when, of course, all hopes of discovery had for years been banished from my mind, that any clue was afforded me which could promise

success.

"So forcibly, however, did these coincidences strike my mind, that though then unacquainted with the connection subsisting between your. family and that of the Nevilles, I ventured to suggest to Hubert, what I thought the most likely means of mitigating his despair, and of inducing him to throw off the associations he had so unhappily formed, the possibility of ascertaining his parentage, as grounded on the likeness I had traced, though I should add, without disclosing the name of the party resembled. But the incident of last night, my friend, and mark too, I pray you, the very remarkable period of its occurrence, together with the conversation I have had with you this morning, puts the matter, in my opinion, beyond all doubt. But let us hasten to the cottage of Simon Fraser; if any thing be wanting to ensure our certainty on the subject, it is from that quarter we shall, in all probability, obtain it; for the secrecy to which, I understand,

Simon has been pledged, must assuredly give way to the circumstances, and the necessity which we shall place before him."

To this proposal, Montchensey, whose feelings had been strongly excited by the picture which Shakspeare had drawn of his interview with the unhappy youth, very gladly assented. He had, indeed, ever loved Hubert, and though unwilling to see his daughter united to one of whose origin he knew nothing, he estranged himself from him with great reluctance; nor could he avoid many compunctious visitings of conscience, when he heard of his long and and frequent absences from Wyeburne, and listened to the surmises which were afloat concerning his wild and irregular mode of life, knowing as he did, that to these practices he had, in a great measure, been driven by what had occurred at the Hall. It was the verification of these reports which he had just heard from the mouth of Shakspeare, and to an extent beyond what he had ever dreamt of, that now pressed heaviest on his heart; for how dreadful, how sudden, might be the fate, he thought of this young man, amenable as he now was to the

offended laws of his country. He was inexpressibly anxious, therefore, not only to see Simon Fraser, but to procure an interview, as soon as possible, with Hubert himself. "Oh! my friend," he exclaimed to Shakspeare, as they rapidly pursued their walk together to the village of Wyeburne, "scarcely has my mind been liberated from the horrible impression of having human blood in one instance to account for, than this fresh source of somewhat similar uneasiness is about to assail me; for not only is it appalling to reflect, that should the father be still alive, a death of ignominy may alike await both him and his son, but in the latter case, how shall my conscience acquit me of being accessory to the event; and what under these circumstances may be the sufferings of my beloved Helen, both on his and my account, I dread to think!"

"So accustomed have you been, my good friend," replied Shakspeare, "to look on the gloomy side of things, that you perceive not the rays of light which are dawning on our horizon. Nothing more than mere suspicion attaches to the conduct of Raymond Neville; the enmity

which sought his ruin, is past and gone, and the time is now come when, if he be still alive, I am persuaded a little exertion in his favour would do much. Nor are the lawless eccentricities of Hubert without many palliating accompaniments; for, independent of the causes which gave them birth, has he not, in fact, through their means, been instrumental in converting what was formerly a gang of atrocious robbers, into something very little removed from a troop of comparatively harmless deer-stalkers. Believe me, then, all shall yet be well; and, indeed, should the testimony of Simon Fraser be what I trust it will be, I shall find much to interest me deeply in the affair; for I loved Raymond Neville, as I have mentioned before, almost as a brother, and this rogue, Hubert, with all his faults, has already won my heart. Besides, is not the happiness of yourself, and that of my excellent little Helen, nay, perhaps, the only chance of restoration for your unhappy Bertha, dependant on the fate of the Nevilles? In short, though I would not boast Master Montchensey, yet I think I can do you some service. I tried, indeed, what I could for my

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friend when first I heard of his misfortune; but the ear of my then gracious mistress, the incomparable Elizabeth, irritated as she was by the occurrences of the Irish expedition, was prejudiced against him, and the only channel too through which I could apply, was one not calculated, at that period, to recommend my suit. But the times are now changed, and my Lord Southampton can do that with King James which he could not effect with Elizabeth. to, then! shall I not, with so many incentives to action, with so many added means for success, again try every effort in my power? Yes, my friend, no sooner shall I have left the cottage we are now approaching, than I will hasten to London, fully assured as, I trust, I shall then be, not only as to the parentage of Hubert, of which I have, indeed, even now, scarce a doubt, but of the existence perhaps of the elder Neville; and prepared, therefore, alike for enquiry on the one hand, and solicitation on the other."

The only acknowledgment which in the fullness of his heart Montchensey could make for these benevolent intentions, was by a kindly pressure of the hand, for the tears had started