period of existence should I think be usefully employed and innocently enjoyed. Receive then, youth, my daughter; secure of thy honour, the last branch of the house of Devon is intrusted to thy care, sweet will be the shade thou shall afford to guard it from each blight nor will the parent stream itself lack nourishment from the-he stopped, a tear trickled down his reverend cheek. Lady Devon sob bed-Oh, Ethelwald, my newly adopted son, said she, with uplifted hands, if thou ever cease to cherish my darling, expect to forfeit the smiles of heaven.

He withdrew his enfolding arms from Elfrida and bent his to the ground, the fire of his soul darting from his eyes-yes, lady, said he, may I forfeit the smiles of heaven, and may the hour in which Ethelwald ceases to regard Elfrida, as the first object in the Creation be his fas'. The nuptials were soon solemnized with that splendour befitting their rank. The peasantry, whom the Earl considered as one great family, were made to rejoice on the occasion, and infant lips were taught to hail that hour with blessings in which Ethelwald and Elfrida united their fates. They soon repaired to the Baron's castle; it had long been forsaken by him, he now beheld it with an awful transport; he led with an enthu

siastic glow its blooming mistress round the spacious appartments once inhabited by many a noble dame, their hovering spirits hẹ imagined nigh, and called for the sanction of their blessings. The nobles thronged round to pay their trbute of respect; the vassals exerted their artless skill in rural sports; and many young and gal., lant knight displayed his skill in tournaments to gain a smile from the fair bride.

Intoxicated with the completion of felicity, Ethelwald forgot the danger of exposing Elfrida to view; he recollected it not till too late; then assuaged his alarms by the hope the king would no more make envqiries concerning her. But an alarming thought suggested, is not quickly dispelled, the joys of Ethelwald now diminishedb efore his apprehensions, he fully proved that the heart, conscious of an error, taints the liveliest scenes; nay, every blessing is oppressive if convinced of not deserving its posession; vainly would nature court him to be blest whose soul knew the polution of vice. A charge of the saddest kind now stole upon the bridal pleasures Elfrida. Her noble father, on his return to his ancient seat, was seized with a malignant disorder, which lady Devon caught by her attendance on him. They wished to avoid disturbing the

happiness of their children; they delayed sending, till her presence would have been unavailing ; they commited their parting benediction for her in a trusty domestic; they survived each other but a short time, and expired with no other sorrow on their souls than that proceeding from not beholding her.

Blameless throughout life, retrospection with them was attended with hope and serenity; they had cherished religion and benevolence, and they found them sup

mind began to regain some degree of its wonted calmness, she wept upon the Baron's breast-now, spouse of my affections, she exclaimed, thou art the only guardian left Elfrida. And by that sacred title, he replied, by every endearing tie may I watch over the most precious gift of Heaven. Time now rolled on and found Ethelwald still fascinated to the confines of the castle; he forgot what the departed Earl had said of his being now in the zenith of his youth and its accutive powers when those laurels are to be ac

away. The thoughtless they had reclaimed by example, and the precepts of tender wisdom; often had they replenished the pilgrim's scrip, and cheered the penurous cottage of the peasant. Altered were the shades of Devon, its hospitable gates were closed, nor did the casements admit the cheering rays of the sun; no longer the gay shepherd revelled in its mead nor echo return the blythsome notes of joy. Many yearsafter the name of Ordin, Earl of Devon, or his noble dame, could not be mentioned without the tribute of tears. Elfrida's anguish surpassed description. Ethelwald strove not to controul its tumults; the voice of nature he knew must first be heard; he consigned her to the melioration of time, her good sense and religion. When her

shade the ebbing period of mortals existence. Laid in the inglorious lap of indolence, its enervation imperceptibly stole upon him; lo e, or rather the idolatry of passion, took wholly possession of his mind, and made him forgetful of the duties incumbent on him. Even love itself was hurt by such a conduct. Elfrida, whose soul breathing the genuine emanations of vivacity, required scenes fit to feed its fires; a wearisome lassi tude she now began to feel at the uniformity of all around; perputually accustomed to the sight of Ethelwald, her eyes lost the delight of novelty, nor did her breast beat tumultuous responses to his voice. She began to think of other pleasures, she knew not how to obtain them, and sighed for the wanting them.

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The king at first was surprised | at the seclusion of his favouritehe felt hurt-he enquired, and heard too much. In the first paroxisms of rage and disappointment, he vowed by the spirit of offended loyalty to punish the perfidy of Ethelwald. Even in his eooler moments, he was still determined. After some little deliberation he dispatched a courier to inform the Baren he proposed taking the amusement of the chace in the forest of Harwood, and would pass a few days at his castle.

'Twas now the storm burst tremendous on his head; he shuddered, he experienced the dire horrors of an illicit plot; he beheld the gulph of destruction yawning before him, and saw no retreat. He fled to the apartment of the Baroness he caught her to his bosom-he even wept over herhe saw the prospect of losing her. She was amazed at his emotions, and eagerly enquired the cause. In a distracted and inconsistent manner he informed her of all. He fell at her feet-her robe was enfolded in his trembling armshis cheeks were dyed in paleness, he besought her to forgive the impetuosity of that love which tempted him to tarnish the lustre

be

of his honour. My wife, my loved, the hand of violence, he exclaimed, may wrest thee from me.