"What can

these good people want?" whispered she to St. Edmunds, who was close at her side.

"but

"I have no conception," answered he, I don't think that they look quite so civil as they should. What are they here for, Waddinghead ?"

The cautious keeper, who had been a silent, though by no means, an inattentive observer of the proceedings without, and whose secret sympathies were not exclusively enlisted on the same side as his allegiance, shook his head ominously, but made no other reply until again urged, in a more imperative tone, by his interrogator.

Well, my Lord, to tell you the truth,” he then said, "these here folk don't much like what's been a-going on inside there; and the sooner the priest takes himself off the better, I wot."

፡፡

Surely they won't injure him, Waddinghead, will they ?"

"I hope, not; but there's no saying exactly, with so many strangers about."

The

officer fixed his eyes keenly upon

young the speaker and then said:

"I suppose that I can depend upon you, Waddinghead."

The keeper, though a little perplexed by the altered and haughty tone of St. Edmund's, replied by a most distinct affirmation.

"Then look here," rejoined our hero, "get the priest's horse right up to the door, and keep those fellows back a little. Miss Basinstoke,” added he, in a lower voice, "I am sure that I shall be acting agreeably to your wishes by providing, in the first instance, for the unmolested departure of Father Athanasius."

Cécile's looks fully confirmed the assent which her words uttered.

"Even were there any prospect of danger," continued he, "I should not have to entreat you, Miss Basinstoke, to fear nothing; but here, we can have nothing to apprehend."

"I trust not, indeed," replied she, “for, in truth, I am no heroine, and all these scowling faces affect me strangely. Shall I tell Father Athanasius that you think he had better soon withdraw ?"

Why, yes, you will do very wisely."

Thus advised, Cécile retired into the house, and in a few minutes returned with her

confessor. The appearance of the latter called forth, first a low murmuring, then a loud shout of antipathy from the surrounding crowd.

Bring that horse up, Waddinghead," said our hero, in the tone of one to whom the word of command was by no means unfamiliar. "Close up to the door, I say, and while you hold him, I will take care that those fellows stand back."

These directions having been complied with, the young Viscount extended his hand to the Priest, as he urged him not to delay his departure, which public mark of courtesy called forth a fresh shout of derision from the crowd. Nor were their unfriendly dispositions apparently satisfied with this outburst, for several of the more excited among them actually closed in, with a view of intercepting the Priest's retreat; but the resolute bearing of the stalwart Father, of Waddinghead, and of St. Edmunds himself, induced no small hesitation on their part.

"Now then, my men!" exclaimed the latter, "if you please, let this gentleman pass. That's right: stand back; a little more still."

"I have as good a right to be here as you," doggedly replied a sturdy mechanic.

"Not to my mind," retorted St. Edmunds, enforcing his opinion by a thrust of his arm, which sent his antagonist staggering some way back upon those behind him.

This little episode produced a momentary diversion, which enabled the Reverend Father to reach the outskirts of the crowd, from whence he could set spurs to his horse without betraying any inordinate precipitation: but when thus foiled in their foremost purpose, the assailants vented their disappointment upon those who had been instrumental to it, and groans, imprecations, and menaces were re-echoed on all sides. In vain did Waddinghead, now aided by some of Sir Charles's labourers and retainers, attempt to explain to the excited strangers the real station and character of the objects of their resentment: all expostulation was useless and indeed unintelligible among the reiterated shouts of:-"Down with the bloody Papists," "Give the death-bed robbers a good ducking!"—and so forth.

We have stated above that our hero was constitutionally averse to seeking out danger, but it was still less in his nature to shun it, when it crossed his path. The stout heart of

his forefathers, which had won their hereditary honours on many a listed field, beat no less freely within him, and if he had shown himself somewhat appalled shortly before at the sight of poor Mabel's impotent death-struggles, his spirit now rose with all the congenial emergency of the conflict. It was not so with Cécile: the hostile cries, the angry countenances, each portentous sign of a contest, in which she could take no part, but which might prove so fatal to others, struck with fearful coldness upon her gentle heart, and when St. Edmunds again joined her, he could well see that her fortitude was fast giving way.

What are we to do?" muttered she

faintly.

the first and foremost place, do not be alarmed; and in the next, do not show the slightest symptom of hesitation or concession. If we move forward at once, they will soon fall back; pray accept my arm and fear nothing."

This prognostication of the over-confident Viscount was not borne out, for, ere they had advanced many steps, their progress was rudely intercepted by his former antagonist.