The old man took the oath, and traced with a trembling hand the words which invested Henry Wrington with the power to receive the sum he demanded. "Go, base and wretched young man," he exclaimed, as he put the paper into his hand, "lest 1 be tempted to curse you.' Wrington waited not a second bidding, but hurried down the stairs, observing not the fainting form of his cousin, which lay at the foot. With one of those freaks of inconsistency, which we should deem improbable if we were not relating the truth, he paused as he reached the door of the peaceful habitation of his younger uncle, and knocked, with the intention of paying him a passing visit. The summons was answered by a servant, who immediately shewed him into the study of her master, where he usually spent some hours ere he retired to rest. Wrington tossed off the goblet of wine he had just filled, and rising with a look of fury, presented the pistol which had before done a similar office, to the breast of the venerable man. "Return me the paper," he vociferated, 66 or die." The placid countenance of the pastor underwent no change, but still retaining his hold upon the book which contained the check, he quietly answered," My life is secure in the protection of that Almighty Power who guards it, nor will He suffer it to be the forfeit of my integrity or of your rashness." The young man was astonished at the intrepidity of his Christian relative." What!" he exclaimed, in a tone of surprise, 66 are you less afraid of death than my uncle Gilbert? He, though a soldier, quailed before this little weapon." "Afraid of death!" replied the pastor, "do you think I have been for eight and twenty years a minister of the Lord of Life, to be afraid of death? No, Sir, thanks be to God who giveth me the victory, it is for you to fear death, who have such reason to do so. You are a gamester and cheat, yet you call yourself a gentleman; you are a seducer of female innocence, and still you style yourself a gentlemau; you are a duellist and your hand is red with your brother's blood, yet you deem yourself a man of honour. Look there, Sir; look The Rev. Mr. Wrington was one of those cler-there-see the broad eye of heaven is fixed upon gymen who truly do honour to the profession. us; tremble in the presence of your Maker, who He had chosen it as a means of usefulness to can in a moment destroy your body and punish others, not of emolument to himself; and his time, your soul eternally." property, and talents, were all devoted to the benefit of his flock. His disposition was mild and patient, yet it was accompanied by a firmness which gave dignity to his virtues, and made him revered as well as beloved. He received the young man with his accustomed kindness, but there was a gravity in its expression which told he had heard of the disgrace he had brought upon himself by his misconduct. Never forgetful of the rights of hospitality, the pastor ordered some refreshment to be spread before his guest, but he was himself of abstemious habits, and partook not of it. As Wrington sat enjoying the plentiful, if not luxurious repast, and quaffing off the wine his liberal relative set before him, he, by an impulse, thoughtless as was his general course of action, produced the check he had just wrung from his elder uncle, boasting that he had generously made him a donation of a hundred pounds. The pastor looked up in surprise. "I must doubt the truth of your assertions,” he gravely observed. The young man immediately held forth the paper, the worthy clergyman looked at it as if doubting the evidence of his senses, then coolly put it into his pocket-book. Henry," he said, looking at him with a mixture of anger and pity, "you have possessed yourself of this check by some unworthy act. I feel certain my brother would never make you a voluntary gift of such a sum; he is not in affluent circumstances, and I know he disapproves of your proceedings. You have robbed his daughter of the little legacy her father might be able to bequeathe her, and I shall not return it to you till I have investigated the matter." As the intrepid pastor spoke, the young man shook with terror, a view of his villanies presented itself before his mental vision, and the truth of that religion he had despised seemed to burst upon him in the heroic conduct of the pious man before him. The pistol dropped from his hand, and he threw himself upon the seat from which he had arisen burying his face with his palms, whilst tears of contrition burst from his eyes. Mr. Wrington took this opportunity to reason with his nephew upon the profligacy of his conduct, but he was not satisfied with reproving-he pointed out to him as the only refuge of the outcast, that Redeemer whose faithful servant he himself had so long been; he urged the necessity of repentance and amendment of life; and in language so mild and persuasive, that his auditor for the first time in his life bent his knee for prayer. Vain are all the most eloquent reasonings addressed to the vicious, unless they be accompanied by a holy life. The practice of the Christian is the best commentary upon the truths of religion, and the only test of sincerity. Had the young man listened to the precepts of one whose conduct was at variance with his profession, he would have listened unmoved; but he knew his uncle to be in every point, as far as man could become so, a follower of his divine Master; and that the language which flowed from his lips was warm from a heart fraught with