help looking upon Simon as he followed in a slow and somewhat melancholy step, with much of augmenting interest and esteem; for such had been the unaffected simplicity of his language and manner, as to give not the smallest intimation that he had ever acted a part which was in those days so generally allied to pedantry and self-importance.

There was, indeed, in every thing which surrounded the good old man, the same character of propriety and simple taste; for with the exception of the harp, which seemed from its decorations to have belonged to some highborn minstrel of an age long gone by, the apartment of Hubert Gray exhibited an equal degree of modesty and plainness in its attire. Its wealth was evidently in its literary stores, and these were of a description which speedily attracted the notice of the bard of Avon; for mingled with several minor classics and elementary tracts on education, peeped forth Chaucer and Spenser, England's Helicon, and The Paradyce of Daintye Devices. On a large oaken table were spread out a volume of North's Plutarch, another of Holinshed's Chronicles, and

Froissart by Bourchier Lord Berners; and on the sill of the window shaded by honey-suckles, and commanding a beautiful view of the Wye, and the wooded cliffs beyond, lay together with a lute and some loose manuscripts, a copy of Sidney's Arcadia, and of that "noble and joyous book," La Morte d'Arthur.

"By my troth, Master Fraser," exclaimed Shakspeare, somewhat astonished at finding himself in such company in the little village of Wyeburne, "but you have gotten here a rare collection of choice wits; and I marvel much that from such associates, and from such a Paradise of peace as smiles around you, your young friend could have had the heart to steal away. Surely something very extraordinary must have urged to such a flight."

As Simon was about to answer, Helen, who had taken up a few thin quartos that were laid partly open on the cushion of an ancient and very high-backed chair, came archly smiling to Shakspeare. "And look, my dear Sir,” she said, slily placing them in his hands, and pointing to some manuscript notes which occupied a fly-leaf in a copy of Romeo and Juliet,

" what think you of the taste and literature of Wyeburne? Is not this to enjoy true fame ?" The interrogatory, however, and the smile were instantly followed by a half-suppressed sigh, as the fate of him who had written these remarks passed across her mind; she blushed, and ere the bard could fashion a reply, she added, addressing him in a rather alarmed tone and manner, "But pardon me, my honoured friend, if I hurry you away, for by this time my father must have missed me at the hall, and his anxiety will, I fear, be awakened ; — will you give me your company on my return? And now, my kind Simon," she continued, for her companion had immediately assented to her proposal, "I cannot say farewell without charging you to mark this amongst the whitest mornings in your calendar; for you have hitherto, though unconsciously, been entertaining one for whom I know you to have long felt the deepest veneration - Shakspeare, our own and England's Shakspeare!"

"Pooh, pooh, Mistress Helen," exclaimed the bard laughing, "this is making mountains of mole-hills indeed. Give me your hand,

Master Simon, and let me tell you, to use a right pithy though somewhat homely phrase, there is no love lost between us. I hope soon, indeed, to be better acquainted both with you and your pupil Hubert, truant though he be !"

"Ah, Sir," rejoined Simon Fraser, his form dilating with conscious pride and pleasure as he spoke, "how would my poor boy have been delighted, could he have witnessed this day! for his whole mind has been rapt up in the study of your writings, which he was wont to term, and justly too, transcripts of the human heart. But he is gone I fear for ever!"

"I did never dream, Master Fraser," said the bard, alike gratified and astonished by what he had heard and seen, "of finding dramatic criticism amidst the cottages of this secluded valley, but I honour her retreat; and will venture to predict, notwithstanding this confession of surprise, for poet and prophet you know are sometimes combined, that Hubert Gray will not long be a stranger to Wyeburne.”

"And now, my dear Helen," he continued, as having bade farewell to Simon and his wife, they commenced their return to the hall,

"prythee tell me who Hubert Gray and Simon Fraser are; for my curiosity, I can assure you, has been not a little awakened by the appearance of the one, and the slight sketch which I have had of the other."

“Would it were in my power,” replied Helen,” but, strange as it may seem, I can tell you little that will be satisfactory on the subject. All I know of Simon Fraser is, that about thirteen years ago, when I was not quite six years old, I can just remember his coming frequently to the Hall, and that shortly after this period, he began to instruct me and one of my little brothers, for I had then two, in the elements of English. He was a great favourite not only with my father but with us all; for though then rather advanced in years, he had nothing of the reserve or peevishness of old age about him, but, on the contrary, was remarkably kind and affectionate in his manners, singularly fond of children, and never so pleased, indeed, as when, either at his own cottage or at the Hall, he was playing to us on his harp, and singing to us songs of the olden time.

"It was at this happy period of our lives