tains, my life should
thenceforth be His, and consecrate to Heaven. I was a leper; but my
prayer was heard. I washed in yonder holy well which gushes from the
rock, whose virtues had been reported to me. Washing daily, with faith
and prayer, I was healed. I found close by a convenient hermitage; and
many caverns and secret chambers, with hidden passages and
communications, had been dug therefrom, by which I could pass to and
fro, and thus visit the castle unseen. I was the confessor and companion
of Robert de Lacy. At my desire, he left the whole of his domains to the
Fitz-Eustace. But thou art not the eldest-born of thy father."

"My eldest brother has long been dead. He was a leper; his cruel disease
drove him from the haunts of men. The last we knew of him, he went forth
with cup and clapper as they are wont. Soon after news arrived of his
decease."

"Was he not driven forth by rude and cruel taunts, the rather?" said the
hermit, gazing with unaverted eye on the haughty chieftain. "This noble
birth and heritage are mine! Behold, 'tis thus I repay your injustice!"

He threw off his cloak; underneath appeared a complete suit of proof
armour, and a surcoat, on which was emblazoned the badge of the
Fitz-Eustace.

"I am Richard Fitz-Eustace, thine elder brother! Nay, put off that brow
of discontent. I claim not my birthright; the vows of Heaven are upon
me, and to thee and thine will this good inheritance devolve. One right
only do I claim--this prisoner is free. Was he not my stay and
sustenance when the fiat of Heaven guided me hither? He sheltered me,
and had pity on mine infirmity. Moreover, he had some well-founded
expectancy towards these domains, by reason of kindred to the Lacies,
had they not been devised by will to the Fitz-Eustace. His blood is
noble as our own. He thinks there is injustice in the deed, but not to
him shall the atonement come. Thou hast a daughter, and my prescience
hath this consequence, that by her this rankling wound shall be healed.
If so be that he have found favour in her sight, let her and the son of
this ambitious priest be joined together in the bonds of holy wedlock;
for my word is gone forth--his blood mingles with ours."

The whole assembly were aghast with this thrilling discovery. The baron
would have embraced his brother; but the gloomy ascetic forbade. He left
the hall, returned to his cell, and but a short period elapsed ere the
grave he had prepared with his own hands was