philanthropy and piety. Nor was the holy man satisfied with affording spiritual comfort to his unhappy relative; he thought it his duty to retain the extorted check, but he immediately devised a plan of putting Henry Wrington into the possession of an equal sum to that he had obtained by violent means, generously contributing a considerable share himself, and promising to use his influence with his brother in his behalf. The culprit, overwhelmed by kindness so unexpected and little deserved, wept forth his thanks, and accepted the offer of an asylum for the night under the pastor's roof. How different were the feelings of the two as they repaired to their respective chambers! The elder retired to pour forth his soul in gratitude, that his life had been spared under circumstances of imminent peril, and in prayer for the offender: the younger to review a life of debauchery, and to writhe under the anguish of having twice attempted the breach of the sixth commandment that very night. I know not if his penitence was (as is not unfrequently the case) like the passing cloud or the dews of morning-evanescent and fleeting; but we will hope it was not so; but that the holy precepts of his pious relative, like the seed which fell into good ground, took root, and brought forth the fruits of repentance and amend Creation of a high and gentle mind, Young, loving MAID OF VENICE! who couldst find To-night thou com'st before us, in a real Thy love and grief, as by thine own lips spoken; Hast thou derived from Heaven; thus to roll Of thy transcendant genius brings the tears That life to thee can bring no common doom. SONG. Though the ocean between us If our first dream is vanished, Our first bright hopes broken, That cloud must soon pass Will glance brightly on high. Although we are parted, EULALIE. ALICE COPLEY. A TALE OF QUEEN MARY'S TIME. BY ANN S. STEPHENS. CHAP. II. "Of higher birth he seemed, and better days- Alice Copley received her father's blessing and her lover's whispered farewell on the terrace, and hastened with cautious footsteps to her chamber. Her mind had been overtasked during the day, and she began to disrobe herself wearily, and most anxious for a few hours of quiet rest. She had already drawn the slippers from her small feet, and loosened her robe, when a noise at the door startled her. She looked up, gathered the dress again hastily over her person, and, with difficulty, prevented a shriek of affright bursting from her lips. The door had been cautiously opened and closed again, and there, within her sleeping-chamber, late at night, stood the stripling page of King Philip, gazing earnestly on her as she prepared for rest. That boy page had long been a subject of wonder and surmise in the court-a certain air of mystery for ever hung about him. He had been brought from Spain in the King's suite, a strange, reserved, and very beautiful creature, whose light duties were confined to the person of his master. His bearing was always reserved, and sometimes shrinking and modest as a very girl's, but occasionally he would meet the jeering speeches and curious eyes of the court gossips with freezing reserve, or, at rare intervals, with a curling lip, and an air of almost imperious scorn. He spoke no English, and therefore was allowed to linger about the person of his master in his hours of council, and to share his most private moments, a cherished favourite, whose gentle presence was always pleasant and safe. The most important secrets were discussed in his presence, and seldom did King Philip visit his Queen without first being announced, and afterwards attended by his handsome page. The conversation, both in his council and in these interviews with his wife, was always conducted in the language supposed to be unknown to the page, but, at times, when some act of cruelty or oppression were under discussion, the boy's round smooth cheek would blanch, and his lips become tremulous with unaccountable emotion, and more than once, when Queen Mary's doting fondness of her young husband had been over warmly expressed in his presence, Alice Copley had observed the red blood burn over his cheek, and fire flash to his large black eyes with a brilliancy painful to gaze upon. Yet all this was very strange, for the singular being seemed not only ignorant of her native language, but was averse even to an attempt at learning it. Alice shrunk from the boy's glance, and drew "I see by that start, the little promontory down yonder-the bible, and thy two companions, are not yet passed from thy mind." behind the bed-drapery more in maiden bashful-membered the footsteps that had startled her in ness than from terror at his appearance; whatever the park. his object might prove, she felt that little of harm could be apprehended from a creature so frail and delicate, that he appeared scarcely more than a mere child. There was neither saucy boldness nor confusion in his manner, but as the light fell on his small and exquisitely moulded features, she observed a subdued and gentle expression there very different to anything she had seen before. He had evidently been undergoing some unwonted physical emotion; his cheek was pale, the fire of his fine eyes was quenched, and the full red lips were slightly parted, not in a smile, but as if to allow free passage to the quick breath that came up from his panting bosom. After her first confusion, Alice could but conjecture that late as it was, the Queen desired her attendance, and had sent that strange