events hereafter unfolded will abundantly demonstrate.

Sir John, after vainly endeavouring to avert this cruel purpose, and to
win the old man's favour, entered into the service of the king. He hoped
that some lucky adventure would enable him to appear with more certainty
of success the next time he played the suitor at Lathom.

Isabella, though sorely importuned to the contrary, remained true to her
first and only attachment; and Sir Oskatell was likely, in the end, to
gather to himself the whole of these vast possessions. A disposition to
this effect she had for some time suspected. His conduct, too, was less
kindly of late, and he took upon himself an authority more direct and
unconditional. Indeed, it seemed but too evident that Sir Oskatell was
looked upon as the ultimate possessor. The maiden pined sorely at her
lot, and lack of perpetuity in the inheritance. But woman's wits have
compassed a sea of impossibilities, and will ever continue irresistible
until their beautiful forms shall no longer irradiate these dull
mortalities with their presence.

One day an aged minstrel craved admission. Sir Thomas had just retired
from the banquet. Isabella and the lady of Lathom were at their usual
employment in their private chamber, plying the needle in "Antres vast,"
and wildernesses of embroidery, along with the maids. The request was
granted; soon after which an old man, bending apparently under an
accumulation of years and infirmities, entered the apartment. There was
a keen scrutinising restlessness of the eye, stealing through the
silvery locks about his brow, that but ill accorded with his apparent
decrepitude.

After a very profound obeisance, which the lady-mother scarcely
recognised, he addressed himself to his vocation. A mighty indifferent
prelude succeeded the arrangement of the strings, then a sort of jig,
accented by the toe and head of the performer. Afterwards he broke into
a wild and singular extempore, which gradually shaped itself into
measure and rhythm, at times beautifully varied, and accompanied by the
voice. We shall attempt a more modern and intelligible version of the
sentiments he expressed:--

Song.

1.
"Rich round thy brow are the clusters bright,
And thy tresses are like the plume--
The plume of the raven, glossy with light,
Or the ray on the spirit's deep gloom.

2.
"As I gaze, the dim echoes of years that are past
Bring their joys to my boso