y.
Ernst, with his young companion, little Richard Gresham, were running
about the hall hand in hand, watching the maskers, and amusing
themselves by observing the guests. One of the former, wearing a huge
cloak which completely concealed his form, during the performance
separated himself from his companions. His eye was fixed on the two
boys. It might have been that he supposed no one observed him; but,
even though attending to her guests, the mother's glance was following
her young Richard. With cautious steps the masker slowly moved up
towards where the little boys were standing, their attention occupied
with one of the most exciting portions of the mystery. At length the
masker stood close to the boys. And now the eyes of every one in the
hall were riveted on the performers. On a sudden, the cloak was thrown
round the boys. No cry was heard, and the masker glided rapidly towards
the door of the hall, still left open. So quick were his movements,
that he would have escaped unobserved had not Lady Anne's voice been
heard, exclaiming, "Stop him! Stop him! He has carried off the
children!" Richard Clough started from his seat, and drawing his
dagger, rushed after the abductor. The man, turning his head at the
cry, saw that he was pursued, and letting go one of the children--it was
the little Richard--fled more rapidly. Honest Master Clough, however,
with the excited feelings of a warm-hearted Welshman, pursued him. The
man had just reached the door, when Master Clough caught him by the
cloak, and would have struck his dagger into his neck, had he not
loosened the garment and let go the little Ernst, whose head had been so
muffled in a cloth that he had been unable to cry out. The man sprang
from the door before Master Clough could again seize him, exhibiting,
now deprived of his cloak, the dark dress of an ecclesiastic, though his
head, still concealed by his large mask, prevented his features being
visible. A number of persons were at the time passing, and the stranger
was thus able to make his escape. Indeed, honest Master Clough, having
gained his object of rescuing the children, probably considered that it
might be wise not to continue the pursuit in the open street, where
perchance he might have found more enemies than friends.

As may be supposed, after this Master Gresham was chary of letting his
young charge go without his doors, unless with a strong escort. But one
day, having to pay a visit