awkward, as she is stout, and has laced some,) so she thinks better of
it, and cries over him, which does just as well. Such a shout arises as
makes the very welkin ring. He stops upon the top-most step, Capt.
Williams and the others by his side. Every sound is hushed as he speaks.
'It is not outside, my friends, whom I hope I may never give reason to
regret this day. It is not outside of my halls that I can give you
thanks for my reception. There is no room in my house in which you are
not freely welcome, this night, and to him who will not accept the call
of the Earl de Montford, I will send poor Edward Barnett. Ten years from
this day, if such of you as are spared, and I am one, will meet me here
again, I will render to you an account of my stewardship, and then if
you can raise again the cheers with which you have this day greeted me,
poor Edward Barnett will be more than rewarded for his trials, and the
Count de Montford the happiest of his race.' The glorious sun shone full
upon his manly form and handsome features, and as cheer upon cheer
arose, not one that looked upon his open truthful countenance, feared he
would not redeem his promise, or disgrace the proud motto emblazoned on
the banners that waved high above his head on the battlements;--Nulli
Secundi,--Second to none.




POSTSCRIPT.

THE AUTHOR TO THE READER.


Gentle reader! if thou hast been interested in this tale of human hopes
and fears--of stern retribution on the wicked, if thou hast shed a tear