“Further,” resumed Bernard, “I have read the letter thou didst write me to Sir Edgar de Neville, and, I promise thee, his worship’s bearing thereat was exceeding kind.” “But what said Evaline?” asked Hildebrand. “I saw not her,” answered Bernard, “but only the knight. As I read thy letter to him, he would seize me, now and anon, eagerly by the hand, and cry me--‘My poor boy! my brave Hildebrand!’ and, in conclusion, he said, ‘’t was well done--excellent well done;’ and he would unfold it to his fair daughter, so he would.” “And did he?” asked Hildebrand, anxiously. “That know I not,” replied Bernard. “But let us forward! I have some business in the Temple here, with one Master Gilbert, a lawyer; and, afterwards, thou shalt command me. Let us thither together!” Hildebrand offered no objection to his proposal; and, remounting his horse, they set forward, and proceeded towards the Temple. They shortly arrived thither; and Hildebrand, by Bernard’s direction, then gave his horse in care of one of the porters, and alighted. The lodgings of Master Gilbert, Bernard’s lawyer, were just within the Temple-gate, on an upper floor, looking out on Temple-bar. They soon gained access to the lower floor, the door of which was open. Within, on their entry, they found three individuals--one of whom was Master Gilbert’s scrivener, or clerk; and the remaining two, who were no other than Abigail and Zedekiah, have already appeared on the stage of our history. The two servants, who had been sitting down just before, started up on the appearance of Bernard, and advanced to accost him. “Who are these?” inquired Hildebrand. “The servants of the Lord,” answered Abigail. Bernard smiled. “They are poor, honest clowns,” he said to Hildebrand, “whom I would, with thy leave, provide for in thy household.” “Have it so!” returned Hildebrand. “But where didst thou pick them up?” “They were the servants of Shedlock,” replied Bernard. “’Twas a goodly sight--a night-burying!” remarked Zedekiah. “Ay, ay, but be of good cheer!” said Bernard. “You hear, you have both a provision! Now, Master Hildebrand, let us on!” Without more words, he led the way up a contiguous staircase, followed by Hildebrand. On reaching the summit, he paused before a neighbouring door, leading to Master Gilbert’s chamber, which, without tarrying to solicit admittance, he immediately threw open. As the door was thus thrown back, Hildebrand’s glance fell, not on the hard countenance of the lawyer, but on the faces of Sir Edgar and Evaline. It required but that one glance, brief as it was, to assure him that he was forgiven--that the height of earthly fruition was still his; and, with a heart overflowing with joy, he darted into the chamber, and caught Evaline in his arms. “Mine!--my own true love!” he exclaimed, as he pressed the blushing girl to his bosom. “And with my free consent,” smiled Sir Edgar, in broken accents. Hildebrand could not speak for a moment. “When?” he said, at length.