teen-no, not ten minutes past;-that she had searched every where, and that he was no where to be found;-that she had not seen Hugh Dalton for a long, long time, and that, to the best of her belief, he had not touched the shore for many a day;-that the men within were good men, honest men-one in particular, who would be happy to serve him, as he seemed so earnest to see Robin-Jack, true Jack Roupall, a tried, trusty man :-could he be of any service, as that ne'er-do-good, Robin, was out of the way ever and always when he was wanted? To be sure, she could not even give a guess at any thing his honour might want; but, perhaps, Jack might do instead of Robin." It occurred to Burrell at the moment, that Roupall might serve his purpose even better than Robin Hays, for he was both a strong and a desperate man; and he bade the old woman send him forth, telling her at the same time, and in a significant tone, that he was well acquainted with the talents and character of her guest. The fragment of the tower in which Barbara was perched was a small projecting turret-room, standing on the top of a buttress, and had been doubtless used in the early ages as a species of sentry-box, from which a soldier could command a view of the country and the coast. It was with feelings of extreme terror that she perceived Burrell and Roupall close beneath her, standing so as to be concealed from the observation of any passenger who might go to or from the dwelling. She drew her dark cloak over her head and face, leaving only an opening to peep through, anxious to avoid, by every means in her power, the hazard of a discovery. She could gather, from the conversation between the two, that Burrell was describing to Roupall something that he must do, and offering him a large reward for its completion; she listened eagerly and heard them frequently speak of Cecil Place and Walter De Guerre. Her attention, however, was soon drawn away by the appearance of a third person, unseen by the others, creeping round a projecting corner, like a tiger about to spring upon its prey, and then crouching close to the earth. The form was that of a slight youth, clad in a tight-fitting doublet and vest, and, it would seem, armed only with a dagger, which, however, he carried unsheathed, and so openly that the moon-beams danced upon its polished point as lightning on a diamond, whenever he changed its position in his hand (which he did more than once.) He crept on so silently that neither were at all aware of his approach, but continued talking and bargaining as before. Barbara felt that danger was at hand; and yet, had she the inclination, she had not the power to speak, but sat breathlessly and tremblingly awaiting the result. Suddenly, but still silently, as though the figure were a phantom, and the dagger air-drawn, the boy rose from the ground, and held the weapon as if irresolute whether to strike or not. The manner in which he stood fully convinced Barbara Iverk that Burrell was the object of some intended attack-she tried to shriek, but the voice choked in her throat. As rapidly as this mysterious being had risen from, he sank into his former crawling attitude, and disappeared. All this occurred in much less time than has been occupied in relating it, and the poor maiden almost thought she had been deceived by some supernatural appearance. She was soon aroused from her painful state of voiceless terror by the words of Burrell, who now spoke more loudly than at first. "I will give him his liberty this very night, which, of course, under the circumstances I have mentioned, he cannot fail to consider a most deep obligation-an act of disinterested generosity. I will give it him secretly, of course, and you meet him on his exit. As we go along, I will settle the where—and then—the matter is easily concluded." Very easily for you, doubtless," retorted Roupall; "you had ever the way, master, of keeping your neck out of the •noose. How much of the coin did you say?" 66 Barbara did not hear the reply. "Yes." Is he young?" "I don't like young customers. "It's a charity to put the old out of the way; for, be they ever so well off, they must be sick and weary of the world-But the young-I don't like it, master." "Pshaw! it's only saving him in time from that which gives old men trouble; and life can go but once: besides, I will not stand for the matter of a few broad pieces. I care not if I make the sum half as much more, provided it be done safely." 66 Will you give me your note of hand to it?" "Do you take me for a fool? to break my word?" -or did you ever know me "I never took ye for the first, Sir Willmott, and, as to the other, we've had no business between us lately. Half as much more, you said?" "Half as much more." "Well, it is but one, and then,-ah! ah! ah! I'll reform and turn gentleman. No, d-n it, I hate gentlemen, they're so unprincipled; but you must double-double or quits." "Jack Roupall, you are an unconscionable scoundrel." 