" Keep to the highway till we meet at the cross-roads," said the page, resigning the rein into his hand. The shouts of the pursuers were already on the air, as the prince vaulted into the saddle and took the direction indicated. Striking into a bridle path, Sir Lannfal reached the cross-roads just as the prince appeared, and together they rode gaily on towards Bristol. The pursuers soon after gained the same point, where they encountered a woodman, jogging on slowly after two loaded mules, of whom the}' inquired concerning the fugitive. " He be's gone yonder," replied the boor, pointing in the direction opposite to the one which the prince had taken, where upon an eminence appeared an armed force. The baffled guards, fearing that the conspiracy might have been more extensive than they had anticipated, made the best of their way back to Kenilworth. "And who art thou, my pretty page ?" inquired Edward, " that hast so dexterously redeemed thy prince, and whither dost thou conduct me ?" " I wear the badge of Mortimer," replied Sir Launfal. "The Lady Maude is the constant friend of thy royal mother." " Canst tell me aught of the movements of the rebel barons, or the fate of my brave knights ?" "Nay, my giddy brain recks little of politics or war," returned the boy, " but there are can give thee tidings." A moment after they turned an angle in the road, and the boy putting the whistle to his mouth sounded a sharp note, and a party of huntsmen, apparently in quest of game, darted across the path, while one shouted, as if to his companions, "To the right, the game lies by the Her-mit's Cross." The page immediately turned his palfrey, motioning to silence, and led off into the path through the wood, and after several hours' hard riding arrived at the appointed place of rendezvous. At the foot of a large wooden cross, weather-stained and somewhat decayed, sat a monk, closely robed in gown and cowl, who rose at their approach, saying in à low voice, ELEAXORA. 373