Alas! alas! let me not buoy myself up with faint hopes-Wertwrold shall yet be happy, but Erilda will be for ever miserable. Yes, yes, some more happy maid than thou, Erilda, will gain the heart of Wertwrold, and tear the bond asunder that dates his misery."

Faster flowed her tears-her agony became more acute-and, clasping her hands together, she sunk down by his side her eyes were pensive, fixed on his, that were shrouded in sleep; and wrapped in ecstacy, she watched every breath that swelled his bosom, and escaped his lips. How beautiful did he appear, as he lay reclined upon the ground-what a dew sparkled on his lips-what a colour revelled upon his cheeks; his jet black hair, on which the water-drop, from bathing, glistened, clustered in silky curls arond his head. He had laid aside his armour, and the true shape and mouldings of his manly limbs were visible; his neck and bosom were bare-they were of the most masculine beauty.

"Ah, Erilda!" exclaimed he in his slumbers, "you alone can liberate my anguished heart-you alone can restore the smile to my fretted check-but you do not love me."

"Hear it, Heavens !" cried the enraptured maid; "Oh, Wertwrold!" and fainted upon his bosom.

The Knight awoke from the violence of her fall, and he gazed upon her in astonishment." Erilda !" he exclaimed, and bathing her temples with cold water, she soon revived; her wild eyes were timidly revealed to the lightand as soon as she discovered herself in the arms of Wertwrold, she gave faint scream, and broke from his embrace. "Erilda!" cried the Knight with fervour, "my fate is in your hands -do with me as you please-you alone can avert my cruel destiny. From this moment, I cease to hope or to despair.

a

Erilda was in an agony insupportable-tears choked her utterance, and pressing his hand between her's, she flew to conceal her anguish in another

part of the garden. They met at the supper board, but she, feigning indisposition, begged leave to retire; and full early did the Baron and his guests press the downy pillow.

In her chamber Erilda indulged her sighs: Sir Rhyswick had chosen the heir apparent of Wales for her future lord, and she well knew it was in vain to contest his choice. The chieftain loved the happiness of his child, but the love of aggrandisement he cherished in his bosom; and he looked forward with fond delight to the time when Erilda might, with the partner of her pleasures, share the thrones of Gwynedd and Powys. A few days was to see the young Prince at Rhuddlan-preparations were making for his receptionSir Rhywick with pleasure beheld the nuptial day advancing-but Erilda viewed its approach with agony. The night was far advanced, ere her troubled thoughts were invaded by sleep, yet still maintaining their empire, they conjured up visions to the closed eyes. Erilda dreamed, that her father, overpowered by his affection for her, and her entreaties, yielded his consent to her union with Wertwrold, and placed her hand in his. Transported with joy, she threw her arms round her lover's neck; at this junction awaking, she found the Knight clasped in her embrace. Recoiling with horror from his arms, and recovering her senses, that were at first bewildered. "Away," she cried in a tone of terror: "perfidious Knight, leave me; your conduct calls for my indignation. Oh, Wertwrold! was it possible for me to imagine you would thus repay the hospitality you have here experienced, by invading, in the midnight hour, the chamber of the defenceless?-Begone," she added, with a contemptuous frown,

66

ere I call my attendants, and expose the serpent who repays the favour of Rhuddlan's lord with abusing his confidence."

came but to gaze my last farewell on that lovely countenance that dooms me to everlasting misery: my neighing steed now waits at the castle gate, and I must bid these much loved haunts adieu for ever Farewell, Erilda-irresisti1 ble fate leads me hence-and, oh! sometimes give a thought on him who, added to his agonies, harbours for you a fruitless passion!" Wertwrold paused.

"For ever!" exclaimed Erilda; "Oh, Wertwrold!"

"Could my absence," continued the Knight," create one pang in your breast, though grateful would the knowledge be to my heart, still it would infiet a wound, Erilda, urging my brain to distraction, when I paused on your unhappiness. Which ever way I turn, misery attends me-endless sorrow is my bitter portion: that I am indifferent to Erilda creates another pang."

"Oh, Wertwrold!" cried the maid; and, sinking on his bosom, "I am your's, and your's alone."

"Do not my ears deceive me," cried the enraptured Knight; "does Erilda really love me will she rend nce the world for me?"

"The world!"

"Yes," returned Wertwrold, "and then shall my felicity dawn: Erilda must renounce every thing to be mine -to share with me those transports which virtuous love creates."

