gifts and glittering gold,” he replied, “I corrupted the page of Adela, who, with counterfeited ſemblance of fidelity and regret, accuſed thee of inconſtancy, and impoſed falſehood on the ear of his miſtreſs. I embraced the ſeaſon of her excited reſentment, and forwarded my ſuit with ſucceſs. She is mine by the indiſſoluble ties of wedlock: and know, proud boy, that if thy hands be ſtained with my blood, it is the blood of Adela’s huſband; and if ſhe receives thee to her boſom, ſhe receives the ſlayer of her ſpouſe.”
Edwin ſtarted with apparent horror. He pauſed; but recollecting himſelf, “Ariſe,” he cried, “and, by another trial, prove thyſelf worthy of that envied title.” So ſaying, he raiſed him from the ground, and both warriors addreſſed themſelves a ſecond time to the fight. Edgar, burning with exaſperated rancour, aimed his ſpear at his rival’s breaſt. Edwin neither averted nor avoided the deadly blow. The keen weapon cleft his breaſt, and was tinged in the purple ſprings of his heart. He fell to the ground. “Farewel,” he cried, “Adela! lady peerleſs! and dearly beloved. I have proved myſelf worthy of thy eſteem. I die a ſacrifice to thy repoſe. With my hands red with thy huſband’s blood, could I ever aſpire to thy love? Could I ſurvive and behold thee the wedded bride of another?” He heaved a ſigh, and died. “Inhuman deed!” cried Adela, tearing her lovely treſſes, and beating her ſnow-white breaſt. She ran, She threw herſelf on the lifeleſs body. “O ſtay!” ſhe exclaimed, “O leave me not in my woe! Return, fleeting ſpirit! Reanimate theſe pallid features! He heeds me not.–I heard a voice! a dreary voice! It was Edwin! He ſummons me away!–I come! I come! Let the nuptial bed be prepared! The clay-cold bed!”–So ſaying, ſhe claſped the corps, and expired.
Inſtantly the page, who had been corrupted by Edgar, ſeizing a dagger, ruſhed behind that treacherous baron, and pierced him to the heart. “Periſh!” he cried, “author of my ruin, and of the ruin of the houſe of Albert.” He grew immediately frantic: he ran forth