messenger to demand it. Drawing farther back, she hurriedly arranged her robe, and thrust her feet again into the slippers she had just taken off. With these imperfect preparations to obey the supposed summons, she stepped forward, and by a sign, informed the page that she was ready to follow him. Greatly | to her astonishment, he went to the door cautiously, tried the bolt, and came back to where she was standing, pale and terrified at the action. "Do not fear me, lady," said the boy, in sweet broken English, which fell upon her ear like some soft magic, "nay, do not pale thus; I would do thee good rather than harm," and grasping the resistless hand of the maiden in his slender fingers, he pressed it reverently to his lips. Alice was perfectly bewildered. Who was the strange beautiful creature? why was he there intruding on her privacy at that time of night? why had he so long concealed a knowledge of her na tive tongue? She had heard him speak in his own language often, but his voice seemed singularly musical and flute-like, as he uttered these imperfect words of English; there was something feminine and helpless in it, that went to her heart. "This is very strange, boy; why should you break upon my privacy thus? Leave me, I pray,' faltered out the bewildered girl, withdrawing her hand, but gently, and as one reluctant to give pain. "I cannot go," replied the page, respectfully; "I have much to say." "Let it be to-morrow, by daylight, then; it befits not a maiden's honour that one of the other sex should be fastened in her chamber at this hour of the night." An arch smile flashed over the boy's face, but he drew a little back, and folding his arms, seemed determining some subject in his mind. By degrees the whole expression of his face changed; the finely-pencilled brows fell, and gradually knitted to a frown over his dark eyes; a sterner expression came about the mouth, and the small white fingers of the right hand beat nervously against the folded arm. Alice did indeed start, and the colour forsook her face. Quick as thought she saw her danger. The secret of her religion was made known. Her happiness, her life, nay, lives dearer than her own, were placed at the mercy of King Philip's favourite. For a moment, she was utterly overwhelmed by the magnitude of the threatened evil, but firmer thoughts came at length, and clasping her hands, she bowed her face, and murmured, "The will of God be done." "I will do thee no harm," said the boy, earnestly. Alice lifted her head, and looked eagerly in his face; there was sincerity and commiseration there -a look of honest sympathy that touched her heart. Her eyes filled with tears, and with a grateful impulse she extended her hand. "Not for my sake-oh, not all for mine, but for those loved better than myself, am I beholden to you, kind boy.” "Fear me not," was the reply. "I am no eavesdropper, to pry into the hearts of my fellow men, and crucify them because they claim a right to worship God after their own fashion. I did keep guard upon thy actions for this." "Then wherefore were my footsteps followed so perseveringly?" said Alice, lifting her tearful eyes again to the boy's face; "I am but a humble maiden, exalted to a station beyond my wishes, yet save in the secret worship of a heart which must be free in its prayers, my actions are open as day." "I heard the tale of King Philip's forward love from thy own lips, as it was told to thy father, and yet have I listened to a different tale, one that said thou wast not altogether so chary of thy smiles to a royal lover, else had I not traced thy footsteps." "And who has dared thus to slander an innocent maiden?" said Alice, while the indignant crimson rushed over her face, and her soft eyes kindled with a proud light," who bas so belied me?" "If there be falsehood, it comes from Queen Mary," replied the page. "From the Queen?" exclaimed the indignant girl. Nay, nay, she could not be so base; I will not believe it." "A jealous woman is not likely to be over scrupulous in her sayings, nor easily deceived," muttered the page; 66 yet she knew not that other ears than the King's understood her words." The page uttered this sentence rather to himself than to the anxious creature that stood before him. It was evident that, young as he was, the Queen's unjust suspicions were mingling with the more generous impulses of his nature. After a moment, he again turned to the damsel. 66 Something that concerns thy honour if not thy welfare, passed in the royal chamber, after thy departure this afternoon," he said. "King Philip desired the Queen to command thy return, and she being beside herself with jealous fury, and deeming me little better than a mute, violently up'To-night!" repeated Alice, faintly, for she re-braided him with infidelity to her love-challenged "I have been in thy company before to-night, maiden,' ," he said, at last, raising his eyes to her face. hin with meeting thee stealthily in the park, and asserted that she, with her own eyes, had seen ye❘ steal to the palace like thieves, through a private entrance, each coming from the same direction, and each with muffled face and cautious look." Alice felt the searching eyes of that strange boy rivetted keenly on her face, as he uttered this charge, for even his lips seemed to frame it as an accusation, but a sense of his suspicious scrutiny was lost in a feeling of outraged purity, which amounted to a degree of indignation, such as her young heart had never known before. heart