The venerable Madoc was overjoyed to see his adopted child once more, and, as he listened to the recital of the adventures he had encountered, and the cruel treatment he and his lovely companion had suffered from the treachery of Ithel, alternately he wept with pity, as his feelings were excited by their sufferings; or denounced vengeance against the villain, as his anger was aroused by his ruthless enormities. He now demanded of Idwal where he had disposed of his fair companion, and, with regret, learned, that yielding to the melancholy recollections her father's absence occasioned, she had resolutely refused to become an inmate of the fortress, choosing rather the silence of the cloister, in which she might indulge, unrestrained, her sorrows. He then informed his protector of his engagement to attend the grate of the convent the next morning, to concert with Elfleda the best means of discovering some traces of her lost parent; and with pleasure received the intimation

intimation of Madoc, that he would accompany him to the valley, feeling a certain conviction, that the charms of her person and mind would fast rivet the good opinion he had already formed from his own animated eulogies; and thus he should procure for the orphan maiden a powerful protector, interested in her wel fare:

Again embracing the long lost child? of his adoption, Madoc retired, and was soon followed by Idwal, whose pillow was this night visited by dreams of pleasing import, though not unmingled with sensations of a less pleasing nature; for still, as the cup of felicity was raised to his lips, some dark being interposed and dashed it from his hand.

CHAP.

117

CHAP. XI.

What may this mean?

Say, why is this?-wherefore?-what should we do?

Shakspeare.

RAGING with disappointed malice, the villain Ithel received the intelligence of the ultimate escape of his prisoners, and, in the first ebullitions of his fury, the soldiers whom he had placed to guard the outlet from the dingle were sacrificed, as a punishment for their neglect, in "suffering the fugitives to elude their vigilance. He then sallied forth with a numerous train of followers, and took the path which led to the heath. Happily,. the darkness of night, and the deviation of Idwal and Elfleda from the beaten

track,

track, secured their retreat; and thus again was Ithel obliged to abandon the pursuit, and breathing tremendous oaths of vengeance, he returned to his fortress in the mountains, to concert new schemes, with his trusty associate in guilt, Hugo, for the accomplishment of his diabolical machinations.

The numerous retainers of the castle had retired to their respective couches, except the centinels stationed on the watch-towers, whose clanking arms, in relieving guard, or the exchange of the watchword, as they challenged each passing intruder, alone broke upon the solemn stillness of night.-The clock tolled the hour of twelve, in awful reverberations through the long vaulted corridors of the castle, and Ithel was still meditating fresh mischief in the solitude of his chamber.

His eyes were bent down upon the ground in gloomy thoughtfulness, till a slight noise awakened his abstracted attention, and looking up, he beheld before

him the figure of a monk, who had gained admission without his perception. Ithel prepared to chide the daring audacity of the intruder; but the words of reproof died upon his lips, as he recognised the piercing eye of his mysterious visitant, fixed upon him in scrutinizing earnestness: a nameless sensation assailed his bosom, which at once disarmed his resentment and his courage.

Drawing his cowl close over his sallow visage, the monk uttered, in a low, murmuring voice: "Behold, lord of CerrigCaer, before you, a friend, who reads your wishes and would serve you. Do I deceive myself, or does not the noble Ithel long to taste the unenjoyed beauties of the peerless Elfleda--beauties that even the most luxurious fancy can scarce conceive; and shall a boy supplant him in his fond desires?"

"Destruction on the wretch!" cried

Ithel.

"Shall a beardless youth riot on her charms repose on her panting bosom,'