to a demand of this nature, and he proceeded thus:-" For the love of that humanity, which I am certain, from the knowledge which I have within this last hour acquired of your noble heart, that it would create you agony to tresspass against, do not, I entreat you, ever relate to any human being your rencontre here with me; do not ever, if you should hear a description of my person or dress, confess that I have been seen by you; do not, above all, if we should ever chance to meet in different circumstances to those in which we now behold each other, acknowledge a former acquaintance to have existed between us:-give me your promise to this effect, that I may depart from you with the delightful reflection of my having found in you that which is indeed a treasure almost unknown to my heart-a true friend."

"If thou art even less deserving than I believe thee," replied Eleonora, "thou need'st not fear that any circumstance which may hereafter appear to convict thee to me of demerit, should tempt me

to

to thy injury; I would not willingly cause misfortune to any fellow-being."

If you will not make this promise," he replied, "I shall reflect upon you with dread; if you give ease to my heart by your compliance with my petition, a grateful adoration of your memory will never be absent from my thoughts."

The emotion of his soul appeared violent whilst he uttered these words; and as he spoke, he grasped the hand of Eleonora with a degree of wildness in his looks; -both for his sake and her own, she wished to separate immediately; and considering that an essential benefit might arise to him, if it were to extend no farther than the calming of his present anxious feelings, from her acquiescence in a request which she believed could be productive of no injury to herself, she gave him her solemn promise to adhere to the terms to which he had besought her to subscribe.

With a rapturous exclamation he received her promise, and implored a blessE 2

ing

ing on her head for having made it :-He now suffered her to withdraw her hand from his grasp; and Eleonora said, "I am glad I have been able to serve you-farewell!"

"Farewell," he replied, "but not for ever! God grant, not for ever!"

CHAP

CHAP. IV.

"Is it possible

That love should of a sudden take such hold?

-Till I found it to be true,

I never thought it possible, or likely."

"Hope is a lover's walking-staff; walk hence with that, And manage it against despairing thoughts."

SHAKESPEARE.

ELEONORA thought no more at the present hour of her intended visit to the hermit Agatha, but returned hastily to the castle, and framing some excuse for retiring immediately to her chamber, she gave up her thoughts to reflection on the strange adventure which had that morning befallen her.

She knew not what or whom to suppose the mysterious stranger, unless he were a member of one of those protestant families against whom it had been the first act of Mary's sovereignty to denounce her E 3

vengeance,

vengeance, and who were now flying from the terror of her persecution;-but then, if he were one of those unfortunates, how unaccountable that he should have refused an introduction to the abode of Latimer, whom every reformist regarded not less as a shield of defence, than a parent of benevolence! The more she reflected, the more her curiosity was excited, and her mind harassed to imagine a motive for his mysterious conduct. No civil war at this moment agitated the kingdom; it was. therefore natural to conclude, as she had ascertained that he was armed, that he had been engaged in some private affray;perhaps his sword might have pierced the heart of some foe, from the pursuit of whose friends he might now be flying:on this probability her thoughts rested:whatever his situation, her pity and sympathy were strongly excited in his cause; an emotion new to her feelings animated her heart, as she continued to reflect upon him; and in the sincerity of her desire for his welfare, she called on Heaven to witness her resolution of maintaining sacred

the