to strike thee to the earth for the thought. I followed thee from my own free will, not doubting the truth of what I had heard: not as a jackall spying prey for the lion, but to avenge my own wrong. Hadst thou gone forth, as I then most truly believed, to meet King Philip, the blood which throbs so proudly in that heart had long ere this deluged the greensward where ye prayed !" The boy thrust his hand again into his bosom, and Alice could see by the motion of his wrist that his fingers were working about the dagger-haft, perhaps unconsciously, as he spoke. For a mo "And the King," she exclaimed-" what saidment, thoughts of her own wrong were lost in he to this base slander?" wonder at his strange excitement. Alice was scarcely aware of his scrutiny, but stood upright, her form dilating, and her cheek becoming pale with intense scorn, while her small white teeth glistened beneath the curling lips as she uttered the single word, "Dastard!" A The page started at the sound of that word, uttered as it was with all the concentrated indignation of a heart so basely outraged; his eyes fairly showered fire, and thrusting a hand into his bosom, he half drew a poniard from its rest. moment his small white fingers clutched the jewelled haft, and then he thrust it slowly back with a smile of bitter meaning, and dashing his hand against his forehead, turned away muttering Is it not true-holy virgin-is it not true? Why should my blood fire, and my limbs quiver at the word? Have I not felt all this, and buried the feeling deep, deep in the very core of my heart? Oh !"-the boy suddenly checked himself, burst into tears, and finished by a few passionate sentences uttered in Spanish. For the space of some three minutes he paced the room to and fro, making a strong effort to subdue himself. length he again paused before the damsel, more At composed, but he trembled much, and a bright tear glittered on each burning cheek. “Heed me not," he said, dashing the drops away, "there are times when the hidden fire will break forth, when I am sinfully violent and wayward." Alice had scarcely heeded his passionate outbreak; her own gentle heart had been too cruelly aroused for thought of him, and he had uttered several rapid sentences before she was sufficiently composed to listen. The first words which she comprehended were, "Queen Mary believed me ignorant, as I seemed, of her tongue; but I understood it all too well, and”— "Then went forth to spy out the actions of a daughter who sought her only parent in the still night, that she might worship the high God unshackled. To track my footsteps, listen to my words, and then report them to your mistress, the Queen. Shame, boy! shame! it was an unworthy act." "For the Queen-I-I an emissary of the Queen? By all the Saints in Paradise, this is too much!" exclaimed the stripling, drawing his slight form proudly up, and stamping his tiny foot with angry vehemence to the floor; "I could find in my "I will not believe so badly of you as these words impart," she said with gentle dignity. "Even had I been the guilty thing they would this murderous intent, a being so fair and softbelieve me, why should it anger you, boy? To spoken could never come; it was but an evil dream-put it away, lest harm come of it. Faithless to his Queen or not, why should you, a mere Prince, a man whom his best friends acknowledge boy, take such terrible interest in the Spanish to be devoid of all generous properties?" The boy shook his head, and a strange sad smile came over his face. mystery even to my own heart, which, at times, the mother who has many fair children, will cling "But this is woman's love-not that more staid duty which an attached servitor might feel for his master," said Alice, at a loss to comprehend the reply. "Woman's love—true, very true; but it is idle talking of these things; we have wandered from the subject-the Queen's accusation against thyself. I did believe her, and followed thee down the avenue to the brink of the water. There was a moment when my heart seemed on fire. When that dark youth sprang from the trees, I thought it was him, and-and I need not say what this hand was tempted to do. The dagger was uplifted, the moonbeams glittered on its blade! I heard his voice, and then crouched to the earth, terrified by my own wild thoughts. I listened to thy tale, and was almost convinced by it-drank in every word of that mysterious prayer, till my very spirit seemed going from me in tears. I scarce know what impulse brought me hither, but I was terrified lest these evil suspicions should again return to my bosom. They must never come backnever, never, or I may do fearful deeds. I would have no shadow of doubt. Swear to me that the story given thy father, beneath the oak-trees this night, was truth. That King Philip's offer of love was rejected, and will ever be !" The page spoke eagerly, and held up a small golden cross, that Alice might take the oath. "It needs not," said the maiden, gently putting aside the cross with her hand; "I have spoken nothing but truth, yet will I not swear by that symbol." Again the boy seemed ready to burst forth in a storm of passion; but there was something in the young girl's steadiness that checked him, and with quick transition of feeling, he entreated her almost with humility to take the oath. "Thou art trusting and open-minded," he said, "and hast not learned to suspect as I have. Couldst thou know the torment of jealous doubtthe agony of a heart that has often been