“Often late at night, in yon shattered tower, his lonely lamp shone still o’er the mighty stream, and his only relief to loneliness was the presence and song of Leoline. “He recounted to her his trials and troubles during the war. “And she listened to him like a child, still thinking of her absent lover, who, at that moment, had entirely forgotten her. “Paler and paler she grew day by day. “And the more afflicted she was, the more the gallant young lord comforted her. “His amusements were varied. “He did all he possibly could to dispel the terrible gloom which possessed her; but all to no purpose. “Her heart was gradually becoming petrified. “From her lonely window she gazed for hours and hours at night. “The song of nightingale borne upon the breeze, soothed her troubled soul, and tears flowed down her pallid cheek. “Yet no murmur came from her. “She believed that Charles—now Sir Charles—would prove faithful to her as she had been to him. “Her hopes were doomed to be blasted. “Months rolled by, and still Charles did not return. “Indeed, no tidings of any kind had been received from him for a long time. “He seemed to have forgotten poor Leoline, and she pined alone in deep sorrow. “It was whispered abroad that, with the money which old Lord Warbeck had left him, Charley intended to buy up the estates of a neighbouring castle. “This rumour proved to be true, and Edward thought that his brother intended it as the future residence of Leoline—his bride. “The estates which Charles had purchased was in full view of Warbeck Castle, and the whole country around were astonished at the magnificence with which it had been furnished. “Everything that money could do was done to render this new residence worthy of those who were to occupy it. “Six months rolled on, and Charles returned not, nor did any one hear a single word of his doings, or whereabouts. “At the end of a twelvemonth, and when the new castle was fit for habitation, a startling rumour reached the ears of Edward (now Lord) Warbeck, and the fair orphan, Leoline. “Charles had returned, and brought back with him a French bride, of amazing beauty, and fabulous wealth! “Leoline was the first to disbelieve the rumour, but the only one. “Bright, in the summer noon, flashed the array of horsemen: for up the steep hill wound the gorgeous cavalcade towards the grand residence of Charles Warbeck. “The bells rung loudly, and the French bride, with her husband, entered their princely abode. “That same night there was a grand banquet given by Charles Warbeck to his friends; but Edward and Leoline were forgotten. “The lights shone from every casement, and music swelled loud and ceaselessly within. “By the side of her husband sat the fair French bride, glittering in jewels. “Her dark locks, her flashing eye, the false colour of her complexion dazzled the eyes of all his guests. “In the banquet hall, among the guests, sat Phillip Redgill.