and the firmness of her behaviour, impressed a kind of reverential awe and astonishment on all who saw her. Such dauntless and intrepid virtue confounded even Harold himself; who sought in vain, to win her to his desires, by the most specious arts, and seductive promises; determining if possible, to conciliate her favour by kind and gentle means, rather than force her inclination by austerity and violence. Day after day, he repeated his interviews, and redoubled his fruitless solicitations; during which time, she experienced the greatest marks of respect, and was allowed every indulgence, save that of liberty, and the society of a beloved husband, whose dear idea was ever present to her mind, and whose fate she mourned with inconsolable anguish.

Meanwhile, the generous Edwin, unknown to Drusilla, with great difficulty and danger, had found means to give information to Edmund, and concert a scheme for the delivery of the fair captive. Many of the guard were in his interest; and, as their Lord was held in equal detestation, many others waited only for an opportunity to do justice to themselves, their friends, and their country, by launching the bolt of vengeance on the devoted head of the common enemy.

Edmund was much esteemed by the little cirele of his friends; and, fired with resentment for the injuries he had sustained, they vowed to espouse his cause and assist his enterprize.

Things at the castle now began to wear a more serious aspect. Impatient of repeated repulses in his illicit pursuit, Harold, growing irritated and enraged, commanded Drusilla to be confined to the dungeon, with a view to enforce that compliance, which kindness and artifice had attempted in vain; and she was given to understand, that he had fixed a time, beyond which his forbearance would be no longer dallied with.

The important day, destined for the sacrifice of virtue, at length arrived. Drusilla had prepared herself for the issue. She had concealed, under her flowing robe, a dagger, which she had fortunately secured, and resolved to have recourse to, if reduced to such an exigence, in defence of her honour.

The evening closed dark and tempestuous; the country was hushed to rest; not a sound was heard, save that of the driving storm, howling through the surrounding elms, and beating against the gloomy battlements, when she re

ceived the dreaded, though not unexpected, summons. She was conducted, in respectful silence, to the great hall of the castle, where the haughty chieftain waited to receive her.He was seated on a throne of state; and the apartment was hung around with all the pompous insignia of war, the victorious trophies of his conquering ancestors. Every appearance seemed adapted to impress terror, and demand submission.

The guards were ordered to withdraw; when, with his own hand, he bolted the massy foldingdoors, while his eyes sparkled with libidinous triumph.

As the long pursued stag, after having forded the rapid river, scaled the lofty cliff, and penetrated the thickest wood, finding every expedient ineffectual, stands at bay, and fiercely turns his antled front on his blood-thirsty foes, so stood the dauntless heroine, alone, collecting all her fortitude to oppose the assailant of her virtue.

"Rash and inconsiderate fair one!" cried Harold, " you are not unacquainted with the purport of this interview. You have hitherto

expe

experienced my clemency only; "consider me now no more in the character of an amorous suppliant, but of an absolute Lord I will be no longer the dupe of equivocation: if you judiciously yield to my wishes, you and your family shall share my protection, and taste my bounty; but, if you remain inflexible, take the consequences of your folly! this night your boasted virtue expires; and, before to-morrow's sun has run his course, the solicitudes of your beloved Edmund shall cease for ever! "Tyrant !" exclaimed the fearless female, "I despise thy threats, as I scorn thy favours! let sordid souls strike at thy specious lure, bid thy slaves tremble at thy frown: know, I have a mind superior to either! "I dare—” “ enough, bold woman!" interrupted Harold, "power and opportunity are mine by the gods, I will no longer abuse them!" he said; and, rushing forwards to seize her, she snatched the fatal weapon from beneath her robe, and plunged it into his bosom. He recoiled a few paces; planted his hands on the wound; sunk down, and, with a deep groan, expired. As stood the patriotick Brutus over the murdered body of the mighty Cæsar, on Rome's ever memorable day; so stood the well avenged Drusilla over her prostrate enemy, from whose mortal wound the crimson tide yet freely flowed: for D 2

"True fortitude is seen in great exploits,

That justice warrants, and due vengeanceguides."

She had scarcely leisure to reflect on her critical situation, before her ears were assailed with sounds of tumult and confusion; from which she immediately conjectured, that the catastrophe was by some means discovered, and she expected no less than to be dragged to instantaneous execution. The sounds approached still nearer; the doors were violently agitated; and, in a moment flew open. A number of armed men rushed in. With an exultant mien, and a mind superior to dread, she exclaimed "Vassals of a tyrant! behold your Lord! My triumph is compleat! Here-here, wreak all your rage! But spare my Edmund! Spare-" "Best, and bravest of women," cried Edmund, rushing forward, and clasping her to his breast, "spare thy solicitudes; even in this place thou art safe. These, all these, are our common friends; they are no longer the panders of vice, but the protectors of virtue: to these I owe my introduction to this impregnable fortress; Edwin's courage and conduct inspired them with ardour to let down the draw-bridge, and force these strong doors; and, had not thy valorous hand anticipated the deed, even now the

tyrant