deceived, this small boon would not be denied to me." Alice reflected for a moment, and stepping to her bed, drew from underneath the pillow a small ritual of the English church. "I have no book more holy than this, which, next to the bible, is held sacred by our church," she said. "If this will content you, boy, I most solemnly swear that every word that I have uttered to you or others, regarding King Philip, this day, is true," and pressing her lips reverently on the crimson velvet binding of the ritual, Alice placed it again beneath her pillow. "I thank thee, maiden, and am content," replied the page, following her movements with his eyes. "This regard for my scruples shall not go unrewarded; and now let me counsel where I would serve. Eyes as keen, and far more cruel than mine, are upon thee; go not speedily again to the lake; be not eager for the society of thy father, or of Master Huntly, the secretary." | | added fears which her later conversation was calculated to excite. With all her acquired fortitude, she was but human-a fragile, delicate girl; and thoughts of what she might be called upon to endure, should her faith become known, almost overwhelmed her with dismay. Long and ardently did the weary girl pray for protection from evil, and power to act uprightly, should the worst befal her; and when, at last, her beautiful and innocent head rested on its pillow, she slept tranquilly, and as a child reposing on its mother's bosom. The great beauty of prayer is, that it gives an abiding strength to the heart, and while all earthly reliances fade away before adversity, like perfume from the flower, or dew from a tree branch, affords serenity and perpetual strength to the soul, equal to its utmost need. When Alice awoke in the morning, it was with fearful and serene feelings. She knew that evil threatened her-that ere nightfall she might be numbered among the persecuted beings who were even then suffering imprisonment and death, rather than deny their Lord. But her young heart beat freely beneath the thought, and she went forth to her duties, when the usual hour of attendance on the Queen arrived, with a serene brow, and a step of tranquil dignity. When Alice entered the apartment where Queen Mary usually spent her mornings, she hesitated at the door, and a slight colour broke over her cheek, for King Philip was seated in the recess of an open window, while Charles, his favourite page, knelt on a cushion at his feet, and trifled with the strings of a lute. Never had Alice seen the stripling to such advantage. There was a lovely expression beaming over his youthful face, his large liquid eyes were uplifted to the gaze of his master-a rich colour revelled in his cheeks, and the low soft notes of a Spanish air broke from his red lips, like perfume from the heart of a cleft pomegranate. "It is friendly counsel," replied the page. The morning was glorious with sunshine, and a "Queen Mary but wishes an excuse for thy de-light wind came up from its revels among the struction! Be wary of her, for she is a wicked woman !" "Alas!" interrupted Alice, "wherefore must a simple creature be thus beset? Why must the heart's pure worship be visited on me as a sin?" "I am sorely beset; which way shall I turn?" murmured the poor girl; and extending her hand to the page, she added mildly, "believe me, kind boy, I am much beholden for this service; now leave me alone, that I may seek strength of my heavenly Father.” "Farewell!" said the boy, respectfully pressing his lips again to her hand. "When we meet again, give no token of this interview. Thou art the first being that has ever heard me speak, save in my native tongue; the courtiers deem me indifferent to their meaning. They little know how apt an aching heart may become." A sad smile played over the boy's face as he spoke, and drawing his plumed cap over his brows, he left the chamber courteously as he had entered it. The moment Alice found herself alone, she sunk to her knees, covered her face with her hands, and wept like a child. As a Christian, she was grieved that for a moment resentful feelings had found place in her heart; she was shocked to find so much of her naturally strong passions unsubdued, and to this feeling of penitence were flowery nooks of the park, and sweeping through the open sashes, filled the antique and wainscoted apartment with its sweetness, 'till it was fragrant as a flower-garden in the prime of summer. It was beautiful to see the scented air trifling with the long black curls, and bathing the uplifted forehead of that kneeling page, while the master sat gazing idly upon his spirited loveliness. Queen Mary reclined in a chair, nearly watching them both, as if she could find it in her heart to be jealous of the soft music which drew the notice of that swarthy Spanish bigot one moment from herself. Notwithstanding Philip's repeated insolence of the previous day, it was evident that he had effected a reconciliation with his narrowminded consort, for her repulsive features wore as much good nature as they were capable of assuming, and that she had taken more than usual care in the adornment of her persou, was apparent in the glittering and cumbrous richness of a dress by which she strove to conceal both the defects of nature and the ravages of time. There was a gorgeous display of jewels in its arrangement, singularly out of keeping with the pure hour of morning, and when Alice Copley advanced with noiseless footsteps, and took her station behind the |