The monastery; The abbot.

THE MONASTERY. 149
There was a moment during this discourse, when Halbert had well-nigh
come to the resolution of disburdening his own breast, by intrusting
Edward with all that weighed upon it. But when his brother reminded
him that this was the morning of a high holiday, and that, setting aside all
other business or pleasure, he ought to go to the Monastery and shrive
himself before Father Eustace, who would that day occupy the confessional,
pride stepped in and confirmed his wavering resolution. " I will not avow,"
he thought, " a tale so extraordinary; that I may be considered as an impostor or something worse -I will not fly from this Englishman, whose
arm and sword may be no better than my own. My fathers have faced
his betters, were he as much distinguished in battle as he is by his quaint
discourse."
Pride, which has been said to save man, and woman too, from falling,
has yet a stronger influence on the mind when it embraces the cause of
passion, and seldom fails to render it victorious over conscience and reason.
Halbert, once determined, though not to the better course, at length slept
soundly, and was only awakened by the dawn of day.
lJqaplr m rntq-$irst.
Indifferent, but indifferent-pshaw, he doth it not
Like one who is his craft's master-ne'er the less
I have seen a clown confer a bloody coxcomb
On one who was a master of defence.
OLD PLAY.
WITH the first gray peep of dawn, Halbert Glendinning arose and
hastened to dress himself, girded on his weapon, and took a cross-bow in
his hand, as if his usual sport had been his sole object. He groped his
way down the dark and winding staircase, and undid, with as little noise:
as possible, the fastenings of the inner door, and of the exterior iron grate.
At length he stood free in the court-yard, and looking up to the tower, saw
a signal made with a handkerchief from the window. Nothing doubting
that it was his antagonist, he paused, expecting him. But it was Mary
Avenel, who glided like a spirit from under the low and rugged portal.
Halbert was much surprised, and felt, he knew not why; like one caught
in the act of a meditated trespass. The presence of Mary Avenel had till
that moment never given him pain. She spoke, too, in a tone where sorrow
seemed to mingle- with reproach, while she asked him with emphasis,
" What he was about to do?"
He showed his cross-bow, and was about to express the pretext he had
meditated, when Mary interrupted him.
"Not so, lalbert-that evasion were unworthy of one whose word has
hitherto been truth. You meditate not the destruction of the deer —your
hand and your heart are aimed at other game -you seek to do battle with
this stranger."
"And wherefore should I quarrel with our guest?" answered Halbert,
blushing deeply.
"There are, indeed, many reasons why you should not," replied the
maiden, " nor is there one of avail wherefore you should-yet nevertheless,
such a quarrel you are now searching after."
"Why should you suppose so, Mary?" said Halbert, endeavouring to
hide his conscious purpose-" he is my mother's guest-he is protected by
the Abbot and the community, who are our masters-he is of high degree
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