200 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



" The penitent should kneel," said the old man, 

 timidly. 



" Kneel ! " exclaimed the Knight, " and to thee, 

 my fellow mortal ! Monk, thou mistakest / am not 

 of thy faith, and I laugh thy priestcraft to derision. 

 Hearken, but interrupt me not. The beauteous being 

 whose blood was spilled in these accursed wilds was the 

 chosen lady of my love. I stole her from a convent, 

 and wedded her in secret ; for pride of birth induced 

 me to conceal from the world my marriage with a 

 fugitive nun. She became pregnant, and that circum- 

 stance endeared her to me doubly, and I swore a solemn 

 oath that, if she brought a boy, I would at once announce 

 him as my heir, and proclaim my marriage to the world. 

 The wars called me for a time away. Deluded by the 

 artifice of her confessor, my loved one was induced to 

 come hither on a pilgrimage, to intercede with thy 

 saint, that the burden she bore might prove a son. 

 Curses light upon the shaveling that counselled that fatal 

 journey ! Nay, cross not thyself, old man, for I would 

 execrate thy master of Rome, had he been the false 

 adviser. Thou knowest the rest, Monk. Take this 

 purse. She was of thy faith, and thou must say masses 

 for her soul's health. Yearly shall the same sum be 

 sent to thy convent ; see that all that prayers can do 

 be done, or by my hopes of grace, thy hive of drones 

 shall smoke for it. Doubt me not. De Burgo will 

 keep his word to the very letter. And now, farewell ! 

 I hurry from this fatal spot for ever ; my train are not 

 distant, and have long since expected me." 



As he spoke, he took his mantle from the floor, and 

 wrapped it round him carelessly ; then, as he passed the 

 spot where the body of the murderer lay, he spurned 



