who would not sully their knighthood by personally interfering, but they ordered their esquires and their men to drive him from the lists, with every mark of disgrace and ignominy.

"I know not what else transpired, but on recovering from my swoon, I found myself at the house of my father, attended by my affectionate parents. I asked after the noble Briton, who, I found, was then being entertained by the King, with a most regal and brilliant party, from which he took an early departure to visit our house, to make tender enquiries touching my state of health. To know that he was safe completely restored me, and I descended, soon after, to the parlour, where I received the most sensitive congratulations, and the most fervent protestations of a devoted heart.

"Oh! Algernon, Algernon, the dear remembrance of thee grows stronger with years, and my greatest consolation, since thy loss, is in the hope that our meeting, hereafter, will be

for ever." Here the lady abbess shed a shower of tears, a tribute to the memory of a noble affection.

On recovering her serenity, she proceeded : "A few days after, my gallant lover declared himself in form, and was received with favor. A fortnight saw us united at the altar, and a happier couple, the glorious heavens could not shine upon. Each day found the Baron de Glenvale increase in fervor, attention, and affection, more as a lover still, than as a possessing husband.

"The Baron, shortly, took me to Britain, to reside at Glenvale Tower, where our days passed on in one undeviating scene of bliss. Here, soon after, I gave birth to a boy, a sweet pledge of our union and our happiness, but the only one we ever had. As he increased in age, he increased in youthful graces, and upon our affections, by his winning and endearing manners. When our darling was about eight years old, Sir Reginald, a brother of the Baron de Glenvale's, arrived from foreign parts, in whom I immediately recognised one

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of my former suitors. Unhappiness, at least, uneasiness, seemed to take root in the Tower from the moment of his appearance, for though he was treated with every kindness, there was a retiring manner about him, which was exceedingly singular.

"When Algernon was absent, in the pursuit of the chase-an exercise in which he took the greatest delight-instead of accompanying his brother, Sir Reginald would remain at the Tower, and intrude himself, pointedly upon my company. His civilities I scorned, for they were not the civilities congenial with fraternal respect and rectitude. A year past on in this manner, during which there appeared an evident constraint in his society, which daily got more marked and more painful.

"One lovely morning, my beloved Algernon, rose early for the chase, and took with him our darling boy, whom he trained to deeds of hardihood. I saw them descend the rugged way from the Tower, but, my dear young lady, I never saw them more. They were to have been home before nightfall; the long sad

night came, but they returned not. The night -a sleepless night — past, and neither my husband, or boy appeared. Day after day, night after night, I watched my eyes feverish, yet I saw them not, nor heard I ought of them. Our vassals were sent in every direction, but all their search was fruitless, and with their loss my happiness was shadowed, destined never more to shine.

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Sir Reginald attempted to soften my grief, and told me it was useless to repine for the dead, for death alone could have caused their absence; but his endeavours and presence only added to it. He had the audacity to renew his addresses, but I indignantly rejected them. He now seized upon the estates, and I, therefore, soon after, watched an opportunity, and retired from Glenvale Tower to the Continent, with what valuables I could secure. Both my parents died soon after I joined them, leaving me the whole of their property. I speedily sold off the estates, and with the proceeds, came back to Britain, where, still hearing no tidings of my lord or

child, I determined to pass the remainder of my days in solitude. I then founded and endowed this monastery.

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"When it was nearly completed, a small, almost unintelligible scroll, was put into my hands by a stranger, who instantly vanished. The scroll ran thus - Be not too deeply moved, Lady,-the baron was murthered. Thy boy lives, but the hand which murthered the sire, would murther the scion, was he known to exist. Thou shalt behold him in a month, Lady, but in secret, till matters are ripe for his restoration to his father's honors and estates.'

"Month after month, year after year, then passed on, and still I heard no further news. I thought my sorrows had been mocked, and I allowed them to settle into a changeless feeling of melancholy and despair.

"I then became the lady abbess of the monastery I founded, and have ever since presided over the sisters of the Retreat, pursuing an unvarying life, unrelieved by a joy."