IladAs we pretend only to give slight || Lord Balveny was intrusted to ad sketches of private life in the sixteenth century, we pass over events of minor interest, and proceed to the fifteenth year of our heroine. The king in his avowed or incognito excursions often called at Balveny Castle, and marked the growing loveli-ness of Wilmina. He told the queen that the most learned fair-one in the realm was also the best proficient in feminine works and notable housewifery in He said to Lord Balveny, that she first appeared to him a tender bud on the bleak moss of Cree, and the season was arrived for transplanting the beauteous flower to a more genial clime. The queen urgbed that she had a grand piece of needle-work to complete, and Wilamina's hand must be a great acquisiItion. Lord Balveny consented to spare her some weeks; and the queen lassured him, that, tasteful, expert, and diligent, her execution furnished a pattern and stimulus to her giddy common-place hand-maidens. She had never seen her brothers; and in reply to the queen's inquiries, she acknowledged, it was her only grief to be estranged from them. A violent contest had arisen between the -Lowlanders and the brae men of Perthshire. With a competent farce, just the differences, or controul the party refractory to accommodation. In his absence it was probable the Master of Balveny and Sylvester would accept an invitation to a ball, where they were sure of meeting their young sister. Messengers were 'dispatched in every direction, requiring the presence of nobles and gentry on the 25th of June, in commemoration of the battle of Bannockburn: no true Scot could decline attending the national festival: Wilmina's heart palpitated with joy in the prospect of seeing her brothers. Her feelings were wholly disinterested; but the king and queen, provident for her future advantage, looked forward to a time, which could not be far distant, when the protection of the nearest male relatives must be of the utmost consequence to her, if unmarried, when she should become an orphan. i nud More recently than the reign of James V. ladies of the highest condition in Scotland were arrayed from the wardrobe of their maternal progenitors of several generations. Anxious for the public debût of her favourite, the queen deigned to select for her dress at the ball the gapments worn by her mother at the absence would spare Lord Balveny the embarrassment of withdrawing from the ball, or meeting his rebelli ous sons. Wilmina heard her brother Ar chibald, Master of Balveny, announs ced, among others of the same rank: her glistening eye followed him; but he soon disappeared with Lord Ort mond, a personage she knew as a vis nuptial feast, with the exception of the cornette, which exclusively pertained to matronly costume. In lieu of the cornette, Wilmina's ringlets, of a glossy pale brown, were arranged under a Diana crescent of silver and pearls, and the beautiful natural curls were intermingled with the gold and gemmed ornaments used by her mother at her first appearance as Lady Balveny. A difference of co-sitor at Balveny Castle. The young, lour in the hair, and a more intelligent expression of countenance, little noticed by a stranger, formed the only distinction between Wilmina and her deceased parent; so that the daughter of Balveny, in this bridal splendour, seemed as his lady resuscitated from the tomb. Her rank, and her situation as a guest at Holyrood-House, placed her among the higher seats for young ladies. The maskers were of France, and the theme of their performance was viewed with indignation by all true friends of their country. The queen desired it to be understood as a simple contrivance to lessen the tedious stiffness, while so many presentations of nobility and gentry were going forward; but another motive was too glaring to escape detection-the revival of all the resentments and jealousies that so long embroiled the sister kingdoms. The true patriots were solicitous for a close alliance with England; but the queen and court party were employing every art to engage the king in a treaty offensive and defensive with France. Lord Balveny opposed the Continental alliance, and to get rid of his influence at the crisis of the negociation, he was appointed arbiter between the Lowlanders and brae menther, for which Archibald had taught of Perthshire; the queen, availing him to hate her. Sylvester sentra herself of a plausible reason, that gentleman of his train in quest of his ** er sons of nobility came in their turn to pay homage to the king and queen; and combining in his figure and as! pect the attributes of Mars and Ado nis, Sylvester Douglas made his graceful obeisance. Retiring seve> ral steps, with his face to the royal pair, his quick glances met the fixed and anxious gaze of his young sister, blushing with timid admiration and affectionate joy. The blanched hue of death overspread his animated visage, and his failing knees bent: yet he stood riveted to the spot. Wilmina forgot the august