on of the
sentence, falling on his knees before him just as the hermit, with great
solemnity, entered the hall. His face was partly concealed by a large
hood, and little of his countenance was visible above the long beard
which flowed over his bosom, and the fire of his eye, which seemed to
glow through the dark shadows beneath.

"Whom bring ye next for our disposal?" inquired the castellan; but there
was no answer; every eye was directed to the hermit, who came slowly
forward, standing opposite to, and within a very short distance from,
the dread arbiter of justice in the castle of the Lacies.

"What brings thee to our presence? Back to thy sanctuary; else we may
deal with thee as with other knaves who live by their wits and the
witlessness of fools."

"What hath this man done amiss?" inquired the hermit, in a tone that
showed his meekness to be disturbed, and his wrath evidently kindling;
nor would the thunder be long ere it followed the flash.

"It is our pleasure!" answered Adam de Dutton, reddening with rage; "and
furthermore our pleasure is, that thou get thee to thy cell, or, by the
beard of St Michael, my bowmen shall help thee thither when this fellow
hath had his allowance at their hands."

"Fool!" cried the hermit, in a voice which struck terror through the
assembly; and even the judge himself started back with amazement.

"Begone, child!" said Ulphilas to the culprit; "I dismiss thee of the
punishment; peradventure thou hast deserved to suffer, but I give to
this emissary a timely warning thereby."

The criminal was not loth to obey, disappearing speedily without
hindrance, while the spectators were mute with amazement. The hermit,
too, was silent before the usurper, who, almost frantic with vexation,
cried out--

"Seize him!--help, for the Fitz-Eustace!--treason against our Lady of
Halton!"

Uttering many rapid and incoherent expressions, he approached the
hermit, who stood unmoved, apparently the only unconcerned spectator in
the rising tumult. The seneschal's guards were already in motion, but
Adam was the first who attempted the seizure.

The holy man drew back, as though from some touch of pollution.

"Hold!" cried he, "one touch and 'tis thy last. Rash fool, thou hast
provoked this rebuke!"

The hand of the seneschal had scarcely been put forth, when, lo! the
astonished deputy shrank back in dismay. A sudden change came over his
angry countenance--a look of surprise mingled with horror,