"You speak in mystery."

"Erilda must, with heroic fortitude, overcome every obstacle to our union must place implicit confidence in my faith and sacrifice every thing for me. The firm mind can stand, unshaken, on the stupendous rock, and smile upon the gulph beneath that threatens to deFour-so must the woman who would gain my arms."

"Wertwrold !"

"Take this ring, Erilda, it is a charmed one: which, when breathed upon, brings me to your presence : use it as you need me, and I fly, in obedience to your command, though at the extremity of the world."

"Yet stay; you leave me in doubt." "Erilda, must use her own discrecretion, I have not power to direct her. Farewell," he cried; and pressing her to his bosom, instantly retired, leaving her lost in wonder and amazement.

For a time she could scarcely believe her senses every thing appeared as a dream before her eyes-but she possessed the charming ring-and the deluding thought vanished, that told her the preceding scene was the mere fabrication of her imagination.

At breakfast time she met Sir Rhyswick, who was not a little surprized and angered with the abrupt departure of his guest.

Erilda endeavoured to plead his cause urging that business of the utmost import demanded his immediate attendance, and that to her he apolgized.

The generous chieftain was well satisfied with the excuse, although he had hoped Wertwrold, in whose favour he was much interested, should have been present at the solemnization of Erilda's nuptials, which the fourth day was to see performed, according to a message which he had received from the young Prince, who, impatient to call Erilda his bride, thus early appointed the day.

Sir Rhyswick, with joy expressed in his countenance, imparted the news to his daughter, who, falling upon her knees her cheeks bathed in tears—and grasping his hand, entreated him, as he considered her happiness, to forego his intentions.

"How?" cried the astonished Baron. "I shall never know happiness with a man whom my heart will not acknowledge for its lord," returned the afflicted Erilda; "Oh!" as you love my peace of mind, send back the prince-Erilda cannot be the bride of Morven-another object has enchained her heart."

"How," exclaimed the indignant Baron; "Does Erilda reject the heir to the throne of Wales ?"

"It would be criminal to bestow my hand, when another possesses my heart. Oh, my father! the happy Morven will

find one more worthy of being his bride

one more closely in conjunction with his soul-who will return his fond affection with affection.

"Erilda," cried the venerable chieftain with firmness," I seek not to know him whom your heart has chosen. If you value my affection, Morven must be your future lord; if not, your father is lost to you for ever." Thus saying, he retired, leaving the distracted maid overwhelmed with grief.

Sir Rhyswick would not see her the rest of the day: and a messenger in the evening coming to her chamber, bid her prepare on the morrow to receive Morven, who was expected at the castle, attended by a numerous retinue.

Erilda, in an agony of distraction, threw herself upon the couch; her tears more plenteously flowed to her relief, and eased those labouring sighs that swelled her agitated bosom. She, casting her eyes upon the magic ring that encircled her finger; pressed it to her lips, and her warm breath sullying the ruby that sparkled upon it, instantly the Blood-red Knight stood before her.

"I come," he cried, " at your command, from the bosom of the vasty deep, to serve the mistress of my heart."

Wertwrold took a seat by her sideErilda hung her head upon his shoulder; her cheek was pale with weeping -her eyes were languid and heavy.

"Oh, Wertwrold!" she exclaimed, "this must be our last meeting; the son of Cynvyn claims Erilda's hand, and even now is on the road to Rhuddlan, to lead her to the bridal altar."

"And will Erilda yield her honour, then, at the sordid entreaties of avarice and pride? Will she prostitute herself, embittering the remainder of her days, to gratify another's passion ?"

Wertwrold! you"

"Oh, lady! the fond affection glowing in my bosom has heaped a world of ruin on my heart-I see the gulph yawning at my feet-I see what tortures are preparing for me, and fly to meet

my doom.-It Erilda is who hurls me to destruction-it is Erilda who mocks my sighs, and points me to the spot where angry demons wait to glut them on my blood. But these inflictions I can brave-for, she I love proves false --she who deceitfully sighed, I am your's, and your's alone.'

"You amaze and terrify me: what tortures what inflictions are those you dread? Oh, Wertwrold! do not keep me in suspense-tell me who, or what are you?"

