Sir Lionel, mentally, upon arriving beneath the wide-spreading branches of the tree, and dismounting from his tired steed, intending to rest under their canopy during the night, for he was himself fatigued beyond all further endurance. "My fate and fortunes are now as cheerless and as fruitless as this bleak desert, but sweet hope within me still flourishes in colours as fresh and gay as the thick foliage of this noble tree, which nods to the storm, but does not break. Then why should I yield to despair, or be cast down.-Yet, dearest Lady Bona, is it destined that I shall ever behold thee more ?" His emotion here became so deep, powerful and painful, that a big tear swelled in his eye, and rolled off his manly cheek. But he instantly resisted the weakness, and shook it off as unbecoming him, though the tear, and the thoughts which gave rise to it, had afforded his overcharged heart some little relief. He then made fast his horse to one of the lower branches of the tree, and laid himself down at its root. One moment his thoughts were VOL. II. F occupied about the fate of King Richard; then of that of his friend, the Earl of Pembroke; now about the fate of his two esquires; after, of that of his vassals; and then about the extraordinary disclosures made by De Bellemonte; but, at last, the uneasy wanderings of his mind settled in thoughts of his lady-love, when, at length, he became more tranquil. His musings, by degrees, became more and more confused, till he dropped off into a solid dreamless sleep, in which he remained during every watch of the night. "Sweet sleep do not omit the heavy offer of it, It is a comforter." The great vivifier-the life and soul of all nature, animal and vegetable—the glowing orb of day, had risen full two hours, ere Sir Lionel broke from his deep slumbers, when the melancholy situation in which he was placed, immediately presented itself to his mind, in the most disheartening and astounding characters. This was the commencement of the third day since he had tasted food; he had active and vengeful enemies behind and before; and a long and dreary desert to traverse for better security, though with the extent and dangers of which, he was wholly unacquainted, yet he was certain of meeting with no human abode. His mind, for once, now completely gave way to the bitterest despair. In the deepest despondency he turned his head round, when his astonishment was unbounded to behold, spread out upon the sand near him, a wide piece of rich cream-coloured silk, covered with a great variety of choice refreshments: - melons, figs, dates, raisins, grapes, honey, cakes, a variety of deliciously seasoned potted viands, and flasks of choice wines. The dishes and goblets were of pure and burnished gold, most beautifully chased and ornamented. The sight in the morning of olden time, of the manna-the food from heaven-which had fallen upon the ground during the night, was not more grateful to the marching and famished children of Israel, than the appearance of these inviting refresh ments was to the three-days fasted and quite starving young knight. The rich and savoury potted-viands, and the fragrance of the fruit and wines assailed his olfactory nerves, and increased his hunger tenfold, but he eyed the tempting fare somewhat askance, like a hungry wolf does food which is out of its reach. He did not venture to approach it, but stared about him with the greatest wildness for some elucidation to the miracle, which, he considered, the extraordinary circumstance, could only be. He looked all round, but no object met his eager gaze. In the height of his amazement, a Saracen, in the garb of a travelling merchant, dropped, from a branch of the tree, close by his side. The hand of Sir Lionel was instantly on his sword, which he half unsheathed. 66 Stranger, be not troubled, or alarmed, I am only a merchant, travelling over the desert," said the intruder, in a conciliatory tone, accompanied with a smile that inspired confidence; and then without waiting for any inquiry, he continued, "I have had many dealings with thy countrymen, whom I greatly respect. There, laid out, is my early meal. On taking it, I shall follow my camels and merchandise, which have preceded me these three hours. Come, sit thee down, good stranger, and join me in the break-fast." The invitation too well agreed with his wishes and cravings for Sir Lionel to decline it, therefore, he sat down with the Saracen merchant, with an alacrity bordering upon eagerness. The merchant was excessively amused at the rapidity with which Sir Lionel devoured every thing placed before him, scarcely able to taste any thing himself for laughing. When the meal was nearly finished, the merchant filled out, for the third time, two goblets of very choice wine of Damascus, one of which he presented to the young knight. "I suppose," said the merchant, on putting down his own empty goblet, "that thou art bound, with all convenient speed, for the nearest friendly port to embark for Britain, |