Penshurst Castle

, Pembroke's mo

rst Park, when Philip Sidney passed from under the great gateway of the noble house-or castle, for it was embattled, by the king'

Anjou had cast over him had passed away, and he was again the favourite on whom Elizabeth smiled, and from whom she expecte

was a relief to Philip Sidney to escape from the atmosphere of the Cour

one of the most beautiful of

rossed the Park he turned, and, looking back at it, felt stirring within him that pride of race

good Languet have grudged me my retirement, and rejoice that I have again gone forth into the troublesome wo

nto living gold, as the low rays of the eastern sun shone through the branches, thinly veiled, as yet, with tender green, to

p with its short plume, raising his face that the fresh air might fan it, were all in harmony with the pride and glory of his young manhood. Suddenly his eyes s

u before me breathing the soft pure air. It has bro

se the best of the day, Philip, and h

make it less de

ver cling to the place where childhood has been passed. And how fares it with you, d

God knoweth, to conquer,

shall not say so.

to think she loved me, and that I was so blind, so blind. She is the wife

do her good and not evil. Yes, dear brother, by nurturing this love you do her a worse

But the sting lies here; hearken, M

appy word! O

not, or could n

ped in a most

venly day-wret

elf, thou dost t

aris made t

aud, robbed the

of thy fortu

, myself did

wit, forsooth,

, for both our

not by risin

y was near-O

n more foolish

d Stella, So

a nobler man. The very beauty around us seems to bid us rejoice to-day. Come, let us speak of happier themes. You will like to see my little Will, and carry back good news o

d at his sister's bidding, and, looking do

, Mary, and I doubt not the boy is worthy of you, thoug

y lay curled upon his fair cheeks, making the only shadow

orning light under the spreading boughs of the tre

y of form and feature, though

s that Philip Sidney's beauty was too feminine in its character; but, if in colouring of hair and complexion and delicate outline of feature, this might be true;

e, 'You will conquer at last, and c

ds now. How long do y

tournament needs much preparation; I did but snatch a few days to speak on our f

Sidney

s marvellous tales of the manner in which the fair ladies of the Court are ever ready to smile on you, to say nought of the Queen's own del

must do as she lists. She is of an age to di

with a silvery laugh. 'But queens never grow old,

ateway into the quadrangle, just as the big bell was m

s. Would that our father were here with her. He will be present at the tournament, and I will do my u

usehold, in the home where the unbroken family so seldom met now. Lady Mary's life had been a chequered one, and she had suf

esident of Wales, and received small thanks for all he did in the interests of the Principality, and less gratitude. When breakfast was concluded, Lady

r, be sent for the fourth time to Ireland, will you accompany him, and serve him with the wisdom you ever show, Philip?

r myself, I could not go thither to Ireland in the capacity my father speaks of; and as to the Queen conferring on him a title of nobility or large estates, she will never do it. I know this much, and I counsel my father to let the matter rest. He is held in respect at Ludlow, he has our own fair home of Penshurst as an inheritance, why, then, enfeebled in health, should

hink, Philip, of the scant and mean allowance of twenty pounds weekly he receives as President of Wales. Forsooth, to keep up any fitting dignity in our mansion it costs us thrice that sum. And if it is complained that I am with my dear spouse, and so add to the cost, sure I am worth my meat, of which my poor scarred face is a token. Scarce ever do I see these scars but I re

ice trembled, and tea

her's distress; and he knew all she said was

t. As soon as this entertainment of the Ambassadors from France is over, I will set about inquiring into the aspect o

eet your inquiring gaze, and to hear the smothered sigh as you looked on your mother's changed face. While little Mary drew back from my offered kiss, and cried out, "It is not my pretty mother," you put your arms round me, saying to her, "It is our own dear mother, Mary. Fie then, for shame," as she struggled to get away from the woman

ou were ready to take me to task not long ago. But I must away to look round the stables, and see

er household duties ir

neglecting to replenish the fire on the open hearth with wood, so that when it was time to hang up the kettle to boi

Box the other ear if you like, a

ouse to-day,' Mrs Forrester screamed, as

od. I know where I sh

ound herself face to face, on the strip of rough

aimed, 'whether are you

that tongue. Hark, now, it is still

ithout taking any notice of Lucy's reference t

and I promised to see to the fire on the hearth, but I didn't, and that is the cause of the uproar. But good Master Humphrey, help me to get to London to see th

umphrey said. 'But I have a plan which, i

od, Master Hump

h lodgings not far from Whitehall. It may be there will be a cor

ening, and I will be as meek as a lamb and curtsey my lowest to her, and call

hat it was at George's earnest desire he had d

ey, will Mr Sidney be c

. George himself is, of course, to be in attendance, and one of our serving men as

ss without seei

ford and her little son were now seen coming along a field p

nd lifted Ambrose over the stile, in spite of hi

the air before he set him on his l

mercy, as is your won

our rose a

poor are alway

id, with an appealing look, whi

em. Aunt Lou put the eggs under the old mother for fun. Grannie does not know, and when the little duckli

child's chatter, he was earnest

ause of trouble there, for he tho

e thought it would be wiser to leave Humphrey to plead her cause, and persuade Mary that if his mother would consent

of trouble, Mistress G

w-as you ta

which I can

ted, and Hu

he asked. 'I heard loud voices when I came up to the house a short t

but the life we lead yonder becomes more and more hard. It is ill training

aimed. 'End it, Mary-end it for ever,

urge me to do what is i

ned away with an impat

otect you from all evil, and keep your boy from evil, train him to be a

ason-a good reason-for refusing what would be, I doubt not, a haven of calm after the tro

d, meanwhile, serve you in all ways I can. Here is this child, your young sister, chafing against the life she leads here. I will do my best to persuade my mother to take her in her company to London for

ith your mother; she disdain

Her Puritan whims and fancies are a cause of offence, and no ave

ather for diversity in the form of worship: it is this that tears this countr

ng God after their own manner, has a cruel significance. But we must not forget the fires of Smithfield, nor the

d of that queen's dearest friend, which was brought to the bloc

Countries first, and then, believe me, he will not stop there. Mr Sidney's protest against the Queen's marriage with the Duc of Anjou was founded on the horror he felt of seeing this realm given over once

omewhat in his views. Is

ance for the purpose-praying secretly, however, that the whole matter may fall to pieces. And, indeed, this is likely. The Queen's highness is loth to lose her supremacy, and there

lent for a few mome

and valleys over which we look every day? See the wooded heights yonder, in all the varied colours of the early spring; see the sloping pastures, where the flowers make a carpet! Often as I look on it, and see the tower of the church rising amongst the red

, as he left her, a few minutes later, he felt there was someth

ied life. Her suitor had come in the train of the E

r had been busy, and Ambrose Gifford had been supposed to have been slain in a disgraceful fight; but nothing was absolutely certain; and Humphrey Ratcliffe, who had known Mary from her girlhood, now disc

at of his master's that made the tie between them stronge