veller dismissed his welcome meal, then tossing him a piece of gold, as if to propitiate his good humour, he resumed his seat on his rude couch, and fixing on him a penetrating glance of inquiry, said: "Well Gheran, what hast thou done?" The man on raising his head, after depositing the gold in his sash, displayed a broad cunning face, which was deficient in the saturnine expression of his tribe; for a perpetual smile hovered over his lips and eyes, that bore as near a resemblance to the open laugh of good humour, as might be supposed familiar to the amiable countenance of Satan's jester. A thousand ominous twinkles gathered round his broad mouth, and pursed up his small black eyes, as he replied to the question of his employer. "I have them-they are on two mules without; but it was with infinite trouble I prevailed on the gang to grant the loan. In truth, I was compelled to part with every piece of gold thou gavest me, señor:-it is true, by the welkin ! every gold piece have I been obliged to give the rascals, for the use of their filthy rags." "For how many?" exclaimed Caelho. “Ten, señor; ten," responded Gheran; “ five on each mule." "I bade thee bring at least twenty-and some of the men to boot." ran. "Aye, aye, but they were too cunning to come, -feared it was a blind,-wouldn't believe GheAnd as for the disguises-surely, señor, ten men dressed as bandelero, may be a match for four, though a knight be of the number. The Rommany never count women." "Fool!-there be six men in all;-are not the black knight and his squire in their company!" “Not now, señor,” replied Gheran, grinning more wildly than before; "not now--they left them the morning after they reached the monastery. How they got there is known to the spirit of the winds, I suppose; for though I made all speed, I saw nothing of them on their journey, and by the merest chance discovered that they had been two days at the holy house when I reached it. By going attired as a beggar, to receive alms, I contrived to learn of one of the troopers who came to witness the distribution of the dole, that they intended to refresh themselves during the whole term permitted by the brotherhood." ""Tis well," muttered the count, in tones of gloomy satisfaction. Then gathering closer together arouud the dying embers, the distinctions of birth and rank became forgotten in the eager consultation which followed. And well might those evil spirits have been believed the dark genii of the wilds, concocting in the deep recesses of the horrid serra some deed of carnage and crime. CHAPTER VIII. "Virtue may be assailed, but never hurt; And mix no more with goodness, when at last THE heavy mists of an autumnal morning had disappeared, leaving, as sole evidence of their visit, the fragrant and heavy dews, which sparkling in the warm rays showered over mead, wood, and valley, decked every leaf, and flower, and lowliest weed in splendid coronals; for the sun made the heavens joyous with his dazzling beams. The fertile plain, so calmly reposing at the foot of the horrid Sierra de Gata, had resumed with the morning light all its simple loveliness; luxuriant nature triumphed in its waving groves and verdant meadows; and rustic manners, grateful, kind, and unpretending, dwelt uncorrupted in its humble hamlets. The early mass of the Benedictines had been sung, and the pious worshippers bestowed themselves to the duties of the day, when around the convent porch, an unaccustomed crowd collacted. Horsemen, and mules, and men-atarms, made a scene of bustle and excitement, which, though respectfully subdued, afforded a marked contrast to the wonted quietude of the peaceful dwelling:-It was the party of travellers preparing for their departure. They were all seated, on palfrey, mule, or charger; and bidding farewell to the good brothers, murmured thanks were exchanged for solemn blessings. As one by one the strangers quitted the porch, the guest-brother presented to each |