The monastery; The abbot.

THE MONASTE RY. 159
me, youth, and save thyself from the evil consequences of this deed —Guide
me to the Castle of Avenel, and thy reward shall be protection and safety."
Again Halbert paused, and summoned his mind to a hasty council. The
vengeance with which the Abbot was likely to visit the slaughter of Shafton,
his friend, and in some measure his guest, was likely to be severe; yet, in
the various contingencies which he had considered previous to their duel,
le had unaccountably omitted to reflect what was to be'his line of conduct
in case of Sir Piercie falling by his hand. If he returned to Glendearg, he
was sure to draw on his whole family, including Mary Avenel, the resentment of the Abbot and community, whereas it was possible that flight
might make him be regarded as the sole author of the deed, and might avert
the indignation of the monks from the rest of the inhabitants of his paternal tower. Halbert recollected also the favour expressed for the household,
and especially for Edward, by the Sub-Prior; and he conceived that he
could, by communicating his own guilt to that worthy ecclesiastic, when at
a distance from Glendearg, secure his powerful interposition in favour of
his family. These thoughts rapidly passed through his mind, and he determined on flight. The stranger's company and his promised protection came
in aid of that resolution; but he was unable to reconcile the invitation
which the old man gave him to accompany him for safety to the Castle of
Avenel, with the connexions of Julian, the present usurper of that inheritance. "Good father," he said, "I fear that you mistake the man with
whom you wish me to harbour. Avenel guided Piercie Shafton into Scotland, and his henchman, Christie of the Clinthill, brought the Southron
hither."
"Of that," said the old man, "I am well aware. Yet if thou wilt trust
to me, as I have shown no reluctance to confide in thee, thou shalt find with
Julian Avenel welcome, or at least safety."
"Father," replied Halbert, "though I can ill reconcile what thou sayest
with what Julian Avenel hath done, yet caring little about the safety of a
creature so lost as myself, and as thy words seem those of truth and honesty,
and finally, as thou didst render thyself frankly up to my conduct, I will
return the confidence thou hast shown, and accompany thee to the Castle
of Avenel by a road which thou thyself couldst never have discovered."
He led the way, and the old man followed for some time in silence.
lajptr tl g Cmntq-g irLh.'Tis when the wound is stiffening with the cold,
The warrior first feels pain-'tis when the heat
And fiery fever of his soul is pass'd,.The sinner feels remorse.
OLD PLAY.
THE feelings of compunction with which Halbert Glendinning was visited
upon this painful occasion, were deeper than belonged to an age and.country in which human life was held so cheap. They fell far short certainly
of those which might have afflicted a mind regulated by better religious
precepts, and more strictly trained under social laws; but still they were
deep and severely felt, and divided in Halbert's heart even the regret with
which he parted from Mary Avenel and the tower of his fathers.
The old traveller walked silently by his side for some time, and then
addressed him. -" My son, it has been said that sorrow must speak or die
-Why art thou so muchcast down?-Tell me thy unhappy tale, and it may
be that my gray head may devise counsel and aid for your young life."