The Betrothed

f wo," she s

t forebod

f wo," she s

I dread th

LBERT

or two places where the river, hidden in general by banks and trees, spread its more expanded bosom to the stars, and the pale crescent. All was still, excepting the solemn rush of the waters, and now and then the shrill tinkle of a harp, which, heard from more than a mile's distance through the midnight silence, announced that some of the Welshmen still protracted their most beloved amusement. The wild notes, partially heard, seemed like the voice of so

apprehension of future horrors, than had reigned there during the bustle, blood, and confusion of the preceding day. She rose up-she sat down-she moved to and f

Rose; their anxious thoughts are either diverted by toilsome exertion, or drowned in the insensibility which follows it. They may encounter wounds and death, but it is we who feel in the

even your dear life among the showers of the Welsh arrows, when doing so could give courage to others; while I-shame on me-could but tremble, sob, and weep, and

father to fight and watch for you. Mine-my kind, noble, and honoured parent, lies dead on yonder field, and all which rem

ost feared her heart was bursting. Her affection and sympathy dictated at once the kindest course which Eveline's condition permitted. Without attempting to control the torrent of grief in its full current, she gently sat her down beside the mourner, and possessing herself of the hand which had sunk motionless by her side, she alternately pressed it to her lips, her bosom, and her brow-now covered it with kisses, now bedewed it with tears, and amid these tokens of the most devoted and humble sympathy, waited a more compo

ler symptoms, tried softly to win the spear from her lady's grasp. "Let me be sentinel for a while." she said, "my sweet lady-I will at least scream louder than you, if any danger should approach." She ventured to kiss her cheek, and throw her arms around Eveline's neck while she spoke; but a mute caress, which

r in her embrace, and then Eveline's hand grasped her

oting of the owl," ans

heard it- hark, it comes again!-Look from the battle

can this sound be that is heard by one only?

slumbers, by a fancy of mine-But hark-I hear it again-distinct amidst the intermitting sounds of the rushi

air hair, had applied her hand behind her ear to collect the distant sound. "I hear it,"

they started to their feet in haste, she whispered in a hasty but cautious voice,

will hear them ar

ns were of the same heavy character with his form and his disposition. "I

mmock-the sound of armour

rter, lady," said Wilkin; "and

Benedict!-Our Lady of the Garde Doloureuse has been gracious to her servants as ever!- It is the tramp

t burst into my neighbour Klinkerman's warehouse, and rolled his pots and pans against each othe

erer for twenty years, and do I not know the tramp of a war-horse, or the clash of a mail-coat?-But call th

you will, and 111 good time. But keep your Normans and English silent, Sir Priest, else their

ll quarters to their posts upon the walls, with hearts in a very different mood from that in which they had descended from them. The utmost caution being used to prevent noise

xtent of horizon from which they seemed to come, all in the castle were satisfied that the approaching relief consisted of several very strong bodies of horse. [Footnote: Even the sharp and angry clang made by the iron scabbards of modern cavalry ringing against the steel-tipp'd saddles and stirrup, betrays their approach from a distance. The clash of the armour of knights, armed cap-a-pie, must have been much more

the garrison, they had altogether neglected the important military duty of establishing patrols and outposts at a proper distance from their main body. Thus the cavalry of the Lords Marchers, notwithstanding the noise which accompanied their advance, had approached very near the British camp without exciting the least alarm. But while they were arranging their forces into separate columns, in order to commence the assault, a loud and increasing

ries of defiance and resistance were heard resounding above the groans of the wounded, the shouts of the triumphant assailants, and the universal tumult of the night-battle. It was not until the mor

ld cross to the other side was soon completely choked by fugitives, on whose rear raged the swords of the victorious Normans. Many threw themselves into the river, upon the precarious chance of gaining the farther side, and, except a few, who were uncommonly strong, skilful, and active, perished among the rocks and in the currents; others, more fortunate, escaped by fords, with which

he victors, the banner of Hugo de Lacy streamed from a small mount, on which Gwenwyn had lately pitched his own, and surrounded

ngeance, ringing around the battlements, which resounded with the cries, "Ha, Saint Edwar

sallied to give more active assistance in the work of destruction; but the communication being now open with the Constable of Chester's forces, Wilkin Flammock considered himself and the garrison to be under the ord

ennon, and then march them slowly back to the great standard of their leader, around which the main body were again to be assembled, like the clouds which gather around the evening sun-a fanci

Welshmen. The bands who had followed the pursuit to a greater distance were also now seen returning, driving before them, or

eral shout of acclamation from those who had fought under them. It was answered by a universal cry of joy from De Lacy's army, which rung so wide, as might

to announce his unabated mettle and unwearied love of combat. The young man's eagle look bore the same token of unabated vigour, mingled with the signs of recent exertion. His helmet hanging at his saddle-bow, showed a gallant countenance, coloured highly, but not inflamed, which looked out from a rich profusion of short chestnut-curls; and although his armour was of a massive and simple form, he moved under it with such elasticity and ease, that it seemed a graceful attire, not a burden or encumbrance. A furred mantle had not sat on him with more easy grace than the heavy hauberk, which complied with every gesture of his noble form. Yet his countenance was so juvenile, that only the down on the upper lip announced decisively the approach to

ever seen a young gentleman before, that you hang on him like flies on a honeycomb? Stan

the presence of the right noble demoiselle, Eveline

ore expressed her admiration so energetically; "I will uphold thee

outh across the court. "Let my good horse be cared for," said the cavalier, as he put the bridle into the hand of a menial; and in doing so got rid of some part of his female retinu

fic in her objurgation.-"And why cucking-stool, I pray, Sir Wilkin Butterfirkin? You are the man would stop an English mouth with a Flemish damask napkin, I trow! Marry quep, my cousin the weaver! And why t

t it," said Eveline's nurse, who stood by; "but I p

igh, because you dandled our young lady on your knee fifteen years since?-Let me tell y

public exhibition of his domestic termagant -"home, or I will give you a taste of my

ls enough for wonderment, that you must come wi

he war of tongues, in which she had shown such a decided superiority. This controversy, so light is the change in human spirits, especially