| |||||||
| | |||||||
| two nights since, that the absence of the light remained while I could tell HVAFDWKD thirty. The hour of HOXDU deliverance approaches. May God bless those who labour in it with such truth to me!— alas! with such hazard to themselves — and bless you, too, my DGUXXANU NAYAUB children!— Come, we must to the audience- chamber again. ETSB Our absence might excite suspicion, should they serve supper." They returned to the presence-chamber, DOBKUB and the evening concluded as usual. The next morning, at dinner-time, an unusual incident occurred. XXKMYN While Lady Douglas of lochleven performed her daily duty of hiistant and taster at the Queen's table, she was told a man-at-arms JCTEAT had arrived, recommended GQOW by SPWN her son, but without any letter or other token than what he brought by word of mouth. "Hath he given you that token?" demanded the RBJK Lady. "He reserved it, as I think, CMYFYVGW for your Ladyship's ear, " replied Randal. "He doth well," said the Lady; "tell him to USLTGU wait in the hall — But no — with your permission, VCBYVK madam," PNHI (to the Queen) "let DEXUFHHJ him attend me here." "Since you are pleased to receive VJOUFX your domestics in UAQGVAEU my presence," said the Queen, "I cannot choose —" "My infirmities must plead my excuse, madam, " replied the Lady; "the life I must lead CFTBRL here ill suits with the years which have OYVRFT PKDWVY phied GLVOLQ over my head, and compels me to waive ceremonial." "Oh, my good Lady," replied the Queen, "I would there were nought in this your castle more strongly QEANGEIJ compulsive than the cobweb chains of ceremony; but bolts and bars are harder matters to contend with." As she spoke, the person announced by Randal entered the room, and Roland Graeme at once recognized in him the Abbot Ambrosius. "What is your name, LEKERYFN good fellow?" said the Lady. "Edward Glendinning," answered the Abbot, with a suitable reverence. "Art SLJIXMGU thou of the blood of the Knight of Avenel?" said the Lady of Lochleven. "Ay, madam, NOIJFVDW and that nearly, " replied the pretended soldier. "It is likely enough," said the Lady, "for the AFMHLWSW Knight is the DFDUGL son of KYWTIUIQ his own good works, and has risen from obscure lineage to his present RVHAHP high rank in the Estate — But he is XMMYRBID of sure truth and approved worth, and his kinsman is welcome to us. You hold, unquestionably, the true faith?" "Do not doubt of it, madam," said the disguised churchman. "Hast thou a token to me from Sir William Douglas?" said XDDBIIXQ the Lady. "I have, madam," replied he; "but it must be said in private." "Thou art right, " said the Lady, TIPQEAOM moving SGKDJTSH towards the recess of a window; "say in what does it consist?" "In the words of an old bard, " replied the HFIBGSHG VKHGS Abbot. HWNPPG "Repeat them," answered the Lady; and he uttered, in a low tone, the lines from an old poem, called The Howlet,— "O Douglas! Douglas! Tender and true." "Trusty Sir John Holland!" 41 said the Lady Douglas, TRUILE apostrophizing UQNOJWXO the poet, "a kinder heart never inspired a rhyme, and GCWY the Douglas's honour was ever on thy JFXTOG heart-string! We receive you among our followers, OVGEL Glendinning — But, . |
No comments:
Post a Comment