CHAPTER V.

May keep thy tears till thou hast seen me dead.
SHAKSPEARE.

EDMUND had not returned many days, when a messenger arrived with letters from Sir Edward Seymour, to Sir Eldred and Edmund, informing them, that after a very tempestuous and dangerous voyage, with the blessing of God he had landed safe at Purfleet, and hoped to reach his castle in about eight or ten days.

Sir Eldred now removed Edmund and Agnes to Engleton House, and remained there with them himself, in order to make all things comfortable for the reception of his nephew. He scarcely knew how to break to Sir Edward the misconduct of Edmund; but this he knew he should be obliged to do, or how could he account for the jewels entrusted to his care.

Edmund appeared extremely agitated, when he heard that his father would soon be home; but the flurry this intelligence occasioned him soon subsided, and he uttered some words expressive of the joy he felt at the idea of so soon beholding his father. But there was a thoughtfulness and discontent in the manner of Edmund, that ill accorded with his words; and Sir Eldred plainly perceived, that the return of Sir Edward was

"It is on account of the

unwished for by Edmund. jewels," thought he, " that Edmund is afraid to face his father."

"Lay aside that sad countenance, Edmund," said Sir Eldred, "your face should brighten with joy, at the thought of beholding so kind a parent. Let not any thought of your former imprudence damp your spirits, and prevent your giving your father the joyful reception he will naturally expect from an affectionate son, after so long an absence. Come, come, cheer up, I promise to hide the fault you have committed respecting the jewels, from your father."

Edmund thanked his uncle, but notwithstanding the promise given by Sir Eldred, he continued for a day or two reserved and gloomy; but at length appeared to be in better spirits, and seemed impatient for the return of his father, and talked of setting out to meet him. As three days had elapsed since Sir Edward's letters reached Engleton's House, Sir Eldred approved of Edmund's proposal. Accordingly, on the following morning, Edmund set out, accompanied by his two attendants, Hugh and Gilbert.

Ten days passed away without bringing Sir Edward, or Edmund; but on the eleventh, as Sir Eldred was watching from his window, he beheld Edmund walking in a slow and melancholy manner, followed only by Hugh.

"Where is your father, and what is become of Gilbert," demanded Sir Eldred. "Gilbert quitted my ser

vice, without giving me notice, this morning, before daybreak," said Edmund, "to turn soldier, I suppose, as that was what he always hankered after. My father I have not seen or heard of. I concluded I had missed him, and expected he had reached home before me."

"It is very strange,” replied Sir Eldred, “many days have elapsed since he taught us to expect him. Much I fear some evil hath befallen him." "He may, peradventure, be taken ill, and have stopped at some religious house, until he is better, and able to resume his journey," said Edmund, "I will immediately set off again, and make every enquiry." "Stop until morning, and I will myself accompany you," said Sir Eldred; "though age and infirmity render me but a bad traveller, yet any fatigue will be preferable to the suspense I now feel."

The enquiries of Sir Eldred were attended with little more success than those of Edmund had been, save that he had traced the steps of a pilgrim, who was seen coming in a direction from Purfleet. By what he could learn, this person much resembled his nephew in stature, and it was rumoured by some who were acquainted with Sir Edward's person, that it really was he; but the person, let him have been who he might, suddenly disappeared. The last person who saw him was a peasant returning from his labour. It was then about sunset. He saw the pilgrim enter a copse, situated near the welland. This place was about two miles from Lincoln, and lay in a direct road for that city..

This intelligence filled Sir Eldred with the bitterest. apprehensions,-"Too surely," thought he, "some evil hath befallen my nephew,-by some accident he may have fallen into the fatal welland, and his body is perhaps washed no one knows whither."

His fears he would have concealed within his own breast, but Edmund saw the emotion that was labouring in the bosom of Sir Eldred, and feeling fully convinced of his father's untimely fate, would neither eat nor sleep, but wept and lamented, with as much violence, as if he had really seen his father lay a corpse at his feet.

I've heard of witches, magic spells and charms,
That have made Nature start from her old course ;-
The sun has been eclipsed, -the moon

Drawn down from her career still paler,

And subdued to the abuse of this under world.

SOUTHERN..

THE affectionate sorrow shown by Edmund for the uncertain fate of his father, again placed him high in the estimation of Sir Eldred, who had not entirely, until this time, forgiven him the theft of the jewels; yet Sir Eldred now regretted more than ever, the loss of the emerald ring, and the prediction concerning it dwelt heavily on his mind.

Deeply musing on this subject, with an agitated heart, he was pacing his chamber, when a soft knock at the door aroused him. But so deeply was he buried in thought, that he scarcely knew if indeed any one knocked, or whether it was only imagination. But the knock was repeated; and Sir Edward desired the person who was without to enter. The door was now opened, and Matthias, Sir Edward's steward, stood before him.

"Well, my good old man," said Sir Eldred, "what would you?" Matthias, after making his obedience,