ll now
clear up the mystery that hangs over your birth. You are the offspring
of one who for years has exercised greater sway than the king within
this realm, but who is now disgraced and ruined, and nigh his end. His
priestly vows forbid him to own you, even if he desired to do so."

"Have I seen him?" demanded Mabel.

"You have," replied Herne; "and he has seen you--and little did he know
when he sought you out, that he was essaying to maintain his own power,
and overturn that of another, by the dishonour of his daughter--though
if he had done so," he added, with a scoffing laugh, "it might not have
restrained him."

"I know whom you mean," said Mabel. "And is it possible he can be my
father?"

"It is as I have told you," replied Herne. "You now know my resolve.
To-morrow at midnight our nuptials shall take place."

"Nuptials!" echoed Mabel.

"Ay, at that altar," he cried, pointing to the Druid pile of stones;
"there you shall vow yourself to me and I to you, before terrible
witnesses. I shall have no fear that you will break your oath. Reflect
upon what I have said."

With this he placed the bugle to his lips, blew a low call upon it, and
Fenwolf and Tristram immediately answering the summons, he whispered
some instructions to the former, and disappeared down one of the side
passages.

Fenwolf's, deportment was now more sullen than before. In vain did Mabel
inquire from him what Herne was about to do with Sir Thomas Wyat. He
returned no answer, and at last, wearied by her importunity, desired her
to hold her peace. Just then, Tristram quitted the cavern for a moment,
when he instantly changed his manner, and 'said to her quickly, "I
overheard what passed between you and Herne. Consent to be mine, and I
will deliver you from him."

"That were to exchange one evil for another," she replied, "If you would
serve me, deliver Sir Thomas Wyat."

"I will only deliver him on the terms I have mentioned," replied Fenwolf.

At this moment, Tristram returned, and the conversation ceased.

Fresh logs were then thrown on the fire by Fenwolf, and, at his request,
Tristram proceeded to a hole in the rock, which served as a sort of
larder, and brought from it some pieces of venison, which were broiled
upon the embers.

At the close of the repast, of which she sparingly partook, Mabel was
conducted by Morgan Fenwolf into a small chamber opening out of the
great cavern, which was furnished like the cell she had lately o