raverse those
hills, and I doubt not the jewel may be recovered."

"Thanks, gentle shepherd. We leave Threlkeld this day; so farewell, and
be assured your courtesy will not be forgotten by Anne of Bletso."

That night, by moonlight, Henry wandered over the hills in search of the
lost treasure, and for many hours he sought in vain; but at length, oh
joyful sight! he saw the diamonds glittering in the moonbeams, at the
bottom of a deep ravine, and without a moment's hesitation he commenced
the dangerous descent. A single false step and he would have been
dashed to pieces against the sharp points of the craggy rock, but with a
steady hand and firm foot he gained the depth in safety, seized the
prize; then, with great difficulty, and not without a few wounds and
bruises, he climbed up again, and stood triumphant on the brink of a
really frightful precipice. If the young lady had known where her clasp
was to be found, she certainly would not have asked him to look for it;
but he was himself well pleased to have encountered any danger for her
sake, and in thoughtful mood he returned to the cottage, and repaired to
his humble couch to dream of Anne Saint John.

"Why, Henry, what hast thee been doing to face and hands, boy?" said
Robin the next morning.

"I stumbled into a brake, father," replied Henry, laughing, "and got a
few scratches, that's all."

"Dear heart, but they are grievous hurts!" exclaimed Maud, "you must let
me put a balsam to them, Henry."

"As you will, mother, but it is hardly worth while for so light a
matter."

The balsam, however, was applied, and the wounds were speedily healed,
but Henry did not recover his wonted peace of mind. As Lord Clifford he
might have won the hand of the high-born maiden on whom his thoughts now
constantly dwelt; but, as Henry the Shepherd, even to speak to her was
presumption. Never had he lamented over his fallen fortunes as he did
now; but he buried his regrets in his own bosom, nor did he let it
appear, either by word or look, that he was less contented than he was
before.

Lady Margaret had taken care of the clasp, but she told him the country
was again threatened with warfare, so that it would not be safe to
entrust anything of value to the hands of a messenger; therefore she
would keep it till Sir Lancelot went to Bletso, which he intended to do
ere long. She did not tell him that Sir John Saint John had come to
Threlkeld to give secret information to herse