ffered to take on the turf-bed as much fuel as he needed
for firing during the space of five years.

"'Wittehold, too, the overseer, was well contented with his post.
He enjoyed the confidence of his lord, and became independent. He
married; and, after the lapse of a year, had the happiness to
press a lovely child to his fond bosom. But the birth of the
child cost him the life of her mother. Herbert promised to
provide for the orphan, and maintained his word. My great-uncle
was a bachelor, who had never been able to meet with a maiden
possessing all the qualities which he demanded in a wife. He
postponed the all-important step of marriage from year to year,
without suffering any inconvenience from the delay.

"'In the mean time the beautiful daughter of Wittehold--who had,
I know not why, been christened AURIOLA--grew to womanhood, and
unfolded a sweetness and grace that fascinated all beholders.
Herbert, whose heart had so long resisted the attacks of love,
was not proof against the beauty, ingenuousness, and innocence of
Auriola. He confessed his affection to the maiden, and petitioned
Wittehold for his child. With the last, contrary to expectation,
he found but little favour. Wittehold submitted that his daughter
was not born to be the consort of so great and rich a lord, and
respectfully declined the honour of her advancement. Moreover, he
had already promised her to a faithful comrade, a worthy overseer
at the turf-works. Herbert expostulated, appealed to his
protection of Auriola, to her affection for him, but in vain. He
plied the obstinate Wittehold with threats. In spite of them the
latter held out: he did more; he bore his child with his own hand
from the castle, and carried her to his cottage near the pit,
hoping, by such a step, and by sound remonstrance, to lead his
fascinated master on to other and to better thoughts.

"'The conduct of Wittehold threw Auriola into a deep melancholy.
She hurried to the cottage door a hundred times a-day, and looked
with straining eye towards the lofty castle of her lover. Her
father being absent, she would bound, swift as a fawn, through
the silvery grass that trembled and sparkled in the sunny light,
and seat herself upon the high margin of the spring, feeding her
vision with the pearly drops t