The Cloister and the Hearth

and inquired courteously whether Gerard Eliassoen

er with you, young sir; I am t

arp round, and were bent with curiosity and

rose

u again," said Margaret, cal

r: "This is my good princess; but you are my queen." He add

aking and speaking at o

m the princess sent for, became "the cynosure of neighbouring eyes;" observing

re was I at your backs

I saw you long syne,"

, and spoke

am, as it is for us to welcome you at Sevenberge

idi

it was 'like maid like master:'

est thing under the circumstances, trusted to deeds not words. He insisted on their coming

sin? Who doubts it?

r the minstrels again. In about a quarter of an hour Johnson renewed his proposal, a

s. He knows not where we lodge in Rotterdam, and the c

ahem! I mean my secretary, shall sit here and wait, and bring

shall be too

, you and your friends, and your friends' friends if nee

e same roof with her; then she had a slight misgiving. "But if your

here I put him? and bid him stay?

young man, the very statue of gravity and starched propriety. At his aspect Margaret, being very happy, could hardly keep her countenance. Bu

him to Ooster-Waagen Straet. He replied, not in words, but by calmly taking th

ather, after all your travel," said Marga

e in that perfect young man. Johnson did him no more than justice when he laughed to scorn the idea of his sec

one a good hour ere the model secretary imbibed the notion that Creation expected Cloterman to drink the health of all good fellows, and "nommément" of the Duke of Burgundy there present. With this view he filled bumper nine, and rose gingerly but solemnly and slowly. Having reac

s their servants held. A whisper from the seneschal, and one of them rose reluctantly, stared at Gerard with haughty surprise, and entered the pavilion. He presently returned, and, beckoning the pair, led them through a

princess-it is to

follow

h her nurse. She is gone to bed,

The seneschal, with an in

countess's orders; be so good

finding, like the hare who ran by the pond and the frogs scuttled into the water, that there was a creature they could frighten, giggled and enjoyed their prowess. Then a duenna said, severely, "Mesdames!" and they were all abashed at once as though a modesty string had been pulled. This same duenna took Gerard, and marched before him in solemn silence. The young man's heart sank, and he had half a mind to turn and run out of the place. "What must princes be," he thought, "when their courtiers are so freezing? Doubtless they take their breeding from him they serve." Th

letter from her hand, and thankful to you, sir, for bringing it to me safely. Ma

thousand times," s

heart, for our friend could have us t

arth for him," replied t

g in the world," said the Co

l--What would you

sovereign demoiselle," said he, gently and a little tremulo

mamma. All the wor

e, if you will, by letting me hear the stave

u love mu

dore

. It was not mighty, but it was round, clear, full, and ringing like a bell. She sang with a certain modest eloquence, though she knew none of the tricks of feeling. She was too young to be theatrical, or even sentimental, so nothing was forced-all gushed. Her little mouth seemed the mouth of Nature. The ditty, too, was as pure as its utterance. As there were none of those false divisions-those whining sl

tess watched him with interest, for it was usual to applaud the princess loudly, but not with cheek and

e spoken voice broke the charm

s thus that cherubs and seraphs sin

; and she bent a look of love and gentle pride upon her girl: a heavenly look, su

ntess r

s the first favour she has done us the honour of asking u

rd b

not a priest, yo

I am only a lector; but next month I shall

he inferior orders. And let me beg you to do so. For the day after you have s

mad

make this promise in you

rown, a high one, and it was cut in the middle, and it was full of oh! such beautiful jewels: and his gown stiff with gold; and his mantle, too; and it had a broad border, all pictures: but, above all, his gloves; you have no such gloves, mamma. They were embr

prics are for old gentlemen;

is not so v

ed with you

mamma; and I am sure he is

iselle! you a

ittle puzzled to know on what grounds mademoise

not looked at his face, then;" and she rai

daughter, attribute it to my age, not to a want of interest in your welfare. A benefice will do

ou, m

's eye rested a moment on Gerard with mild pity and half surprise at his resigning her sex, and all the heave

m; thanks

n you too long from those who have a better claim on your society than we have. Duchess, oblig

untess and the princess, a

pretty smile, as he was going out; then, shaking her head with an ai

dare say she will give me a place about the palace." And with this hopeful reflection his mind was eased, and, being now at the entrance of the banqueting-hall, he thanked his conductor, and ran hastily with joyful eyes to Margaret. He came in sight of her table-she was gone. Peter was gone too. Nobody was at the table at all: only a citizen in sober garments had just tumbled under it dead drunk, and several persons were raising him to carry him away. Gerard never guessed how important this solemn drunkard was to him: he was looking for "Beauty," and let the "Beast" lie. He ran wildly round the hall, which was now comparatively empty. She was not there. He left the palace: outside he found a crowd gaping at two great fanlights just lighted over the gate. He asked them earnestly if they had seen an old man in a gown, and a lovely girl pass out. They laughed at the question. "They were staring at these new lights that turn night into day. They didn't trouble their heads about old men and young wenches, every-day sights." From another group he learned there was a Mystery being played under canvas

nses, and was an average specimen of theatrical exhibitions so long as they were in the hands of the clergy. But

lry and slept till daybreak. All that day, heavy and heartsick, he sought her, but could never fall in with her or her father, nor ever obtain the slightest clue. Then he felt she was false or had changed her mind. He was irritated now, as well as sad. More good fortune fell on him: he almost hated it. At l