presence, the thousand spectators, and rushed to support her brother. The illúsion was dispelled. He no longer saw the inhumed Wilmina, but her daughter. He recovered self-possession, and grasping her hands, led her to the bench she left in concern for his illness. He accounted for the sudden faintness by having.rode to Edinburgh without rest for four days. He stood behind Wilmina, asking after Lord Balveny and father Roderick; then passing to various topies, he endeavoured to appreciate her disposition and abilities. Each trial served to convince him, that by no undue means she had aequired the ascendency over her fa ( brother. wishes had now the authority of a command. She found consolation in talking of him, and Sylvester assuaged her grief by coinciding in the sentiments of esteem and reverential affection she expressed. He and Lord Ormond had been walking under the piazzas, discussing the probability of making Wilmina subservient to their scheme of drawing Lord Balveny into their party. They instantly attended Sylvéster's call, and were sedulous in recommending themselves to the artless unsuspecting girl. Archibald || and Sylvester called to see her next day, and with little entreaty were induced to wait Lord Balveny's return to Edinburgh. His lordship conciliated the adverse Perthshire men, and Wilmina easily persuaded him, that it beseemed a peacemaker to accept concessions from his sons. They met without any reference to their long estrangement, and were not twenty minutes together, when a mesbenger in breathless haste informed Lord Balveny that father Roderick lay at the point of death. Sylvester, ardent in all his feelings, offered to attend his father and sister on the journey to Balveny Castle. They saw father Roderick yielding to the decay of nature; and, like a setting sun, the shed a mild radiance on every object within his sphere. He had a private conference with Sylvester, and › committed Wilmina to shis protection. This charge was readily accepted; but Sylvester, with apparent reluctance, consented to take Gabriel Hossack into his service. Gabriel, on his part, agreed -with some hesitation, though neither -would deny a last request to the ve-nerated confessor. He soon after resigned his pious soul into the hands of him who gave it., Wilmina bewail-ed the loss of a friend endeared by -numberless recollections of his kind-gious duties. Gabriel received it ness and worth; his precepts were more deeply engraven on her heart, and the slightest intimation of his The Master of Balveny had a residence in the eastern district of Galloway, which he very seldom occupied. Sylvester had the revenue of contiguous lands, and lived with his brother; but on account of the difference with their father, they avoided his neighbourhood. Lord Ormond had a seat within twelve miles of Balveny Castle, and as he managed to appear an independent noble, while he secretly promoted the views of the malcontents, he was still on visiting terms with Lord Balveny. He spent a few autumnal weeks at Ormond Castle, where he gathered, and conveyed to Archibald and Sylvester, the gossip that incensed them against their father and unoffending sister, Archibald had appointed to meet Sylvester at Ormond Castle. Lord Balveny and Wilmina earnestly invited him to prolong his stay with them; but he pleaded pre-engagement, and Lord Balveny, though he regretted the circumstance, approved his tenacity in fulfilling a promise. He ordered his suite to be ready at a very early hour next morning. Gabriel Hossack was also obliged to depart; and in the evening, while Sylvester was closeted with Lord Balveny, the dwarf sought Wilmina in the outer bower, where she sat at work with her damsels. She called him to the inner bower, to give a silver reliquary in memorial of his reli with profound respect and gratitude, and throwing himself on the floor, begged permission to ask a favour. sources to while away the tedious hours of bad weather. A few of the numerous publications now with in reach of persons in a humble sphere, would at those times have constituted an invaluable fund of en tertainment. Luxury was taking pos session of the table and wardrobe; but mental gratifications were still limited. At Balyeny Castle, the noble owner adhered to primitive simplicity, as the surest check to perhicious expense among his dependents When he attended the court, his. magnificence equalled his compeers; but in the country he confined him→ self to the unostentatious hospitality of his ancestors. Clad in a stole of fine woollen stuff, manufactured under her own direction, and bordered with her own needle-work, Wilmina sung a border ditty; when the porter, in confused surprise and noisy haste, threw open the great door of the hall, and Lord Ormond entered, fol lowed by Archibald and Sylvester Douglas. Wilmina flew to embrace her brothers, and Lord Balveny cor The favour was easily granted; he asked only a few slips of parchment, which Wilmina gave, and kissing the border of her garment, he