estrils."

Anthony was dumb with astonishment. The whole transaction had the
aspect of some indistinct and troubled dream, or rather some delusion
of the arch-enemy to entangle and perplex him. At this moment tripped
in the pert maiden, whose share in the machinations we before
intimated. She looked on the bewildered lover with a sly and equivocal
glance. Craving permission to speak, she said--

"'Tis even so, your worship; this interloper is none other than the
very person he represents; and here come those who will give the
riddle its proper answer."

Immediately came in the blushing Kate, led in by a tall and comely
gentleman, whom her father recognised as the real Anthony.

"We come but to crave your blessing," said this personage, bending
gracefully on his knee, whilst Kate seized the hand of her parent.

"Forgive this deceit:" she looked imploringly at the old man, who
seemed too astonished to reply: "it was but to win my father's
knowledge and esteem for the man to whom my vows are for ever
plighted."

"Nay, start not," said the bridegroom; "I but borrowed this ill-used
gentleman's name, as I knew none other mode of access to your presence
than the disguise that his _suit_ afforded; and from him I now crave
forgiveness."

"And I knew," said Kate, glancing round towards the real Anthony,
"that the man of my choice would be yours, could I but contrive you
should hold a fair judgment between them, as you now do this day."

A reconciliation was the result; but ere a "little month was old" were
seen at the same altar, and with the same object, Master Anthony
Hardcastle and Mistress Bridget Allport.

[17] _Vide_ Baines's _Lancashire_, vol. i. p. 78.

[18] _Vide_ Baines's _Lancashire_, vol. ii. p. 504.

[Illustration THE SKULL HOUSE]

THE SKULL HOUSE.

"That skull had a tongue in't that could sing once."
--_Hamlet._

Wardley Hall, in the manor of Worsley, is an ancient building
about seven miles west from Manchester. It was an old seat of
the Downes family, and afterwards of Lord Barrymore. A human
skull was formerly shown here, beside the staircase, which the
occupiers would not permit to be removed. This grim fixture, it
was said, being much averse to any change of place or position,
never failed to punish the individual severely who should dare
to lay hands on it. If removed or buried, it was sure to