"Who I am, lady, must remain a secret-what I am, my warm, sighs, my great affliction have revealed-your lover. Oh, Erilda! I am man, with half his fortitude-man, with all his weaknesses: love animates and distracts my bosom; and she whom I wed, must wed me for myself alone."

"Fond Wertwrold! I question you no more-and oh! how shali I convince you that my heart is your's-doomed as I am to misery and Morven."

She fixed her languishing eyes upon his countenance-Wertwrold paused.

Erilda's chamber looked into the castle garden; the woodbine and honeysuckle climbed above her window, and a rose-tree entwined itself with the odorous branches of the honeysuckle-some sprigs hung pendant near the sashes of the casement, where the flower blowed and scented the air with its refreshing sweets.

Wertwrold eagerly slipped a spray that boasted a full blown flower and a ripening bud, which he presented to Erilda.

"Look you," he cried; "look on these flowers the beauty of the one withers, while the other ripens. Here we see a rich bloom upon the cheek of youth; what a glowing fragrance does its breath impart! how sweet is the dew that hangs upon the expanding leaf how rich! how luxuriant! how captivating to the senses! Would it not be cruel to pluck this early bud, ere it hath tasted of that dew which now sparkles on its lip-and, at the moment when it is about to enjoy those sweets

which are prepared for early life? Lady, this new plucked bud, in an hour shall perish-life shall fly its newly created bosom-the hand of man hath deprived it of its succours, and, ere it ceased to charm, it dies, unpitied, unrespected. Then turning to the other"This full-blown rose, whose shrivelled leaf betrays a speedy dissolution, having tasted of all the pleasures life affords, and enjoyed them in their full sense, prepares to die. The morning sun, instead of cheering, shall wither its juiceless fibres-the flavour of its breath is fled-and the falling dew animates it not the airs are cold and freezing that play around it-and plucked, it would not perish sooner than were it left to wither upon the spray."

"I do not understand you." "Lady, if one of these flowers must be torn from the branch of life, which would you sacrifice ?"

"The full-blown." "Then live, Erilda-life to enjoy the tide of pleasure and of happiness." "Wertwrold, your words convey a horrible meaning; my soul shudders at the thought."

"What thought, Erilda?-I ask you but to live-is the thought mercenary? I ask you but to taste of those pleasures, which he for whom you would sacrifice your happiness and person, cannot enjoy. Sir Rhyswick has nearly numbered his years and dissolution betrays its approach upon his cheek: his infirm limbs his shrivelled form-his silvery beard and aged eye, like the fullblown rose, confirms a speedy termination of his life."

Erilda fainted upon his bosom-his arms encircled her waist-hers were entwined round his neck: the colour of returning life soon crimsoned her cheek: her lips were pressed to his; the kiss was exchanged that imparted a mutual glow to the heart, and filled it with voluptuous thoughts.

Erilda is mine, eternally," cried the Knight.

"I am your's, for ever," sighed the

maid with half fainting voice. "To-morrow she will leave Rhuddlan for my arms?"

"To-morrow, I am your's."

They parted-each transported with the warmth of passion; and the ensuing eve was to see Erilda preparing her flight from her paternal home.

The next morning, Morven and his numerous retinue were heard upon their march across the mountain: the martial clang of their warlike instruments was heard at a great distance; and some messengers preceding, brought the early news of his approach and presents for the bride. The castle gates were thrown open to receive them-white flags waved upon the walls, that were thronged with armed soldiers, who owned Rhuddlan's powerful lord for their chieftain; and bards and harpers raised high their voices in praise of the fair Erilda.

Morven entered the castle, amidst the acclamations of the generous people, who loudly testified their joy at his approach, and whose loud shouts rent the air. Sir Rhyswick received him with every demonstration of pleasure, and instantly conducted him to the presence of his daughter.

Erilda, habited in robes of virgin white, that flowed adown her taper limbs, in the midst of her maidens, welcomed him with a smile. She looked beautiful-her cheeks were flushed with the ripe tincture of the rose-her blue eyes beamed with expressionher hair was tastefully disposed upon her forehead and silver beads flowed down her fine-shaped bosom.

Morven saluted her with affability. For a while the young Prince was transfixed with wonder and admiration; her beauty far exceeded, in his estimation, the report that had reached his ear; and he looked with impatience for the moment that was to make her his bride.

The day was spent in merry pastimes; but Erilda was depressed with fears ; she trembled at the promise she had made to Wertwrold, and more than once resolved to break it. The evening