detention. Woful, lugubrious to a degree, was the old man's recital of the share he had had in the youth's incarceration.

"Do not vex yourself, Simeon,” said the youth, “at my trouble, but promise only to do two errands for me: the one to apprize my mother of my personal safety, the other—to—to learn if you can, how that lady fares whom I caught as she was falling from her horse this morning." This was said in an under tone.

"And where may she be think you, my master?" asked the beggar.

"At the palace, I tell you," said Herbert; "and if you find out how it is with her, I will e'en write you another verse, and take the penalty of that too on my head." I know not how it was. What chord could Herbert have struck in the beggarman's heart, that the old man seemed for some minutes overcome with grief and shame? This was This was a chivalrous age, perhaps the beggar-man had a touch of chivalry, perhaps psha, what (may some think) have we to do with such a paltry subject. Enough, then, for us to relate that Simeon promised to obey, and to bring, anon, news of success, if possible.

A bold thing the beggar-man did. He went instantly from the prison to the palace-from the precincts of his punishment to the precinct of his punishers.

Chapter IV.

HOW PRINCESS MARY GOT INTO A TOWERING PASSION. THE VERSES AGAIN.

"How is't with you now, dear Kate," said the Princess, taking the invalid by the hand with affectionate anxiety, as she sat up in the bed, wonderingly, after a somewhat critical and protracted sleep.

Perfectly well-and why not?" replied Kate, in her usual tone of voice, and with all her wonted self-possession.

After young Herbert had borne the unconscious Lady Piercy to the entrance of the palace, and seen her placed into proper hands, he waited no thanks, but rapidly moved away. Indeed, no one thought of proffering him thanks until he had disappeared, and then suitable, though vain inquiries were made after him.

There was no difficulty in finding him out when he was to be punished, but when sought to be rewarded he was absolutely undiscoverable.

Lady Kate Piercy had been removed by the Princess' order to her own apartments. The court physician was soon in

attendance. We hope our readers will credit us when we affirm, in justice to the good man's memory, that Dr. Butts was a learned man, a simple-minded man, an honest adviser, and yet a court physician. He frankly stated that medical attention was not much required; the patient was stunned only, and it was highly probable that a few hours sleep would restore her.

The Princess Mary never left her invalid friend during the anxious time of this unconscious sleep; and when the lady awoke, the Princess approached her softly and commenced the foregoing conversation.

After a pause, the still astonished Kate exclaimed, "And pray how came I here?"

The tale was told her.

"Where is this worthy squire, I marvel? I hope, in mercy, he is some groom," she rejoined.

Mary, instantly defining her reason, viz., the ease with which Kate could acquit her of her obligation by a suitable present, could not refrain laughing, whilst she said with a kind of comical maliciousness,

"Nay, but 'tis a fine youth-a gentleman, I'll warrant, who will have nothing more than a ring, or a token "in eternal remembrance."

"Was not poor Eleanor' wounded-dead, is she not?"

"It was in the article of the poor animal's death that you were rescued," replied the Princess.

"Well! but gentle princess, and most kind friend and mistress, tell me in sober sadness, I pray you, the name of this same defender of forlorn damsels, and his estate, that I may acquit me, as I ought, of that which was well intended."

"Aye, and bravely executed too. But your questions exceed my knowledge. He left ere we could say "we thank you," and none of our fellows could tell aught of him."

"Recks he so little of his handiwork that it is left unsought for," resumed Kate, in a tone where there was a tincture of pride with her nonchalance.

"It would seem so," said the Princess, "for he has never ventured near us since."

A slight knocking at the door interrupted the conversation. After permission, a tire-woman of the Princess entered.

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May it please your royal highness, a man, nearly blind, has found entrance into the attendant's hall, and brought news of the young man who rescued Lady Kate Piercy this morning." "And what may this news purport, Anney?"

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May it please your highness, the youth is confined to the ward of Ludgate for writing the verses.'

"Writing the verses! What verses?" exclaimed the Princess.

"The prophecy, your highness," said the tire-woman, in a low tone, hanging down her head.

"A prophecy! Of whom-by whom? What means the girl?" "I heard it only once, your highness, and it speaks of ""Proceed-out with it, Anney; you are not the prophet, I'll venture, if it bodes me ill," said the Princess kindly.

"I do beseech your highness' pardon," faltered the maiden. "Go to, go to. Out with this marvel: what is the purport

on't?"

"I could no more carry away of it than 'Lewis' queen and the—grave,” said the girl weeping.

"An' the news were as welcome to all concerned as to the subject of it, the prophet should reap merit and not maim for his verses, Anney," said the Princess, a deep cloud of melancholy and perfect palor overshadowing her lovely and expressive face.

Lady Kate Piercy rose, and stood silently beside her friend and mistress, waiting an opportunity or a command to dismiss the tirewoman.

The Princess recovered her calmness, which had been banished for a few minutes, and resumed: "The youth who rescued Lady Piercy was the writer of these lines and is a prisoner, I think you said?

"He is, your highness: and the Lord Bishop of Lincoln's waiting-gentleman says he is to lose an ear, if not both, and be publicly whipped to-morrow for the offence."

