* * * * * “But how fared Leoline at the castle? “One night a minstrel sought shelter from the storm in the halls of Warbeck Castle. “His visit was welcomed by the aged lord, and he repaid the hospitality he had received by the exercise of his art. “He sung of the chase, and the gaunt hound started from the hearth. “He sung of love, and Charles, forgetting his restless dreams, approached to Leoline, and laid himself at her feet. “Louder, then, and louder rose the strain. “The minstrel sung of her. “He plunged into the thickest of the battle. “The steed neighed. “The trumpet sounded. “And, in imagination, you might have heard the ringing of the steel. “But when he came to signalise the names of the boldest knights, high among the loftiest sounded the name of Edward Warbeck. “Thrice had he saved the king’s royal banner. “Two chargers had been slain beneath him. “He had covered their bodies with the fiercest of the foe. “The old lord started from his seat, and clasped the minstrel’s hand, “‘Speak—you have seen him, then—he lives—he is honoured?’ said the old lord, excited. “‘I myself am but just from war, brave Warbeck, and, noble maiden, I saw the gallant Edward at the right hand of the king. “‘And he, Lady Leoline, was the only one whom admiration shone upon without the shadow of envy. “‘Who, then, would remain inglorious in the hall? “‘Shall not the banners of his sires reproach him as they have, and shall not every voice strike shame into his soul?’ “‘Right,’ cried Charley, suddenly, and flinging himself at the feet of Lord Warbeck. “‘Thou hearest what my brother has done, and thine aged eyes weep tears of joy. Shall I be the only one to dishonour thy name with a rusted sword? No! grant me, like my brother, to go forth to France with the heroes of the King’s Court.’ “‘Noble youth,’ cried the harper. ‘Therein speaks the voice of a true Warbeck; hear him, my lord, hear the noble youth.’ “‘The voice of heaven cries aloud in his voice,’ said Charles, solemnly. “‘My son, I cannot chide thine ardour,’ said the old lord, raising him with trembling hands. ‘But Leoline, thy betrothed, what of her, my son?’ “Pale as a statue, with ears that doubted their sense as they drank in the cruel words of her lover, stood the orphan girl. “She did not speak. “She scarcely breathed. “She sank into her seat and gazed, till, at the speech of the old lord, her guardian, both maiden pride and tenderness restored her consciousness, and she said, “‘I, my lord, shall I bid him stay when his wishes bid him depart?’ “‘He will return to you, noble lady, covered with glory,’ said the minstrel. “The touching voice of Leoline went to his soul. “He resumed his seat in silence. Leoline going up to Charles, whispered gently, “‘Act as though I were not.’ “And she left the hall, to commune with her heart, and to weep alone.