Page:Monthly scrap book, for March.pdf/12

 12             THE MONTHLY " Hold, villain!” cried a voice from the other    end of the chapel, which was succeeded by a figure     rushing into the midst of the group, " who dares claim the hand of Gertrude Walshingham."

" Now, by all the Saints," said the bride- groom, “ who darest give such interruption? Wretch, thy life shall atone for thy audacity.

" Base menial!" said Lord Marlowe, for such was the unexpected visitor, “ dost thou think that I will condescend to stain my sword with the blood of peasantry.--Slaves! seize the villain!"

The command was followed by two ruffians springing forward and attempting to seize the bride- groom, who flinging aside his doublet and cloak dis- covered to their astonishment, a figure of gigantic frame, braced in complete armour. With one throw of his arm he forced the first who attempted to lay hold of him to totter to the ground, while the other, aware of his personal danger, retired behind the altar.

" Now, by my knighthood," said the bride- groom, " I credit my sword will have but a poor    antagonist; draw thy weapon, my lord, thy cow-     ardice will have but too fair play Sir Reginald     Maxwell was seldom found playing such game     with such a loud crowing chicken."

Thus saying he attacked with great ferocity Lord Marlowe, who, throwing himself into an atti- tude of defence, passed his weapon and made an    ineffectual feint which partly overbalanced him, and the sword of Sir Reginald Maxwell was plunged into his breast, when he fell to the ground.