66 By the lady-moon, then, there be a pair of us, as the de vil said to his horns." Burrell muttered some reply that Barbara did not hear, but again the grating voice of Roupall ascended. "Double or quits;-Why, ye needn't be so touchy about a little word of familiarity—such fellowship makes all men equal." "Well then, double, if so it must be; only remember, Roupall, there is some difference between the employer and the employed," was the Knight's answer. And the highborn and the low-born ruffian walked away together; and the bright beams of the holy moon and the unsullied stars fell upon them as gently, as if they had been good and faithful ministers of the Almighty's will. The two leading features of Barbara Iverk's character, were fidelity and affection; all her feelings and actions were but various modifications of these great principles-in every sense of the word, she was simple-minded. After the men had departed for some time, still she could hardly bring herself to understand or believe the nature or extent of the crime they meditated. It was surely a most singular manifestation of God's providence, she thought, which placed her there, that she might overhear, and it might be prevent the great wickedness of those evil men. She descended from the window with haste, but with caution also, for the stones crumbled from beneath her feet as she moved along. She had scarcely set her foot on the grass turf, when the two dogs were at her side, whining and fawning with delight at again meeting with their friend and mistress. Barbara crossed the wild country, and gained the park-wall without encountering any danger. When there, she paused breathlessly under the foliage of an old oak, and would have given worlds to see and speak to her friend Robin. Amid the deepness of night, and among the foliage of trees, she thought she discerned the figure of a person creeping under the boughsnow in shadow, and now casting his own shadow upon what had shadowed him. This appearance terrified her so exceedingly that she did not gain courage to proceed, until she saw that he turned into a distant path; she then stole slowly along under the shelter of the wall, and when she came to a small gate which opened into the park, within view of the mansion, she pushed through it, and just gained the lawn, when the sound of a pistol, and a flash through the darkness, terrified her so much, that she fell, faint and exhausted, on the sward. CHAPTER XVII. A mystery! ay, good, my masters. In a moonbeam-in a gnat's wing In the formation of an atom An atom! it may be a world-a peopled world- OLD PLAY. HUGH DALTON and Robin Hays had hastily proceeded to Cecil Place, discoursing, as they went along, upon the probable consequences of their friend's arrest. Bitterly did the Buccaneer comment upon the rashness and impetuosity so frequently evinced by De Guerre. "It is perfectly useless," he said, "attempting to curb these boy heroes; the rushing blood must have its way until arrested by age, not wisdom; the hot head must be cooled by the ice of time, and not till then will the arguments or experience of others be regarded as they merit." "It is Burrell I fear," retorted Robin; "there is but one hope in that quarter-he cannot know him." "I don't know; only I have ever observed that the keenness of such men exceeds that of better and wiser ones.' "Ay, ay," said Robin; "but we must sharpen our wits in due proportion: though, at present, I suspect it is arms we shall want. I know the room well, and there is a lot of creeping ivy and such plants under the window; the greatest difficulty will be with the iron stanchions." "The greatest difficulty, methinks, will be to escape from the arrester; and you seem to think nothing of the danger I run in trusting myself within the grasp of such a man." "The Cavalier is worth all risks." "I know it, Robin. Did I ever skrink from peril in such a cause?" "Faith, no!" replied the other with his usual chuckle; "if God had willed you to be born a snail, you would have crept out of your house, so careless are you in all things," Do you think there is aught of danger for Barbara?" said the Buccaneer, his manner clearly showing that, if he did not care for himself, there was something he did care for. "If she is timid as a hare," replied Robin; "she is, as a hare, heedful and light-footed: no fear for her. How your heart clings to her, Captain!" "So it does; and yet some strange shadow comes over me when I think of her-as if I knew she would despise, perhaps hate me-she has been brought up in such strict principles; still, I would not have her less right-minded." He paused, and they proceeded silently on their way, Dalton pondering on the best method of procuring De Guerre's liberty, and then thinking of his sweet and gentle child. Nature may lie buried or be stifled for a time—an apathetic temperament will seek to smother, a harsh one to bind, a strong one to subdue it-but it overcomes them all; and, though a man's speech may run according to his learning, and his deeds according to his habits, yet Nature thinks and speaks within him, often in direct opposition to the words. that fall from his lips, and the actions in which he may be engaged. Thus it was with the Buccaneer; despite the fearful course his outlawed life had taken, the remembrance of his child would arise to his imagination, shaded by sorrow, or sunned by happiness, according to his mood of mind, but always as his child,-the being upon whom his very existence seemed to hang. "There is little light from his window," said Robin, as they came within view of the house; "let us over the fencingHush!" he continued, elevating his hand so as to command the attention of his companion, at the same time bending his ear to the earth. Dalton listened, but, it would seem, heard no sound, for he exclaimed hastily "Hush! me no hush!-you are ever fancying something or other out of the way." Robin repeated the signal. "What mummery!" said the Buccaneer; "I hear nothing, and see nothing." Robin laid himself on the ground, while the impatient and irritated seaman fumed and moved about, a curse whiz-. zing from between his teeth, as ever and anon he looked at Robin, and from Robin to the house. "If you must have employment," said the Ranger, at last, in a low tone, "see to your arms. Are your pistols loaded muzzle high?-are your weapons sharp?-Hush!" The Buccaneer knew that these hints were not given in wantonness, and calmly examined his fire-arms. |