of its massy and half fallen keep. The remains of an avenue leading from the grand gate of entrance, had conducted them to this the most important part of the fortress, the north-western aspect of which was entire, and surmounted at each angle by a lofty turret, which, together with every other portion of the tower itself, exhibited, both in its plan and execution, a specimen of architecture as beautiful and commanding as it was compact and strong.

Near this majestic keep, whose interior was pointed out by Edward as having undergone various successive modifications, and whose turreted summit formed, from its great elevation, a most interesting object to the surrounding country, were seen the vestiges of what had probably been a chapel, which, with the relics of another gateway on the north side, and some scattered fragments of foundation, constituted, together with the parts already enumerated, the whole of what the ravages of war had spared of this once importantfortress, whose scite, being not only elevated, but exhibiting in various parts masses of rock bare and projecting from its sides, added much to the force and sublimity of the effect.

Amid these ruins, fascinated by their awful and impressive character, and yet further seduced by the loveliness and tranquillity of the evening, whose yellow light still rested warm and glowing on the shivered summit of the keep, did Edward and Hoel long wander delighted, and regardless of the passing hour. The increasing gloom, however, which was gathering deep within the precincts of the castle, and the last farewell of the descending sun, tinging with a long line of bright red the verge of the western horizon, at length brought with them the remembrance that they had more than two miles to walk on their return to Rivaulx, a suggestion which breaking in upon the recollections of the days of old, and somewhat ungratefully dissipating the illusions which were rising fast around them, they reluctantly turned to retire. The singular beauty of the scenery, however, as beheld through the deep arch of the grand entrance, as through the massy frame of a picture, struck them so forcibly as they were about to retrace their path, that they paused to admire it. It was, in fact, striking and picturesque in a very high degree; or, whilst the

dark depth of the gateway cast almost a blackness on the ground throughout its whole length, the landscape seen beyond it was yet partially tinted with the crimson of the setting sun, which flung its rich light, not only on various portions of the foliage which overhung the stream of the Rye, and on the stems of some lofty and detached trees, but glancing on the cattle which were scattered feeding over the mound, rendered them, from the power of contrast, very distinct and luminous objects to the eye.

Whilst commenting on the effect of this delightful, but somewhat extraordinary view, and which looked, indeed, both in point of size and perspective, like a scene dropped on the stage of a theatre, Hoel, observing on the right of the gate-way an ascent resembling a broken flight of steps, and which conducted to a wide and open standing place or breach in the wall, directly over the crown of the arch, heedlessly, and with the intent of surveying the landscape from this more elevated and unobstructed station, sprang forward, and had just reached the spot he had wished to attain, when, his foot slipping in consequence of a stone loosening

from its attachment, he was precipitated to the bottom at the exterior foot of the gate-way.

Edward instantly, and in great agitation, ran to his assistance, and found him stretched on the ground in a state of complete insensibility, pale as death, and apparently lifeless. He had the presence of mind, however, immediately to hurry with him in his arms towards the river, where, placing him gently on the bank, and opening his vest for the more effective aspersion of the water, he started back in astonishment on beholding the beautiful bosom of a female. The discovery, for a moment, from its total unexpectedness, suspended his efforts; but it was but for a moment, for a new interest was now awakened in his breast, and he had soon the gratification of perceiving that the shock arising from the water was about to restore animation. A slight quivering on the lips, succeeded by a deep sigh, and accompanied by a tremulous motion of the eye-lids, were the precursors of this happy event. But what was the tumult of emotion which sprang in the bosom of the gentle sufferer, when recognition told her that her secret was no longer within her own keeping! The

imploring expression of the deep blue eye, the tear that trembled on its verge, the suffusion which encrimsoned a cheek, but a moment before pale as the mountain snow, were indications which could not be mistaken, and were felt, indeed, deep within the heart of him who now hung over her with every attention which sensibility and delicacy could suggest.

Fortunately no material injury had been received; but such, notwithstanding, had been the violence of the shock, that some time elapsed before Edward had the gratification of seeing his now very interesting companion sufficiently revived to be able to walk, even with all the assistance which he was desirous of bestowing. As soon, however, as this could be done without pain, he strongly recommended that, as much faintness and sense of weakness still remained, they should call at the mansion-house for some slight refreshment, a proposal which, as the Duke was absent, and Helmsley, though not far off, somewhat more distant, was not objected to, and they accordingly moved slowly forward to the principal porch.

They were received in the great hall with