left her presence through a door communicating with the suite of rooms appropriated for Lord Balveny. His lordship sent for Gabriel before he retired to bed, and dismissed him with suitable gifts and valedictory counsels. Gabriel withdrew, to spend the darkest gloom of night at the grave of father Roderick, who had taught him to read and write, and to hold fast his integrity at the hazard or expense of life itself. Punctual to the orders of his new master, he left the mausoleum in time to rouse Sylvester's attendants, who were ready at the hour he fixed for leaving Balveny Castle. Wilmina had a morning repast prepared. Sylvester was not unmoved by this mark of kind attention; his esteem for her had risen on near and familiar observation of her conduct, and with esteem increased his solicitude to draw her from the court party. She wept bitterly when he rose to bid her fare-dially hailed his honourable guest, well. They parted; and Wilmina directed all her energies to discharge a trust devolved on her by the death of father Roderick. He foresaw the dreadful scarcity which afflicted Scotland in 1540; and though he had not precisely dictated a systematic plan for relieving the sufferers, the suggestions he casually dropped were of great service. A rainy day confined Lord Balveny at home in the end of May 1540. Wilmina left her damsels at stated employment, and took her own work to the hall, where she amused her father by conversation, and by singing heroic or humorous ballads. These were the homely and sole re saying, "Welcome, my good lord, and if our cheer misbeseems the qua lity of the visitor, and our wishes to testify the deference due, Lord Ormond can but blame his own omission to announce his approach."il "A messenger so charged should have been two days ago at Balveny Castle," said Lord Ormond. ff Per chance he has tumbled into your ri vers, or has wandered on your moors, or marauders have seized him."od I "The two first mischances are possible," said Lord Balveny; “but, my lord, no marauders trouble our bounds." While the two lords were talking, Wilmina was engrossed by her bro cussion. The day passed in harmo ny. Wilmina behaved with cold pos liteness to Lord Ormond; but he was too violently enamoured, and too eas thers at the lower end of the hall. Lord Balkeny, véxed at this inatten tion to Lord Ormond, called to her: "Wilmina, you can see no other ob ject but your brothers. Lord Or-ger for strengthening his unavowed mond claims our welcome; give him party, to be daunted by gentle re your regards, and let me have a serve. He begged to be favoured hand of my sons. Our people are with music, and Lord Balveny deo! all busied in the armory: Sylvester, sired Wilmina to produce her lute you know the way thither; call the and harp. He entreated her to charm steward to bring refreshments." him with several songs, which her -Bells and bell-hangers had not brother said were often breathed from3 then saved the trouble of such er- her dulcet voice while he was at rands; and the wooden mall used Balveny Castle, and Lord Balveny in country-seats to summon attend- seconded the request. Archibald and ants, or the shrill whistle, could not Sylvester were not remiss in leading be heard in the armory, separated to conversations where Lord Ormond By distance and by thick walls. Syl- was peculiarly qualified to shine, or vester went to transmit his father's in which Wilmina could not refuse order to the steward, and the Mas- to bear a part: she felt unspeakable ter of Balveny took up the last words. relief when she concluded her en1 am glady my lord, you have in- forced task, and was at liberty to res formed Lord Ormond how the peo- tire to her bower for the night. Next ple were occupied. The porter could morning she found Sylvester in wait find no one but the cooks to lead our ing to intercept her as she returned way; so he took the office on him- from her morning devotions at the self."Uus of rok soduabi chapel: he linked his arm in hers, and took her to the bartizan. -16 Lord Ormond has had an ill-arranged reception," said Lord Balvény, “and I am extremely sorry for itsu But the wanderings of his lordship's messenger must bear the blame and acquit us." use once how Lord Ormond was paying his compliments to Wilmina. She had disengaged herself from him just as Lord Balveny finished the preceding sentence, and turning to his lordship, he answered; "No excuse is need ful for my reception, Lord Balveny. I hate ceremony, and the furbishing of arms should now be universal in our country. It is not only right, it is the first concern of a leader 13 "I am at a loss to understand you, my dear Sylvester," replied Wilmipa. "This only I can aver, that I would do or suffer much to bring Archibald to reflect how he should dignify own character by conceding to the great age of our parent." ROW his "It is always right to prevent rust in daimp weather," said Lord Balveny, desirous of waving political dis" And is it not likewise becoming Vol. IV. No. XXI. U IT |