that one female was quite enough at a time to take charge of, very gladly accepted of the kind, and disinterested offer which Much made, to take Barbara off his hands, and show her whatever was worthy of sight in the long, green glades, in the alleys, coverts, and recesses, the curiously twisted trunks and gnarled arms of the enormous oaks, the tall, slim, graceful stems and branches of the beech, the widely spreading elm, the dark larch, and tall pine, the wild but manyhued plants and flowers and grasses, which adorned and studded the extensive forest of Barnsdale ;—all these he proffered to show her, and to point out the different birds who woke up the sweet echoes of the wood ever and anon with their

"Profuse strains of unpremeditated art,"

and to exhibit proofs of his skill with the bow, and perhaps with his tongue-but that he said nothing about, whatever he might have purposed. His offer was cheerfully taken, and produced the highest satisfaction in all the parties concerned. Among the trees, through the shadowy places and secluded spots, they wandered; but by some strange forgetfulness, there was little said about the forest things; they found quite enough to talk about without referring to them, and by some still stranger fatality, they always by accident took different paths, and never met again until they were near the Hall. They would laugh when they joined company, and each accuse the other of separating purposely, and each stoutly denied the impeachment; and when they returned home, there were plenty of questions asked them whether they had enjoyed their walk, and a speculation that they must have done so under the circumstances, and all pleasant things said which might raise a smile, unallied to any pain, albeit there were many blushes accompanying their smiles.

One evening-a clear, calm, warm evening, a little party left Barnsdale Hall for a quiet walk the party consisted of Marian and Maude, who were venturing, for the first time since their interesting illness, to wander in the evening air, leaning upon the arms of their respective husbands ; Winifred and Barbara Gamwell, and, of course, Little John and Much. They had strolled some distance, indulging in pleasant converse, when Marian observed

BOUT a month or six weeks subsequent to the event just related, the speedy restoration to convalescence of both Marian and Maude enabled them to remove, upon a visit, to Barnsdale Hall, until they should be strong enough to resume their previous mode of life by returning to dwell in the green wood. Robin Hood, who wished always to be as near his beloved Marian as circumstances would permit, took a portion of his band with him, and with some little labour soon made a haunt in Barnsdale wood, almost as comfortable as the one he had left behind him in Sherwood. Will Scarlet vowed it was quite at least, what it wanted in actual comfort was made up by its pleasant and convenient proximity to Barnsdale Hall, where stayed his dear little wife. There were also two other persons who were glad of the change, influenced by reasons similar to those "There is something in the look of the tall trees, affecting Robin and Will; these persons were Little the green leaves, and the fragrant scent of the sweet John and Much Cockle, the miller's son (who, by-the-flowers, which is borne by the soft wind playing on bye, upon all occasions preferred dropping his sur- my face, that makes me long to be again dwelling in name, and being called by his nickname of Much, his the midst of them." Christian name being really Midge). These two worthies, as we have said, had also their private reasons for receiving a satisfaction at the change, and were not long in exhibiting proofs to that effect. It somehow occurred frequently, after the change had been made, that when Little John's services were required by Robin Hood, he was missing; and when Much was called to seek him out, it was discovered that he also was absent. This occurred frequently enough to induce Robin to inquire the cause, and it appeared that Winifred Gamwell possessed a very great desire to ramble through the wood. Now, as she was naturally of a very timid disposition, she was afraid to wander alone, and she had therefore taken the opportunity of her cousin, Little John, being at hand, to accept his services in showing her the beauties of Barnsdale wood. Her sister Barbara, also possessing a curiosity great as her own, possessing also the same timidity of character, availed herself of the escort to gratify her desire to see all the pretty recesses in the old forest; but Little John, thinking with great wisdom and most commendable prudence,

"Is it such very pleasant living, this passing your days in a forest ?" inquired Barbara.

You may judge of it by my desire to return to it," replied Marian.

"I should think it must be very pleasant too, for if Sherwood surpasses this wood, as Much says it does, it must be very delightful indeed, and very well worth living in."

