anst govern the cadence well. Thou hast more skill
of love than thine age befits. But, mayhap, 'tis thy vocation, boy. Hast
thou had visitors betimes this morning!"

"None, good master, but Kelly."

"What of him?"

"Some business that waited your return. I thought you had knowledge of
the matter."

"Are there any clients astir so early at his chamber, thinkest thou?"

"None, save the rich merchant that dwells hard by, Cornelius
Ethelstoun."

"Cornelius!" repeated the cavalier, in a disturbed and inquiring
tone--"hath he departed?"

"Nay, I heard not his footsteps since I watched the old man tapping
warily at the prophet's door."

Rodolf hastily replaced his hat, and his short and impatient rap was
heard at the seer's chamber.

It occupied the north-eastern angle of the building, in the gloomiest
part of the house; overlooking, on one side, a small courtyard,
barricadoed by walls and battlements of stout masonry, along which were
ridges of long rank grass waving in all the pride of uncropped
luxuriance. Another window overlooked the dark-flowing Irk, lazily
rolling beneath the perpendicular rock on which the college was
built--the very site of the once formidable station of Mancunium, the
heart and centre of the Roman power in that vast district.

No answer being rendered to this hasty summons, Rodolf raised the latch,
but marvelled not a little when he beheld the room apparently deserted.
Voices were, however, heard in the inner apartment. Ere he could well
draw back the door slowly opened, nor could he avoid hearing the
following termination to some weighty conference.

"An hundred broad pieces--good! Ere night, thou sayest?"

"Ere the curfew," replied Cornelius.

"Look thee--'tis but a slender space for mine art to work, and"--The
seer, as he uttered this with great solemnity, entered the antechamber.
The gallant stood there, just meditating a retreat. A flush of anger and
confusion passed for a moment over Kelly's visage. Quickly recovering
his self-possession, with a severe aspect, he stood before the intruder.

"Art come to listen or to watch?" abruptly interrogated the seer. "Both
be rare accomplishments truly for a youth of thy breeding."

"Nay, good Master Kelly; I came but at thy bidding, and mine ears are
not the heavier or the wiser for what they have heard, I trow."

"I thought thee safe at morning prayers."

"Nay," replied Rodolf. "There be too many bright eyes and blushing
cheeks for