Wyseby

OP THE FIRST IRVINGS. 1 1
These are the unfailing indications of guile of heart.
Again I say, brother, trust not that man. Certain
am I," said she, with warmth, " that he foully belies
our foster-brother Ranolph. His disappearance is
mysterious. But he was too noble to act ungene-
rously by us — too great of soul to become a traitor ;
and were I a warrior as I am a weak maiden," cried
she, her eyes flashing fire, " the cowardly calumina-
tor should own, that in word at least he had dealt
foully by him."
" I was ever sorry," said the chief, " that my sister
respected not the brave Sir Esecal : and this lack of
respect grieves me doubly at this time, since a mes-
senger, lately arrived from the knight, states that
to-morrow we may expect his master, and that for
brief time he will tax our hospitality."
" Blessed Virgin defend us !" exclaimed the lady,
shuddering^ " Assuredly some evil awaits us. Never
has that knight been our guest, but Misfortune has
been our guest also."
" Nay, my sweet sister, be just. Attribute not to
Sir Esecal our mysterious misfortunes. There were
more justice, methinks, in imputing to him the equal-
ly mysterious agency, by which the plans of our evil
genius were counteracted, baffled. But thou wilt
learn, sister of mine," said he, smiling, " to think
more favourably, and to look more lovingly, upon
this accomplished soldier. In the meantime I must
leave thee ; evening closes in, — duty calls. I will
be with thee anon ; till then, farewell,"