"And you think this wood very pleasant ?" asked Robin, affecting an air of casual inquiry.

"Oh, very much so indeed," cried Barbara, eagerly. "There are some beautiful spots in it." "Which do you think the most beautiful?" he inquired.

"Oh! I hardly know; there are so many charming places. But there is one place which I saw, that I think surpasses all the rest, and I am sure that there is nothing in Sherwood that can excel it."

"Ay ?" said Robin, pretending surprise; "that must be a pretty place, indeed, for I can assure you that Sherwood abounds in dells and glades of surpas sing beauty."

blossom or aught beside in their tender grasp; and after a short, but a thought-thronging silence, a few words faint and low, and yet rich in tone, were breathed by the youth, and if the maiden raised her

"Oh, yes! I have no doubt of it, but nothing better than this, I know; it is a kind of small dell, formed by sloping ground on all sides, the topmost rises being studded with trees of all descriptions, making a variety of shades of green, perfectly marvel-eyes to answer in a monosyllable, and drop them lous; and the grass which covers the ground is so beautifully even, that it looks like a large green mantle spread all over, without a wrinkle on its surface; and then there is such a quantity of flowers all among the trees, and down by the banks of a little stream which runs through the bottom of the dell, that it is enough to enchant any one; and such a quietness is there, broken only by the melody of the birds, the rustling of the leaves, or the rippling of that little clear cool sparkling strip of water, as it gushes out from a bed of flowers, and winds its way to other places. I never was in such a beautiful place before, and never passed such delightful moments as I did in that sweet place."

again, and then, whether the youth forced his hand out timidly and fearfully to take the maiden's, and whether the instant he touched the tip of her fingers, he did not feel a thrill, like an electrical shock, rush up his arm, and take possession of his elbow, while a sensation of pleasing pain pervaded his heart, his chest, and throat, and whether there was not a surprise, greater than this sensation, to find the fingers not withdrawn; when this endearing little fact was discovered-as like lightning it would bewhether ho did not grow bolder, and obtained the whole of the small hand in his own, and feel the pressure which he gave returned as slightly as the impression the footstep of a butterfly makes upon the thin leaf of a delicate blossom,—yet it was a pressure, slight as was its nature, and sufficient to tell the youth, whose heart was beating audibly, that his presumption was not offensive; and then, possibly, "No," said Winifred, "not then-that is, we you may remember, whether that youth, holding the missed each other-we always-that is, very often-maiden's right hand in his, insinuated his left round sometimes, I mean, we used in the crooked paths to get separated by accident; it was quite by accident, I can assure you."

"Why, Barbara, where is this? I never saw it," exclaimed Winifred, innocently.

“Oh, oh!" cried Robin, quickly, "were you not together ?"

"To be sure it was-no one doubts it, therefore neither you nor Barbara need blush to that scarlet extent," said Robin, laughing to see the sudden confusion into which the two sisters were thrown, "You see, neither Little John nor Much are blushing, therefore why should you? What do you say, Much-you separated quite by accident, of course ?"

"Oh, yes," replied Much; "and finding Barbara was pleased with quiet and pleasant spots, I led her to the little dell she speaks of; I discovered it in hunting down a deer which I had struck with an

arrow.

"You must have pointed out its delights very clearly, or Barbara, unoccupied by other thoughts, must have had a quick eye for its numerous beauties, to enable her to give me such a glowing description of its charms. Pray, Barbara, was there not something more charming still-something which you have left untold ?"

"Something more charming still!" echoed Barbara, quite aware of Robin's meaning, but assuming perfect unconsciousness; "what do you mean?"

"Do you not think so, Much, eh? Was there not something more charming still in this pretty spot, which Barbara has left undescribed?" asked Robin, bending a look upon Much which made him turn his eyes every way to avoid meeting it.

"Barbara was there," replied he, working his fingers about and essaying a smile, which was rather a failure.