"By the heart of Madonna! I will lose my own rather," exclaimed the Princess, turning crimson. "Ha! know they to whom they offer this indignity? Though I must bear the breaking of my heart, I will not brook a slur upon my fame. Had he but saved my Lord Wolsey's lap-dog, he would have 'scaped scot-free. Go, hie thee instantly to Sir Gilbert Talbott-bid him attend me; and, Anney, bring a copy of these terrible verses: but to Sir Gilbert first.”

I need not stay to note the varying tones of this sentence, so peculiar and characteristic of the Tudor race-more thoroughly English than any of our monarchs in passion, though not in lineage.

Let it not offend, that the same phrase is employed in speaking of the Princess with the one shortly since used when describing the emotion of the beggar, "This was a chivalrous age." How much of the foregoing boast was the result of chivalrous feeling-how much the pent up sorrow which had not hitherto been allowed vent, it might be enquiring too closely to consider.

As soon as the tire-woman had quitted, the Princess resumed,

with high tone, flashing eyes, and still heightened color: “Kate, they would make puppets of us-the pride of kings which flows in us, with our blood, may not endure it ;-things to serve their interests and policy. But, by my halidame! if we must suffer the penalty, we will maintain the privilege too, of our blood and birth."

The Princess paused. After a time, she looked keenly into her companion's face and exclaimed, "What hath come over thee, Kate? Would'st thou tamely sit and see thy knight degraded to a poor villain?"

"Your highness is not like to give me leave," replied the other, calmly.

Sir Gilbert Talbott, being announced, was admitted instantly, and the Princess began

"Sir Gilbert, there is a youth in ward at Ludgate for scribbling some unmeaning verses respecting us: we desire his instant liberation, in consideration of certain services, and we would appoint him one of our attendants-aye, it would be fitting equerry to Lady Kate Piercy till we arrive at the French frontier." Then turning aside to Kate, she said in a low tone, "That will secure our knight from foul play in our absence."

"I do beseech your highness," replied Sir Gilbert Talbott, with a low reverence, "to weigh well what it is you command me to execute. If that I be able to effect the youth's liberation, which much I doubt, my head will pay the forfeit of my obedience a penalty I would not hesitate to incur in defence of your highness' person or renown; but for this churl".

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'Hold, Sir Gilbert !—our fair fame is our safety. It is well: I ask no unwilling champion. If you will bear our message to the Minister, who yet remains in the palace, it will be an easier task and less risk."

So saying, the Princess waved her hand imperiously, and the knight retired in deep confusion, inwardly cursing the waywardness of princes and the dangerous servitude of courts.

The Princess paced the apartment in considerable excitement: it seemed as though she were "nursing her wrath to keep it warm." Lady Kate Piercy was at a loss what course to take, and remained silent. Presently Wolsey was announced. Mary turned quickly upon him.

"My Lord, you know-none so well as you-how dearly I do pay for my condition-royal dignity;-the unwilling price it costs me. By our dear lady! my lord, it was never heard of in a christian land, that royal blood lacked the power to shelter from a mean punishment the champion whom Heaven sent it in its need. It is a gross dishonor to my royal brother, as to me, to

shame the youth to whose courage and skill he owes the preservation of a life dear to our heart, and which should be dear to those who tend the honor and safety of this land."

The Princess seemed to pause from her ill-suppressed and momentarily increasing excitement. Wolsey thought he had never seen her so like the King, and he felt some kind of awe as he replied, in his most gentle manner,

"I am at a loss to comprehend your highness."

"Coop up the youth for some ill-managed rhymes, within a few hours of vital service ;-punish for a thoughtless error, forgetful of a well designed, well executed feat, and right brave benefit to us, on our behalf! 'Tis monstrous. And we are threatened with-Heaven knows what ill-if we demand that which ought never to have been left us to demand-his instant liberation."

"Body o' me!" exclaimed the King, who had entered unperceived. "What means this uproar and our sister's wrath?” "It means," retorted the Princess boldly, " that there is never a scurvy knave in Christendom that hath not better honor from your grace than that unhappy, unfriended woman your sometime loved sister Mary-to whom a thousand promises of love and affection are but proper-false, or lover's vows-whose dignity is outraged-whose power and influence are gone, and who hath buried in her father's grave friend and protector."

The King, far from being offended with this display of temper, said, with unusual calmness,

"What would our sister? We are not in the secret of thy displeasure. Be well assured our blood-the best blood of our heart-pleads for thee, and we believe thou know'st it."

Mary was overcome. The fit was passed: and she was about to kneel to the King, but he instantly, extending his hands, prevented her, rejoining,

"Our sister and our equal may speak out without the symbol of obedient duty, such as a subject owes."

"The youth whose adroitness saved the life of our loved Lady Kate Piercy, has been condemned to an ignominious punishment for some foolish verses: it is not fitting to our state that he should suffer; and we sought of Sir Gilbert Talbott his liberation without effect," remarked the Princess.

The King perceiving Wolsey was about to reply, cut him short with "Come, come, Thomas! women will have their way. Fair sister, we will, upon the instant, dispatch Talbott to liberate the youth,'

So saying, the King, accompanied by Wolsey, quitted the apartment. He had not trusted himself alone with his sister since the celebrated conference with de Longueville. It might