Did I not say but now, that while that boy slept I could not ?" "Are you sure that when he ceases to sleep the case will be any better ?" The answer to this inquiry was unheard, as the pair passed on to the tenantless chamber.

Watching their progress, and under the guidance of the young maiden, who seemed endued with a courage and conduct worthy of more experience and a stronger sex, the youth emerged from his place of precarious and uncomfortable concealment, and descended to the lower floor.

A few moments sufficed to throw the saddle upon his steed, without arousing the sable groom; and having brought him under the shadow of a tree at some little distance from the house, he found no further obstruction in the way of his safe and sudden flight.

He had fastened the door of his chamber on leaving it, with much more caution than upon retiring for the night; and having withdrawn the key, which he now hurled into the woods, he felt assured that, unless the assassins had other than the common modes of entry, he should gain a little time from the delay they would experience from this interruption; and this interval, returning to the doorway, he employed in acknowledgments which were well due to the young and trembling woman who stood beside him.
"Take this little token, sweet Lucy," said he, throwing about her neck the chain and casket which he had unbound from his own--"take this little token of Ralph Colleton's gratitude for this night's good service.

I shall redeem it, if I live, at a more pleasant season, but you must keep it for me now.