the most p

ich ended in the civil wars, when the espousal of the royalist party, with sword and substance, by Sir Ralph Rookwood, the then lord of the mansion-a dissolute, depraved personage, who, however, had been made a Knight of the Bath at th

d for his conduct. Amongst others, it was stated that the object of Alan's jealous suspicions was his elder brother, Reginald; and that it was the discovery of his wife's infidelity in this quarter which occasioned his sudden disappearance with his infant daughter. Some said he died abroad. Others, that he had appeared again for a brief space at th

d countenance; and bestow upon him certain lucrative situations in his household, as an earnest of his good-will. And thus much he did. Remarkable for his personal attractions in youth, it is not to be wondered at that we should find the name of Reginald Rookwood recorded in the

he was rash enough to marry her; rash, we say, for from that fatal hour all became as darkness; the curtain fell upon the comedy of his life, to rise to tragic horrors

ying current of existence, and hurried in destruction as the summer gossamer is swept

had n

eautiful than

iling brow; when tears dimmed the blue beauty of those deep and tender eyes; when hot, hectic flushes supplied the place of healthful bloom, and despair took possession of her heart, then was it seen what was the charm of Lad

n of the cause of his sister's griefs. The bewildered lady answered evasively, attributing her woe-begone looks to any other cause than her husband's cruelty; and pressing her brother, as he valued her peace, her affection, never to allude to the subject again. The fiery youth departed. He next sought out his brother-in-law, and taxed him sharply with his inhumanity, adding threats to his upbraidings. Sir Reginald listened silentl

ve heed to my words, or, by the heaven ab

Your sister is my wife. What more would you have? Were she a harlot, you should have her back and welcome

lain." And Vavasour spat

to. Their swords glanced like lightning flashes. In the struggle, the blades became entangled. There was a moment's cessation. Each glanced at the other with deadly, inextinguishable hate. Both were admirable masters of the art of defence. Both were so brimful

he thirsted for more. He sought his home. He was greeted by his wife. Terrified by his looks, she yet summoned courage sufficie

ou, sweethea

your smile

you-fool! be thankfu

hen first I knew you. Smile not so coldly, but as you di

ch! There-

but know what I have endured this morning, on

dee

sted on knowing the reason

ainted with the cause. You told

d, as I ho

l

truth

He avouched it

could not-would

ld laughed

ady Rookwood. "You say this but to try me, do you not?-ha! what is th

k. I have washed out the stain,

dy Rookwood, pressing her hand shud

nald tur

d you, only you; yes, one besides-my brother, and you have slain him. Your hands are dripping in his blood, and I have kissed them-have clasped them! And now," continued she, with an energy tha

ir Reginald, endeavor

ll live to curse you-to requite you-to visit my wrongs on you and yours.

iving, much less

he dead

floor. Convulsions seized her. A mother's pains succeeded fierce and fast.

er mother's beauty, she had all her father's pride. Sir Reginald's every thought was for his daughter-for her aggrandizement. In vain. She seemed only to endure him, and

e, Eleanor promised obedience to his wishes. They accorded with her own humor. The day was appointed. It came. But with it came not the bride. She had fled, with the humblest and the meanest of the pretenders to her hand-with one upo

had wandered. It was a dread encounter-terrible to both; b

family might then be said to be at its zenith; and but for certain untoward circumstances, and the growing influence of his enemies, Sir Reginald would have been elevated to the peerage. Like most reformed spend-t

s not his way. He effectually prevented any recurrence of her indiscretions. She was removed, and with her expired Sir Reginald's waning popularity. So strong was the expression of odium against him, that he thought it prudent to retire to his mansion, in the country, and there altogether seclude himself. One anomaly in Sir Reginald's otherwise