"So she told me," returned Robin, " with many thanks for your information; but perhaps you can tell me whether two young persons, a youth and maiden, ever sought this place, no mortal near, save themselves, and whether, when they had talked of the green-leaved trees, of the fair gentle flowers, of the little piece of murmuring water, of the birds, of the skies, and whatever else which could give quiet joy to gaze upon, they seated themselves upon the grass by that same little stream, and then, whether the youth looked into the soft eyes of the maiden, until her lids gradually covered them, and her looks were turned upon the little flower he had given her, which she was busily engaged in destroying, without being conscious that her long, trembling fingers held a

the slim waist, so invitingly near, and so conveniently situated for a resting-place, and whether she noticed the act more than by feeling a quicker but more pleasant pulsation, and a strange determined obstinate tendency in her right shoulder to find a leaning-place, and none being near but his beating bosom, how she found that better than none at all; and how all these little things again produced a quivering silence, which at last was broken by a few sighs from hearts overflowing with deep joy, and then came there not a quantity of impassioned but low-toned words from the youth, informing the maiden that the wide earth held nothing which by any comparison could ever be one fraction so dear to him as was she; that he would very much rather be the victim of the most dismal fate than lose her love; that, in fact, he said everything he could say, and much more than he was conscious of saying-and the maiden believed him, telling him so by dropping her head upon his shoulder, and weeping as if some dire calamity had occurred, or her heart was fit to break; and when all this had subsided, they perhaps left the little dell, and perhaps the maiden might meet with her sister by accident, and she might have been similarly engaged-there is no knowing-and then they might get safe home after all, and if a hint relative to what had transpired might be dropped, they might express the greatest surprise, and wonder what it could mean. Pray can you tell me, Barbara, whether two young persons ever did this ?"

"It is an impertinent question, dear Barbara," said Marian, "and were I you, I would not answer it." "Perhaps you will do as much, Much," laughed Robin, or have you done as much?"

You ask strange questions," replied Much, with an embarrassed air, and attributing something of the powers of a conjuror to Robin, in describing so accurately a scene which had really occurred between him and Barbara, and for the moment his mind misgave him that she had told it perhaps to Marian, and the latter to Robin; he looked at Barbara, but her face was of such a brilliant red, that he at once dropped the surmise, and from something of an expression which the young damsel tinctured a glance she favoured him with, the thought struck him she might imagine he had told Robin. This thought perplexed him, and added to his embarrasment, from which he was not at all relieved, upon hearing Will Scarlet exclaim

angry

"By my faith! Much, it looks very like truth { now it is not so very hot to-night that in a slow walk what Robin says, for you look very strange about the the heat should put such a colour into your features, eyes and mouth, and stammer and stutter as if you therefore it must be something else; and I think that

advice, and catching Barbara in his arms, clasped her warmly and earnestly to his heart.

sun was contending with the fire which should have the strongest power in roasting the buck and deer, Robin observed the bishop and his retinue advancing. Immediately he perceived their approach, he exclaimed

"Here comes the prize. Good master bishop, I thank you for your company, and if I do not to-day astonish you more, or as much, as I did in Linton Abbey, why I'll turn bishop myself! Now, my merrie men, pace round the venison, and be busily basting as his lordship advances. My life on't, so soon as bis nose finds out our occupation, we shall have him here full trot."

Their walk that evening extended not much further, and the return to Barnsdale Hall was no jot less pleasant than their departure from it had been an hour or so before, and when they were all assembled in the Hall, the old people were made acquainted with their daughters' choice by both Little John and Much, requesting them to bestow their hands upon them. Will Scarlet smoothed the way for them by telling his father the whole affair, and doing his best to prove to him that it was the very best thing that could have happened. So hearty and earnest was he in his efforts to do this, that he left Little John and The men did as Robin had commanded, and it Much little to say, and took the words out of his seemed as if Robin had prognosticated correctly; for father's mouth, in giving a free consent to any no sooner did the bishop come within nose-shot, than arrangement which would add to his children's hap-he pricked his steed into a gallop, and, closely folpiness. The consent of the parents accompanied the lowed by his retainers, quickly reached the spot where willing consent of the girls, and a day being fixed for Robin and his men were employed, and continued the wedding, they retired to rest that night with their employment without scarce noticing him or his light hearts and gleeful thoughts.

