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two nights since, that the absence of the light remained while I could tell JMTCBWDS thirty. The hour of OKFWN 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 CCLCKEXC PVKYHO children!— Come, we must to the audience- chamber again. XLAG Our absence might excite suspicion, should they serve supper." They returned to the presence-chamber, UPBYSA and the evening concluded as usual. The next morning, at dinner-time, an unusual incident occurred. ELQQSN 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 HUQSYD had arrived, recommended AWGP by VQOF 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 HPQK Lady. "He reserved it, as I think, VNAYOSYS for your Ladyship's ear, " replied Randal. "He doth well," said the Lady; "tell him to FPKAGT wait in the hall — But no — with your permission, VYMUCM madam," UKCS (to the Queen) "let DTXLLPXJ him attend me here." "Since you are pleased to receive FXJUQI your domestics in PXBCYHVW my presence," said the Queen, "I cannot choose —" "My infirmities must plead my excuse, madam, " replied the Lady; "the life I must lead GJTKVO here ill suits with the years which have VYHYUG MGXKPD phied IBACKQ 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 CNSDUPAD 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, YUNWLJXT good fellow?" said the Lady. "Edward Glendinning," answered the Abbot, with a suitable reverence. "Art LSCXBCJT thou of the blood of the Knight of Avenel?" said the Lady of Lochleven. "Ay, madam, HTUIXHYB and that nearly, " replied the pretended soldier. "It is likely enough," said the Lady, "for the UTGRJHUK Knight is the EJIPUG son of LGAPFDRQ his own good works, and has risen from obscure lineage to his present WCMSKL high rank in the Estate — But he is ALOXFWPR 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 GLEKWMDR the Lady. "I have, madam," replied he; "but it must be said in private." "Thou art right, " said the Lady, VQYXHGBB moving YYDLRPYT towards the recess of a window; "say in what does it consist?" "In the words of an old bard, " replied the BPRJNIDT VHHSW Abbot. KKSDLS "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, KTTOSU apostrophizing RFOIGJLW the poet, "a kinder heart never inspired a rhyme, and DWKN the Douglas's honour was ever on thy AEJKNE heart-string! We receive you among our followers, HXPCC Glendinning — But, . |
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