Those near the altar saw the earl embrace his affianced bride as they rose together, and some of them remarked that she looked strangely pale. Only for a minute, for her colour quickly returned. The prince, however, noticed the circumstance, and so did Dorothy. But both attributed it to deep emotion. Nothing whatever marred the ceremony, the sole fault of which, in the opinion of the majority of those present, was that it was too brief. Several of the household grouped themselves on either side of the path leading to the gate to offer their good wishes to the newly-affianced pair as they passed by. Among these were old Nicholas Ribbleton, and an elderly dame who, like himself, had lived in the family for years. “Eh! she's a bonnie lass!” cried this old woman, after scrutinising her sharply. “But I doubt if she'll make his lordship happy. He had better have chosen Dorothy F orster.” “Why, what ails her?” said Ribbleton. “I cannot exactly tell--but there's a look about her I don't like.” “Well, it's too late to change now, Grace,” observed Ribbleton. “The troth is plighted.” “Ay, that's the worst of it,” rejoined the old woman. “But a time may come, when his lordship will wish what's done were undone.” This was the only discordant note uttered, and it reached no other ear but Ribbleton's, and him it made angry. So he walked off, and left the old prophetess of ill to herself. XIV.--THE SPY. |The rest of the day was spent in festivity and amusement. Lord Derwentwater and his affianced bride did not stray beyond the garden, and seemed so perfectly happy in each other's society that no one went near them. The prince explored the mysterious glen, and Charles Radclyffe acted as his guide, introducing him to all the beauties of the place, and relating all the legends connected with it. A large party accompanied his highness, including Lady Webb and Dorothy Forster--the latter of whom had often seen the place before, but was quite as much enchanted with it as ever. The visit to this picturesque dell, which has been previously described, occupied some time, for there was a great deal to be seen. But neither the prince, nor any of those with him, were aware that, while they were tracking the course of the Devil's Water over its rocky channel, or standing near the pool, they were watched by a person concealed amid the brushwood on its banks.