The Cloister and the Hearth

d and rang through the streets of Tergou, and the windows and balconies were studded with w

nily that even the ambassador was fain to burst out laughing. He also climbed up again by the tail in a way provocative of mirth, and so he played his part. Towards the rear of the pageant rode one that excited more attention still-the duke's leopard. A huntsman mounted on a Flemish horse of prodigious size and power, carried a long box fastened to the rider's loins by

ame

aned the flesh off his bones in a night. Served him right for molesting the poor thing." Ther

. This enormous creature had, like some other giants, a treble, fluty voice of little power. He was a vain fellow, and not conscious of

ed he, "I had nearly pas

to see," bellowed Gi

ueaked Titan, and held out a shoul

ff your ears," r

he did not see that the people were laughing not at his wit, but at the ridiculous incongruity of the two voices-the gig

and in a rage to boot, he actually dropped upon the giant's neck, seized his hair with one hand, and punched his head with

rack. The people roared with laughter and exultation at the address of their little champion. The indignant giant seized two of the laughers, knocked them together like dumb-bells, shook them and strewed them flat-(Catherine shrieked and threw her apron over Giles)-then strode wrathfully away after the party. This incident

chatting together about their favourite theme, Gerard, his goodnes

arolois would not disdain to give, there was the feminine delight at having a priest, a holy man, in their own family. "He will marry C

onfess to him instead of

ed oil to your father and me, and c

I hope to go before you, mother dear. No; let us be gay to-day. I am out of pain; mother, quite out of

, child. Why,

I trow. Only Gerard must never know; for sure he means to surprise us

th something in a cloth, uncovered it, and there was a lovely picture of the Virgin, with all her insignia, and wearing

s the Queen of Heaven. I never sa

f they belonged there, and not to a mortal cre

hat can make the saints live

is too good for this world; he is here to portray the

their sex they hastily hid the picture in the cloth, though there was no need. And the next moment in came,

d at him and at one another, and said, "The Burgomaster!" in a

ere contrary. Well, let this visit atone for the last. To-day I come on your business, and none of mine." Catheri

ut your so

work for the town all f

It is to let you know he

not a mother! Speak out, and quickly: speak ere

then," said he, grinding his teeth, and speaking very fast. "Your son Gerard is more like to be the father of a famil

h burst out laughing. G

you k

who know not my son Gerard

soon. Come, dame, make me not waste time and friendly counsel: my servant has seen them together a score

w how blind and foolish the young are. My heart! He has

His love is for our Lady and the saints. Ah! I will show you the picture-there: if his heart was earthly could he paint the Queen of Heaven like that-look! look!" and she held the picture out triumphantly, and more radiant and beautiful in this moment of enthusiasm than ever dead pic

s herself,

tility was softened. "You admire it

ou show me a picture of the girl; and you say he painted it; and that is p

d Kate, shocked. "Fie! this is no

t is Marga

t is the Que

f Sevenberg

an! behold

be seen in red hair? She who had the pick of all th

nuated round the edge of the open door:

s whisper. "We can hear you all acros

o? Why here is the burgomas

come in the nick of time. He knows father and

she a wit

tched this very Peter here; they cast unholy spells on him, and cured him of the colic: now, Peter,

r in reply: and his eye seem

peated Ghysbrec

s I do; but what have they put a crown on her

t jaws, and just speak a wench's nam

e one of you than that, burgomaste

he won't, he w

t have I

sake tell us; are these the features of

not truer, my

e, sir, for v

else sho

you say so at once?

t they did not see Catherine and her daughter had thrown their aprons over their heads, and were rocking to and fro in deep dis

ed. "Tell him, good Peter Buysk

se, after so many years of coolness, coupled with his wife's

Jacob!"

"it is nearer home, and nobody

ing is gone off my breast that was like

that he told the women, and s

wing for? It is vexing, it is angering, but it is not like death nor even si

racter; that it was not to be supposed she would be so intimate i

that, ay, by force if need be, as I would his hand lifted to c

's name?" asked the mother,

burgomaster

long. Forty-eight hours, all alone, on bread and water, cooled his hot stomach. 'Tell my father I am his h

y of men!" sig

a father says, 'Burgomaster, lock up my son,' he must do it. A f

He never disobeyed me in his life: he never shall. Wh

know not,

"he is at Sevenbergen. My s

ded-no Gerard: eight o'clock came-no Gerard. Th

abroad, wife, and tal

an, at this t

road to Se

father. Poor Gerard! he

and I am not one that trusts

w to couples walking was not discovered in Europe till centuries after this. They sauntered on a long tim

we walked so late, my ma

we shall see again (Is he

our courtin

were a buxo

at. I do suppose Gerard is with her now, as you used to be w

r by now, confound her, or

li

l, K

happier, I trow, than if I had-been-a-a-nun. You won't speak

rel

happy with me

ends I have known, but non

ef with is a great comfort to

so, m

th joy

veth tr

ve found it, sweetheart. Ah!

right, but they were in the shadow of some trees, and their son did