ancy's as
how, like Joe Roarjug, the Methodist, we can do it extemporaneous-like
at a pinch."

"A bold heart, Peter, is the best preparation," said the squire.

"And," quoth Peter quickly, "what saith the worshipful Mister Sternhold,
in the 45th psalm, 5th verse,--

'Go forth with godly speed, in meekness, truth, and might,
And thy right hand shall thee instruct in works of dreadful might.'"

Peter quoted these verses, especially the last, with a truculent frown,
and a brandishing of the musket, that surprisingly encouraged the hearts
of his little armament; and with a general murmur of enthusiasm, the
warlike band marched off to The Spotted Dog.

Lester and his companion found Madeline and Ellinor standing at the
window of the hall; and Madeline's light step was the first that
sprang forward to welcome their return: even the face of the Student
brightened, when he saw the kindling eye, the parted lip, the buoyant
form, from which the pure and innocent gladness she felt on seeing him
broke forth.

There was a remarkable trustingness, if I may so speak, in Madeline's
disposition. Thoughtful and grave as she was, by nature, she was yet
ever inclined to the more sanguine colourings of life; she never
turned to the future with fear--a placid sentiment of Hope slept at
her heart--she was one who surrendered herself with a fond and implicit
faith to the guidance of all she loved; and to the chances of life. It
was a sweet indolence of the mind, which made one of her most beautiful
traits of character; there is something so unselfish in tempers
reluctant to despond. You see that such persons are not occupied with
their own existence; they are not fretting the calm of the present life,
with the egotisms of care, and conjecture, and calculation: if they
learn anxiety, it is for another; but in the heart of that other, how
entire is their trust!

It was this disposition in Madeline which perpetually charmed, and
yet perpetually wrung, the soul of her wild lover; and as she now
delightedly hung upon his arm, uttering her joy at seeing him safe, and
presently forgetting that there ever had been cause for alarm, his heart
was filled with the most gloomy sense of horror and desolation. "What,"
thought he, "if this poor, unconscious girl could dream that at this
moment I am girded with peril, from which I see no ultimate escape?
Delay it as I will, it seems as if the blow must come at last. What, if
she could think how fea