In the morning Robin Hood, Little John, Will Scarlet, and Much, were again in the glades of Barnsdale Wood, surrounded by a hundred merrie men. While they were enjoying their morning's repast, one of the merrie men came to Robin Hood and said"Noble master, I have good news for you and all us merrie men."

"Well, George-a-Green, let us have thy news, in order that we may be as glad as thou lookest," answered Robin.

"I have learned that the Bishop of Hereford comes this way with twenty followers to-day," said he.

"Aha! this is merry news," replied Robin, with glee. "At what time dost thou expect him?" "When the sun is upon the turn, if he comes at all," replied George-a-Green.

"How got you your information ?" interrogated Robin.

"One of the merrie men has just, within an hour or so, returned from a visit he has been paying some relatives in Derbyshire: he passed through Sheffield, on his way hither-there he learnt the Bishop was about to visit the Abbot of St. Mary's, and he posted hither with the news, knowing how welcome it would be."

followers.

"Why, what is all this ? what is the matter?" cried the bishop to Robin, who honoured the ecclesiastic with a stare, but speaking not, continued his employment in the most industrious manner.

"Do you hear me, knave?" roared the bishop, enraged at the indifference with which he was regarded. "Dost thou hear me, base serf? What is the meaning of this roasting? For whom is this ado ?"

"Anan!" uttered Robin, staring at the bishop with an expression of the most exquisite vacancy. "Fool!" cried the bishop, hotly, "for whom have you killed the king's deer ?"

"For whom? why for ourselves, to be sure," returned Robin, with a laugh.

"For yourselves, fool! what mean you? it cannot be that you are cooking this profusion of meat for yourselves only!"

"Oh, yes, it is though!"

"Why, what are ye? to whose estate do ye belong?"

"We are simple shepherds; we keep sheep all the year, and to day we had a mind to make merry, to be joyful and happy; so we resolved to begin by eating some of the king's fattest deer. Now, that's the truth.

"Indeed! By whose permission have you slain the deer?"

"Anan ?"

"Ass! Who gave you leave to kill the deer ?" "Oh! who gave us leave? Nobody but our own will."

"And right welcome it is: we will proceed to act upon it," cried Robin. "Will Scarlet, do you take a party of twenty men, and watch the path which passes close by your father's hall; do you, Little John, take the northern way with a like number of merrie men; you, Much, take the eastern with twenty, and I will take the high road. We must not let my lord bishop escape. We must feast him handsomely, as becomes his station, and he will pay accordingly. George-aGreen, single out a sturdy buck and a fine fat deerful with us?" for my lord the bishop's dainty eating, and see that it is done quickly."

Little John, Will Scarlet, and Much gathered their sixty men, and each departed with his complement to the route assigned him. They had not long been gone, when, according to Robin's directions, Georgea-Green, with the assistance of four or six of the men, carried the buck and deer they had slain to a spot Robin had desired them to bring it; and then, getting some shepherds' frocks-for the band kept in their store all sorts of disguises-Robin attired himself in one, and dressed six of his men in the remainder. Poles were erected from which to suspend the spitted buck and deer, a fire was kindled under each, the wooden spit was set revolving, and they awaited by the way-side the bishop's coming.

About the time the informer had stated, when the

"And you expect to eat a part of what you are now cooking?"

"Of a surety. Perhaps you'd like to take a mouth

"You will find yourselves wofully mistaken, my fine fellows; the king shall know how his deer is slaughtered-he shall know of your doings, my jolly shepherds, never fear. I suppose you know it is death to kill ven'son without the especial leave and licence of the king; because, if you do not, you shall be taught: so prepare at once to come with me to a prison, and from thence to a gibbet."

"A gibbet!"

"Ay! a gallows fifty feet high at least."
"But I don't feel disposed to go."

"I have no doubt you do not; but you and your tribe shall go, whether you feel disposed or no; and we shall see, then, whether you will be so ready to grin as you are now. Come, idiots, cease your work, and haste with me, for I have little time to waste in idle talking with thee or such as thee."