THE puritan's DArCHTER. 255 



of commiseration of his poor wronged Grace, mingling with a deep and 

 deadly curse against the villain who had so fouUy deceived her. 



As the broken curses fell upon the stranger's ear, he shook his head as 

 if in expostulation, whilst his stern brow assumed a more severe air, but 

 he knew the workings of man's nature too well to stay the outpouriRga 

 of a chafed spirit, which would not be confined, but must break forth ere 

 the mind could at all assuage its violence. 



For an instant Sir Ralph paused, and bent his keen glance upon the 

 stranger's countenance, to see if he could read aught of falsehood in it ; 

 but he felt at once assured there was no intention of working on his 

 feelings by a feigned tale, for the severe look of his visitor seemed alto- 

 gether at variance with deceit. 



About half an hour might have passed thus, without a word being 

 exchanged or a syllable uttered, save by the broken interjections of Sir 

 Ralph ; when the sound of several horsemen arriving, was heard in the 

 court-yard below. Sir Ralph started as the ringing of the horses' hoofs 

 upon the pavement reached his ears, and looked toward the stranger 

 for an explanation. The latter rose with apparently a satisfied air, and 

 turning to Sir Ralph, said : — 



" My friend, leave this matter entirely to my guidance, for your pre- 

 sent feelings are but ill suited to what the occasion requires." 



The door of the apartment was suddenly thrown open, and several 

 soldiers entered, thrusting forward a young man, their prisoner. He 

 looked first at the stranger and then at Sir Ralph, at the sight of whom 

 he seemed somewhat moved, but quickly regaining his composure, he 

 demanded " by what right he had thus been seized upon, and dragged 

 forth like a dog r" 



' ' By the order of him to whom the Lord hath given the right and the 

 power." 



" There is no right in this country can authorize so great an outrage." 



" I will not argue the question with you, but I tell you, Mark Eve- 

 leigh, you are a villain ! nay, don't look at me from head to foot, and 

 seek the place where your sword should be, for I am none of your 

 swashing brawlers, though I could cleave that skull of thine in twain, and 

 not think I had done more than soil my sword with blood better fitted 

 for a headsman's weapon." 



" It is safe. Sir, to insult an unarmed man." 



" Go to, thou art a fool ?" replied the stranger. 



Sir Ralph had risen from his seat, and every feature seemed distorted 

 with rage, as the name of Mark Eveleigh was mentioned, but a stern 

 glance from the stranger, who pointed for him to resume his seat, kept 

 him in check, 



" Mark Eveleigh," he said, "it is not a secret to me and Sir Ralph, 

 how you have abused his daughter, and with what vile artifice you have 

 desecrated the house of the Lord, by a false marriage. Your vile acts and 

 practices have come to light ; and now you stand face to face before the 

 father of her you have so deeply injured, what have you to say ?" 



" If I have done wrong, the laws of my country will redress those 

 have injured." 



"There is no need to cill Ihcni into (lucstion. Will you now, in her 

 father's presence, and in mine, consent to repair the injury you have 



